[Brett L.]

@mstone 180084 wrote:

The scenery is mostly power pylons unless you get way out of town. The Anacostia River trail system (across from the Arboretum) is probably a nicer ride for sightseeing.

Or if you can stomach gravel, ride up the C&O Canal!

[Brett L.]

Haha Tania, that’s why I started this thread. So much information on the web out there, so many contrasting opinions. I was curious to get the thoughts of local people, especially those who are avid tech people.

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[Brett L.]

@Harry Meatmotor 180076 wrote:

There are 2 methods of applying wax to a chain.
a quick google search for ‘Cycling Tips Chain lube test’ and ‘Friction Facts’ will be a good start.

That lead me to some interesting articles! It really makes me want to check out the parrafin wax route, if only as a trial basis. Any experience with a pre-mixed one like Molten Speed Wax versus a “homemade” recipe of parrafin plus additives?

[Brett L.]

You may find either of these routes to be more comfortable:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28247133
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28247154

[Brett L.]

@jrenaut 179933 wrote:

Sort of urgent – the touchscreen on my Garmin 510 is completely non-functional. Every once in a while it registers that you’ve touched it, but it always thinks you touched the bottom right. I know the long term solution is to send it back to Garmin, but let’s say I’m leaving at 4am tomorrow morning for a week of bikes and beers in Michigan and don’t want to have to make the entire week a continuous ride that I hope to upload later.

Any advice?

Short term solution – use your cell phone to track Strava? Borrow a device from a friend?

Less ethical (non)advise: Buy a garmin or similar tracking device from Costco/REI/somewhere and return it after you return? (Don’t actually do this)

[Brett L.]

Going back to your question – they’re not great brakes, but they’ll do the job. Is an upgrade needed? Not today. Would I upgrade? I’d definitely consider it. Should you upgrade? Only if you want to.

[Brett L.]

I think you do. I know of a few other people who’ve replaced the rear wheel – those who typically ride in all conditions and put a little more power through their drivetrain.

[Brett L.]

@streetsmarts 179868 wrote:

Well, that’s not good at all! Curious – did you have to pay to replace the headset and rear wheel, or did the bike shop or Jamis pay to replace with quality parts?

And I’ve heard so many good things about Renegades, I’m surprised!
However, most of my friends who have them, have the models with better components, I think.

I don’t know if there was ever resolution with Jamis, but my LBS has helped me out some. I didn’t replace like with like though – I made some significant upgrades from stock parts to DT Swiss wheels and Cane Creek headset.

I will caveat that I’m generally not all that easy on bike components. I’ve also managed to mangle the hub of a Shimano RS010 wheel and generally only get about 1200-1500 miles out of a chain

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[Brett L.]

@streetsmarts 179859 wrote:

We’ll see how the next bunch of miles go. Still, it’s hard to believe that after only 18 months of riding regularly, a major part needs to be replaced.

If it makes you feel better, the headset of my Jamis Renegade rusted out in the first two months of ownership, was overhauled, and rusted out again 2 months later….. I’ve also struggled with the rear hub on the stock wheels of the Jamis Renegade, so I really can’t speak much to the quality of components they ship their bikes with…… Amazing bike though that I’m quite happy with now that I have a quality headset and rear wheel.

[Brett L.]

@jrenaut 179732 wrote:

If you want to hang out with Judd, all you have to do is gather three or more cyclists in one place and mention beer or pie and Judd will appear

Beer? Where’s the beer?!

[Brett L.]

@kcjewett 179689 wrote:

Hi All,

Just joined the forum and hoping to pick your brains a little. If there are already good threads for this (as I’m sure there may be), please feel free to drop a link. I live in courthouse and work in Crystal City. I used to bike everywhere in college, but that was a much smaller city in Indiana (read: very flat). I’m excited to get back into biking and to get some cardio in while avoiding the Rosslyn metro station.

I know there are lots of serious bike commuters here, and especially in these early days, I want to make sure I’m not getting in anyone’s way accidentally, etc. My current route is up Arlington Blvd, through the War Memorial and around Arlington Cemetery, then the Mt. Vernon Trail down to Crystal City, which is pretty relaxed but I don’t think it’s the fastest. I’m starting with one day a week to get back into it, hopefully up to 3 by the fall.

Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated, thanks so much!

Kevin

Your responsibility is to enjoy your commute and encourage others to bike to work as well! Other than that, be a PAL – Predictable, Alert, and Lawful road user.

[Brett L.]

But in all seriousness, a completed ICC trail and/or a completed Purple Line Trail (that actually continues to at least UMD in PG County, and not just to MoCo boundaries) would make your commute much simpler. Some of Closebr’s route suggestions include riding on Powdermill/Riggs or riding on the sidewalk of 29.

[Brett L.]

If you go through Beltsville, be extra careful of the 4way stop on Rhode Island and Sellman. As stupid as RI and Route 1 in Beltsville is, that intersection North of it is worse

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[Brett L.]

Here are three different possible routes:

1) 33 miles, longer but significantly fewer lights
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28047803

2) 30 miles, ART to E Cap
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28047820

3) 32 miles, ART to S Cap
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28047829

I don’t know NoVA very well, so take the route west of the Potomac with a heavy dose of salt.

[Brett L.]

@closebr 179524 wrote:

I just can’t get myself to do the e-bike thing. It doesn’t really make sense, I know. If I’m willing to drive or metro part of the way on a mega-commute, why am I not willing to e-bike the whole way? I guess I like being able to Strava my rides without an asterisk. Maybe I fear the day that all bike trails just become roads for e-bikes and regular cyclists are shoved off to the shoulder of the trail. Surely that’s already begining to happen in some places around here. Please, e-bike responsibly.

Ignore closebr. I, for one, welcome encouraging people to ride (even on a ebike) 50 mile round-trip commutes rather than sitting in a 4000lbs steel tank on the beltway :p

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