[CPTJohnC]

@Bilsko 63829 wrote:

I’m curious what alternatives you have in mind. Wheelchairs and other personal mobility aids/devices are a necessity – I would say that a stroller is no different for the infant.

Obviously everyone is different, but IMHO a sling (or other front carrier) is a far superior device for moving an infant from place to place, esp. in crowded environs. Personally, I preferred a backpack carrier once they were old enough (6 months or so) — I will admit that this is not without a certain degree of ‘obstructiveness’ too, but not much worse than other backpacks, and less problematic than a stroller.

If one is married to the stroller concept, then the small folding umbrella type strollers are reasonable for navigating metro and other similar spaces, but the gigantic jog strollers, prams and other luxo-barge strollers that seem to be favored are just huge pains.

Let me admit that I did not do a ton of metroing with my kids when they were little, but I did plenty of taking them from place to place as a pedestrian, and overall, I was not crazy about strollers in ‘crowds’ — the only thing I found them great for was carrying other stuff one collected along the way.

Toddlers are the tough age — too big for most people to comfortably use an ‘on-person’ carrier, but not really ready to do all the walking. Of course, many toddlers won’t sit in their strollers anyway…

[CPTJohnC]

My first observation is that the rules regarding bikes are not uniformly enforced in the system. Just yesterday I watched a young lady take her bike off a train at Rhode Island Ave. in clear violation of the rules (it was about 1720/1730), though I would say she inconvenienced no one. I have, on several occasions, seen folks with bikes at Union Station during the prohibited hours, and this often is an obstruction because of the crowds.

I think there could definitely be a workable ‘permit’ system as was proposed by another poster, though I can already imagine the potential for abuse (oh, I know I’m only permitted from Ft. Totten to Greenbelt, but I just need to go to NoMa this once…). OTOH, if the penalty were a swift revocation of the permit, that might keep folks very honest. I also think that the idea of a ‘bike and standee only’ car would be great — remove all seats! front/back car on every train, perhaps? every other train? paint them different color?

Lastly, I have to admit that it annoys me to no end that bikes are banned from trains during rush-y hours, while other large obstructive items (large luggage, strollers, and that ilk) are not! I admit bikes are more obstructive that most suitcases and strollers, but if you’ve ever been on a train with a double jogging stroller hogging the entire entryway of the train at rush hour, or you have the couple that has 4 (or 5) duffel bags that they’re trying to wrangle on and off the train (and up the escalator) you know that bikes are not the only horrors. Wheel chairs are one thing – they are a necessity for their users. But strollers? I’m sorry — I have little sympathy for folks who use enormous strollers in metro during rush hours. They’re actually a pain for everyone, including the user, and there are many better alternatives. The luggage thing is tough, because most of them are tourists, and we certainly don’t want them to stop coming to visit this wonderful city, but at the same time, I wish there were a way to urge them into cabs esp. if they have 2 large bags each, at rush hour. Perhaps station managers should be given some discretion to deny entry to anyone with oversized or awkward items at rush hours except items required for disabled patrons…?

(*I’m sure there are tons of holes in my thoughts here, but I’m not trying to make a real, comprehensive proposal, mostly just venting)

[CPTJohnC]

Not much biking for me for a while, as I need to do enough running to get ready for the ATM. I don’t know how triathletes do it — finding time for multiple ‘sports’ is tough!

@ebubar 63720 wrote:

Good and bad commute today. Bad = bike not shifting right. I’m wondering if the chain and cassette are possibly worn after 2000 miles for the year. Definitely need to get that checked out.

Make sure you check your shifter cables, too. I was having horrible shifting problems, and it turned out my shifter cable had begun to fray. Fortunately, I caught it before it snapped…

[CPTJohnC]

Not exactly a commuting post, but close enough I think: After riding a century on Saturday, I wasn’t really in the mood to ride all the way to and from work this morning, and I couldn’t work out my logistics for any ‘partial’ bike commutes, so I drove and used Metro to get to work.

But then I wound up running late for a meeting at our main office, which had me scrambling for a quick way to go a little over a mile. Enter my first ride on CaBi.

My personal scoring:

Convenience: 8.5 — a station at the end of my block, and another on the plaza at the HQ bldg meant quick transitions, and about the best I could hope for in terms of minimizing travel by other means (walking). The only reason it isn’t a 10 is I started perusing the maps and there are some holes I need them to fill for ~my~ personal convenience.

Comfort: 7 — which rose from a 5.5 when I figured out the seat adjustment. I’m not really cut out for the sit up and beg riding position. I think if I were a more relaxed rider, I could enjoy it, but… I prefer to be bent over. This more or less solves another dilemma for me: I suspect I’d be equally turned off by riding a Harley or other cruiser. I can now ‘officially’ limit my window shopping to sport, sport tourer and sporty standard bikes.

Simplicity: 8 — the only challenge was it took me almost 2 minutes to figure out that one enters the 5 digit code using the almost invisible number buttons next to each bike. Almost too subtle. Other than that? It couldn’t be easier.

Style: 4 –Not really the bike’s fault, but I think I looked faintly ridiculous, as my slacks-and-tie wearing self, with my messenger bag, tried to remember how to ride a bike that has platform pedals.

Rideability: 6 — They will never replace my bikes. Slow, heavy and sluggish doesn’t really match my personal riding profile. Also: I had a hard time remembering to stop with opposite foot up (or remembering to pull the pedals around) I’ve been riding clipless or clips/straps way too long. Top gear is way too short! I would ‘seat-of-the-pants’ it somewhere around my middle ring and 2d or 3d cog–I spun out way too soon. The super simple grip shifters sort of confuse me – I went the ‘wrong way’ a few times– probably in my vain hope for some taller gearing.

Overall: 7 — I’m really thinking about doing the ‘daily key’ thing, and see how it goes. I suspect, though, if I had the membership, I’d find ways to use it. Getting my ride out of the garage, and having to change into cycling shoes can be a bit of a deterrent to riding to do errands during the day. CaBi would solve that. So far, the main thing holding me back is that there’s no station at Ft. Totten, which is where I park when I drive. I suppose I could find another place to park…

[CPTJohnC]

If the POS you have fits you well enough, have you considered just putting some money into getting it running well? the problems you describe with shifting are likely to be quite fixable, even if it requires changing out components, and probably for less than even a decent used bike. I love buying used, and I’ve been generally well served by my used CL purchases, but I can say for sure that there can be headaches (something you didn’t spot in the 15 minute examination/test ride phase). Other advantages to this approach are the ability to make it as close as possible to what you want, and the ability to fly beneath the radar in terms of theft attractiveness.

I can’t tell you how often I consider putting ‘Huffy’ or ‘NeXt’ graphics on my bikes for times when I am forced to lock up somewhere that seems sketchy, or worse, at metro…

[CPTJohnC]

@rcannon100 63419 wrote:

This tweet from the APS Superintendent
It’s true. I go by that bike rack regularly and it is well used! (Now if we could only get the parent car drivers to drive a little better)

Cynical me wonders how much of this bike traffic is students, and how much of it is employees at the school? Either way, the full bike racks are a net positive, but I don’t run across many cycling HS students in my travels. Cycling food service, janitorial and other support staff though? That, I’d guess, is pretty common.

[CPTJohnC]

@dasgeh 63192 wrote:

In search of more miles for the NBC, it looks like I’ll be upping my commute from 5 miles to 8. Does anyone work near 1st & C NE who can give me tips on bike commuting? I’ve been spoiled with my own office, covered secure bike parking, and an on-site gym over here…

You could ride up and down the MBT… it isn’t pretty, it isn’t exciting, but it is easy.

[CPTJohnC]

From the perspective of a lawmaker/law enforcement, I think a scooter is pretty much the same as a skateboard. Skateboards are not permitted in the street/ bike lane (I’ve watched DC Cops do a ‘traffic stop’ for this… surprisingly).

Would it bother me, personally? Probably not. Certainly less problematic than in-line skaters on the MUPs (they tend to take up a disproportionate share of the trail, and they are both too fast and too slow, all at the same time). But it might cause DC’s finest to stop you, and being stopped is definitely inefficient.

I think it would be useable on all but the most crowded sidewalks — people seem to manage to run on the sidewalks, and the speed is comparable.

[CPTJohnC]

@run/bike 62588 wrote:

Sort of. It replaces a 2.7 mile stretch of the Custis trail from Washington and Lee High School all the way down to the intersection of doom at Lynn/Lee Highway. Note: the section between N. Rhodes St. and N. Scott is a little-used pedestrian/bike trail that includes a very short, steep uphill as you head towards DC. It then ends in an apartment complex parking lot where you link up with N. Scott St.

thanks! I’ll check the suggestion out and see how well it works for me. I appreciate the maps!

[CPTJohnC]

@run/bike 62454 wrote:

Not to take this thread even more off topic, but I gotta admit that I’m loving the Key Blvd. route.

Forgive my ignorance, but I’d like more info on the Key Blvd route — is this an alternative to the Custis for someone transiting from W&OD to MVT? I’d love anything that avoids the custis, as it is crowded and fraught with hazards, esp. the segment along Lee Hwy past Rosslyn. I ride up the hill on Lee Hwy most days just to avoid the crowding, but I’m open to even better options!

[CPTJohnC]

@consularrider 61193 wrote:

I’ve been commuting on my road bike the last three days just to take advantage of the great weather. I’ve got the big items already at work and used just a small backpack for a few extras.

If I wanted to make it a regular thing that’s what I would do, too. But I think saving the road bike for fun rides and for rare occasions might keep it all feeling more ‘special’. And I do love my cargo carrying capacity on the commuter. My one real surprise was how relatively few PRs I broke on Strava, despite my higher avg. speed. I obviously wasn’t pushing.

[CPTJohnC]

Because my primary commuter is in the shop receiving much needed new cables, general PM and a light tune up, I rode my ‘weekend’ bike today. Oh My Gosh! The speed! The willingness to climb! The responsive and quick steering. Cycling nirvana!

Were it not for the fact that mounting a rack and panniers would (almost) completely negate the advantages, I could get used to this. But having a big backpack on is a pain. Of course, I could just pre-po more clothing at the office, and buy breakfast and lunch instead of carrying it…

The most emotionally satisfying part was the average speed being 1MPH higher over the course of the ride, while my Avg HR was on the low end of normal. I can’t wait to ride home…!

[CPTJohnC]

@ShawnoftheDread 60891 wrote:

Don’t they say that “cyclists must stop at signs” not just stop signs? Stop at all signs! Legal ambiguities.

Probably true – I’m usually not paying super close attention to flashing signs at intersections where I need to worry about cars, trucks, joggers, baby strollers, dog – walkers, etc…

[CPTJohnC]

I thought today’s weather was just about perfect. Shorts and a jersey for me, and I was just fine.

I was amazed how few people were out in Vienna and on most of the Custis, though the people density picked up dramatically on the final push through Rosslyn, and there were plenty on the W&OD through Falls Church city.

Anyone know what’s up with the Falls Church flashing signs warning us to stop at stop signs? And why, for goodness sake, do they only apply to cyclists: Don’t pedestrians, scooter riders, in-line skaters and equestrians also have to stop?

[CPTJohnC]

This morning I wound up falling in with an informal ‘pace line’ on the Custis. Fortunately, the pedestrian traffic was relatively light, so it felt safe to stay in line.

I felt badly, though, as I never got my chance to pull for the crowd — none of the safe areas for passing fell at a point where I could have made it to the front. Actually, the poor fellow in front pulled for us the whole time, which is why I felt bad. The fellow in front of me on the Cannondale CX bike could have jumped out in front and given us all a pull, which would have moved me into a position to take my turn, too. (actually, I have NO idea what the protocol for sharing pull duties is — I usually move in front when I can, and hope I can keep the speed up).

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