[baiskeli]

@creadinger 6820 wrote:

Wow, thanks for the eye opening posts. My wife just renewed our AAA membership for the year… does anyone know if they refund any money for cancellations?? I’d like to look into this BWC instead. Is it just DC area? Or is it nationwide?

Others know more than I do, but I know the national has been bad in the past, and DC (Mid-Atlantic) has been really bad. The DC spokesman is famous for lobbing attacks on bikes. However, lately the national and some of the locals have gotten better. The national (I think) even had a booth at Bike to Work day this year, and the guy there was very cool. Not sure if the DC chapter has followed suit though.

[baiskeli]

@Rootchopper 6832 wrote:

One of the coldest days of my life happened on Bike Virginia 1991. The second day was a cold rain that nobody had prepared for. We FROZE! Waits at the porta-potties at the morning rest stop took forever because it was warm and dry in there and nobody wanted to come out! The second stop was at a huge outdoor fireplace with a roaring fire blazing away. Ahhhh.

What time of year was that?

[baiskeli]

@OneEighth 6821 wrote:

Glad it wasn’t worse, baiskeli.
I was thinking about that section of boardwalk this morning as I rode across it. The pilings appear to be steel and I’m wondering if they (and the footings) could support a paved surface rather than the pressure treated wooden boards currently in place. There may be environmental concerns about having an impermeable surface instead of the wooden boards, but I wonder if any benefit gained from the more porous nature of the wooden boards is cancelled by the effects of the chemicals in the pressure treated wood leaching out through constant exposure.
Seen simply as a safety issue, the wood surface is lousy.

Hmmm. Probably a cost issue rather than a weight issue.

[baiskeli]

@Tim Kelley 6815 wrote:

I’ll pass along this information to the NPS.

Good idea Tim, thanks.

[baiskeli]

@StopMeansStop 6803 wrote:

I don’t know what it is, but every time I do it I feel like I’m 11 years old again.

In 2005 I rode the Seagull Century in five inches of rain–they dying throes of a tropical storm. Luckily it was a warm rain. Lots of wind too. It was actually alot of fun. You have to completely give up on the idea of staying dray.

[baiskeli]

We are members – we also switched from AAA because of it’s anti-bike stance (believe it or not, AAA is getting better about that – it used to be much worse). My wife used the service once and it was fine. They used to give you a discount on gasoline – you send in your receipts and get a partial refund of something like 5% – but I don’t know if they still do that now that gas costs so much.

[baiskeli]

What a cool idea! It emphasizes the fact that biking is a form of transportation too, not just a hobby.

[baiskeli]

Whoever helps you should also have the ability to help you get the right style and size of bike, if that’s your problem, or at least adjust it to fit your needs. From what you describe, it sounds like maybe you have a bike that’s not the right shape or size or isn’t adjusted right for you.

[baiskeli]

My advice for when you do take the CC home:

Keep in mind that it’s always harder when you just get started. Don’t do the trip home the first time and assume it will always be as hard. Pace yourself. Don’t try to maintain a high speed when it’s hard, especially up a steep hill. Drop into your lowest gear and slow down as much as you can without falling over, and just keep going. Slow pace, low gear = “slow and low.”

[baiskeli]

Tim,

I can work Thursday or Friday night, or maybe Sunday morning before 2. Let me know when you need me.

-Rick

[baiskeli]

The Bikestation at Union Station has a changing room, but I don’t think it has showers. You might ask around at your employer – sometimes there is a secret shower somewhere you could use. I’ve also used the gym membership route.

Lately, I’ve found that showering at home works just fine except on the very hottest days. My morning commute is downhill and it’s cooler in the morning, and you get a good breeze on a bike. I find that I’m usually less sweaty than I would have been after walking a few blocks from the Metro anyway. Sometimes I need a little sponging off in the bathroom, but that’s it.

[baiskeli]

@Dirt 6140 wrote:

Pervert.

Then I whipped out my tube and pumped it! Woohoo!

[baiskeli]

@Dirt 6152 wrote:

I love the term “Salmoning”. Makes me hungry.

Actually, had another missed connection today – a lady in a sunhat and sundress ambling the wrong way right at me in the bike lane on Wilson.

[baiskeli]

@WillStewart 6056 wrote:

Wearing an effective mask while bike commuting significant distances on high pollution days is looking more and more appropriate.

That brings up another question – aren’t most days going to be bad for particulates? The heat probably doesn’t affect them like it does ozone. I would think that unless it’s raining or just rained, most days would have particulates floating around.

[baiskeli]

@StopMeansStop 5945 wrote:

I can has Surly?

Here’s my caption:

No, I no hav seen cyclist. (Burp).

[Author]

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