[Dickie]

As a whole I’ve had no issues with the Army/Navy runners snd usually find them polite and focused. However a few weeks back I was waiting for another cyclists to exit the Memorial bridge MVT tunnel before I entered when two different Army runners squeezed past me and entered the tunnel. They nearly knocked the poor girl off her bike, who had to brace herself against the wall. When I passed them both I gave them a few choice words…. one told me to eff off, while the other pointed to his wrist and yelled “Im being time A-Hole”… two lovely gentleman who’s “best time” far exceeded the safety of other trail users. Just goes to show, asshats are everywhere.

[Dickie]

“Hey Kids, There’s Big Ben, and there’s Parliament… again”

[Dickie]

Oh how badly I want to bid against you…. that bike has been on my wish list as well, although I prefer the black. I will refrain as long as you are bidding. Good luck sir!

[Dickie]

@dkel 95477 wrote:

True, but they also explain to you that you can’t wash their rain gear in regular detergent, but rather in tech wash of some sort, to which I reply that that information should be on the care label instead of “machine wash, drip dry.” I don’t like taking advantage of the return policy there, either, or they won’t have it anymore, so I’m determined to keep the current rain duds up to spec (somehow).

Read my convoluted description of cleaning instructions below… you’ll never wash your rain gear again!

[Dickie]

I will have you know that tweed is far more dandy that hipster…. ahem!

[Dickie]

Snapped my chain as I got out of the saddle to pass a few runners on the MVT. That “handlebar slapping, knees in face, 3 seconds of bronco bucking white knuckle hell” was not my prettiest moment in my cycling life. I managed to remove the link with my trusty multi-tool and hobble the 18 miles to work before realizing my foot was really swollen and since I didn’t use a Campy approved chain tool the chain is most likely toast. BUGGER!

[Dickie]

@ontarioroader 95435 wrote:

Factories, large warehouses and movie lots have been using fleets bikes (and often trikes) to get around for years. These are just fleet bike systems that are being re-branded as ‘bike share’ because it’s a trendy new term. IMO if these systems aren’t open to the general public (and in an area accessible by the general public) then they aren’t really getting the ‘share’ part of bike share.

My understanding is that the GM plant has approximately 19,000 employees and isn’t charging any of them for use as long as they register for the app. I would most certainly consider that “sharing”. Yes, it would be wonderful if GM became super charitable and offered this to the general public but it shouldn’t diminish their efforts to embrace an unconventional solution simply because it is reserved for their employees or not original.

[Dickie]

Thanks everyone for the great information. I agree with most everything stated below. When I was commuting only 12 miles each way I was less concerned… a few well placed merino wool garments and I was fine. If the temp dropped below 45º then my winter gear was enough. Now that I’m riding 30-40 miles each day getting really wet is more of a problem. Yesterday I left the house early enough that the wind, rain, and temp was just too much for a 20 mile ride without proper protection. I have given up on my feet and only expect better protection if I buy dedicated shoes for the task. The covers as many have stated work for a short time but eventually leak in all the obvious places…I wear merino wool socks in the rain so at least I am warm when wet.

The Flyte jacket is wonderful in almost all it’s details (high-vis, great cut, pit zips, protected pockets, etc), I was just surprised how quickly the waterproofing failed. I will take Dirt’s advice and try re-applying Nikwax. As SteveO mentioned, some garments suggest the dryer treatment to re-activate the DWR, however with Endura they suggest against this as the heat could damage the sealed/taped seams. Endura requires that you use a “cool” iron to re-activate the DWR. Shower Pass doesn’t provide much use care. One thing all these water proof garments have in common is the recommended type of detergent you must use, but this also gets confusing. Basically you do not want a detergent that has any softeners, perfumes, or dyes in them as these will clog and damage the breathability and also the repellency of the garment. However, British companies like Endura require you use a non-biological powder for cleaning purposes, but finding an equivalent here in the US is not easy. Basically soap flakes is what they require. Apparently biological detergents (what we use everyday;Tide, etc) have enzymes in them that clean deeply in cooler temps, but these enzymes damage the DWR properties. Non-Biological detergents use no enzymes but require harsher chemicals to clean well at cool temps… so confusing. If you google this stuff prepare to be overwhelmed… and then when you add in cleaning merino… UGHH!

All in all, perhaps I am expecting too much, and even though I was tootling along I am sure my core heated up over the 20 miles to make me sweat just as much as normal, and thus trapping me in a sauna.

Cheers

[Dickie]

Gloves, arm warmers, smart wool jersey and knickers at 5:30am. Orange leaves on the ground, no gnats… perfect! If only there was a stand selling coffee and pumpkin scones right on the MVT this morning it would have been dream.

[Dickie]

As always, thanks Kathy for being an amazing cycling ambassador, awesome person, and organizer of our beer nights. You’re the best!

[Dickie]

I for one think this is pretty cool. Any step forward is a good step…. let’s hope Detroit’s winter doesn’t completely sidetrack the project. Detroit, for all it’s troubles is trying…. Shinola, Detroit Bicycle Company, Detroit Bikes, and projects like Bike Detroit make me proud of my old stomping grounds.

[Dickie]

I ride through there most Saturdays between 8:00 – 9:00 and around that time the parking is pretty quite. I wouldn’t expect it to get much busier by 10:00, but don’t quote me on that.

[Dickie]

It really wasn’t a problem, the runners themselves pretty much kept to their lane and as Bobco guessed; seemed occupied by the competition more than anything. It was the non-competitors that were running all over the place in a blind cornered tunnel that nearly took down two of us, and we were going about as slow as we could to anticipate such possibilities. Hearing consularrider yell “Give em hell, Dickie” as I rang my bell and barked to make my presence clear was the highlight of my night!

[Dickie]

Looking good for both me and Carolyn, although we might not be able to stay very long. Should get there around 5:00.

[Dickie]

Yep, he was there to “help” with the high school cross country running event that occurred about an hour later. Consularrider and myself hit the Wilson underpass just as about 150 student runners filled the trail. And when I say help, he actually just stood there telling cyclists to be careful and slow down while letting the kids do as they pleased, which in our case was running across the trail nearly colliding with us… ahhh how teenage hormones have an amazing ability to block the brain.

[Author]

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