[Bob James]

@Boomer2U 188049 wrote:

I rode my bike to a well attended advocacy meeting tonight in Fairfax VA hosted by @BikeFairfax (aka FABB) with VDOT and Fairfax County officials about the proposed I-66 Trail Outside the Beltway, as well as plans by FFX county to connect to it from outside the I-66 corridor, and an update on trail upgrades Inside the Beltway. There were a number of cyclists there, including FABB reps, and I chatted with Cathy M (whom I believe is participating in BAFS2019).

I’m not a very good bump on a log unless I’m sleeping through a meeting, so I asked a few question like “why not switch the sound barrier and trail barrier between motorized vehicles and pedestrians/cyclists since it uses existing space more safely?” (…no, because the homeowners won that NIMBY battle already with the elected county supervisors);

I went to two meetings on this many months ago before I moved from Manassas. At that time there was room for discussion with the NIMBY’s to move the sound barrier between trail and 66, but I see now that door is closed. Homeowners were concerned for privacy, safety of children, littering and bathroom breaks of trail users among others. These are all valid concerns, but narrow minded, selfish and short sighted. If these homeowners ever want to sell, their property would be most likely be more desirable to potential trail users who would prefer a quieter trail to walk and ride on. Some kind of natural grown privacy borders could be used between homeowners backyard and trail if desired. Most obviously don’t have the mindset of using the trail for commuting, shopping, etc like residents along the Custis inside the beltway.

For my part, I told VDOT the most important thing is to make the trail parallel to 66 and not wind and curve like MVT or even custis with short line of sight for cyclists needing to pass. It should not be viewed as a recreational [nature/scenic) trail for walkers and runner, but a highway for bikes to quickly travel the long distance from western cities into DC. When I commuted from Manassas to DC, i had to add over 10 miles one way to find a safe route into DC. I will be visiting Manassas still and look forward to using the new trail into DC.

Keep representing Cyclist interests Boomer.

[Bob James]

@jrenaut 188041 wrote:

Yeah, Weather Underground killed their API, and we never identified a replacement. I would not count on weather data for the balance of this year’s competition.

Thanks for the confirmation of the problem. Bob

[Bob James]

@Toubob 188011 wrote:

After diving into the data on my lunch break I see that Bob is on track to win numerous individual titles. Coldest ride, most rides below freezing, all of the other things that involve being SUPER cold and crazy. Here is to Bob!! As a team I did not see anything we can actually win.

I guess I’m lucky to be in Michigan with more cold weather riding opportunities. However, all the weather related stats haven’t updated in over a week. I think the data pull syncing from Weather Underground broke. I did sometime ride to maximize freeze points, but not much incentive to freeze more than I have do if its not updating anymore. Maybe there will be another gov’t snow day in DC and someone can win most miles for the Michigander prize. I’ll be awarding it if Kitty gets her foreign post transfer early. Bob

[Bob James]

All the weather related stats (I think using Weather Underground) haven’t updated in a week or more. I believe at the beginning of the event, someone mentioned Underground changed something that might
break the FS data pull at some point.

[Bob James]

Alan, you may need to cancel this prize. Looks like the board is not updating. Someone mentioned at beginning of event that the weather source (Underground Weather) had made a change that might break the stat gathering ability.

To be honest, I often biked earlier or later to try and maximize freeze points, without, I might as well wait until the warmest part of the day.

[Bob James]

@Kitty 187642 wrote:

Oh snap! Two in one year! It’s SNOW DAY TIME!
Tomorrow, February 20 will be another chance to add mileage to your Michigander Prize total. Finally, a race!

Funny, I’ve been in DC for both Snow Days. We’ve had 16 school snow days where I am in Michigan (quite a few local Gov’t shutdowns too). Appears DC area is made of tougher stuff than Michiganders.
Might also have something to do with Michigan’s horrible unpaved road system and rotten paved road maintenance that makes it too dangerous for school buses.

[Bob James]

@Judd 187775 wrote:

The bad news is that I had a crash three weeks ago and sprained my knee. The good news is that I’ve been able to walk without a cane this week.
I thankfully was still able to at least sleaze while I was on the cane.

Judd, sorry to hear about your crash and sprained knee. Godspeed on your continued recovery. Bob

[Bob James]

@consularrider 187699 wrote:

I found the perfect bike for you today at Main Velo in Harheim, the Ice Full Fat Tricycle.

Ha, I like it. Three wheels would defintely be more stable on ice than two. Looks super comfy too.

[Bob James]

@awitt 187682 wrote:

I know, I really didn’t think it would be a big deal, until it was and my forehead was hitting the pavement.

Hope your recovery is going well.

[Bob James]

Figures this prize was announced when I’ll get my first negative freeze points ride tomorrow I hope Kate does not extend her ski trip, and Andy and Chris have a heat wave in Germany

[Bob James]

Figures this prize was announced when I’ll get my first negative freeze points ride tomorrow I hope Kate does not extend her ski trip, and Andy and Chris have a heat wave in Germany

[Bob James]

Another fall and not even time to order the armor padded pants drevil recommended. Today’s ride was after 6 inches of new snow on already solid iced unpaved roads with 35 mph gusts (18 sustained). Over the farmlands the wind
blows the new snow over roads (which are sometimes plowed). The fatty does pretty good on the ice, but when the roads already white you can’t tell when a snow drift has formed across the road and fatty tires
can’t handle well both snow and ice at speed. So down I went, but at least I fell backward and did not re-injure my wrists.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]19411[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]19412[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]19413[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]19414[/ATTACH]

[Bob James]

@LeprosyStudyGroup 186738 wrote:

I’m submitting this great cubist self portrait Bob made with his ride. It was very considerate of him to post the reference photo right next to it but I edited it for those who aren’t used to seeing things in cubist just in case

lol LSG, I had to go over some rough terrain to get that butt bump in.

[Bob James]

@drevil 187180 wrote:

Maybe it’s time to revisit this last suggestion? OK everyone, laugh laugh laugh at what I bought at Marshall’s a few weeks ago for $12 (normally $120):
….t really sounds like Bob needs to go search for a pair at his local Marshall’s

What a great idea and they look hi-viz reflective too. Thanks for suggestion. I add a cup too and protect against unintended vasectomy that w&w mentioned in one of her titles. A risk trying to do one
of your stunts, or hitting top post trying to keep from falling on ice.

[Bob James]

@wheels&wings 187171 wrote:

oh no! Not another. I think this is your #6, or maybe more… In a prior post you counted your first three falls as just one; you said they were on the same ride and you had only one face plant. But multi-crash rides give you multiple points (and amount to really sucky rides), and I certainly do not require face plants… in fact I would actively discourage them.
I must say, your Freezing Saddles in Michigan is way way way more icy and treacherous than anything we softies experience here in Virginia.
Heal fast! Sending hugs. w&w

Thanks w&w, but don’t tempt me with those hugs, or I’ll be looking for more ice to fall on. Okay, we’ll call it 6 falls, but 2 were in Virginia
after the snow storm you all had to also ride in. The difference in ice on the trails here is, it’s thick, solid for miles and last for days, if not weeks. The
dirt roads stay covered with ice and the paved roads almost always have snow on them making them unsafe to ride with cars. Oh well, what I did expect
moving to Michigan.

[Author]

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