[Certifried]

It probably wasn’t me. I’m only saying that because there were a few moments I wasn’t proud of. I tried to ride responsibly, but there were some times I fell in with the group mentality and showed no regard for the traffic laws of the 50 United States. Sorry.

[Certifried]

@Arlingtonrider 31941 wrote:

Didn’t you do the 50 states ride today?? You have lots to add. Did you guys have fun? I’ve heard that its a tough ride. (I wonder if Jopamora still wants to try it on a CaBi next year.)

And BTW, you have male company on this thread.

yes, but mostly females. All the lovely ones too, I got overwhelmed and had to jump in. I used to wear disco clothes.

68 miles total today, Rod Smith pushed me too hard, my chest hurts. I smell. I’m too tired to shower and might collapse in my bed full kitted and unclean. I’ll deal with it tomorrow, just wake up next to myself and blame it on alcohol. No morning after pill needed.

[Certifried]

@jawms 31928 wrote:

Some feedback from a senior first timer.

I know how my responses will sound, but believe me that I don’t mean them how they sound. I’m replying in a good natured manner (and in a little defense of WABA, who I thought did a great job today)
@jawms 31928 wrote:

1) Walter Pierce Park is not id’d on Google Maps or on my 1998 Thomas DC map book. Googling it didn’t yield much either. There was no address or range to use to find directions. Nor did I see a sign identifying the park at the Adams Mill Rd. entrance, though there was a reference to the “Walter Pierce Slope something Project” near the Calvert Bridge. Obviouslly this place is well-known to those who live nearby and to those who have participated before, but what about the rest of us?

The maps link in the WABA message got me right there. Might want to ditch the iPhone 5 and get google maps back.
@jawms 31928 wrote:

2) The 13 Colonies ride left out Connecticut. Hard to believe that Nathan Hale, Roger Sherman, Elihu Yale, and Noah Webster can be rendered placeless, but the geographical ignorance of WABA’s dominant demographic is well-known. I am copying the entire Connecticut congressional delegation, the governor and the National Geographic Society for suggestions about how to remedy this. Please revise the T-shirts appropriately.

You crossed Connecticut near the end, around mile 15, so either you didn’t follow the route, or didn’t realize that by crossing Connecticut, you actually rode on it.
@jawms 31928 wrote:

3) What are WABA marshals supposed to do? The ones I saw were haning out together at the park, then took off at the head of the pack and were seen no more. My expectations of what marshals do are based on Vietnam era demonstrations and the Obama inauguration, but this clearly exceeds anything in WABA’s manual.

I saw a LOT of marshals all over the course, and really appreciated their guidance. There were some frustrating times for them as some riders didn’t want to obey any laws but the marshals can’t do much about it. (thanks volunteers!)
@jawms 31928 wrote:

4) I noticed a lot of people who, like me, were alone, knew none of the other participants, were riding unfashionable bikes and had non-spandex clothing without bike-product names written on them. The social director of a fifth-rate cruise ship would have known what to do in this situation. Our events coordinator, pretty and sweet though she is, hadn’t a clue.

I made plenty of acquaintances out there, you can’t blame not being social on them.
@jawms 31928 wrote:

Notwithstanding all this, I had a good time. The route, though historically inadequate, was well-chosen for comfort and safety, the weather was perfect and — now that I know where Walter Pierce Park is — I’ll do it again!

I got a few sprinkles as I was arriving back home

[Certifried]

I have nothing to add. I just saw all the women posting and, like a douchey guy, had to add nothing of value (like all good men do)

[Certifried]

@jrenaut 31918 wrote:

I’m not sure the Bike Arlington reflective strip was meant to be worn as a choker.

REEEAALLY?!?!

Sept20 037 by certifried, on Flickr

“She’s crazy, dude!!”

Sept20 033 by certifried, on Flickr

“I thought I told you already, keep the guns locked up!”

Sept20 024 by certifried, on Flickr

[Certifried]

ANNNNGRY!

Sept20 044 by certifried, on Flickr

The GUN Show!!

Sept20 047 by certifried, on Flickr

[Certifried]

@Greenbelt 31909 wrote:

I’m a big Vis360 fan too. The deer spotter.

ditto

I’ve got the vis360 too and a brighter Cygolite on my bars. I turn that off when I know I’ll be encountering other people on the trail, then I can aim the vis360 at the ground or off to the side when someone comes along. I turn the cygolite on when I need the extra light if it’s really dark or I’m on a trail I don’t know

[Certifried]

I’ll be on a silver/black Trek and wearing my shiny new Bike Arlington jersey!

[Certifried]

The GoPros are selling for really cheap these days, $149 I think was the last price I saw. Also, as mentioned, my phone/camera isn’t 100% waterproof. My battery would also likely not last for my entire commute!

[Certifried]

please feel free to make suggestions on other topics to include, I’ll gladly (re)search out the threads and add them. If there are other threads related to any of the topics I already have, please link them so I can add them as well.

[Certifried]

@bluerider 31715 wrote:

So, if anyone wants to ride together we can all meet in front of 2611 Adams Mill Road NW. If PM me, I will provide on phone number so you can text me if you can’t find the group. After the ride, I am planning to go down to the Mellow Mushroom to enjoy some food and adult beverages if anyone wants to join.

PM sent! Hopefully everyone who wants to group up sees this. I’m definitely interested in riding with some folks (at least until I get dropped LOL)

[Certifried]

@Terpfan 31832 wrote:

To the guy heading south on MVT last night who kept passing between every group of people–runners/cyclists/strollers, you did call your passes, but really that doesn’t mean you should be jutting down the middle in tight spots.

crap, I hope that wasn’t me! I had a hell of a time getting down to the happy hour last night Honestly, I’m sure it wasn’t me, but I did have a pass sort of like that. Sometimes they’re so hard to avoid on crowded paths. I also blew the stop sign at the airport spot where people stop to watch the planes land. Honestly though, I didn’t see the stop sign! (well, until after I went through it) After riding quite a bit on the crowded CCT, then riding on a ghost town that is Sligo Creek trail, I’m amazed how quickly I forgot how to properly navigate busy trails

[Certifried]

It sounds like you’re doing exactly what I’m doing. I have the HR strap just for curiosity and because I like seeing the cool numbers on Strava. I don’t really go by it too closely, however, as it’s been stated how much of a variance there is in not only a person’s fitness but also in the various calculations done to get all the zones figured out. So, basically what I do is some loose interval stuff when commuting, I’ll charge up hills or go hard on some nice flat straights or spots where I’ve got room to really push, then let the natural flow of stop signs, stop lights, and other things that force me to slow down be my “back off” parts of the interval.

I used this link below to figure out what the various heart rate zones do for training and then just kind of go by feel for the zone I’m in

http://www.cycling-inform.com/heart-rate-training/73-how-to-use-heart-rate-monitor-and-zones-to-improve-your-cycling

The main thing I learned from all of it was that I was staying in the “(General Aerobic Endurance) 75-84%MHR” way too much. The article states, “Cyclists that train in this zone a lot end up quickly reaching a plateau in their fitness.”. I’ve learned to slow down so I can drop in to a lower zone which improves my cycling stamina, and use hills and other “sprint zones” on my commute to work on the other parts of my cycling fitness.

Your mileage may vary, of course. I’m no expert and really only know what I’ve read, which hasn’t been a ton. I am, however, a serious hard-core cat 6 racing pathlete.

[Certifried]

@mstone 31820 wrote:

Cynical me assumes that’s an old picture and it now has jersey walls or at least a lot of bollards.

Actually, no. It’s well gated and guarded, but no huge ugly bollards, stone barriers, or jersey walls. But, seriously, it’s the Census Bureau. Other than when they walk up to your front door or call your home incessantly, who hates the Census Bureau?

[Certifried]

To the 2 gentlemen cyclists around Metro Center last night – thanks for graciously giving me directions to Metro Center. Then again when I was close and didn’t see it. Then again when I’d passed it up and you gave me directions like I was a 2 year old, which is EXACTLY what I needed at that point since I couldn’t seem to follow any signage or my Garmin 800 that I spent too much money on. I did find Metro Center, finally. Without your specific “2 blocks back, one block up”, I would’ve spent another 30 minutes looking LOL

to the same 2 gentlemen about 5 minutes prior to the aforementioned directions giving – thanks for not calling me a complete idiot when I turned out of the cycletrack like I did. I’ve only ridden in them twice, and had no idea how to turn left from them. In my defense, I WAS wearing my Poseur/Charlatan kit!

You guys were ultra cool to this city-noob cyclist.

[Author]

Posts