[chris_s]

So I presented parkingdirty.com at #bikehacknight this week which generated some additional interest. This has led to 2 new things:

1) I now have some complete data on Hayes @ 12th St: 2016-09-20 | 2016-09-21
2) In case somebody who knows more about computer vision than I do wants to try training their own classifier, there are now training datasets up on the homepage with thousands of already tagged images.

[chris_s]

@Rod Smith 170591 wrote:

A ride lasting several days will be registered on Strava as a single ride and assigned to the day it began.

This really makes me want to record Freezing Saddles next year as one very long frequently paused ride.

[chris_s]

@Steve O 170148 wrote:

I had about a dozen rejoinders to this, but I graciously refrain.

[chris_s]

“Spend Judd’s Money” is my new favorite game show.

[chris_s]

Should slackers have received the email?

[chris_s]

Also a new small, trail with mediocre paving quality has been opened connecting the 27 Trail to the Pike. You no longer have to slalom past the security booth by the 9/11 memorial. In fact, the slalom access appears to have been CLOSED. This is potentially problematic for some folks because the new trail cannot be easily access from the westbound lanes of Columbia Pike (for those cyclists who take the lane rather than the sidewalk/sidepath along the Pike). Also BEWARE when heading FROM DC TOWARD ARLINGTON on this connector. If, when you get to the Pike you want to cross the highway ramp to go under 27 the sight lines are truly and remarkably terrible. You cannot see the cars. The cars cannot see you. Proceed with extreme caution.

[chris_s]

The improved Rt 27 Trail (the bridge construction by the Pentagon) will open right after Christmas.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]15936[/ATTACH]

The Route 27/110 bridge rehabilitation project will reach a pair of milestones next week, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

On Tuesday, Dec. 26, the permanent shared-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians along eastbound Route 27 will open. The shared-use path is 14 feet wide on the bridge (replacing a concrete sidewalk) and 10 feet wide on the approaches.

From what I saw when I rode through on my way to the Hains Point 100, it looks like they’ve widened the trail as far back Eastward as the road to nowhere. I didn’t get a good luck how far they went to the west, they at least widened it across the porkchop separating the ramps in and out of the Pentagon parking lot.

[chris_s]

Is it Spring 2011 already? The Washington Blvd Trail contractor has been granted the notice to proceed and will start construction in January. The trail will connect the Arlington Blvd Trail to Columbia Pike along Washington Blvd via Towers Park. Background here for those who haven’t been following along.

[chris_s]

@Judd 169897 wrote:

The medallion on the front was also slightly askew. I fixed it but it looks like the top piece attaching it to the library might be damaged.

Thanks, I got the same sort of report from someone who logged the geocache today. Sounds like the glue holding one of the magnets has let go.

[chris_s]

@Judd 169885 wrote:

VDOT was not our friend when they rebuilt the bridge. Could you tell if it was in the road or on the sidewalk? There’s a lot of problems with cars exiting Washington Blvd on to the Pike without stopping or looking. I was taking the sidepath for a while on the way home but started taking the lane instead after a few too many instances where my life was spared solely because I was biking very defensively.

Looked to me like they the bike was heading Eastbound down the north-side sidewalk/sidepath and collided with a car that was coming off the ramp from eastbound Washington Blvd. Couldn’t tell what lane the car had been in so not sure if it was a “bike had the walk signal but car turned right on red into them” or “bike disregarded the signal and was hit by a car” or what.

Again, no idea what lane of that three lane ramp the car was in nor do I know if they were trying to go straight, left or right.

[chris_s]

@dplasters 169872 wrote:

I would ask for a demonstration/tutorial on rear wheel removal/tensioning on whatever model you are looking into and consider it a major factor in what you purchase.

Some companies have very clumsy systems that require a lot of work to get the tensioning back/wheel on correctly, while others have some amazing designs that are much simpler to get the rear wheel back in just the right place. Also, rear wheel flats can be a pita.

^^^^ This.

I’d been meaning to come back and post again to point this out, but dplasters has handled it beautifully. Belt tension is important. All of these bikes have a way to get the belt through the frame. Some of them make it really easy to get the wheel back on with the exact same belt tension as before, others make it nearly impossible. I’ve heard really good things about Spot‘s design, for instance.

[chris_s]

Two developments.

First, there’s a new full set of tools at my library. Many thanks to everyone who recommended the new attachment mechanism. I doubt my crimps are as professional as vicegrip would have done, but I felt like I needed to be able to do it myself.

Second, Judd noticed that Dorcester Apartments has added tools to their little free library as well!

https://twitter.com/LumberjackCycle/status/943169170912497664

[chris_s]

I love my Breezer Beltway Infinity, but they don’t make it anymore. Breezer does still make the Beltway line, but with different hubs.

I bought it as my “no excuses” bike. No “I can’t ride today, I need to lube my chain”, no “I can’t ride today, I forgot to charge my headlight”, no “I can’t ride today, I need to adjust my brakes”.

I just get on and go. Occasionally I put it air in the tires. It’s awesome.

[chris_s]

@Dewey 168899 wrote:

Some of the comments on the ArlNow post on the survey are unreal.

Compared to the vitriol of years past, I found them surprisingly tame.

Mostly complaints about self-selection which is a valid criticism (response: we didn’t have a budget for a statistically-valid survey).

[chris_s]

@VA2DC 168440 wrote:

That’s too bad. Have you thought about using wire rope like the commercial bike repair stations? Aluminum ferrules require a swaging tool for installation, but even bolt-on rope clips would slow down most would-be thieves. Certainly more theft-proof than parachute cord.

Thanks for the suggestion, I just looked into this and what’s involved. I think it’s the right call.

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