[dasgeh]

A nice cyclist (guy) offered me help as I was changing my tire (not sure of his wording — it wasn’t a “you’re a girl so you must not know what you’re doing”, just a polite “everything ok?” — not offensive). Very kind, but I was still on the change-out-the-tube step. I hadn’t gotten to the try-to-inflate-the-tire-and-not-have-enough-air step. Unfortunately, I didn’t see anyone during that step.

[dasgeh]

When I was a student (far too long ago) there was bike parking in the garage under Levy — definitely covered, I’m not sure how safe. I would ask DOPS — they’re generally nice guys, if you’re nice to them, and if they don’t have an immediate answer, they’ll help you find who to ask.

[dasgeh]

@donkeybike 13598 wrote:

The part I am specifically referring to is from the Trader Joes to 10th Street (and don’t get me started on the Lyon Hall valet stand). Once the new highrise development begins at 11th, this stretch will be insufferable. This is mostly curiosity–what the process for bike routes is and how they are monitored.
I could try Garfield, but it is no picnic either, and Highland is a straight shot–in addition to being classified as a bike route. I think I will switch to Jackson this spring (I use Key Blvd to avoid Wilson at rush hour, so this only adds a nice 10 mins or so to my commute).

Sounds like you’re coming from Rosslyn-ish (or DC) to Lyon Park or South Arlington. You might try avoiding the entire R_B corridor entirely by taking the trail along 50 to Pershing. It’s not the most scenic, but probably easier hill- and traffic-wise. The first block of Pershing is killer, but hopefully will be better when that construction is done. In fact, that trail should be prettier once construction is done.

But I also don’t mind Highland/Garfield. The lights could have friendlier timing, but cars are generally aware of peds and bikes near the Metro.

[dasgeh]

This morning I got to learn the hard way that you should carry 2 CO2 cartridges with you… that, or not try to refill a flat tire that you think may be just a slow leak, before finding out that it was really a hole and replacing the tube, only to find out that there isn’t enough air left in the only cartridge you have to fill the new tube. I also learned that gas stations can’t help you fill a bike tire. And that the people at Fort Myer’s PX are very kind, even to nonmilitary.

[dasgeh]

As I was crossing the crosswalks on the DC side of the inbound Memorial Bridge, I was surprised by the lack of cars coming inbound. Then I saw him: a bike commuter in the traffic lanes. I can only assume that he rode the entire bridge in the lanes. Good for him! The pavement on the bridge has been getting steadily worse this winter…

[dasgeh]

@Rootchopper 13557 wrote:

As for the fun, have you noticed the sunlight creeping into your morning and evening ride? Soon you will hear the birds coming back from their winter hideaways. And the trees will start budding. And the flowers blooming. And you’ll smell the change of seasons too.

Oddly enough, I think I appreciate winter more when I bike commute, because I truly experience the seasons. Or maybe this winter just hasn’t been so bad.

As for hills, two words: electric bike. (I’m still waiting to be booted from the forum for saying that. Maybe that’s why Tim is doing his purge.)

[dasgeh]

@DaveK 13526 wrote:

I can’t even fathom that anyone would enjoy riding Metro so I’m leaving that out.

This is what I mean when I say Metro has done a lot for promoting bike commuting…

Well, this and how ridiculously unreliable it is, but that’s part of the misery of Metro, in my opinion.

[dasgeh]

@donkeybike 13585 wrote:

I rely on the on-street bike routes to get me safely around/through Arlington, and I’ve noticed over the last year that North Highland St has developed quite a bit and will in a much bigger way soon. Does development eventually change designation of a street as a bike route? Is there anything that can be done to preserve a street as a safe bike route?
I guess I have an easy alternative–ride farther/longer–but this street is pretty vital to my daily commute and I am worried it is going to become pretty unpleasant soon.

Where on N Highland are you referring to? Near the Clarendon Metro? That’s the part I know best, and I’ve always thought Garfield was a better option, especially with the new light at Washington…

[dasgeh]

@creadinger 13577 wrote:

For the vast majority of people though, it is simply not an option on a daily basis for a variety of reasons; therefore the need for fuel-efficient cars. It’s sad because if more people actually tried it they’d probably like it, or at least realize that it gets their sedentary fat asses some exercise. The fact remains though that humans are going to rely on cars for a long long time. The only thing that will change is the fuel.

There’s a lot here, but I think lots of people could bike if they just tried it. In fact, for many people, it would take the same amount of time or less than their car commute.

Most importantly, if we stopped subsidizing driving, people would make more conscious decisions about where they live (and their kids go to daycare/school). I’m more and more convinced that’s the real problem.

[dasgeh]

@Brendan von Buckingham 13583 wrote:

Funny about LEED and biking facilities. I work with historic architecture groups and we complain that builders get more LEED points for a bike rack than they get for reusing an old building with millions of BTUs of embodied energy in it. From our tainted perspective, all we see are oceans of bike racks. The short explanation is that LEED is 80% brilliant marketing and only 20% science/engineering. But now we’re way off topic.

I think the point here is that the environmental impact a building has is more than the materials going into the building. If whether the building is “new” with 100% recycled materials or a reused building that’s renovated with recycled materials, if the location is such that it encourages driving, it’s not “green”. Bike racks don’t change a building’s location. On this point, I think we’re on the same side.

@Brendan von Buckingham 13583 wrote:

Thanks btw for pointing out there are three crossings, not just the one I use. Same solution: chicanes before every crossing. If people don’t want to drive 25, NPS won’t patrol/enforce the speed limit, and NCPC won’t allow traffic lights/signals in the park, make them drive 25 mph with a safer road layout.

I use the one you pointed out, and I’ve heard many times it’s the BEST of the three. I feel bad for people who cross at the others, because the one we cross at is pretty horrible. However, wouldn’t chicanes before the crossing be LESS safe, because drivers would not be able to see the people crossing until they’d come around the curve? I’m in the “signage now, tunnel later” camp. I’m a big fan of the idea a few months back to have the GW parkway run under the circle, like Connecticut does with Dupont.

[dasgeh]

@skreaminquadz 13391 wrote:

Towards the end of last season I picked up a pair of Shimano winter boots that are incredibly comfortable and warm. I’m not trying to shove my thick wool sock in my summer shoe and adding covers and still have my feet freeze. So far they have worked perfectly; however, on my 2 hour ride yesterday I noticed that my feet were getting cold towards then end, so I either need to add a second sock or chemical warmer. That should be good for another 10-15 degrees.

I just wanted to pile on that the Shimano winter boots are AMAZING, and much cheaper than the Lakes. I’ve had them since November (? or October?) and have ridden for 30-35 minutes in 25-ish degrees with one pair of wool socks, and have been perfectly happy. I paired it with very warm tights that I tucked into the boots, and 2 layers of pants over that. I also tucked my base layer shirt into the waistband of the tights. It was quite the sexy look!

[dasgeh]

I don’t love my car, but I do love the butt-warmers. If only they’d come up with butt-warmers for the bike.

MCL1981, PrintError or vvill — could you jerry-rig something and tell us all how you do it? Bonus points if it has an auto-shut-off once you’ve started riding hard.

I am not built for winter.

[dasgeh]

The most disappointing thing to me (following along, though I’m not a Custis commuter) is that the solution is just to wait a couple hours, as promised, and put up some signs. If there were a reasonable explanation as to why the work was being done so early, that may be different…

[dasgeh]

If we’re really going to be thorough, we should include the “European Foods” market at Washington and Pershing. I’m pretty sure the answer is “no bike racks, but some street signs”, but I’ll check and email it in.

[dasgeh]

@KLizotte 13252 wrote:

I’m still waiting for a reality show to be based on the lives and work of economists. We have enough oddities to be occasionally entertaining.

Big Bang Theory isn’t that far off…

[Author]

Posts