[bentbike33]

Anyone know why the Circulator buses going around the east end of the Tidal Basin (Raoul Wallenberg Pl.–>Maine Ave.–>Ohio Ave.–>East Basin Dr.) drive so slowly? They go about pedicab speed even without a pedicab in front of them. Yesterday, the tourists were scarce enough that I passed the Circulator on the sidewalk. Given that there are usually too many tourists to duplicate the sidewalk maneuver, and the I-395 on-ramp traffic often backs up precluding a passing lane, this is a real annoyance.

[bentbike33]

@TwoWheelsDC 122965 wrote:

It’s not just driverless cars. I find that many drivers, upon seeing any hint of forward motion on my part (I don’t trackstand, but generally can roll extremely slow) freeze up and assume I’m going to dart into the intersection.

Exactly, at which point I wave “Thank-you!” and proceed.

[bentbike33]

Lately I’ve noticed an uptick in people loitering on the inlet bridge on the MVT just south of the Trollheim. Last week, a jogger-guy doing his stretching routine, and this week a Cabi rider leaning against the rail to talk on his cell phone (which I suppose is marginally better than riding the Cabi while talking on his cell phone). Why are people loitering on this narrow bridge with heavy traffic and poor sight-lines when just a few yards away are literally acres of well-maintained lawn with superior views?

Speaking of well-maintained lawns along the MVT, I wounder if the NPS slightly increased the interval between mowings, thus reducing the total number by 3 or 4 a season, they could save enough money to afford plowing the MVT in winter?

[bentbike33]

@Raymo853 122801 wrote:

I wonder if any of the four folks at Red Shift did a search or examination of similar products?

They show shots of previous suspension stems in their movie, and claim theirs is better because it’s designed for road bikes. I’m old enough to have tried, and broken, those previous designs. If you really think you need front suspension, you’re much better off with a suspension fork.

[bentbike33]

@Terpfan 122774 wrote:

Chasing those trophies will wear you out and is often a fool’s errand given I’m convinced some of those trophies were set by folks on e-bikes or they’re Cat 1 riders–take your pick.

After a recent ride, I left the GPS app on my phone running, then drove to a friend’s house. After posting that “ride” to Strava I had a couple King-of-the-Mountain trophies until I edited the ride to cut off the part in the car. I’m sure this is a common thing as it would explain the top time Strava used to show (before Strava declared the segment “Hazardous”) for the west-bound 14th street bridge crossing, which translated to 58 mph.

[bentbike33]

Had a rather spectacular flat this morning on the Custis east of the two sisters. Good thing the shipment of new tires is in. Although I did have everything I needed to get rolling again, thanks to all who offered aid and comfort.

[bentbike33]

@TwoWheelsDC 122488 wrote:

These are intentional, to ensure sleepy bike commuters don’t nod off….like rumble strips on the highway.

Maybe the moguls didn’t work on me this morning as it seemed the Custis, which now follows the new curve, consists of compacted gravel leveled to the old trail rather than asphalt. Still lots of equipment about, but no detour signs at all.

[bentbike33]

@sjclaeys 122466 wrote:

They did spray paint some nice lines on the trail though.

Unfortunately, the work lines don’t reach the root-heaves, etc. at the bottom of the hill, not to mention the moguls on the shelf road to the bridge to nowhere. To me, this stretch of the Custis is worse than most of what was just repaved. But I know we must be thankful for all trail maintenance.

[bentbike33]

@dasgeh 122247 wrote:

The Alexandria Dumbo Loop has a nice ring to it

Maybe we can negotiate naming rights with Disney and get some money for maintenance.

[bentbike33]

Interesting in that the developer of the new condo just poured a new concrete sidewalk connecting to the existing, and badly-in-need-of-resurfacing, existing asphalt trail. The bumped-out curve should improve sight angles at this intersection assuming the trees and bushes on the inside of the curve are not immediately replaced.

[bentbike33]

@Tim Kelley 121885 wrote:

I’ve passed along all I know. If you ride it tomorrow, take pictures and report back!

Some equipment was in position this morning ~7:00 am (e.g., a cold-planer parked on Frederick St.), but no detours marked.

[bentbike33]

@Steve O 121327 wrote:

If you double your speed, to get back to your original speed you would half it, or go 1/2 as fast. I think calling that two times slower is wrong. Half as fast=two times slower? twice as slow?
But you see this sloppy usage all the time (“he makes 100 times less than the CEO”; “5 times thinner than a human hair”)

I find this whole discussion to be half-fast. But I don’t care.

Regarding who would be at fault if the cyclist were hit: I think we can agree that if the cyclist had shoaled other cyclists waiting to use the crosswalk, he would most definitely have been at fault.

[bentbike33]

VDOT has a big construction project at the Route 7/Route 9 interchange that involves re-routing the WOD. I have just a seen the plans on the interwebs but have not seen the construction personally, so I can’t vouch for the conditions.

[bentbike33]

From http://www.wodfriends.org/news/

• Brief closure of the Trail scheduled on the morning of July 5th

Between the hours of 7 A.M. and 8 A.M. on Sunday, July 5, 2015, the W&OD Trail will be closed between Old Reston Avenue and Sunrise Valley Drive (mileage markers 16 and 18). This brief closure has been scheduled in order to accommodate the World Police & Fire Games Half Marathon that is to be held in Fairfax County. Approximately 360 individuals are scheduled to participate in the event, and the one hour closure (that is taking place both at an early hour and on a holiday weekend) is intended to produce the mildest possible impact. Fairfax County Police and event staff will be on hand to direct Trail users to alternate routes (e.g., Sunset Hills Road to Wiehle Avenue to Sunrise Valley Drive); please plan accordingly, however, should you be in the area on that day and time.

[bentbike33]

@GovernorSilver 119168 wrote:

Anyway, after I crossed the George Mason Memorial (14th St.) Bridge, I got a bit lost trying to get to the National Mall. Anyone have a favorite way to get through the Jefferson Memorial – Washington Monument area?

I get onto Ohio Drive at the curb-cut near the entry to Haines Point, however weekday mornings there is very little pedestrian traffic on the sidewalks around the tidal basin (except maybe during Cherry Blossom time). From Ohio, you can go around to take the right on 15th St. (Raoul Wallenberg) and straight up to the Mall @ Washington Monument (although I think you need a car to trip the Maine Ave. stoplight for you), or take the right onto Maine Ave. east, past the Fish Market and Zone of Perpetual Construction to 7th, or (to get away from the dump trucks) take a left onto 9th, take the right in front of the townhouses (G St.), then left on 7th and north from there to the Mall @ Hirshhorn / Air and Space.

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