[bentbike33]

@pfunkallstar 116468 wrote:

…at the Lynn Street crossing …- I tend to stop a bit before the curb so that people coming from Georgetown can traverse the 66 crossing without having to weave through a ton of bikes.

As do I, and often PALs do line up behind me. Maybe we need a “Bike Box” painted here to help other get with the program?

[bentbike33]

One thing I’ve noticed while heading up-river on the Trollheim in the evening is that cyclists descending from the Roosevelt Bridge almost never give an audible warning to those of us seeking to merge toward the Roosevelt Island parking lot, or for those looking to go left across their path with sight-lines blocked by the ever-burgeoning greenery next to the ramp.

Why is that?

I do my best to look up the ramp, but a hale and hearty “Rider up!,” bell-ringing, horn-honking, or some other attention-getting sound effect from the descenders certainly wouldn’t hurt, and might actually prevent an accident.

[bentbike33]

@Emm 116241 wrote:

He was going to try to take Maine Ave to work, which I told him might be a nightmare…

Maine Avenue is getting better. New pavement smooths many rough spots allowing one to get to speed if taking the lane. Still probably not the best route for your friend, however.

[bentbike33]

Are you running a Shimano rear hub? Another thing to check is the freehub (i.e., the thing you put the cassette on that clicks when you spin it). I recently was getting odd sounds (not exactly like yours, but my bike is steel) and discovered that the bolt holding the freehub to the body of the rear hub was loose (the rear wheel also had inexplicable play that tightening the cone nuts did not fix). You need a 10mm Allen wrench to tighten it, and will also need to repack your hub bearings afterword.

If none of the above makes sense, go to the LBS.

Simplest way to check this, however, is to swap out the rear wheel if you have another, or if you don’t, check for some play in the rear wheel that feels like loose bearings.

[bentbike33]

@DCAKen 115684 wrote:

I think you mean UVC (You View Crack)

[ATTACH=CONFIG]8599[/ATTACH]

[bentbike33]

They’ve started laying blacktop over the concrete roadbed on Maine Ave. Much less dodging of raised manholes, etc. Unexpected given the heavy truck traffic still there, but (some) schedules must be kept, I suppose.

[bentbike33]

@PotomacCyclist 115312 wrote:

I would mention the name of the highest-scoring U.S. ace, who flew all his missions in the P-38. But I think I might get banned for doing so. Let’s just say that his nickname (which is a regular nickname) plus his last name make for a very unusual phrase. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Bong

The aforementioned ace was from Wisconsin, and in his honor, the state has named a recreation area for him. I rode a mountain bike there once. Not terribly interesting terrain. It’s more of a hunting ground really. But the road sign is outstanding.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]8519[/ATTACH]

[bentbike33]

Given the new timing of the walk signal and the (sometimes visible) “no right turn” signal at the Intersection of Doom, is it time to rethink how we interact with drivers there? As I understand the sequence of events: (1) the walk signal to cross Lynn (white walky man) turns on and the no right turn sign illuminates while the traffic light remains red; (2) the countdown begins (with flashy red hand), the no right turn sign shuts off, and the traffic lights turn green; (3) the countdown ends (steady red hand), light remains green; (4) light turns yellow; (5) light turns red; (6) rinse and repeat.

I feel most righteous entering the IoD during the walk signal (serious sprint required eastbound from Ft. Meyer Drive walk signal). In the morning, it appears most drivers are heeding the no right turn sign, but begin turning right during the countdown when they have the green and the no right turn sign is off. I tend to stop if I arrive at the crosswalk during the countdown, unless there is ped/bike traffic already in the crosswalk inhibiting the motorists. I have been shoaled however making this stop by cyclists looking to assert the right of way during the countdown.

My PAL instinct is to not enter the crosswalk after the countdown starts as this may garner the most respect from lawful motorists. What say others?

[bentbike33]

If you have a bike to devote to the purpose, another potential option is to give yourself a partial daily bike commute by renting a bike locker from Metro at East Falls Church (really close to WOD) or West Falls Church (still pretty close to WOD, but closer to Reston). Rental fee is $120 per year, and you would have to figure out how to do bike maintenance, but the lockers have space to store supplies and tools. See http://www.wmata.com/getting_around/bike_ride/ for relevant links.

[bentbike33]

The timing for the lights on 15th between the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the Holocaust Museum (usual red did not happen) and at 7th and Maryland SW (unexpected red) were different this morning as well.

[bentbike33]

It could be worse. You could be riding in Tampa while black.

[bentbike33]

@ShawnoftheDread 113580 wrote:

I hate you.

Let go your hate. Hate leads to anger, anger leads to suffering, …yadda, yadda, yadda, … Dark Side!

Try parody instead.

[bentbike33]

@Mikey 113212 wrote:

I would just go 14th street bridge around E basin drive sidewalk around to 15th street, then right turn on Independence and down independence to L’Enfant.

I agree with this route, mostly. I take the lane on E. Basin Drive and 15th (a.k.a Raoul Wallenberg PL), and on Independence all the way to 7th. But be prepared to sprint down Independence if you keep the lane. A more leisurely option recommended by Venerated Senior Member dbb is go an additional block north to Jefferson Dr. on the edge of the Mall before heading east.

[bentbike33]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/04/01/bleak-maps-of-how-cities-look-using-only-their-bike-lanes/?tid=hybrid_linearcol_3_na

[bentbike33]

ME: Riding to WFC Metro east on the official “Bike Fairfax Primary Trail (Shared Use Path)” for that section of Route 7, a.k.a, the sidewalk on the westbound side of Route 7.

YOU: In your BMW (what else) blocking the crosswalk AND hugging the curb cut and Idylwood Road while waiting to make an impossible (at that hour) right turn on red to westbound Route 7.

ME: Daring to lay a hand on your precious while squeezing by behind you to cross Idylwood Road.

YOU: Shouting out the window as I rode off, “You’re going the wrong way!”

ME: ?!?

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