[Dirt]

Someone moved the cones off to the side on Friday afternoon. They’re still there, but not in the middle of the path.

[Dirt]

Sounds like a good ride. I will be in a kayak Saturday and Sunday I think and then I think I’m riding the Blue Ridger on Monday. It’ll be nice to get out on the Cervelo after a few weeks on the Cargo bike.

[Dirt]

Grand Canyon is no more… at least not the one in Rosslyn.

As of 0630 today.

[Dirt]

Last night I left work early and picked up some stuff in Anacostia and Oxon Hill. I had a snack in National Harbor. Went to the Credit Union in Alexandria, got coffee in Shitlington, then W&ODed home. 73.5K = about 45.7 miles. 3h20m rolling time. Not bad for a fatboy. Maybe I’m ready for the MS epic weekend after all. Better be. It is less than 3 weeks away.

[Dirt]

Someone said “hi” as I was rolling west on the W&OD last night around 1730. I was pretty dogged after a 45+ mile slog home on a 75 pound bike and West street hills rapidly approaching. I think I grunted a semi coherent reply. Not my most pleasant greeting evar.

[Dirt]

The permanent fix is in the works. The north side of the trail was fixed last night and still drying this morning. The south side will be done in a few days, I’d guess. Should be back to normal ASAP.

[Dirt]

I haven’t tried this year, but I used to go bowling in Ft. Myer on a regular basis. They always let me in with no problems. They searched my gear bag pretty thoroughly since I don’t have a military ID.

[Dirt]

@Skreamin’: Sorry to hear about the flats. I have that effect on people. Sunday morning I added to my cargo for the week and those hills definitely hurt. It is going to take me quite a while before I feel good climbing those.

@Consularrider: I believe I saw you wave while you were waiting for someone in the TR parking lot. I think I got a smile out before I rolled by. I was kind of in my own world at the moment. There were weighty issues of work significance occupying the 3% of my brain power not required for safely operating my bicycle.

My afternoon commute time is different every day. I’ve been trying to leave at a reasonable hour, but it doesn’t always work out that way. I often am stomping home after 9 or 10 hour days. That also leads to a less than peppy dance up the hills in Rosslyn and before Glebe road.

Good to see y’all. Introduce yourself next time. Always nice to meet new people.

And since this is a photo thread….

Chicks dig guys in gingham.

[Dirt]

Last October we went early and froze to death. We slept in and were heading across the bridge at 0750. We encountered 3 others on the bridge. The start area at 14th & Penn was pretty well packed, but moving efficiently.

[Dirt]

Chris and Sean sprint for the Virginia State Safety and Emissions Inspection Classic.

Chris won.

[Dirt]

Skate DC

Crossing into DC to the start.

Practicing aero positioning in front of the White House

[Dirt]

@Joe: No problem. That is the EPA Bike room in the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC.

@Skreamin’: Thanks. I’m very fortunate to be able to use EPA’s bike facility and GSA’s showers.

[Dirt]

EPA Bike Room packed to the gills.

[Dirt]

@Joe: Mt. Nittany Wheelworks was a shop near Penn State. It was amazing. Super cool shop…. Sponsor of the 2005 Single Speed World Championships. Unfortunately they did not survive the current economic downturn. I purchased a selection of their team kits on eBay last fall and they are some of my most cherished cycling clothes. Very cool stuff.

@Skreaminquadz: Basically that build is almost perfect for me. I have a few changes that I need to make in the next few months. I’ve got all the different Xtracycle kits for it. The wheels need an upgrade though. I used XT hubs that I had laying around in the basement. They will not survive the summer. The freehub mechanism won’t handle the weight and torque that it takes to move a bike like this. I’ll likely rebuild the rear wheel with a Hope or White Industries hub. I’ve been collecting parts for a generator light system. The last part I need is the front hub. That is the expensive part, unfortunately. The German made generators are awesome, but are definitely the most expensive part on the bike next to the frame.

It is getting good use. It gets 40+ miles per day Monday through Friday and has made a few long rides on the weekends. The beer, however, hasn’t lasted that long. Gotta go back for more on the way home tonight.

[Dirt]

Actually I answered my own question. All the people who store their bikes in the bike room at work for the winter ride them home yesterday so they can ride them back on Bike to Work day. So…. Yesterday was bike home from work day. We’ll see them again next year.

I was really impressed with the increased traffic all week on the W&OD and Custis. There were lots more people on the trail before 0600 than I usually see.

Looks like a big success and finally perfect weather.

[Author]

Replies