[CPTJohnC]

@americancyclo 100817 wrote:

Last night on the WOD I ended up behind two cyclists just past east falls church. There was a lot of oncoming traffic so I rode a bit slower than I would have liked and opted not to pass, following two to three bike lengths behind. About two blocks later the rider in front of me brake checked me. It was clearly aggressive and he yelled something along the lines of “I said back off!” Which surprised me because brake checking is dangerous but also because the rider hadn’t said anything before brake checking me. I safely passed a few blocks later but am still surprised by the road rage from a fellow cyclist.

Interesting only because I also had a disconcerting experience last night on the W&OD involving following, but from the other end. I was the lead rider, but I kept losing sight/sense of the guy behind me, possibly because he didn’t have lights, or if he did, they were only ‘to be seen’ not ‘to see’ lights. I have pretty decent lights, bar and helmet mounted. I would swear he was the faster rider, though I outclimbed him a couple of times. The issue was, I kept thinking he had turned off, or dropped back, because I couldn’t really see him (My primary mirror is non-functioning at the moment, but that’s another story). For all I know he was staying with me because of my lights, as he’d have had a dickens of a time seeing well with whatever he had (unless he was intentionally dimming because he was following me closely).

Anyway, I can see how a rider might get scared if he felt that you popped up from ‘nowhere’ and have a somewhat more angry reaction. It is somewhat the opposite of what boboco85 posited, but could also explain his reaction (though certainly it doesn’t justify it). In my case, I did not find the situation dangerous or scary, but it did have me checking my 6 a lot more often than I would normally on a MUP. And even with my constant checking, I wasn’t always able to see where he was, so a couple of times he wasn’t quite where I expected him to be. I should also admit, I ride with music (speaker, not headphones) so I can’t hear a fellow cyclist following close behind as well as I would without the tunes. I had turned it down on the trail, but it still covers the sound of a nearby bike.

[CPTJohnC]

I have been woeful at keeping up with the forum lately, but I ride from this area to DC regularly (I live just west of the 50/nutley intersection) so I can offer some suggestions if needed, at least for getting from Mantua to Gallows.

[CPTJohnC]

I was unexpectedly given the opportunity to ride today, and I very much enjoyed the warm weather and the chance to ride in shorts. Not hat or shoe covers required! Also, I love riding on overcast days.

[CPTJohnC]

@Emm 96508 wrote:

Name and location of the building: Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Ave SW (HHS)
Are there bike racks on the property that are available to the public?: yes, although they’re pretty close to the building so unlikely the public would use them.
Are there bike racks on the property that are accessible only to employees or others?: yes, underground, although getting a pass to use them is HIGHLY restricted–typically only SES get the passes.

Name and location of the building: Switzer Bulding, 330 C St SW (HHS and GSA currently have offices here)
Are there bike racks on the property that are available to the public? yes, outside on the sidewalk. Not very secure.
Are there bike racks on the property that are accessible only to employees or others? no

Name and location of the building: Patriots Plaza 1, 2, 3 (355 E St SW and adjoining addresses. HHS, Dept of Ag, and maybe others have offices here)
Are there bike racks on the property that are available to the public? Yes, free to use in the public parking garage below the building, although they are not advertised outside anywhere so I’ve only seen employees use them.
Are there bike racks on the property that are accessible only to employees or others? no

Adding to that: the Cohen Bldg (330 Independence Ave. SW) — VOA and HHS
Bike racks available to the public — Yes – a wheel bender in the street level parking lot, and a few loops on either side of the main entrance (on C St. SW)
Employee only racks: None that I know of.

BTW: to my knowledge, getting a permit to park a bike at HHH does not require being SES, but does require one to completely forfeit one’s Transhare benefit (which is not a very viable option for most of us who metro even occasionally.)

[CPTJohnC]

Okay, I know I shouldn’t get excited about the pace of my morning commute, but seeing an average speed of over 15 MPH always makes me smile a little. Today, however, it made me smile a lot, because I did it while riding CaBi.

[CPTJohnC]

It was a beautiful morning. And just the right mix of people but no crowds, in my opinion. [ATTACH=CONFIG]6518[/ATTACH]

The ride home will be warmer, but I’m looking forward to it! (and my National Bike Challenge platinum medal is so close I can almost touch it… but it won’t be today)

[CPTJohnC]

@lordofthemark 93398 wrote:

: the hill from Shirlington to FortReynolds. A bear of a hill for that point in my commute. I think next time I will try a different way out of Shirlington.

Next time I will be more strategic about clothes to carry, and will pump more carefully.

#1: well done!

#2: Hills get easier the more you do them. Unfortunately, short of a technological solution, the only way they get easier is if you do more of them.

[CPTJohnC]

@Terpfan 93393 wrote:

The damn Duck Tour thing nearly got me hit on Independence today. He decided to stop in the middle of Independence (admittedly with his flasher son) to explain something. This forced the many speeding cars to all swerve to the left and right. One decided it didn’t matter that I was in the right lane and brushed by ever so close that I think a quarter wouldn’t fit between us.

Good thing you didn’t have an extra slice of pie last night or a donut this morning, right? Seriously, though — glad you’re okay.

My ride this evening was back to its usual relatively uneventful self, with only the usual amount of attempted negligent homicide.

[CPTJohnC]

@jpaulwhite 93380 wrote:

EVERY Friday evening is like that for me. I swear I’m about to start riding on the sidewalks on Fridays and just deal with angry pedestrians. You do not want to be on Carlin Springs road between 6 and 620 on a Friday between Route 50 and Ballston

I admit it: if I had a piece of my route that was like that on a regular basis, I think I’d be looking for an alternate. But I suppose that would mean I should be trying to avoid the Intersection of Doom, and I don’t, really. Maybe a nice bunch of helium balloons with a big Mylar one that says “Share the Road — Even on Friday” tied to your seat on Fridays?

[CPTJohnC]

Yesterday was one of those evenings when I felt like all the cars were trying to kill me. I rarely have those feelings. Let me set the stage: I left the office around 4:15, walked over to the CaBi station and grabbed a bike, taking time to adjust the seat and placing my helmet on my head (1st mistake? who knows!). I pedaled over to the 1st intersection, 3d st. and Independence SW. I was trying to cross Independence, with the light, and 4 cars completely ignored the pedestrian (and cyclist, and oncoming car) right of way, just bulling their way through to turn left, so they could get to the 395 entrance. I cross this intersection almost daily, and this is NOT normal. Shortly thereafter, I had a tourmobile pull away from the curb on the mall seemingly without looking, forcing me into the left lane (where I dutifully pedaled hard enough to pass the large motor vehicle). I crossed Constitution without incident, then had a car pull out of a “no parking or standing” area again seemingly without looking. Admittedly, this was not into me, but rather in front of me, however I was forced to brake… going uphill… on a CaBi – way too close for my comfort. Next incident involved a car turning right across the cycletrack on 1st st. NE, completely ignoring the 3 bikes already proceeding through on the green light, one of which was me. I managed to arrive at NoMa metro station without further incident, but not happy about having so many incidents in a 2 mile, 10 minute ride.

But almost more disturbing: after I got home, I was driving to an evening meeting and watched a cyclist cross 10-11 lanes of traffic, all against lights, with seemingly no regard for any traffic laws, rights of way or his own survival. It was dusk, he had no lights, no significant reflective gear, and he did nothing to signal his intentions or otherwise telegraph his actions for the many cars also negotiating the intersection.

[CPTJohnC]

@mstone 91950 wrote:

nothing will make you seem more looney and less likely to win a debate in the public eye than appearing to argue that your bike is as important as a small human.

How about huge rolling suitcases, duffel bags, etc… all of which are permitted at all times? Yes, I have kids. But I don’t think strollers (or bikes) have much place on crowded metro. There are much better solutions for moving kids in and around transit.

[CPTJohnC]

A beautiful day, and a fine ride. I was loaded “heavy” due to bringing in a number of pictures and plaques for my office walls. (almost 6 years since I had a ‘permanent office… I don’t really remember what it’s like!) My steed has developed a number of squeaks and noises – some might just be a need to lubricate, but others seem more… ominous? A trip to Bikenetic seems to be in my future.

Oh, and today was the day of maintenance vehicles. One on Custis, one along the reflecting pool, and one moving very slowly on Jefferson. Add the Garbage truck on Cottage, and it was a full day of fun.

[CPTJohnC]

@jnva 87056 wrote:

I’ve seen a lot of weird things happen during my commute, but watching a man undress in front of the police and then get tazered several times tops them all. W&OD between Va lane and Shreve rd.

I always miss the good stuff!

[CPTJohnC]

@skins_brew 84434 wrote:

Well, part of the hold up is that they are installing those fancy brick pavers on the crosswalks. They were doing that last week and it looks mostly done. They are also painting the the bike lane from K to M green, which is also coming along quickly. I have no training in construction or civil engineering, but I dont see why it wouldn’t be done in two weeks. With that said, probably a month! (Hopefully I am being sarcastic).

I don’t mess around with North Capital. I just jump on the sidewalk from K to M.

I’ve done that a few times, but I hate using the sidewalk, so if I know it will be obstructed, I just take North Capital – I got in the habit when the original construction started and they killed the old bike lanes and made the street one way.

Does anyone know what the final plan is for the stretch from G St. up to the bike / pedestrian crossing in front of union St. (at Mass Ave)? I feel like the bike lanes just end on the wrong side of the street, leaving us to fend for ourselves. Admittedly, there’s little traffic there, but still…

[CPTJohnC]

Okay – it’s been over a week since the last post in this thread, and though I risk raising the undead, I am jumping in: WHEN WILL IT BE OPEN FOR REAL?

Every day it looks so close. I’ve even ridden the entire length from Union to M St. because there were no obstructions except barrels, but since then there’s been seemingly endless painting and other work. Even the seemingly complete section from Union to the part where the curb barrier starts has been partially obstructed every time I’ve ridden (yellow police tape this morning). I keep hoping because I don’t like riding on North Capitol, but going on the other side of Union Station is a pain (because old habits die hard).

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