dplasters

Forum Replies Created

Viewing 15 posts - 181 through 195 (of 442 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • in reply to: rainy day maintenance #1031455
    dplasters
    Participant

    I’m obligated to say “belt drive” and “what maintenance”. It’s in my contract with Gates.

    in reply to: My Evening Commute #1031363
    dplasters
    Participant

    @GB 117276 wrote:

    +1 for calling the company with the information you have.

    Yeah, I intend on calling them but I worry about timing. The officer that took my information and incident report said he was going to be calling and seeing if they could get the driver’s information but felt it was a slim chance since he didn’t expect they record gps/tracking information for an average work van. The officer was generally pretty good about the whole thing. I had initially called as a ‘hit and run’ but he informed me that was essentially impossible for me to prove since I had zero proof the van actually even knew they hit me.. cause I don’t make a loud noise when I get sideswiped. Which is sad, but I also understand the logic. I also can’t find that wording in the statue. But at this point I’m generally excited he actually took notes and seemed to care even a little bit.

    It is unfortunate that he certainly had the car not at fault logic hard wired. While I was able to bring him around on my situation, he shared a few anecdotal stories from pedestrians who had been hit and it was hard not to try and make the point that the individual in the killing box should have a bit more burden on them to operate it safely. Ironically, he knew this as he refused to join the motorcycle squad because of all the bad accidents that occur to even officers on motorcycles. Yet, probably because he sees the legal system constantly side with drivers he still has accepted the general ‘it was an accident’ attitude. It was an interesting mental split to observe.

    By the time I was done with the officer it was well past 5pm and they were closed when he called yesterday evening.

    dkel wrote:
    So, I drive with my kids out Hilltop and down Cedar into Vienna on Thursday afternoons, and we almost always see a cyclist on a red Trek(?) riding out that way. Is that you? Cuz that would be weird! But also totally awesome!

    That is not me, but I always like hearing about other cyclists on cedar. that road should be a much better experience than it is for cyclists.

    Blue bike, white handle bars and saddle, belt drive.

    in reply to: My Evening Commute #1031354
    dplasters
    Participant

    @dkel 117275 wrote:

    Weird.

    The weirdest part is:

    I was thinking about how when I got home I would post that on June 2nd, 2015 I kinda wished that I had arm warmers on my EVENING commute.
    That I saw over a dozen people on bikes in Fairfax.
    That I stopped at the light of hilltop and prosperity with a nice lady also taking the lane and having a wonderful cycling commute.
    It was also the first time since mid-december I hadn’t strava’d my ride since my phone battery was basically dead.

    I was later somewhat hassled by the officer who came to take my report for not staying at the location but I couldn’t really call cause my phone was dead… ugh.

    Honestly, it was such a great ride other than that part….

    in reply to: My Evening Commute #1031348
    dplasters
    Participant

    @dkel 117270 wrote:

    On Lee Hwy? Gotta say, that’s one place I ride the sidewalk. Stinks that this happened to you! I’m really glad you weren’t injured.

    I hadn’t really had a bad experience there. The numerous lights (the car that hit me had to stop at the red light to turn onto shreve…) combined with the fact that it expands to three lanes west bound and the right most lane dies into Hilltop which is where I’m going.

    On the sidewalk I have to deal with cars turning right from Lee on to Gallows and tons of curb cuts from the shopping centers and gas stations.

    It is something I’ll have to reconsider. The DW is less than excited.

    in reply to: My Evening Commute #1031346
    dplasters
    Participant

    @Steve O 117268 wrote:

    What are the details? Were you just riding straight and they passed you too closely (understatement)? Or was it a right hook situation?
    Where on Lee Highway?

    Passed “too closely”. Between Fairview Park and Shreve Rd west bound. Disappointed in myself for not getting the plate. And I consider getting a go-pro…..

    in reply to: My Evening Commute #1031342
    dplasters
    Participant

    Almost went an entire year before getting hit by a car. Sideswiped by a Gutterman Services van on Lee highway. Didn’t go down but my left shoe was nearly ripped off by the back right tire. They of course did not stop.

    ANGRY WORDS and THOUGHTS.

    A Fairfax County police officer is on their way to file a report. In the meantime, please don’t use their services.

    Thank you.

    in reply to: Your latest bike purchase? #1030424
    dplasters
    Participant

    @cvcalhoun 117144 wrote:

    Loving my new kickstand! With the amount of weight I carry (heavy panniers, often full of stuff), my bike kept falling over with a regular kickstand.

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]8753[/ATTACH]

    i do believe your cockpit attachments might weigh more than GB’s new frame. impressive array.

    in reply to: other sports… #1031142
    dplasters
    Participant

    I played lacrosse from grade school through into college but stopped after some knee problems. Worked hard to get back to where I was physically before the knee pain and decided that I’d very much like to lower the damage I’m doing to them and walk properly in my old age. Started playing more golf then. I run 2-3 times a week to make sure I’m still able to move at a good pace and get some impact work in.

    I do miss lacrosse though…

    in reply to: Pictures from Bike to Work Day 2015 #1030247
    dplasters
    Participant

    @83(b) 116025 wrote:

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]8619[/ATTACH]
    And this lady was on my favorite type of city ride, an old re-purposed ’90s mountain bike. Her yoga mat sling looks pro too.

    rear tire is in desperate need of some air.

    in reply to: Caboose Brewing is open, finally! #1030181
    dplasters
    Participant

    So then I’ll just hop on Mill St.. sounds safer than the W&O. Just take the W&O to the Vienna town green thingy cross Church and you’re good. A tasting this weekend is in order.

    in reply to: Found Connection #1030177
    dplasters
    Participant

    @dplasters 115888 wrote:

    Loved seeing 5x the number of cyclists I normally see out in Fairfax this morning for BTWD.

    I should point out that 5x the number I normally see is precisely five cyclists. I average one.

    in reply to: Found Connection #1030103
    dplasters
    Participant

    Loved seeing 5x the number of cyclists I normally see out in Fairfax this morning for BTWD.

    Please stop riding in the gutter, it hurts my little heart and I promise it’s safer to just put yourself roundabout where a car’s right tire would be. You are a vehicle and you are traffic.

    See you all again on Monday, right?

    in reply to: My Evening Commute #1029461
    dplasters
    Participant

    Well… I’m not sure if I should try and get home before we all die or if I should wait it out at the office then venture into the humidity apocalypse.

    in reply to: Biking, walking, cross training (?) and physiology #1029314
    dplasters
    Participant

    Personal experience that is somewhat relevant – I find myself much less tired after walking 18 holes (4-5 miles and 4+ hours on your feet) of golf/pushing around my golf bag than I used to. Particularly on hilly courses. I hit it further and my back and core are even stronger than before.

    They are very different things though. Particularly small muscle wise. Ankles, in particular are used very differently I’d think. I had a heck of a time earlier this spring getting back into running with my wife. I had the cardio ability to run a sub 6 minute mile. The next day my calves felt like they had been ripped in half. I’m still trying to get them back into running happiness.

    General joints – cycling is super duper low impact (not so good for bone density, it appears). Even walking has impact. Which is good. But if you aren’t used to it, those joints are going to hurt.

    Walking speed can have a lot to do with hip flexibility. Hip flexibility in the office working population is generally HORRIBLE. Working on it could easily make walking easier/more fun and also improve your cycling.

    In general, I’d say they compliment each other ok. I don’t think you’ll see anyone using walking/hiking in their training regimes any time soon though. Squats. Those work for both of them though (you know, gotta do something in the winter).

    in reply to: Missed connection #1029208
    dplasters
    Participant

    @ERandall 114918 wrote:

    Do we do positive missed connections on here too too?

    I have to give a shout to whoever was yelling ‘happy bike month!’ to everyone right next to the intersection of doom… Down I came, sweaty (overdressed, thus hot) and allergies destroying my nose, when suddenly I hear you and all I can manage is “huh?????”. And when you repeat it, running with your hand stretched for a high five, I can finally bring forth an awkward “Oh thanks you too!”. Well you wouldn’t have wanted to high five me anyway due to the sweaty hands but you deserve a shout for being up early in moderately crappy wet weather wishing everyone a happy bike month, so cheers. :D

    You’re looking for the Found Connections thread. Its alright, I bet the forum Mods let it slide. Just this once.

    Real on-topic police that bunch.

Viewing 15 posts - 181 through 195 (of 442 total)