[ChampionTier]

@Drewdane 161447 wrote:

Failure of cyclists to call passes is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. I am embarrassed and ashamed on a daily basis by the behavior of “passholes” who don’t seem to understand (or care) how unnerving it can be to be passed without warning…..

…The way I see it, calling your pass – either verbally or with a bell – is just the right thing to do. Even if the worst-case scenario comes true, I’m at least able to establish (if only to my own conscience) that I did my part to avoid that scenario.

I’ve started to make this somewhat of a game, especially when it’s a group of folks and/or the MUP is crowded. I do what I call the “airline pilot” which goes something like: ” Mornin’ folks. Wanna let you know I’m on your wheel until this next group passes; then me and two others are gonna come up on your left nice & easy”. And then as I pass the lead rider it’s a sincere “G’day” with a nod. The trick is to maximize the cordiality while throwing in just a touch of cheesiness.

[ChampionTier]

@zsionakides 162013 wrote:

If you can store sports coats, why not just store a few button down shirts with them. If you use traditional solids, such as white and light blue, you can match different ties for a different look. Also, you can take your shirts to a nearby cleaners to get them cleaned and pressed as needed.

Slacks and ties are pretty easy to roll and put in a pannier without getting them wrinkled. If you’re worried about your ties, roll them up and put them in a tie box so they don’t get wrinkled or damaged with other items in your bag.

Yeah, I’m hoping that’s the case — word I’m getting is that we have enough room for a coat or two plus our service dress. It may just work out better to travel straight to the gym with shirt/pants/shoes and slap on a jacket once I get into class. Like anything, I’m sure there’ll be a couple moments of flailing toward what works before things gel…

[ChampionTier]

@secstate 162009 wrote:

MBA? Divinity school? I thought half the point of academia was to qualify for Professor or Hobo.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]15025[/ATTACH]

That link is awesome! It’s NDU over at Ft McNair which curbs my beard-growing ambitions. Btw: scored 6/10 on the quiz!

[ChampionTier]

@AFHokie 161995 wrote:

When YDGAF…from my rear camera:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]15016[/ATTACH]

No helmet. Eyes closed. Rush hour.
[IMG]https://media3.giphy.com/media/nKFXQkxLRiEhy/200.webp#5-grid1[/IMG]

[ChampionTier]

@Emm 161974 wrote:

2. Invest in wrinkle free clothing. It can be hit or miss to find the right items that truly don’t wrinkle, but it helps. I own a few shirts and dresses that seem impossible to wrinkle, and those are my go-tos for days I’m in a rush.

Trust me: I will find a way to wrinkle it! Great advice on all points, thanks!

[ChampionTier]

@Crickey7 161979 wrote:

…but Downy Wrinkle Releaser works well on creases.

Great idea — I’ll stash some in our gear room; may come in handy for other classmates.

[ChampionTier]

@highline 161490 wrote:

Hello. I had a cycling accident in mid-September 2016. Mt rear tire got stuck in a seam in the concrete at the very beginning of the W&OD. I broke my left femur. I was in the hospital for four days; a titanium implant was placed into my left leg. By December I was doing better–hiking in the woods, walking a lot, working out at home. In February I returned to my gym. I walked there five or six days a week (3 mile round trip) and worked out on aerobic machines and weights. I got stronger and felt a lot better. I hiked in AZ and Nevada in March and April.

My doctor OK’ed me to ride again two months ago. Yet, I haven’t gotten back on my bike. I spent a few days cleaning every part of it and tuning it to perfection (at least as close as I can come to that). Yet I can’t bring myself to get back on. For many years prior to my accident I had ridden 11-12 thousand miles / year. The accident I had last September was my second serious accident. I had another 21 years ago. No permanent damage, but a trip to the emergency room. I got back on my bike a couple of weeks after than and did not look back.

Any suggestions or insights as to how I can get back to riding regularly?

First of all, I’m so sorry about the crash and your prolonged loss of mobility and the trauma that goes with it all. But the good news is that your mobility is restored and I’m sure you’re grateful for that. But there’s that one last step… one box left unchecked and that’s getting back on the bike. If I put myself in your shoes, I don’t know if I could announce a full recovery until I was back in the saddle given the centrality of riding in your life (11-12K/yr…NICE!!). Your pilot light is still lit and that’s awesome!

So maybe trick yourself into getting after it…call it exposure therapy, call it anything you like. Straddle the bike for a while…Flintstone a circle or two in the driveway. Maybe do a spin up and down the street & call it good for the day. Next time tack on a mile or so in the safest place you can find. Build from there. Keep your expectations modest and don’t rush things. Things may never be the same as before and that’s okay. They don’t have to be.

Other thoughts: meditation/visualization has always helped me work up to the good stuff and come down from the bad stuff. Maybe consider an indoor trainer as well for muscle memory/confidence building.

Best of luck! And most of all, glad you’re up and about!

Cheers,
CT

[ChampionTier]

@Judd 160812 wrote:

It also looks like you had ChampionTier in the video….

JQCyclist got the best shot of my calves in action that I think I’ll ever see in this lifetime! All vanity aside, it was a great video. If I was someone who was on the fence about riding into work, I think watching it would push me into the “Go” column.

Side note: This was my second BT_D and it was as spectacular as my first. Though I was sick and an otherwise physical disaster from poison ivy and surgery one thing was certain: You. Don’t. Miss. BTWD. Great meeting Andrea and JQC!!

Edit: Words

[ChampionTier]

@bobco85 160148 wrote:

I think the route looks good, and you’ll have quite an enjoyable ride using a lot of different trails in the area (Ffx Co Pkwy, Franconia-Springfield Pkwy, Eisenhower Ave, Potomac Yard, Mount Vernon, & Rock Creek Park Trails).

If you’re comfortable riding for a bit longer on Franconia Rd, might I recommend this route to avoid the Van Dorn St/Eisenhower Ave mess: https://goo.gl/maps/vca4yGk1f7x It uses a bike lane on Franconia Rd, neighborhood streets (it looks complicated, but if you’ve got your route map, you’ll be fine; plus, it’s a very nice way once you know where you’re going), and the Eisenhower Connector puts you only a few blocks away from the Eisenhower Ave Trail.

Looks like you have the opportunity to visit 4 pit stops on your route (times the pit stops are open):

• Springfield / Metro Park at Walker Lane (6:30-8:30 a.m.)
• Alexandria – Carlyle (6:30-8:30 a.m.)
• Arlington – Crystal City Water Park (7-9 a.m.)
• Georgetown Waterfront Park (7:30-9:30 a.m.)

Given your route says it will take 2:05 to get from start to finish and assuming 15 minutes per stop, you’re likely going to spend about 3:05 to do the whole thing. Have fun!

That’s the route I take to work and the neighborhood is a great way to mitigate risk in the AM & PM. In the afternoons, it seems that the Eisenhower Connector and Franconia Rd (esp. crossing Van Dorn St to get to Beulah) are the two riskiest areas.

If anyone’s interested in joining up, I’m heading out from the Walker Lane Pit Stop at 7am tomorrow, heading toward the Pentagon, Ft McNair, and then back to Springfield (ironically, I’m off work tomorrow).

[ChampionTier]

@Sunyata 159838 wrote:

Actually, they are referring to the annual Police Unity Tour, which will be culminating in DC on Friday, May 12th.

The high point of the ride is the arrival ceremony, which will happen around 2:00 at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. If you have never seen it, you should go. It is pretty freaking amazing.

I happened to be staring out my office window toward Crystal City and saw the motorcade roll by the Pentagon with hundreds of bikers in tow…very cool!

[ChampionTier]

@MFC 159144 wrote:

I’m not sure if this is where your friend crashed, but the trail gets really curvy and slick at the bottom of the hill as you are heading away from Mt. Vernon. Its also shading, so it tends not to dry out.

Interesting you mention that. I was just talking to my friend who first saw Ed’s pool of blood. Not too far from there they saw a guy with a banged up leg that was bleeding a little who said the pool of blood wasn’t his. I wonder if that section claimed two victims yesterday…

[ChampionTier]

@Sunyata 159140 wrote:

How did your friend get to the hospital? If medics were called, I would contact Fairfax Co. Fire Dept and find out who responded. They should be able to give an idea of what happened to your friend’s personal items.

So that’s what his wife wound up doing. Looks like all his stuff is at a fire station and will be recovered today.

Thanks for all the inputs! I’m not sure if he’ll ever recall what caused the accident or if anyone was around to see it. The good news is he’s back home and keeping a sense of humor about it all!

-CT

[ChampionTier]

@bobco85 159134 wrote:

Was he running Strava at the time? There’s a chance you could find potential leads via the Flyby feature.

Unfortunately he doesn’t use Strava — good call on the Flyby though!

[ChampionTier]

@anomad 159129 wrote:

Where is mile .5 on the Mount Vernon Trail? I am not totally familiar with the mile marker start and end points.

Bummer for your friend. Be safe out there.

Right near the actual Mount Vernon — southernmost part of the trail. From the initial [second-hand] reports he’ll be okay — does not appear to be concussed or show signs of TBI…which is pretty awesome news. Now just trying to piece together the wreck and where his stuff is….

[ChampionTier]

@KLizotte 157947 wrote:

Needless to say, the US doesn’t have any cool entries.

http://www.archdaily.com/806102/12-inspiring-architectural-projects-for-bicycles?utm_medium=email&utm_source=ArchDaily%20List

Thanks for sharing this! I’ve often wondered what a compact, urban bike track might look like. Something a little technical, a little fast, accessible to all skill levels yet race-able.

Most of the places I’ve lived don’t have the wonderful access to bike trans infrastructure that we enjoy in NOVA/MD; something like the mini-velodrome or the Denmark Pavilion (which made me crave Dairy Queen for some reason) could provide a concentrated place for folks to discover/enjoy biking not unlike what a municipal pool does for swimming. Of course, I’m a tad biased…

[Author]

Posts