[cvcalhoun]

I’m thinking that the Frenchies’ interest in precision comes because they have often been ahead during the day and then fallen behind again at night. They are thus lobbying for the end to be 12:57 P.M., as it is their only hope to win.

@kwarkentien 79026 wrote:

We Frenchies know that “REAL” winter ends and spring begins at the Vernal Equinox. It is not a “manufactured for television because we aren’t smart enough to understand that the equinox is a movable date and time dictated by the alignment of the earth’s axis with the center of the sun” date. We are biding our time, slowly but surely, making our climb to the top for utter domination of Freezing Saddles and all of its Dominion. Lentement mais surement!!!! French Team Rules!!!! Bwaaaaahaaaaahaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]4932[/ATTACH]

😎

[cvcalhoun]

From your mouth to God’s ears! I have in fact managed to bicycle every day of 2014. But I’d really rather be doing it in weather that’s in the 50s.

@PotomacCyclist 78892 wrote:

50s this weekend? 58F on Monday? Is that accurate? I hope so.

I also hope this was the final Arctic blast of the winter. There is another storm system this week, but it is now expected to move off to sea and avoid the DC area.

[cvcalhoun]

I am so jealous! The concept of plowing a trail seems to be a complete stranger to those who manage the Capital Crescent Trail.

@Arlingtonrider 78861 wrote:

Four Mile Run trail alongside S. Arlington Mill Drive (between Walter Reed Drive and Shirlington Rd.) was plowed and appeared to be clear and dry around 10:30 this morning – just a little narrower than usual.

Thank you, Arlington County!

[cvcalhoun]

I have one bicycle, an old Trek hybrid. It does not have studs. Not only were the residential streets deep in snow and packed ice tire tracks, but even the main streets had been plowed but not salted or sanded, so there was still lots of snow and packed ice on them. Today’s ride was, to put it mildly, a challenge.

@peterw_diy 78823 wrote:

I just went out for my sleaze points in Alexandria, and at this hour, I’d definitely prefer snowshoes, just to get those nice metal traction claws. All the residential streets around me are 5″ of snow, interrupted by packed ice tire tracks. Totally rideable (with studs), but no longer skiable.

[cvcalhoun]

Yeah, I saw that. I would think that a Mardi Gras parade would lose its reason for being once Lent had started, but perhaps I’m too much of a traditionalist. (And I actually have no dog in this fight, being Jewish.)

@PotomacCyclist 78797 wrote:

http://www.arlnow.com/2014/03/03/snow-removal-in-full-swing-mardi-gras-parade-postponed/

“The Clarendon Alliance is announcing that the 2014 Mardi Gras Parade is being postponed, due to snow and ice along the parade route,” Clarendon Alliance executive director Matt Hussman said in an email. “We intend to reschedule the parade as soon as possible — possibly around St. Patrick’s Day… but we need to consult with County officials before we can announce the new date.”

[cvcalhoun]

Bethesda is officially a mess! Even Old Georgetown Road was partly plowed but untreated over large stretches, so my bike alternated between fishtailing and getting stuck in deep snow.

[cvcalhoun]

The chart also doesn’t account for snow and ice. I can bicycle in pretty much any temperature, so long as I put on enough warm clothes beforehand. But having the trails impassable for weeks at a time is a royal pain!

[cvcalhoun]

I have very warm clothes, and put on a lot of them when it’s cold. I have yet to have issues with cold temperatures during any part of Freezing Saddles. So if the parade happens, I’ll be there.

@rcannon100 78751 wrote:

I believe it was canceled in 2010.

The parade time predicted temperature is currently 23 degrees with a wind chill of 18.

As many here can affirm, the parade is a hurry up and wait experience. You go to your staging area… and then wait… like an hour… until it is your turn to go in the parade. Standing still in 23 degrees weather?? Not such a good thing.

[cvcalhoun]

Assuming the parade doesn’t get canceled on account of snow, I plan to be there and to eat dinner, probably at the Five Guys there (although I’m open to other alternatives), before the parade. The address of the Five Guys is:

2300 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22201

If anyone else is nuts enough to come out in the snow and is interested in joining me, you can send me a PM, so I’ll know to look for you.

[cvcalhoun]

I’m really hoping this doesn’t shut down the Clarendon Mardi Gras parade, in which I’m supposed to be participating.

@PotomacCyclist 78746 wrote:

It’s official: http://www.opm.gov/

Federal gov’t is closed. So are all of the private businesses that follow OPM snow closures.

If the snow continues into late afternoon and the total is at the upper end of the forecast range, everything might be closed on Tue. too.

[cvcalhoun]

To ride on a trial in pitch black, you actually need to be a lawyer, not a bicyclist.

Yes, I am a lawyer and a pedant!

@fuzzy 41783 wrote:

All this reading about lights and being blinded by the light…. I started thinking about the song, so how about calling them Manfred Manns…. ( no I have never ridden on a trial in pitch black, I’m still a bike noob )

[cvcalhoun]

Thanks to everyone who responded on my question about the condition of the MVT and 4MR. I managed to make it from Bethesda to Shirlington and back today, and the trails weren’t in bad shape. The worst part was when I decided to shave a little off the distance by going directly from the Key Bridge to the Canal Towpath, and taking the Towpath up to where it meets the CCT at Fletcher’s Boathouse. That section of the Towpath includes a free mudbath right now!

[cvcalhoun]

I’d love to get together for a bite to eat! I’ll be biking in from Bethesda, so it would be nice to have a little down time before starting in the parade.

@consularrider 78625 wrote:

Anyone interested in grabbing a quick bite to eat before the staging starts at 7 pm? I’ve got to do something between when I get off work and when I have to be on Wilson. Or maybe a couple of Arlington Loops to stay warm since it looks like it will be kinda cold.

[cvcalhoun]

@Tim Kelley 78570 wrote:

If you are a marching group, we ask you to keep your group on the sidewalk, so there is less congestion and it makes it easier for vehicles and parade floats to enter.

If we’re on bicycles, are we considered a “marching group” or vehicles?

[cvcalhoun]

Perspective is everything. I discovered it was 16F this morning, when I need to bicycle from Bethesda to Shirlington and back. And my immediate reaction was, “Hey, it’s warmer than I thought it would be!”

@PotomacCyclist 78421 wrote:

Temperatures below 10F in outer suburbs on Friday morning. Another storm on the way Sunday or Monday (or Tuesday). Could be rain but it could be another significant snowfall.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2014/02/26/this-brutal-winter-has-more-tricks-up-its-sleeves-for-d-c-area/?hpid=z2

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