[donkeybike]

@Rootchopper 67991 wrote:

Have you had your vision checked for astigmatgism or cataracts? Seriously. Both conditions make night vision much worse.

I second the idea of a visor and a cap. I used to wear an old cycling cap I got from Bike Virginia in 1991 but the Department fo Health made me throw it out. (Toxic waste.) I bought a new cap from Walz. It’s more better because it is made of a wicking fabric.

Upright riding position make the night vision problem worse too.

Wow–thanks everyone! This was something I thought was just me, so it does help to know it’s a common problem, and I even got some ideas here that may help. I will definitely ask at my next eye appt., but I am a hybrid rider (straight as a stick), so therein lies the problem!

[donkeybike]

You: Most drivers who veer onto 15th street from Clarendon Blvd.
Me; Just trying to get to work without getting killed.

Use a *&%##!#$%^& turn signal!

I was told years ago that this little section of 15th street was going to be removed.

[donkeybike]

10:20 am this morning on Clarendon Blvd in front of Courthouse complex, Arlington police cruiser parked in bike lane–on Bike to Work day!

[donkeybike]

me: stopped at the red light in front of Court House CVS
you: blowing past me right before the light changed
It’s good for us both that I did not wobble.
I passed you because I was getting into the left lane for the turn into my building, not to show my nonexistent speed skills, but it is oh-so-impressive that you can pass a 40-year-old gal with a bike 10 times heavier than yours.
If I get taken out by a car so be it, but to be at risk because a cyclist cannot be bothered to call a pass or ring a bell is ridiculous.

[donkeybike]

@Tim Kelley 48025 wrote:

So Arlington finally got one of these: http://arlingtonbikelaneblockers.tumblr.com/

Submit your own photos here: http://arlingtonbikelaneblockers.tumblr.com/submit

I have complained numerous times–since the blockers are often right in front of the COURTHOUSE, I don’t get why they cannot enforce. Already had one shouting match with a Sysco jerk.

[donkeybike]

Being yelled at for stopping at a red light reminds me of this week’s incident: My husband (on a bike) belled a cyclist who passed him with no call out, and the guy screamed curses at him. If your temper is that sensitive, you should probably stay off the road period. I tend to say “please call your passes,” but I am most often ignored.

[donkeybike]

@KLizotte 33265 wrote:

Will do!

me too

[donkeybike]

@DismalScientist 15998 wrote:

Do you mean this http://maps.google.com/maps?q=22205&hl=en&ll=38.890207,-77.086977&spn=0.001752,0.001098&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=106.30699,71.982422&hnear=Arlington,+Virginia+22205&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=38.890207,-77.086977&panoid=jLliwF7yXbQ-6uGIRCzsJQ&cbp=12,77.16,,2,0.29 ?
I think you are being unreasonable. Here the truck is fully against the curb (just like the Metrobuses in front of the Ballston station on Fairfax). The bike lanes are poorly designed and are too close to the curb. (often they are not painted correctly, not showing drivers that they should make right turns from the bike lane.) I almost got doored the other day, but fortunately, I was riding one foot to the left of the bike lane on Fairfax. If I was anywhere within the bike lane, I would have been a goner. I think they should convert this lane to sharrows all the way from Ballston to Rosslyn.

No, that is not what I mean, at all. I mean a truck completely covering the bike lane. I would not blink at a truck parked the way the one in the photo is.

I understand the danger of dooring, but as long as there is a bike lane, I am going to use it. The problem for me occurs when I am riding downhill in a bike lane on a busy street and then have to go around a truck that is completely blocking my bike lane. If the delivery truck had no option, that would be something for me to take under consideration, but I have been told that this building has a loading dock around the corner, so the truck drivers are choosing this spot out of convenience for them. If this is legal, fine, but it is my understanding that bike lanes should not be blocked.

[donkeybike]

I called the non-emergency police line when I got to work and was told they would look into it. I have a pathetic phone, but maybe I’ll try documenting it if it continues to grate on my nerves.

[donkeybike]

I’m just happy to see others here hating on hills! I have excluded Barton for that reason.
I’ll just have to keep my head straight–it is more the stress of bad riding conditions than the roads themselves that get to me.

[donkeybike]

@donkeybike 13598 wrote:

I think I will switch to Jackson this spring (I use Key Blvd to avoid Wilson at rush hour, so this only adds a nice 10 mins or so to my commute).

No clue what I was thinking there–that obviously won’t work.

[donkeybike]

The part I am specifically referring to is from the Trader Joes to 10th Street (and don’t get me started on the Lyon Hall valet stand). Once the new highrise development begins at 11th, this stretch will be insufferable. This is mostly curiosity–what the process for bike routes is and how they are monitored.
I could try Garfield, but it is no picnic either, and Highland is a straight shot–in addition to being classified as a bike route. I think I will switch to Jackson this spring (I use Key Blvd to avoid Wilson at rush hour, so this only adds a nice 10 mins or so to my commute).

[donkeybike]

thanks!

[donkeybike]

These kind of lights illuminate the rider, not the road, right?
I’ve got flashers, but I am trying to decide if I should shell out for a more powerful light for the few extra weeks of riding I’d get before it gets too cold for me anyway. (yes, wuss).

[donkeybike]

@KLizotte 8839 wrote:

I wonder if there are irate cyclists out there routinely yelling at pedestrians along their daily commutes.

Well, sometimes. I am trying to instead smile like a crazy person and point to the green light above. I told a jaywalker the other day “look up, the light’s green.” I am so sick of people walking in front of me. People don’t even look–they pop out from behind cars into the bike lane. They are damn lucky I am not a car, and that I am slow. I find this is worst at the courthouse complex along Clarendon–so many are probably country employees.

[Author]

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