[BobCochran]

Thank you!

The ride start is Walter Pierce Park at 2700 Adams Mill Road NW. That is about 15 miles one way for me. On September 10, sunrise is at 6:45 a.m. and sunset is 7:23 p.m., at least for Greenbelt. Perhaps I can find the time to do a training ride to that Park before Saturday and let that experience plus the sunset times guide me in deciding how to get there. I don’t mind bicycling in the dark too much…as long as the streets are well lit.

Bob

[BobCochran]

@Kitty 145361 wrote:

[…]
MSU is making their now bi-annual visit to the beltway to clash with Maryland, so I’ll be spending the day in my Spartan helmet instead of my bike helmet.
[…]

But…but…don’t you feel it makes a higher-impact statement to ride your bike for MSU, suitably decked out with a flag or maybe an action figure, rather than journeying to a stadium at considerable expense and inconvenience to you? Cycling for pumpkins is surely better?

Bob

[BobCochran]

I read the entire thread with the greatest interest. Do you have a video of the bike construction that is not time lapse so I can study it? Not a big deal if you can’t, really, and I know there are other things to do. Now you have me interested in building bikes with my grandchildren. I have a lot to learn about the art, though, and would have to start from zero. I am so impressed with the bike you and your son built. And doing such a project with your child is so great and so fun.

Bob

[BobCochran]

@worktheweb 145318 wrote:

I’ve used Zenni Optical and they have a bunch of options for a low price. The ones I am wearing now are these cycling glasses that I got in June of 2015 and they’re still going strong. With lens coatings and options they cost me $46 and they’ve worked in blizzards, torrential rains, and sunny days to boot. You need to know your interpupillary distance (PD) which isn’t on your prescription (the distance between your pupils). Once you’ve got that you’re set. Usually takes 1-2 weeks to get them.

Whoever writes the eyeglass prescription (eye physician for preference, or some other licensed eye examiner) can write down the pupilary distance number on the prescription form.

Bob

[BobCochran]

All the best to everyone who participated in this event. I hope it went really well. I’m doing 50 States on Saturday, so that will be fun!

Bob

[BobCochran]

How interesting — a thread on prescription glasses just when I need such a thread! I do have Wiley X prescription glasses. They are a year old. They do make me feel my eyes are protected from airborne objects. I too sweat a lot, and the blasted glasses would fog up, even when I applied “Cat Crap” defogger to the lens. Then recently I took off the inner grey foam cushion and the glasses do not fog as much now. The glasses tend to slide down my nose. I always have to push them back up. Finally, the Wiley X glasses are dark brown in tint (the lenses, I mean) and I need clear lenses, too. When it gets dark in the fall and winter, the dark brown lenses just are not right for me. So I really wish I had two pairs of prescription glasses — one with clear lenses and one in dark brown tint.

Apparently, my eyeglass prescription was such that Oakley does not have the technology to make the glasses, and my online optician suggested Wiley X or another, different, brand. I’m sorry I picked Wiley X.

I have an annual eye exam scheduled next month and I’m going to ask my eye physician what he thinks the alternative providers are if I don’t like Wiley X and can’t use Oakley. For example I wonder if Zenni Optical can do better — they are an online provider too. Or maybe I should just take my prescriptions to my real-live-person-optometrist (just down the road from me) and let her worry about it all.

I can say this: I definitely still do want prescription bicycling sunglasses. One pair tinted heavily as sunglasses, and one pair with clear lenses. The Wiley X have many faults but they do give me a sense of security that a flying twig might not eyeball me on that ride.

Bob

[BobCochran]

Hey, nice bike! I too like the orange color.

Bob

[BobCochran]

@Kitty 145049 wrote:

Welp, while I’m continuing to keep a look out for Furiosa, me not having a bike is unsustainable for my chosen lifestyle (its my primary form of transportation, choice exercise option, and socializing tool). So I’ve gone to the bike store to see what they can do for me.

The good news is they think they can get me a new Crossrip by midweek (my small size and no WSD option means special ordering ¯_(ツ)_/¯) So while we’re still waiting to hear back on insurance, and searching for Furiosa, I decided to pull the trigger and go for it. The bad news is not knowing what the insurance folks will say, it’s an expensive gamble.

Has anyone had any experience with bike theft and renters/homeowners insurance? What happened? Did they cover the value of the old bike?

Amalitza: Right now I have about 95% assurance I’ll have the replacement in time for the century, but if that falls through, I’ll happily take you up on that.

KLizotte: Thanks for drawing the connection between the insurance and the police report. I did a police report first thing, and just in case got a copy for my records. Now I’m really glad I did!

@Kitty: I have a spare bicycle that you can borrow for either Indian Head or 50 States, or both… — it is a Giant — but I think it is likely too big for you. The frame is marked with an L sticker and the notation ” ‘ rider height 5′ 11″ – 6’ 2″ ‘ “. The bike has rim brakes, and the pedals are combination SPD and flat. Hopefully you will have your new bike in time for these events. I’m riding 50 States myself.

All the best of luck to you.

Bob

[BobCochran]

Thanks folks for all the different viewpoints and suggestions. I know from my experiences last winter that I’ve got to improve both my footwear and glove choices for winter riding. I feel the need to do something extra to increase both hand and foot protection. The Moose Mitts look very interesting — I love that they come in high visibility, reflective colors. For extended cold weather rides they should be helpful. The Lake shoes look both tough and heavy. The other thing about winter riding is that my nose runs like crazy and I look really silly if I forget to bring some Kleenex.

Bob

[BobCochran]

My agency has shower facilities but no protected bike storage at the New Carrollton location. I think there are only 3 serious bicyclists, of which I’m #3. I wish a bike cage could be put in the parking garage. Even if GSA would do that, the garage has a serious bird infestation that GSA won’t deal with for whatever reason.

Bob

[BobCochran]

@Judd 145029 wrote:

I seemed to recall one of my bike friends saying that they got across the bridge by hanging out at a gas station near the bridge and offering a bit of cash to someone with a truck.

Thank you, Judd! I’ll offer $10 for a ride across the Bridge and another $10 if I’m deposited alive and unharmed, bicycle intact, on the other side.

Bob

[BobCochran]

@ctankcycles 145012 wrote:

It just so happens that bikewashington.org has a route (http://www.bikewashington.org/routes/greentobay/index.htm) but the problem I think you’ll encounter is getting across the Bay Bridge, which is closed to bikes. Some time ago MTA offered a shuttle service but that’s been discontinued. I’ve heard about the possibility of a private shuttle but I’ve also heard that’s not offered any more either.

I tried the route as far as Harbour Way and I like it. Springfield Road can be a bit dicey from high speed SUV traffic. Parts of MD 197 are also dicey with all the storm water drains that are set in the tiny road shoulder. I used the “optional bike path” on the way back and like that a great deal.

As an aside — the staff of the Exxon gas station on Harbour Way are quite friendly. At least, the Saturday staff are.

My next ride I will try to go to the vicinity of the Bridge. Today I started out late and I was riding a bicycle I don’t normally use, which has a plastic seat. I tired out fast. I will likely be okay with my customary bicycle.

Bob

[BobCochran]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! Keep them coming. I’m interested in what you think of gloves too. I do have bar mitts but I wonder if they add a lot of wind resistance for long rides.

Bob

[BobCochran]

@dbb 145031 wrote:

Depending on your feet (size) and your tolerance for cold, I might be able to tighten you right up!

http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?9793-For-Sale-Lake-303-Winter-Boots-Size-48-Only-1-mile-new!

My Lake 303s were just too warm for me

@dbb, I wish, I wish…I’d pedal right to you with my cash for a deal like this. Unfortunately I’m a size 11. I often wonder if my feet swell when I’m pedaling and increase in width. (I don’t seem to understand too much about bicycling and my feet.) Thanks for the offer — and I appreciate learning how warm Lake shoes are. I might go for them because I have some long rides to train for.

Thanks so much!

Bob

[BobCochran]

Thank you for letting me know about the route. I’m going to ride it soon. I suppose I can just wave a $10 bill at bridge traffic and hope someone in a truck will get me over the bridge.

Bob

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