[bentbike33]

@sethpo 124231 wrote:

… why I would need / want the ability to program so many different blink patterns.

For your upcoming article in the Annals of Improbable Research on the effectiveness of alternative blink patterns for inducing epileptic seizures in motorists, of course.

[bentbike33]

@BTC_DC 124151 wrote:

Broken chain but luckily was close to a Capital Bikeshare station and able to tow my bike the remaining couple of miles to the office.

I would have liked to see that.

[bentbike33]

Given what you know about dynamo hubs, you’ve probably already read the volumes of material at http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/lightingsystems.htm, but if not, give it a look. He evaluates many different kinds of dynamo-powered lights using side-by-side photos of light output.

I run 2 Inoled 20’s in parallel from a Shimano hub (because I’m cheap). They provide plenty of light to see by with a cut-off at the top of the beam, and have a capacitor that discharges slowly while stopped (called a “stand light”) powering the lights at about half intensity to be seen. I leave them on all the time as day-time running lights.

[bentbike33]

@Steve O 124039 wrote:

…under Sycamore by EFC … help start momentum to improve the design at this location, which is notoriously bad.

I suppose the sight-lines could be straightened out by easing the curves on either side of the underpass, but I’m guessing a trail re-construction so close to Four Mile Run would run into innumerable environmental impact review issues.

[bentbike33]

I did not enjoy the fantastic array of nauseating odors wafting over the Custis from the garbage containers and other sources at the Lyon Village strip mall yesterday afternoon:p. Hoping the wind and lower humidity provides some relief today.

[bentbike33]

Crazy Ivana (w/o The Donald) on the Humpback Bridge this morning pirouetted into my path even though I had just rung-up the jogger a few yards behind her to pass (because EARBUDS!). Fortunately, prior oncoming cyclist had caused me to slow down so the overall level of kinetic energy was insufficient to cause a crash.

[bentbike33]

@DrP 123713 wrote:

Around 7:10 am today heading inbound on the Custis, just after the Spout Run bridge there were cop cars on the trail. One just after the Calvert St access point and the other appeared to be on the little rise by the apartments (well before the hill to the bridge to nowhere). There were two people sitting on the railing along the trail with hands behind their backs and heads bowed – I presume they were under arrest for something. Unless this is part of larger search, I would guess this is likely cleared out by now.

Caused a bunch to detour to Calvert and then Lee Highway and to the redone access by Veitch.

Wow, I guess I got through there just before all the excitement began. Glad I missed it.

[bentbike33]

Getting back to human-powered…

The ultimate BAFS ride:

Black-ice crashes? Impossible. Snow-packed MVT? Not a problem.

[bentbike33]

@mstone 123556 wrote:

it’s presumably a yellow sign, which is purely advisory?

Truthfully, I couldn’t tell you if there are actually still “dismount” signs there or not. I only have a vague recollection of them. I’m always focused on whether the underpass is occupied, or about to become so, by oncoming traffic and I should wait, or that it is unoccupied, or traffic is in my direction, and I may proceed (in the saddle, of course).

[bentbike33]

@Crickey7 123552 wrote:

As I started to give the particulars to the 311 operator, a traffic cop on a Segway cruises up, gives them a ticket and makes them move.

Ah, the sweet smell of carbon paper in the morning! It smells like VICTORY!

[bentbike33]

ME: Riding north on the MVT on a hot afternoon under Memorial Bridge.

YOU: Pleasant-looking older woman in white sun hat trudging south toward the same narrow underpass.

ME: Exiting from under the bridge and moving to the right well before you needed to even break stride.

YOU: Turning and leaning across the yellow line to scream at me, “It says ‘Walk’ [non-family friendly anatomical reference]!!!” as I passed.

ME: Um, OK. I suppose there is a sign saying cyclists should dismount, but my doing so would have unnecessarily delayed both of us as it would have been impossible for you to pass by me under the bridge while walking my bike. I thought my choice to disobey the sign made us both better off. I was clearly wrong and apologize.

[bentbike33]

@TwoWheelsDC 122914 wrote:

From what I could tell, paving on Westmoreland is waaaaay behind. And now they’ve got Great Falls completely milled as well, severely limiting north/south routes between north Arlington and points north.

Westmoreland was done when I did my Sunday morning ride, and Great Falls was about 1/4 done. North West St. in Falls Church City got redone (although the speed hump wasn’t back yet), and there were more signs warning of upcoming work in other places all around Falls Church/North Arlington.

Could Williamsburg be (mercifully) next?!?

[bentbike33]

Too bad all the money to fix Memorial Bridge is just for repairing the drawbridge when the real need is bike/ped ramps from each side down to the MVT.

[bentbike33]

@DrP 123136 wrote:

Then, heading south on MVT as I descend from the Humpback bridge to continue on the MVT (and I do not signal to go to the 14th Street (aka George Mason Memorial) Bridge), some guy on a CaBi comes shooting off the bridge access road and cuts me off. I have to grab a bit of break and then he slows even further to answer his phone! More break. Others then pass the two of us, One told him to watch where he was going, but he sloughed that off. I get a chance to pass him and off I go. As I ascend the airport bridge, I am stuck behind a jogger with joggers coming down and another bike coming down, so, trying not to be a jerk, I wait to pass. I signal my pass, and as I am passing, the same CaBi guy passes without any announcing himself! While I didn’t get there in time to be certain, I have a feeling he jumped his turn through the CCC tunnel too.

Your only recourse would seem to be shouting your loudest: “HEY LANCE, THIS AIN’T LE [insert optional expletive here] TOUR!”.

Of course the intended target is unlikely to hear you (because earbuds), but shouting will help to reduce your stress level, and may entertain bystanders.

[bentbike33]

@ian74 123045 wrote:

Wait!!!! Turkeys can fly???????

Wild turkeys, yes, domesticated, not so much.

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