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I was all ready to proclaim the discovery of the world wide solution to cold toes. I got my new smartwool scoks for Christmas, and finally broke them out a few days ago after more chronic flat issues. To my chagrin, they did little on my 3.5 miler jaunt. So, on the way home, I doubled up. I was a little hesitant to do this because it was too tight for my toes to squeeze comfortably into my shoes last time. But I discovered the smartwools were thin enough to fit comfortably, AND best of all, keep my feet warm! Then I also made the discovery that boat shoes are not nearly as good as cycling shoes for keeping out the cold. Then I get here, and ready to announce my discovery to the world, and found you’d all basically said the same thing: double up. If only I could read. Can I just add, make sure the layers are thin enough not to squish the feeties? But that’s prolly been said too. Oh well. This data now in for back up!

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@GuyContinental 38190 wrote:

Do you mean Abingdon St at Washington Blvd? I’ve never thought of going that way (but I do everything I can to avoid traffic)- with the multiple lights it can’t be faster than the Custis (even when crowded) and there is some serious traffic at the intersection of Washington and Lee.

Exactly. It usually turns out at least a few minutes faster. It’s almost exactly 1 mile shorter, plus you have a few very sharp curves on the trail. The two lights that are generally sticking points are George Mason and Lee Hwy. and sometimes Patrick Henry or Sycamore.

and for emphasis:
@mstone 38215 wrote:

I also need to stand out. I do not need my epitaph to be the classic, “I didn’t see him.” I’d rather err on the side of overseen than underseen. I also would prefer someone to get distracted from their text messaging by the blinky light and wonder what’s going on, rather than tuning out and running over me. Note that they leave the flashing lights on even when they’re stopped on the side of the road. Why is that? Because a disturbing number of people will slam into a police car or even a gigantic, non-invisible fire truck. They do that even with the flashing lights, but somewhat less often. This should, of course, terrify anyone whose relative speed makes them essentially a stopped object and whose mass is less than a fire truck. Cyclists aren’t invisible either, but for some reason they also get hit anyway. And for some reason, some studies have shown it’s safer for a cyclist to have a blinking light, even in daylight, and even though he isn’t invisible. YMMV.

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@DismalScientist 38100 wrote:

PS: I pity you folks with a night-time commute on the MVT south Those northbound cars are much worse than any bike light. Perhaps I am getting old, but I had a hard time following the trail.

I used to ride that daily. It improved tremendously with a bright headlight on my bike.

I admit to blinking last night. It was twilight when I started out just before 5, and I figured the basic light wouldn’t have had much visibility, nor was it necessary. So I ran the blinker mainly to be seen. I would’ve switched to steady if I’d known it was an issue. As to the taillight blinkies… since half my commute is on the street, I need the visibility. and they’re not easy to switch back and forth. I ride from the White House up Penn, across Key (all on street until) turn onto Custis, jump off at N. Aberdeen, Wash Blvd, left on Lee, onto W&OD for a mile, before heading up to the WFC metro. I hope this hasn’t thrown anybody’s eyesight off!

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I was about 6 inches away from a head on collision 2 evenings ago… Be safe out there people!

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I’ll be at work. I’m down for a black friday non-black coffee Friday 8:45 am. Any takers? Find a location, and see you there.

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@Tim Kelley 35818 wrote:

So, other than the Custis–are there lights out anywhere else along bike infrastructure? How’s that FMR Connector trail near Shirlington under 395 looking these days?

Bike infrastructure, loosely understood: on the Washington Blvd shortcut between N. Aberdeen St. and Lee Hwy & Washington Blvd. on the bike lane there are a few lights out. Also, loosely understood, my headlight has been out for a couple months. (Apologies to all my 5:30 am riders I’ve scared the daylights out of.) and I am oh so excited to have just got my new Light & Motion in!!

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After My Tracks and Sports Tracker, I’ve started using Endomondo. I like the way it picks out your fastest portions, and highlights them on the map. Can anybody compare Endo with Strava? I hope I’m not straying too far off topic into how we get the commuting numbers…

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Ultra-carefully, and showing that you’re respecting others’ right of the way. I think most drivers get upset more by feeling disrespected than anything else. If you are cautious to slow down enough that they know you’re not taking anyone else’s right of way, I don’t think you’ll ruffle too many feathers. All the laws and signs are to promote the safe flow of traffic. Respect, and you’ll be respected.

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Thanks guys. No stroller or refrigerator box, but I made it home with only a few odd looks (that I noticed). I guess I don’t ride metro enough to see all the oddities people carry. Personally, I always think of the poor abandoned bikes without wheels, and am afraid of people thinking I’d stolen a wheel. I donno, just seems odd to me, but it was the most practical for me.

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@acc 33446 wrote:

Great post, great rider, you forgot to mention you are now an LCI.

Um, a what?

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I had to laugh when I saw the similarity between the number of
reflective and light up thingies my father sent me when he found out I was bike commuting
and the number of
reflective and light up thingies on my bike now
both 6.
It’s easy to go without… but glad you’ve got ’em!

I’m curious what kind of winter cycling jackets were expensive mistakes. I just picked up my second (reflective heavy waterproof windbreaker). The first, a Nike I found at 50% off, I loved and wore to death, even after puncturing it through a tree encounter (I didn’t even hit the tree or go down, a branch just punctured it as I rode by too closely), and various other scrapes, falls, and mishaps. I finally picked up a new Novarra. But on both, the bright yellow windbreaker, complete with reflective strips give warmth to my body, and (some) peace of mind to my soul. and I couldn’t imagine either being mistakes, even if they were kinda pricey…

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@dasgeh 32222 wrote:

Today I discovered a new discomfort — little Tummy Baby decided he wanted to be front and center for this morning’s commute, with some sharp body part under my ribs, and another pounding on my lower organs. Ugh. I kept sitting up, arching my back, moving my hips, trying to get him to move.

You’re a brave woman! My wife gave up after the 4th or 5th month…

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@essigmw 32068 wrote:

Good luck with the pregnancy, just don’t name the little one “Custis” or “Vernon”.

Hmm, I like Vernon Custis… will have to discuss with the wife…

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Today was (hopefully) my last day not riding my commute. It’s been about 1.5 weeks under the weather. More bus and metro were prescribed, but missing the beautiful ride-weather out has been killing me! Power to those who’ve been powering on! and see y’all on the trails tomorrow evening!

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@ShawnoftheDread 30507 wrote:

There is a short cut going from the Pentagon to the MVT, but it involves riding on the grass along the exit ramp from 395 to Boundary Channel Drive. When you take Connector Road to Boundary Channel, cross the road and go right instead of left. Ride up the grass along the ramp. At the top, turn to your left and you’ll hit the “trail to nowhere” that leads to the southern tunnel under the Humpback Bridge. It knocks about 10 minutes or so off the trip. Just make sure you do it on the grass and not the ramp itself.

I love this new short cut to the MVT. I used to cross the bridge to GW PKWY NB exit to get over by the Pent. Not a great experience, but saved time getting down to Crystal City. I generally ride the ramps instead of the grass to make it quicker – there’s rarely traffic when I’m by those parts anyway. Does anyone know when the southern Humback tunnel trail will be finished?
Also, I may have lost my eyeglasses near there about a week and a half ago. They’re a Kirkland Signature Mens pair, half-frames (on top, not bottom).

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