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@rcannon100 96542 wrote:

I hate to say it: you must be white and privileged. Not everyone has the same experience with police that you do. For many, the police are innately a threat.

You’ve got that right, sir. Not everyone can do what I did today. Guess it is a good use of my white male privilege that I can take one for the team.

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First off, I know that my experience at the IoD this morning is quite a bit different than what y’all have seen and done in the last few weeks.

I spent almost 2 hours hanging out with and near the police officer this morning. He was a little gruff at first, but when he figured that I wasn’t there with a specific agenda in mind, but just to talk, listen and enjoy a lovely morning, he relaxed a bit. Dude was nice and even pretended to think one of my jokes was funny…. I could see it in his eyes…. sort of.

What I noticed in my time standing with him and across the street (by the bike counter) was that he was really working to keep things orderly and safe in the intersection. He did a pretty good job of keeping people from blocking the box. People generally flowed through the intersection (walkers, cyclists and drivers) a little smoother.

I’ll go back and hang with him again this week and next. In my opinion, it is a good thing that he’s there.

For those of you who find him in your way, please remember that he’s moving as a pedestrian when he’s standing there. It is your responsibility to slow down and yield to him. It is not his responsibility to get out of your way.

Part of what I likely saw today was ACPD learning from things they didn’t get right over the last few weeks. I’m not saying that peoples’ complaints about what happened the last few weeks are not valid. I’m just calling it as I saw things today.

Have a good evening.

Pete

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@dbb 96419 wrote:

[ATTACH]6771[/ATTACH]

Coming late to the discussion but it probably makes sense to understand the jurisdictions, particularly at this location.

The Arlington-NPS property line on the downstream side of Lynn runs through the driveway entrance about 20 feet from the signal pole we wait at before crossing Lynn heading up hill. The attached map shows the line going through a manhole cover. Head closer to the District and you are in National Park Service territory.

The attached map provides more detail.

Thank you dbb. This is very helpful!

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@cvcalhoun 91706 wrote:

And some day, maybe “suburbs” will even include Maryland?

Sorry that I missed this comment earlier, cvcalhoun. My time on the forum is very limited these days and stuff tends to fall through the cracks.

I work in Maryland every month. I haven’t included those activities here because the timing hasn’t been as easy for me to include volunteers. If you’re interested in doing some outreach with us, please send me a private message and I can loop you in.

Best wishes,

Pete

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Thanks dkel! Have a good evening.

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Thanks for the lively discussion. It was interesting to read. I’m happy that y’all are so passionate about your cycling.

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WABA is starting a new project in Old Town Alexandria called #StopCampaign. Basically we’re helping promote lawful cycling at major intersections in the area.

Alexandria City is a an area that is working very hard to make the streets better for cyclists. They really need to! The area is growing in popularity, attracting more people every year. The amount of parking places and driving lanes can’t keep pace. Alexandria is working to support other ways to get around town.

The city faces significant resistance to their efforts to improve cycling, as was evident during the battle to get bike lanes put in on King Street. One of the biggest things that cycling opponents can use to strike down efforts to improve bike infrastructure is the behavior of cyclists at stop signs.

Please consider being a part of this project. There are many great things you can do.

1) On the simplest level, please pay attention to traffic signs in Alexandria and yield to pedestrians.

2) Consider taking some time out of your afternoon and picking up a sign to help convince others to ride lawfully.

3) Spread the word of the published Facebook events to attract others to join us.

4) When you see us, snap a photo and post it on Twitter. Tag @WABADC and #StopCampaign in your post

Here’s the invitation to the first event in Alexandria: https://www.facebook.com/events/529319217213117/
It is this Thursday afternoon.

Some things about this… This campaign depends on positive interactions. We are NOT yelling at cyclists who don’t stop. We ARE talking positively to all cyclists and thanking the ones that stop. Nothing good happens when someone yells at a cyclist for failing to heed a stop sign.

Thanks for taking a little time to read and contribute.

Best wishes,

Pete

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@Harry Meatmotor 95416 wrote:

I’ve tried to HTFU 45-50 degrees & rain with no real rain gear aside from a Castelli superlight rain jacket and wool baselayer, arm warmers & regular jersey a few times now and have been consistently rewarded a nice head cold for several days afterward – i’m done with that. how have you found the assos STURM-UND-DRANG or whatever it’s called?

Sorry. I’m really tired from today… I meant ABOVE 60 degrees. I’ll note that below too.

The Assos is the best jacket I’ve ever used. 130 miles from Boston to Hartford in 38 degree weather with a driving rain and my core was comfy. Hands were frozen, but my body felt great.

I also have no problems with my Endura Flyte, Endura Venturi, Pearl Izumi Pro-something-or-other or my Showers Pass Elite. The Assos is by far the best. It works well in higher temps because it breathes better. It better for the stupid amount of money that it costs.

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@Phatboing 95409 wrote:

Oh yeah, I haven’t tried my non-breathy jacket for anything longer than a commute. On longer rides, or if I’m headed to the warmth of my home parts, I don’t usually mind getting wet. It’s only if I’m in a morning rain coming in to work that it matters, because otherwise my wet gear has to fester in the gym, and I have to wear that horridness on the way back.

I’d also add that few people mistake me for species human. “Giant Sloth Bear” is probably the closest description to what I am. When I was just doing human-like commuting, I never bothered with rain gear (edit) ABOVE 60 degrees. I just got wet and then had dry clothes in a pack for the ride home.

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Nice to see you in your Flyte jacket last night, sir! I know that we’ve talked about this a bit.

1) Don’t despair. Your jacket can likely be brought back to life. I thought mine was dead for many of the same reasons you listed. I washed it in Nikwax Tech Wash and treated it with the Nikwax spray-on stuff to revive the waterproofing (I’ve forgotten the name) and it was as good as new. I’ve used the same stuff on my Assos, Pearl Izumi, Endura Ventury jacket, 3/4 and pants, and many other waterproof garments that I’ve got. It revived Jimmy’s ancient REI goretex jacket pretty dang well.

2) Yesterday and today are very difficult days for rain gear. It was very easy to overheat and sweat in whatever you wear. That’s why you saw me wearing a rain vest yesterday, instead of a rain jacket. I didn’t consider wearing my Flyte jacket today. For me, the Flyte does best below 50 degrees. Any warmer than that and I either have to open the zipper to ventilate, thus getting wet with through the open front, or leave it shut and sweat.

3) I rode in the rain most of the day today… from downpour at 5am through gentle mist in the afternoon. I was dry and comfy all day in my expensive rain gear. Assos Sturmprinz jacket and Endura Venturi 3/4. I just let my feet get wet. I didn’t wear gloves either.

I can’t wear cheap rain gear. I’d rather freeze than overheat from a jacket that doesn’t breathe. I might be able to deal with overheating for a brief commute, but for all day riding, I need a much better jacket.

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I wish I could join, Tim. I’m busy that day. I really want to thank you for posting this. It is a big help for me with some advocacy/outreach stuff I do this time of year. I found a few places to work that I wasn’t aware of. The route is good too.

Thanks!

Pete

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Bikenetic Sunday Gravel.

It was a very fun group and a LOVELY day to ride! Thanks to all who rode with us!

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@TwoWheelsDC 94174 wrote:

Also not sad to avoid the L’Enfant/Case Bridge Curb Hop and Zig-Zag of Temporary Peril this year.

I love taking the WABA trailer around that with the fixie.

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I’ll be working at the Eastern Market stop. Please come by and say “hi”. Should be a fun day!

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