[baiskeli]

Thanks for the heads-up.

I have to defend drivers here – around the Lincoln, they seem to almost always yield.

[baiskeli]

I think the signals send a strong message just by being there. They say that bikes are part of the transportation system too.

(I admit I blew through it the first time, after looking very carefully for cars though).

[baiskeli]

@DCLiz 3332 wrote:

Hi Justin,

I just commuted from Eastern Market to Farragut for the first time this morning. Do you know the rules pertaining to whether cyclists can use the roads the are blocked off to cars around the Capitol office buildings? On the House side, this would be C St SE in between 1st St SE & 1st St SW, in addition to 1st ST SE, etc.

Also, I wasn’t sure which paths around the Capitol were okay to bike on.

I’ve never had trouble biking on any of these streets. But going slow and careful is good advice, you never know if there’s something strange going on that day or a nervous or uninformed cop around.

I did end up on the wrong side of a White House sidewalk once. A guard whistled loudly and pointed the way out. It wasn’t really clear he meant me. He could have just talked to me, but he treated me like a car.

[baiskeli]

@bluejaitucker 3313 wrote:

Hello everyone! I am moving to the area in June and will be commuting from Potomac (Brickyard Rd & MacArthur Blvd) to Georgetown Law Center. I would love any advice you can give on the best routes to use. Do people commute on the C&O Trail? Is there a bike lane on MacArthur Blvd? I want to minimize my time battling with cars. Many thanks in advance!

Hi BJT,

Welcome to the area. What kind of bike? That will matter for the C&O. After a few miles you might wish you were on a bike with wide tires and a suspension. It would certainly be a great route for avoiding traffic.

[baiskeli]

I will obey these signals (or at least stop before running a red when it’s obviously safe). Here’s why:

I expect cars to do their part to keep me safe by obeying traffic laws, so I have to do the same.

Going downhill fast, it’s not safe to plow through an intersection against a signal.

Going uphill, it gives me an excuse to stop and rest and not look lazy.

[baiskeli]

@DaveK 3288 wrote:

Good place to remind everyone that if your helmet takes a hit, no matter if it looks fine, it must be replaced. Every hit weakens the helmet and it may not be able to save your skull the next time.

Here’s the scoop on helmet replacement: http://www.bhsi.org/replace.htm

[baiskeli]

Rick, don’t forget to try lubing the chain. I’ve had clicking noises that only happened when I pedaled that disappeared when I simply lubed up the chain. A good cleaning of the chain and drive-train may be called for too.

[baiskeli]

@PrintError 3275 wrote:

No kidding. I yelled “ON YOUR LEFT” this morning to a guy who was all the way on the right… so he immediately turned into the left lane and stopped, stunned like a deer. Luckily I missed!

That’s why I say “bike passing on your left” to anyone who looks like they don’t know what “on your left” means.

Glad you’re okay, PE. About that helmet – was it damaged? Do you need to replace it too?

[baiskeli]

http://www.bikeforums.net has a new category for people to post rides. You don’t have to be a member to view it.

Also, just heard about this ride: http://www.dcchallenge2011.org One of several nationwide.

[baiskeli]

This kitty needs a name.

I vote for Glenn Carlyn.

[baiskeli]

Well, there you go – the trail is obviously extremely dangerous if you’re a fish.

[baiskeli]

Welcome to DC.

You have LOTS of nice scenic cycling options here.

I don’t know about the Sligo Creek Trail, but I can recommend the Capital Crescent, which is probably pretty easy for you to get to. It runs from Bethesda to Georgetown. Nice ride between cool destinations, and about as safe as any trail would be. You might get to Bethesda via the crushed stone part of the trail past Bethesda, officially called the Georgetown Branch trail. It might suck on a road bike though.

From there, you can go across the river to Arlington and connect easily to the Mt. Vernon Trail, which gives you a great river view and takes you down trough Old Town Alexandria to George Washington, and has two connections to the W&OD trail, which goes west for 45+ miles into farm country. Or you could stay on that side of the river and ride on the crushed gravel C&O Canal towpath, which goes 185 miles upriver.

Rock Creek Park also has a trail, and on weekends Beach Drive, which runs through the upper section of the park, is closed to motor vehicles.

Here’s a resource on the trails and routes:

http://www.bikewashington.org/trails

In general, all these trails are pretty safe using normal precautions.

[baiskeli]

@StopMeansStop 3087 wrote:

So what’s the ettiquite to let cyclists behind you know that you know they are trying to pass?

I just point my left hand down in a triangle formation.

I either nod (you can see my head move from the back) or move over to the right a little if appropriate.

[baiskeli]

I saw him too. I was just as careful as I would be in a car. They’ll pull bikes over too, as they should.

[baiskeli]

@eminva 2980 wrote:

Come to think of it, the only person who didn’t call out a warning yesterday was a fellow female.

Was it a fellow or a female? Make up your mind.

[Author]

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