[cmj7gh]

Just noticed that the volunteer page is open. I had a blast when I volunteered as a “mobile mechanic” before, so I signed up to do it again!

https://events.com/r/en_US/registration/volunteer-for-the-2018-dc-bike-ride-washington-may-733702

[cmj7gh]

Happy almost-the-long-weekend Friday!

I know a lot of y’all are going to be eating pancakes at this time, but in case anyone is interested I’m planning to do a special later-than-normal President’s Day edition of coffee outside this coming Monday from 9-10am. The freezing saddles calendar and all the various social media postings are up to date!

Family obligations will probably keep me from spending the rest of the day on the history ride with y’all, but hopefully this is still early enough that you’ll be able to stop by on your way if you’re going!

[cmj7gh]

@Eibhis 174597 wrote:

Anyone going to the post-Hains Point 100 happy hour tmrw? At District Bike and Hardware at The Wharf?

I’m planning to stop by – I probably won’t be able to leave work until 630, but I’m hoping to be there from 7-8

[cmj7gh]

Just reporting back to say that I did successfully ride up 41st street this morning. Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement!

Steve O gave me a good piece of advice last week that helped a lot and that I haven’t seen written online anywhere, so I’m writing it here in case it helps anyone else: right before the super steep part, there’s a flat little driveway/cul de sac off to the left. It helps a lot to turn in there and use it to get a running start up to the switchbacks.

[cmj7gh]

Just an update that I do plan to keep this up. In an effort to stop spamming this forum, I figured out how to make a recurring Facebook event, so I’ll post future updates there: https://www.facebook.com/events/2044054158943741/

Also this coming Monday should feature improvements in all three dimensions that I highlighted before:

• Find a more efficient way to boil water, or bring hot water in a thermos with me. preferably both.
  Check! I’ve invested in a Jetboil stove which claims that it can boil water in 100 seconds, which is approximately 1/10th of the time that my DIY alcohol stove took last week…
• Make it at least 10 degrees warmer, or turn the wind off. preferably both.
  Check! Looks like it’ll be around 40 degrees on Monday morning. If the rain holds off, it might actually be pleasant!
• Make the ground less slippery, or make me a better bike rider. preferably both.
  Maybe! It shouldn’t be icy, but it’ll probably take more than a week for me to git gud.

[cmj7gh]

haha yep that’s me!

[cmj7gh]

Thanks to Steve O and Josh for joining me this morning and providing an audience for my promised slow 41st street topple!

We checked the boxes of being outside before work on a Monady and making coffee, but I have a few things to work on for next time:
* Find a more efficient way to boil water, or bring hot water in a thermos with me. preferably both.
* Make it at least 10 degrees warmer, or turn the wind off. preferably both.
* Make the ground less slippery, or make me a better bike rider. preferably both.

I’m going to try to keep this up as a weekly thing, and would love to continue having company – especially when it is warmer outside!

[cmj7gh]

@chuxtr 174135 wrote:

I was not including outdoor coffee for this pointless prize. As far as leaving the tag in your ride … if you’re not a contender, it’s probably a no harm, no foul situation. Just don’t let it happen again!

What would it take for Great Eskape Cafe(TM) to become an official coffee place?

[cmj7gh]

Thanks all for the advice! Sounds like I need to make a trip up there this weekend and try to make it happen (but once I’ve proven to myself that I can go down it, probably stick to glebe on the way down in the future). I’ll be sure to report back!

[cmj7gh]

Nice – just PM’d you – thanks!

And oh boy I have such an unhealthy relationship with 41st st. I’d love some advice – I’ll make another thread.

[cmj7gh]

@musclys 172186 wrote:

Do we want to try to arrange a team coffee or ride this week?

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I’m interested, but have a busy week and am leaving town on Thursday afternoon. I should be able to join Wednesday before or after work or before work Thursday

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[cmj7gh]

Hey Team –

My name is Chris and I’m excited to join y’all for my second BAFS experience. I just got back from spending the holidays in Australia, so I’m toward the bottom of the leaderboards right now, but I’m hoping to plan some longer rides in the next few weeks to make up for lost time.

I live and work in Ballston. Work is too close to home for a meaningful bike commute, so I mostly ride for fun on the roads around North Arlington. I built up a gravel bike last Summer with the hopes of getting into bikepacking and gravel grinding, so I’m hoping to do some of that this winter. I also have a junky old mountain bike that I like taking out to Wakefield when I find the time.

I’m always on the lookout for a new riding buddy, so I’m hoping we can organize a few team rides/happy hours so we can get to know each other!

Chris

[cmj7gh]

I like the idea of weighting checkpoints a lot, but that would mean someone would have to plan it and wouldn’t be able to participate (or would have an advantage)

what if we just said “anything outside of Arlington is worth double”?

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[cmj7gh]

All good suggestions – thanks!

I like the idea of having it end at a bar, but I assume that’d mean we’d have to give them a heads’ up that we’re coming (and schedule a date that works for them), and everyone would have to be of legal drinking age. I liked the one bikearlington event that I went to at New District brewing in Shirlington. Any other nominations?

Think 3 hours is a good time period? Think ‘Arlington’ is a good enough boundary? or should it expand to include more of the W&OD, Hains Point, etc?

[cmj7gh]

Wow thanks for all of the helpful advice! At those prices, I might start considering upgrading the stock wheels on my road bike someday too!

How should I compare the assembled hunt wheels to hozn’s generous offer to assemble the bdop kit? Looks like the biggest difference is the 19 vs 20 mm rims? I assume those are functionally the same, and could both handle up to 2.1 mtb tires (not that I’d necessarily want that, but per this chart I could: http://engineerstalk.mavic.com/en/the-right-tyre-width-on-the-right-rim-width/ )

I weigh 160 and will probably someday load up with touring gear. If those options will be functionally similar in those conditions, then it sounds like hozn’s solution is the answer!

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