[dplasters]

@dplasters 94897 wrote:

Apparently, free shipping from Hong Kong does not really have a downside. I received the backpack cover yesterday. So less than 10 full days. God bless the modern world.

Having said that, the review will have to be conducted by my wife. After calling it an over-sized shower cap she promptly decided she needed it for her walking/running/metro commute more than I did and since the precious should be arriving by Wednesday and there is not a drop of rain in the forecast I could not argue.

A quick test with the hose went very well though.

After this mornings constant rain, the wife reports that her backpack was bone dry upon arrival at her office. The oversized $4 shower-cap appears to work well.

My much more expensive Timbuk2 backpack also performed well. One pocket got wet but it could be do to me not paying attention when I zipped it up. The double drop liner kept everything else perfectly dry though. Can’t really argue.

[dplasters]

@Brendan von Buckingham 95321 wrote:

I get it, but only because I’m a cyclist peer. But non-cyclists won’t understand ……. That’s a dick move, but passing on the right is not illegal.

I think every driver would find that video to be a dick move. They just don’t really care about the cyclist part. He cuts off a truck too. And that is more important!

People are jerks to each-other on the road no matter what type of transportation method they are using.

[dplasters]

Haven’t had that much fun on a bike in a long time.

My Golf(cific) gore-tex jackets aren’t long enough in the back so I end up with a wet butt despite my gore-tex pants. But other than that.. the new Timbuk2 came through in flying colors despite riding in a pretty steady downpour the whole 30 minutes. Greatness.

Friendly reminder
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[dplasters]

@Harry Meatmotor 95232 wrote:

you make it sound like we’re some kind of second class citizens – those backpack-wearing folk

lol! jk…

I thought we all agreed from the covet thread that if you don’t use panniers your bike is just a toy! We are the fringe of the cycling society! Not to be messed with! And also feared for our haphazard ability to cavalierly jump on and off our bikes and ride into the sunset! and also scorned by Dismal for carrying to much crap.

Seriously, big kudos to Timbuk2 who actually matched the price down on my purchase from last week with the new bigger coupon. You all rock. They certainly weren’t obligated to and could have easily told me to shove it since my backpack was now out of stock and I couldn’t “return” and buy a “new one” anyway.

[dplasters]

Timbuk2 is having a 30% off sale for all those non-pannier using folks out there.

[dplasters]

Now that’s a Brisk commute.

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[dplasters]

One day, I feel like I should ride into the city on the W&O to see what all this complaining is about. I keep asking the cars to call their passes out here in Fairfax and damn it if all I get is a honk once every few weeks.

All kidding aside, sometimes I swear it sounds like the roads I’m on are safer than some of the trails you all are riding on….

[dplasters]

@Crickey7 94904 wrote:

Was the cover on the backpack on the back for this test? Even if it’s not 100% effective, it does seem like a promising thing. And at that price, I could keep one at each end.

Cover was on the backpack on my back for the test. It wasn’t a very punishing test if I’m honest. I didn’t feel like putting on a jacket to keep myself from getting wet (hot yesterday) so my wife sprayed pretty much dead center and below on the cover with the water. The material is very much waterproof. Durability and its ability to secure well particular around the top of the backpack remain the questions. Fits nicely on packs in the 25-35L range is my guess. Any smaller and it is likely too large. Any large and it may be difficult to get on if the pack is fully loaded up.

[dplasters]

@dplasters 94157 wrote:

I will tell you in two/three weeks when it gets here… Free shipping from Hong Kong has its downsides…

Apparently, free shipping from Hong Kong does not really have a downside. I received the backpack cover yesterday. So less than 10 full days. God bless the modern world.

Having said that, the review will have to be conducted by my wife. After calling it an over-sized shower cap she promptly decided she needed it for her walking/running/metro commute more than I did and since the precious should be arriving by Wednesday and there is not a drop of rain in the forecast I could not argue.

A quick test with the hose went very well though.

[dplasters]

You: The squeak(ish) like noise coming from my right pedal.

Me: I know you are cheap and plastic and came with my bike. I care not. I will shut you up when I get home.

The hard way.

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[dplasters]

Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye; I will never ever wear Gore-Tex Pac-Lite until it is below 45 degrees. I am a ball of sweat.

Good mental note.

[dplasters]

@dplasters 94202 wrote:

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Come to me my pretty… I can’t turn down 15% off coupons from Timbuk2…….

[dplasters]

@nsfnsfdave 94621 wrote:

it is legal to run in the street

In some circumstances.

VA Code 46.2-928 is the one most often stated:

Pedestrians shall not use the roadways for travel, except when necessary to do so because of the absence of sidewalks which are reasonably suitable and passable for their use. If they walk on the hard surface, or the main travelled portion of the roadway, they shall keep to the extreme left side or edge thereof, or where the shoulders of the highway are of sufficient width to permit, they may walk on either shoulder thereof.

Unless there is now a shoulder in the neighborhood (can that exist? You can’t park on a shoulder, right?). People break laws all the time. I Idaho stop the hell out of stop signs during my morning commute. Running with traffic in the street while not on the shoulder is illegal. Given the situation described, it seems like she was breaking the law. She can join the club of scofflaw cyclists.

[dplasters]

@jabberwocky 94574 wrote:

I actually completely agree that automated cameras have almost nothing to do with safety. They are purely revenue generation.

I tend to agree. I think it is possible to use them for increased safety, but that is not typically how they are sold. I also don’t really have any sympathy for the drivers anyway. DC should probably have a commuter tax/tolls to help defer the cost of all the non residents using its infrastructure. I see the cameras as an easier to sell/legal alternative. The downside being that the cameras also increase pain on the city’s residents.

Strangely, he admits to violating the law both times involving the cameras (and many of the comments note the danger of rolling right on red to pedestrians). Then buries the real injustice – which appears to be the DC parking authority. But that isn’t nearly as sexy as cameras I guess.

[dplasters]

@vvill 94562 wrote:

I wear “ski” goggles (actually, MX – motocross ones). It does limit your peripheral vision a bit but you don’t have to worry about getting cold eyes/sinus and it works great in conjunction with a buff or two (or whatever).

For some reason my groinal area never gets that cold. I usually wear legwarmers with bib shorts or regular shorts, with MTB shorts over the top if I need them. I find the lined winter bibs too warm.

I can’t decide if you look incredibly Bad@$$ or you’re about to rob a bank.

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