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@Mark Blacknell 140183 wrote:

On behalf of WABA, thanks to everyone who came out to ride. And extra thanks to folks like Dana and Kathy who were out there standing around in cold rain all day so the rest of us could enjoy the ride.

On behalf of myself – I think this was a good start to an event that could serve DC well in the future. Yes, lots of logistics lessons to be learned (I think I started shaking my head at what was to come about 2 miles into the ride, as the lanes narrowed). And the kid’s participation and cost of registration/inclusion issues are clearly on the list for next year’s edition. I am generally optimistic about those outcomes.

(The self-selection of pace corralls was interesting. Runners might be used to it, but I’m pretty sure that 95% of people who use bikes have no idea whether or not they could hold a 18mph pace vs. a 12mph pace. I started well up front (as a strategy to avoid the inevitable cluster)(@ry that comes with big ride starts) and had planned to drift back and chat with friends, but as I saw more of the course – yeah, no, we kept on moving. Well, until we hit the police escort, which was rolling along at . . . 14mph. And then stopped b/c the head of the ride was running into the tail. C’est la vie.)

It turned out well. I’m glad it’s back.

One option for kids who would be self-propelled (or bigger kid with disabilities partly propelled by dads with aging knees on big heavy tandem bikes) is a shorter course for kids and families.

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Did everyone notice that hard bump just after the Whitehurst Freeway? I saw about a dozen water bottles that had been knocked off bikes just after it. Nobody with busted rims that I could see though.

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I took apart a bottle opener and bolted it to my frame so I’ll always be ready for beer. Don’t have a pic handy.

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I wore my own personal monument on my helmet. Slightly smaller than the original.

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There was no route change as far as I can tell from looking at the map. The route didn’t quite reach the Air Force Memorial.

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I had my own personal monument on my helmet. Slightly smaller than the original.
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@Steve O 139607 wrote:

I’ve been wondering if you could play tennis with these. They are fuzzy and kind of round like a tennis ball.

Like your momma?

(My 10-year-old daughter has learned “your momma’s so fat” jokes at school so it’s on my mind).

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@Jason 139636 wrote:

I’m not sorry I signed up, but it would be nice if the race organizers came on here and answered questions/concerns.

In their absence, here’s the official event guide:

http://dcbikeride.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Event-Guide_FINAL.pdf

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There are organized convoys on BTWD. Groups of rider meet at certain points and ride in together. Here’s a map of this year’s convoys. Looks like there are a few in or near Rockville.

http://www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/first-time-rider-info/4606-2

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Got snapped at this morning by these guys, with one of their goslings out. Cute little guy.

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Beer in cans is superior anyway.

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@rcannon100 139248 wrote:

Please cite any credible research and literature that supports said obvious proposition. Such literature should include data not only on riding public transportation but also traffic crashes caused by public transportation.

According to DOT, fatalities involving moving vehicles is in the order of 36,000 per year. That is not broken out for public transportation. Fatalities involving bicycles – you pretty much can count them on your hands.

You gotta go mile for mile though, not raw data.

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@Sadie Dingfelder 139245 wrote:

I’m just looking for someone like myself to write a story about. Obviously, statistically, biking is less safe than public transport, but with all the safety and maintenance issues Metro is having, it feels like we are heading towards some kind of metro disaster. That’s what gets my lazy butt on my 2 wheels in the morning, anyway.

You might be able to find a new commuter who is commuting by bike for safety, but they may be hard to find. I’d bet it’s easier to find a new commuter who switched from Metro due to reliability, breakdowns, etc., which is what I think you mean by maintenance.

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@Judd 139229 wrote:

Hmmmm…. This looks like an exaggerated story looking for a supporting quote.

Yellow journalism lives on.

Or it’s a really awesome story about another way bike commuting is better. Let’s give the reporter the benefit of the doubt and give ourselves some good press.

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Bike to School Day 2016 with the new recumbent, “Banana Peel” (Audrey named it).
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