[Dickie]

I’m pretty certain we won’t need any additional devices to capture wind on Tuesday, I’m seriously considering being a total wimp and driving that day or wearing my hockey equipment on the bike for extra protection!

[Dickie]

@Certifried 34493 wrote:

Weighed my bike at Proteus tonight… 42 pounds. I need to lose weight.

I suggest you stay the same and put that fat-ass lazy bike of yours on a diet instead!

[Dickie]

@mstone 34029 wrote:

I’ve heard good things about cygolite but haven’t tried one yet.

I have been using a Cygolite MityCross for years and love it. Had a problem with one battery and they replaced it long after warranty for a very small charge.. good service folks always a call away. Just purchased a Knog 4V Pulsar rear light, BRILLIANT! Planes are now trying to land on my back. Super bright, USB charge, VERY easy to attach….. best rear light I have used. I also have a Blackburn blinky on my backpack which seems bright enough and has never failed, although redundant now with the Knog on my seat post.

[Dickie]

Could of swore I saw Pete riding a two wheeled version of this:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1911[/ATTACH]

on the W&OD around 5:15 today… AWESOME, you need to add a huge satellite dish on your handlebars though.

[Dickie]

@americancyclo 34399 wrote:

sometime last week:
Me: heading west merging in to the W&OD from the Custis. I slowed for a rider passing through the T junction, I checked left, checked right, merged in, saw you coming eastbound a few lengths out, and overtook the rider in my lane, even ringing my bell.
You: heading east, bikearlington jersey. Shook your head.

Did I pass too close, or were you disapproving of my merge in to the Custis? I thought it was all fairly routine and safe.

Ha Ha, I believe that was me…. actually I remember the situation well and it is nice to hear it from your end with an explanation…. much appreciated! To be honest the tiny incident we encountered was simply that, pretty insignificant… but one of many that occurred that day. I think I just lost my “Dirt” calmness and finally reacted. Generally though, I prefer to not pass when another cyclist is approaching simply because you can never account for closing speed and what the rider/runner being passed might do. Even though the trail is plenty wide, I am not comfortable three abreast, but that is just me. Thanks for the thoughtful posting though, glad it was you and not some un-caring bozo!

[Dickie]

@crysb 34186 wrote:

What were some of the lights you guys mentioned? I remember a couple very bright ones.

First off… glad to have you on the forum and it was great meeting you the other night. I believe Kathy partly answered the question but I will add my two cents. I showed the group my new tail light made by Knog (http://www.knog.com.au/gear-blinder-lights/blinder-4v-pulse.phps). So far it has been fantastic, super bright, easy to attach and re-charges via USB… best rear light I have owned. I also showed the group my Cygolite Mitycross (http://www.cygolite.com/products/mitycross800.html) which I equally love. Hope that helps.

[Dickie]

@Dirt 33894 wrote:

I’ll be riding up there Sunday to watch. I can’t really lead a ride up, ’cause I’ll be coming from the Montgomery County Hinterlands at a yet-to-be-determined time. I would love to ride back toward NOVA with people if others are up there.

Love,

Dirt

If I can get my boss to give me a few hours off I might be able to make it… and I would need to jet back to Fairfax (and work) afterwards so perhaps we can finally ride together until you drop me of course! 50/50 right now!

[Dickie]

@eminva 33961 wrote:

MJ — So glad to hear you are feeling well. See this thread for some specific advice on what to do next:

http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?3177-Rear-ended-by-a-sleepy-driver&p=33348#post33348

Please report the crash to WABA for their statistics.

Sorry this happened, but glad you are well enough to report to us. Take care.

Liz

I second everything Liz said, so glad you are safe!

[Dickie]

I was just in Bikes@Vienna and they had a pretty good selection of leather and brook’s style saddle bags on display. I have to second Klizotte’s thoughts about theft though. Looking at Dirt’s link to Ortlieb (Thanks Pete.. gonna have to get one myself) they mention an adapter specific for Brooks saddles so that might be a really great and simply solution.

[Dickie]

I bet you had the thing installed up side down! BTW… did you sleep on the bar patio last night?

[Dickie]

Thanks Kathy for another great night! Hope everyone got home before it rained…. started sprinkling when Justin and I left but made it home dry and warm… those porters certainly helped!

[Dickie]

In regards to back packs many folks on the forum really don’t recommend their use, and mostly for good reason, but I also don’t have a rack option so a backpack had to be part of my daily commuter life. I ride 25 miles everyday and thus wanted a really comfortable pack. Currently I am using a Vaude Bike Alpin 25-5 Backpack. It is the “air” model so it floats off your back a little a breathes better. This is not ideal for off-roading as it can bounce around a little, but for commuting it is awesome. VERY adjustable, even down to the torso length. Will take a bladder system if you have one, expandable, lots of compartments, built-in rain cover, key/phone pouch, blink light attachment, and built really well…. great zippers, perfect seams, super comfortable. I almost always have 10-15lbs. in it but have occasionally hit Whole Foods, expand it and cram tons of food and beer in it. Even fully loaded it is still very comfortable and accessible. Vaude make great bags and have plenty of options.

http://www.bikebagshop.com/vaude-bik…ck-p-1181.html

I tried lots of bags (Osprey, Ortlieb, Banjo-Brothers, Novara, Deuter) but loved the Vaude.

best of luck!

[Dickie]

I’m going to try my best to be there, work is a little stupid at the moment. Hope to see all of you.

[Dickie]

@mstone 32936 wrote:

Personally, I have not witnessed much “respect” for anyone on our roads, so I’m not going to reduce my safety in hopes that someone will deign to give me some. Your reference to leaving early so you don’t have to save a minute trivializes the very real decisions we all need to make about our safety. It is a quite rational decision to decide that crossing an intersection during the red cycle is safer than getting mixed up in traffic when the light turns green, regardless of how much time it takes or saves.

That’s a shame. As a whole I find far more drivers respecting me than not. However it is much easier to squawk about the bad ones. Every day I witness drivers yield to me, give me space, make eye contact and smile, wait to pass, etc. Of course there are always jerks in world, those that crowd me, yell, or honk, but I find in comparison it is rare. Of course I do understand it takes just one jerk to end my life, but isn’t that the same for anything we do? Riding in traffic is a choice we have all made and with that choice comes consequences. We have chosen to be the minority so it is up to us to earn our respect. If breaking the law is the only way you feel safe in traffic as a cyclist you might have made a poor choice, for each time a cyclists breaks the law my life as a cyclists gets less safe. The original thread was about a ticket, one which I feel was disproportionate in fee and more likely warranted a warning. However, the law was broken, the reason why is an important topic but is no defense.

[Dickie]

Such a bummer, my friend broke his wrist this summer when he couldn’t clip out in time (mostly because a bus cut him off.. shocker). He was off the bike for 6 weeks during the summer. On a good note, he is completely back to normal and has no side effects at all, so hang in there and don’t rush anything, 6 weeks will feel like nothing next year especially if you heal properly. As for pedestrians…. Ugh, I’m always amazed that they will wait for cars to pass and then step right out in front of me, I just have to keep thinking WWDD!

[Author]

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