[CPTJohnC]

@Subby 60476 wrote:

Don’t get too attached to it. Someone will mark it as hazardous now that it has been outed.

In the afternoon, esp. during any nice weather, it is hazardous to go fast — too many tourists. But in the morning it is a lovely, flat piece of pavement.

Of course you’re right, the fun police will certainly squash my joy. (actually, I was far more worried about some actual fast guys deciding that an old, fat guy on a commuter bike should NOT be that close to the top of a leader list.)

[CPTJohnC]

I had almost forgotten what riding in hot weather felt like, but no more. I was drenched by the time I made it to work.

On a high note (for weirdos who track such things) I am currently #6 on the Reflecting Pool Sprint on Strava’s segments. I don’t actually think I was going all that fast, but I had few pedestrians to contend with, so I was able to maintain my pace.

I’m sure I’ll be unseated any minute now (if not already).

[CPTJohnC]

@mello yello 60425 wrote:

Oh, and I got my first “get on the sidewalk” of the season on yesterday’s ride home, a block from my house. Very sort of nonchalant, and completely from the other lane. By the time I realized what the dude had said he was well ahead of me, and then I turned. On the plus side, there were kids watching me from the car next to me at that same stoplight, and I maintained a trackstand for them for the duration of the light. They waved when everyone started up and they passed me. The car behind THEM was the “get on the sidewalk” car.

I suspect he was just jealous of your outrageous skills

[CPTJohnC]

@consularrider 60052 wrote:

Interesting, I was thinking the opposite. I saw lots of people out on bikes between 7 and 8 am on my 2/3 of the Arlington Loop.

I come from Dunn Loring/ Vienna, so I don’t pass through Arlington until closer to 8:15-8:30. Perhaps everone else got up early today (and I was, I know, running a few minutes late)? The only place I thought there was the usual # of cyclists was at the Key Bridge crossing, and even that seemed a bit light. But obviously a few minutes difference in either direction can dramatically alter perceptions.

[CPTJohnC]

This morning, leaving the house, I almost felt cool. Another way to put that: It was incredibly pleasant riding in this morning. I was amazed how few other cyclists I encountered. The August vacation season must be in full swing.

[CPTJohnC]

This morning’s commute seemed quite relaxed, because traffic was light — all traffic. Automobile, bike and even pedestrian. Most of the bike traffic on the W&OD this morning seemed to be heading in the other direction, and I passed fewer runners than usual. Even the monuments and the mall seemed generally more peaceful than usual, except for a gaggle of students/interns on some sort of group tour.

All in all, very pleasant. Soon I get to see how it goes in the other direction.

[CPTJohnC]

@Steve 59361 wrote:

When confronted with stairs and an escalator, I almost always choose the escalator. Seems like an ebike is about the same sensible choice.

And I almost always choose the stairs. I suspect it says something about my lack of sense.

@dasgeh 59357 wrote:

Still, I am a firm believer that if embracing ebikes is key to making cycling a real, normal transportation option for many (most? all?)>

In all seriousness, I don’t disagree; for many people who have modest length commutes, ebikes or similar conveyances make lots of sense (I see a couple of folks who commute by segway, for example). If one is using it for transportation, one certainly isn’t ‘cheating’ from an objective standpoint. But I do think that all e-bikes should be required to display some sort of huge, loud signage, so that my poor, fragile ego isn’t crushed.

As to visibility of infirmity: Yes, you are correct- there are numerous types of health issues that don’t manifest in obvious ways. And no, I don’t think they need to wear large, hideous signs to ‘prove’ their infirmity. But can’t they try to look sick while the pass me on the hills?

I have the same lack of sympathy problem with handicapped parking spaces, and folks who appear to have nothing, whatsoever, wrong with them as they walk the 10 steps into the shop… I’m a bad person.

[CPTJohnC]

This morning as I was leaving the house I went to downshift the rear, and nothing happened. Click, click, click went the brifter, and the derailleur just… sat there. I stopped, tugged at it a little, and it moved, seemingly freely, but when I re-started, it would shift up, but not down. So I rode my 19 mile commute on what, in effect, was a 3 speed. (ultimately, I determined that the rear would shift if there was enough pressure on the driveline, so I can downshift going up hills…)

I’m afraid that I bent it yesterday when I loading it on my rack, or getting ready to, after a ride with a friend.

[CPTJohnC]

@fuzzy 59332 wrote:

Then I noticed as she pulled away, she had a electric motor on the back tire… I tried to catch up so I could yell aloud ‘CHEEAAATTEER’ but she was running red lights….. She looked to be under 35. I hope her battery died on the big 15 street hill.

I feel you! E-bikes are horrible for my ego, though I did have the joy of watching a guy whose battery must have given up grinding up a hill the other day. I know I’m probably just jealous, truth be told, but it does seem like cheating, esp. if the rider isn’t over 65 or otherwise infirm.

[CPTJohnC]

@acl 56992 wrote:

:pThe trails are just as empty when it’s 100F out as when it’s 35F.

I wish this were true, but I see way more folks on the trails on 100F days than on 35F (or even 40F) days. My anecdotal, seat of the pants estimate would say that the high needs to be headed for 65F before many riders get out there. And a low close to freezing keeps most at home.

I like riding in winter. I’m looking forward to next year’s freezing saddles!

[CPTJohnC]

thanks for confirming what I had long suspected. I see that stop as a nice ‘warning’ to cyclists (and motorists) to be cautious, but I think the orientation gives motorists the mistaken impression that bikes should be yielding to them, when the opposite should be true?

[CPTJohnC]

This morning’s excitement brought to me by the US Capitol Police. No, nothing bad. I happened upon a squad of them riding over memorial bridge, in formation. They were moving slightly faster than I was, so they passed me, most courteously, on the bridge. I hung with them to the Lincoln memorial, where we rode opposite sides of the reflecting pool. Met them again on Jefferson St. and I lost them on the Air and Space sprint (I really like to make the light at 4th st.)

I have a sneaky suspicion that it may have been a training exercise, because they didn’t even seem to blink when a fellow rider blew through the light at 7th st.

[CPTJohnC]

I’m pretty sure the word of the day today was “Wet”[ATTACH=CONFIG]3281[/ATTACH]

I’m not sure she was really any drier than I was, but she was probably much cleaner. My wipes got a workout cleaning the grit off my legs. Maybe it’s time to replace that rear fender I tossed earlier this summer.

[CPTJohnC]

@Rogburt 56909 wrote:

2. Today, wet.. why do I ever bother with rain gear during the Virginia summer?

I bought a pretty nice rain jacket (Showers Pass) a couple of years ago, and the first time I tried to wear it, I realized the futility of rain gear in summer here. I was just as wet as if I had no jacket, but instead of rain water, it was my own sweat.

I rode home last night via the Capital Crescent and the Tow path, and let me tell you, I was filthy by the time I finished. Fenders only do so much when you are negotiating puddles on dirt trails.

I decided to metro today because I don’t like arriving at work feeling gritty and dirty, and it was raining for real when I was getting ready to leave (already dressed in cycling attire, so quick change required).

I think I’ll take a recreational ride sometime this weekend…

[CPTJohnC]

@mello yello 56765 wrote:

I can never find newspaper anymore…. and magazines don’t work quite as well!

I’m guessing you don’t work downtown, with a plethora of free ‘Express’ and ‘Examiners’ on most every street corner?

@mello yello 56765 wrote:

I can prop them against the back of my computer case under my desk and the fan blows warm air through them. Sorta like a reverse AirWicks for my cube…

This sounds like one of those things some might do to torment the co-worker nobody likes. Of course, a pair of cycling shoes isn’t exactly subtle when it is sitting next to the computer. Perhaps you should work a deal to let them dry in the server room?

This morning was great — I managed to avoid getting rained on, though I think I sensed a few drops. Maybe my luck will hold for the ride home, too.

Other than the few raindrops and some threatening skies and wind, my only other issues were electronic — I forgot to turn on bluetooth so my HR monitor couldn’t connect and my camera didn’t want to record this morning’s ride (probably because it knows how boring it is!) #FirstWorldProblems

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