[culimerc]

@sjclaeys 35395 wrote:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2031[/ATTACH]
Here is my Surly Long Haul Trucker in full commuter mode, a svelte 50 lbs with the garment bag pannier.

Do you come out of Vienna on the WOD going towards DC??

[culimerc]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2025[/ATTACH]

probably not the Bunny you were expecting.

[culimerc]

rcannon100;35330 wrote:

hope your morning commute was better than this guys…..

http://cyclejerk.blogspot.com/2012/11/picture-1000-words.html

cx fail!!

[culimerc]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2014[/ATTACH]

Just so you know it does work just fine.

[culimerc]

@Dirt 35209 wrote:

Loaded up and ready to ride to Lights for Bikes.

Bike plus stuff was probably in the 200 pound range.

You know you’d probably be faster if you got rid of that BMW grill. Its just screwing up the aero dynamics of the whole thing.

[culimerc]

@vvill 35147 wrote:

I guess I need a nice steel SS/FG.

yup.

[culimerc]

@Dirt 35011 wrote:

I have unfinished business with this ride.

You and me both Brutha’

[culimerc]

I bought a SS/fixie with a flip-flop hub. I rode SS for a about a month, flipped it over to Fixed and havent flipped it back since.

[culimerc]

@Certifried 34900 wrote:

Awesome! I wish I could calculate all that and have such a great number at the bottom. Unfortunately I’d have to add the bike I bought for commuting, the extra gear I just HAD to have, the tools and toys that were absolute necessities to complete my commute, and all the extra food I ate so I could keep my shape (round).

I dont include the food and beer, cause knowing me I would’ve eaten it anyways. The bike? yeah I bought one just for commuting and I bought bags and a rain suit and some cold weather gear. I probably would’ve ended up spending that money on cycling anyways knowing me. I just would’ve had deep rim wheels on the road bike and some other odds and ends instead. The only actual consumables were punctured tubes and broken spokes (<$100). Oh, and I have just finished off one tire, I should kill the other in the next month or so.

[culimerc]

I try to follow the principles behind the “Idaho Stop“

for direct answers to your questions;
#1- I will filter up towards the front, keeping an eye on the turn signals. If there’s a break in traffic and a number of cars start to turn left, I find someone who’s signalling left and basically draft the passenger side of the car, signalling my intent to turn left to the car behind, swinging wide as I go through the intersection.
If crossing traffic is heavy, and I manage to filter all the way to the front, I set up on the right side of the lane and signal to the car behind, and swing wide as I go through the turn.

I’m comfortable with this method; some people maybe less so. It allows cars to get around me for most of the actual turn. If your not comfortable with this, I would set up in the passenger side tire track of the lane and force the cars to actually go around you. This is probably safer in the long run and is legal I believe.

#2 See the Idaho stop above. Filter forward, try to stay out of the gutter as much as possible, it doesnt allow for any margin of error or an escape route if needed. Slow at the stop sign. Yield to appropriate traffic, then proceed. If someone has to step on the brakes because you’ve surprised them, maybe you should ease up a bit.

#3 As long as I can cross an intersection without oncoming traffic even think about touching the brakes, I’ll usually do it. But if someone even just checks their speed a little bit, they’ll be cursing you over the coffee machine at work for 2 weeks. I try not to be that guy’s example of the damn bikers.

Ride safe and enjoy.

[culimerc]

I’ll ask the little missus if I can come out and play on the Thursday nights.

[culimerc]

I suddenly have Sunday free. I may have to hit the thrift store on Saturday

[culimerc]

Between Va ave and Reston Town Center; Coming down off Virginia Ave towards Gallows there are LOTS of leaves. Very slippery on a downhill with a turn, relax take you time. Other than that, minor leaf and twig mess, and the pine tree down near Hunter’s Mill is about it.

[culimerc]

Broke the 3rd spoke in as many months this morning on wheels that are only 6 months old. Good thing I have disc brakes, still its getting old.

[culimerc]

@GuyContinental 34460 wrote:

With my early and opposite commute plus a pretty decent pace, I rarely get a draft- when I do, and the pace (and rider skill…) matches I’ll leap on it but I always thank my windblock “for the tow.” If they don’t want to be drafted or want me to take a turn a hand gesture usually does the trick.

I will admit that anyone that decides to draft me up the Hunter Mill climb (EB) *might* get a rather wicked pace for their trouble (and yes, I’ll destroy myself in the process)

I usually give a “thanks for the pull”.

But I do the same thing if someone latches on to me. Slowly wind up the speed to see if they can hang on, if they can, get them to come around and start swapping pulls til you both either get to your turn off or blow up whichever comes first. #Cat6since1986

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