[dbehrend]

That sounds incredibly frustrating, DrP.

I had a CaBi fob suddenly stop working a couple of years ago. There was no visible damage, but it had survived years of use and abuse. Fortunately it was before this new replacement process went into effect, and I had a positive experience when I called CaBi customer service. Since my fob was old, they offered to send me a free replacement by mail, after confirming some information over the phone. The new fob arrived a few days later.

In the interim, I was able to use the credit card linked to my account to get free one-time activation codes. I believe the option of using the credit card linked to your account is still an option, even though they encourage you to use the app. However, I have not tried to use it in a while.

[dbehrend]

I recently came across December news coverage that the driver, Carl Behler, was indicted, arrested, and held without bond on 7 charges: negligent manslaughter, two counts of homicide with a motor vehicle, two counts of driving while impaired by controlled dangerous substance, as well as two misdemeanors related to causing life-threatening injuries.

https://www.capitalgazette.com/news/crime/ac-cn-driver-indicted-killing-cyclist-severn-20201223-obqpemrqb5bo3iyc7c3ns2zulm-story.html
https://www.bikelaw.com/2020/12/killing-cyclist/
https://www.triathlete.com/gear/bike/why-you-should-have-a-bike-camera-and-how-to-set-yours-up/

[dbehrend]

Bicycling recently posted an article about David:

https://www.bicycling.com/culture/a34784825/washington-dc-cyclist-david-confer-cirrhosis/

[dbehrend]

Thank you for posting, rcannon100. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting David, although he looks very familiar. I know I’ve benefited from his efforts to promote bicycling in DC and his work with IMP venues. I donated, and I hope David gets to spend the rest of his days with his family.

[dbehrend]

@consularrider 202559 wrote:

But can you bring your own reusable cup in this age of COVID?

I am not aware of any business in this part of Prince George’s County that allows you to use your own cup during the pandemic. Even shops that have their own dishes (e.g., Vigilante) are using carryout windows and single-use cups. Coffee without walls would probably be the best option for reusable mugs during the pandemic in this area.

I was able to reuse bottles, however, to purchase Dr. Bronner’s soap and some laundry detergent at MOM’s, which is in the same plaza as Proteus. So, one could go errandaneuring with some options for reusable containers during the pandemic.

[dbehrend]

We stopped by and had some excellent, delicious Proteus Chai yesterday afternoon!

If you’re looking for a good location for Coffeeneuring 2020, check it out!

Proteus does a lot to build and support community in the area. The coffee bar is a really nice addition.

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[dbehrend]

@mstone 202555 wrote:

It’s kinda ridiculous to *not* pave gravel roads if the population and traffic volume keeps increasing, and they’re already building the houses.

True. The article touched on the tensions between exurban sprawl and preserving rural areas, which sounds similar to other areas around the country.

I haven’t spent much time in Loudoun County, and I don’t know much about development in the area. After reading the article, I’m interested in learning more about America’s Routes, other preservation groups involved, and the County’s planning (including the transition plan area referenced in the article).

I saw how beautiful part of the County is while riding the Loudoun 1725 Gravel Grinder last year (which was a great ride). I can understand why some folks want to preserve the area, including the roads.

[dbehrend]

@dbehrend 202460 wrote:

The Trolley Trail in Berwyn Heights near Berwyn Road and Rhode Island Ave got a nice little upgrade. Before, you could either cut through a gravel parking lot to reconnect to the trail, or use the road and a short, steep connection with a wooden bollard in the middle. Now there’s a nice, straight, paved connection where the gravel parking lot used to be (connection with the wooden bollard remains too).

This was installed several weeks ago.

[dbehrend]

The Trolley Trail in Berwyn Heights near Berwyn Road and Rhode Island Ave got a nice little upgrade. Before, you could either cut through a gravel parking lot to reconnect to the trail, or use the road and a short, steep connection with a wooden bollard in the middle. Now there’s a nice, straight, paved connection where the gravel parking lot used to be (connection with the wooden bollard remains too).

Before (courtesy of Google street view):
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After:
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[dbehrend]

Welcome! I hope you found/received some suggestions. While I’ve ridden that way to Silver Spring a few times, I haven’t done it frequently, or to commute. Others here may be able to offer specific suggestions on routes.

Regarding your question about the trail – the MBT gets a lot of use. Trails in general are getting more use during the pandemic. You are likely to encounter other users mid-afternoon. The number of users will likely go down in the winter, but I’d still anticipate encountering some people during your ride.

I’d also offer some general suggestions:
– The Strava heatmap can be a useful tool to see which roads people are riding on and for planning routes: https://www.strava.com/heatmap#14.55/-77.01504/38.96093/hot/all
– Google maps street view can be helpful to gauge what a street might be like .
– Once you think you’ve found a route, test it a couple of times on the weekend (or a non-work day), carrying whatever you plan to take with you on your commute, to give yourself a lower-stress opportunity to get turned around a bit and explore.

[dbehrend]

PG Parks reopened the bridge on the NE Branch of the Anacostia Tributary Trail in Riverdale Park. Thank you to Greenbelt for the update.

Neighbors said the reason PG Parks estimated it would take up to a year to replace the bridge was from plans to replace it with a design that would be less prone to future flood damage and to have it connect at street level.

I’m happy that it’s reopened and hopeful we’ll see a better bridge in a year or so.

[dbehrend]

@dbehrend 202325 wrote:

An update from PG Parks:

Advisory: Trails REOPEN with a few exceptions, W. Hyattsville Metro Bridge and NE Branch Bridge at Rt. 410 CLOSED for repairs.

9/14/2020 – Trails REOPEN with a few exceptions, Pedestrian Bridge from West Hyattsville Metro Station to Chillum Road and the bridge on NE Branch Trail between Riverdale Road and Rt. 410 remain CLOSED for repairs. Trail at Campus Drive and Lake Artemesia South of College Park Airport remains CLOSED.

Stay safe!

For full details, view this message on the web

[URL=”http://http://www.mncppc.org/4848/Alerts”%5DUpdates from PG Parks[/URL] – The W. Hyattsville bridge will be closed for sevral months & the bridge at Riverdale Road will be closed for up to 1 year:

Anacostia Tributary Trail System
Following several days of heavy rain and regional flooding on September 10th, 2020, the Department of Parks and Recreation reports the following closures and precautions:

West Hyattsville: The bridge on a spur trail that links Chillum Road to the West Hyattsville Metro Station and Northwest Branch Trail was badly damaged and will need to be replaced. This closure may last for several months as repairs take place.

Riverdale Park: A bridge on the Northeast Branch Trail was damaged and will need to be replaced. The bridge spans the Wells Branch, a feeder stream that is located just north of Riverdale Road. It may take up to 12 months to replace this bridge. Detour signs will be posted on a route through the Town of Riverdale Park.

For additional details, please refer to the attached map.

[dbehrend]

@dbehrend 202295 wrote:

As of today, PG Parks/M-NCPPC are still inspecting trails for damage following Thursday’s storm. I’ve seen several bridges that appeared damaged from the flooding/debris.

PG Parks/M-NCPPC posted the following advisory yesterday closing all trails in the Anacostia River Trail system:

All trails in the Anacostia River Trail system are CLOSED until safety inspections can be completed
9/11/2020 – All trails in the Anacostia River Trail system are CLOSED until safety inspections can be completed, due to the recent rainstorms and flooding. These trails include:
NW Branch Trail
NE Branch Trail
Paint Branch trail
Silgo Creek Trail
Indian Creek Trail
Bladensburg trail into Washington, D.C.

Stay Safe!

Address/Location
M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation
6600 Kenilworth Ave
Riverdale Park, MD 20737

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 301-699-2255

An update from PG Parks:

Advisory: Trails REOPEN with a few exceptions, W. Hyattsville Metro Bridge and NE Branch Bridge at Rt. 410 CLOSED for repairs.

9/14/2020 – Trails REOPEN with a few exceptions, Pedestrian Bridge from West Hyattsville Metro Station to Chillum Road and the bridge on NE Branch Trail between Riverdale Road and Rt. 410 remain CLOSED for repairs. Trail at Campus Drive and Lake Artemesia South of College Park Airport remains CLOSED.

Stay safe!

For full details, view this message on the web

[dbehrend]

MPD arrested someone. The Post reported more details. It’s pretty heinous.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/man-charged-with-murder-after-he-allegedly-struck-cyclist-with-vehicle-in-dc/2020/09/11/7a6a16a2-f418-11ea-b796-2dd09962649c_story.html

[dbehrend]

As of today, PG Parks/M-NCPPC are still inspecting trails for damage following Thursday’s storm. I’ve seen several bridges that appeared damaged from the flooding/debris.

PG Parks/M-NCPPC posted the following advisory yesterday closing all trails in the Anacostia River Trail system:

All trails in the Anacostia River Trail system are CLOSED until safety inspections can be completed
9/11/2020 – All trails in the Anacostia River Trail system are CLOSED until safety inspections can be completed, due to the recent rainstorms and flooding. These trails include:
NW Branch Trail
NE Branch Trail
Paint Branch trail
Silgo Creek Trail
Indian Creek Trail
Bladensburg trail into Washington, D.C.

Stay Safe!

Address/Location
M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation
6600 Kenilworth Ave
Riverdale Park, MD 20737

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 301-699-2255

[Author]

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