[Dickie]

@DrP 143374 wrote:

I have always been cautious there and the location just passed the treatment plant (north/west bound) where there is a similar T, especially after the evening where that underpass was full of water and I took the sidewalk on Glebe instead. I nearly got T-boned as no one turning was expecting anyone to come along the sidewalk – but I saw them and yelled. Anyway, I promise to continue to be cautious there.

However, how do we get folks to signal their eastern turn so that when Dickie isn’t signally that, the western riders realize that something might be different? Changing that location will be hard because it is a sidewalk and the trail is anomaly, as per most non-trail users thinking, but not for the trail users.

Dickie, any way that you could turn there (especially if cyclists are coming) and then exit the trail between the sets of apartments before going under the road? It looks like it might not be a significant detour, even if you were planning to turn and cross Glebe by the supermarket. Just trying to think of ways to avoid a collision, if the sightlines and people are not being cooperative. I know that you shouldn’t have to, but sometimes it is necessary (I know I do this type of thing on bike and in a car – meaning taking a slightly longer route to avoid death or never being able to make a left turn (like on to Wash Blvd in the morning)).

Thanks DrP, good observations…. and yes I have diverted and made the right turn instead to avoid a collision. It isn’t a massive deal and isn’t really out of my way so it works out if I see a possible problem in advance… sometimes however It’s just unavoidable and frustrating. It’s just annoying that the best way for me to avoid an incident is to change my route rather than have other cyclists simply be more aware and courteous.

[Dickie]

I am so bummed that I am unable to host, especially being an expat myself. We have family in town this weekend using our guest room which also means I am not available to partake in a ride either. I hope you find something, wish I could offer more. Your journey is inspiring and I hope you find DC to be friendly and welcoming. Wishing you the best of luck and God Speed.

[Dickie]

One thing to consider when it comes to installing your own hitch is what you’ll be using it for. If it’s JUST to carry a handful of bikes and a rack then by all means install a bolt on model yourself… it’s really quite simple. If you plan on actually pulling a trailer at any point you might want to pay the money for a proper hitch and install at the dealer, especially if you risk voiding your cars warranty. If you plan on pulling a lot of weight even after market hitches properly installed are sometimes insufficient. Tow packages on SUV’s and trucks come with more than just a hitch; extra oil pump, reinforced suspension, etc.

[Dickie]

Welcome to the area and forum Ben. Once you’re settled in come join us at one of the many coffee clubs or happy hours so we can put a face (and bike) to the name.

[Dickie]

@Vicegrip 138498 wrote:

Does it have to be about working on a bike? If not I got lots with gory pictures too. If so….

Perhaps we can have a non-bike-work-related-injury stand off…. Not sure who would win but it would be entertaining regardless. In terms of stupid bike mechanic maneuvers…. yep, that time I used a very large pipe over a crank removing tool…. just as I put my entire weight into it the tool snapped and I face planted onto the concrete floor….. funny now but not at the time.

[Dickie]

@consularrider 137649 wrote:

Wow, that’s a good percentage of all the participants this year! Good thing Dickie doesn’t have to make the prizes this year.

I was just thinking the same thing…. carving twelve of those buggers last time was bad enough.

[Dickie]

@hozn 135494 wrote:

…Though the boost to the points isn’t going to exactly put Thundercats into contention.

Hey, Hey Hey! I resemble that remark… bedsides, Thundercats are notorious late bloomers.

[Dickie]

Survey has been closed since yesterday, or it doesn’t play well with Safari.

[Dickie]

Hey Emm. I responded on Strava but to re-iterate; we don’t need a substitute, we just need you to feel better and recover properly. Thundercats are a family and you’re our number one motivator, thanks for all the amazing miles and days you have ridden this year and inspiring the rest of us to get off our arse. Hopefully you’ll be riding by the time the beautiful summer weather hits. Take good care of yourself and please keep us posted on your recovery.

Best wishes!

[Dickie]

Shirlington to Merrifield 7:30am… 35mm studs. 4MRT was slushy and icy but easily ridable all the way to George Mason. I took 4MR Drive from there to the WOD at Columbia Pike. WOD was pretty beat up and nearly unridable all the way to the Custis intersection. As long as you keep speed and stay out of the frozen ruts its doable but exhausting. From the Custis intersection to Van Buren the WOD is essentially clear. I then headed to the roads… Columbia to Little Falls to Park to the WOD at Citizens Bridge. WOD from there until Gallows was again rough… lots of slushy ruts with frozen stuff beneath, but it was getting better all the time… should be passable later today. Why on earth does Arlington County still refuse to clear the WOD east of Custis? It’s the only viable connection between Shirlington and Falls Church…. and judging by the footprints it gets a ton of traffic.

[Dickie]

Rode from Shirlington to Merrifield this morning on 32 Clements (forgot the studs).… 3-4″ of powder in most places except where the trail had been plowed (4MR to Shirlington Blvd and Custis/WOD intersection to N. Van Buren.) It wasn’t too bad as long as you could find fresh powder to ride in. The conditions were much worse where the snow had been compressed (foot traffic, vehicles, etc) as ice had already formed beneath. I’ll put the studs on for the ride home and hope for the best. One thing I wasn’t prepared for was the cold especially as I couldn’t get my core temp up due to riding so slow…. my toes were blue when I arrived at work. Crossed paths with DCV, only other cyclist I saw.

[Dickie]

@americancyclo 134713 wrote:

He neglected to mention the leather jacket and silk scarf.

Ahem…

[Dickie]

@hozn 134693 wrote:

Well, that and the studded tires! But it was cold on the face mostly.

Yep, same here… studs were like suction cups this morning heading into that wind, especially with a loaded backpack filled with groceries

[Dickie]

Monday mornings are bad enough but snapping your chain 3 miles from work is just cruel… kudos to Rockford10 for being the only cyclist to ask if I needed help.

[Dickie]

@Steve O 134214 wrote:

The Shreve tennis courts area most certainly must be ride-able by now. Hasn’t all the snow/ice/slush been scraped off by the sliding bodies?

The “Vice Dickie Grip” snow removal company does have marketing potential…. ahem

[Author]

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