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@Steve O 79034 wrote:

Rode the Custis from WOD to Rosslyn. 85-90% rideable on pavement–either totally clear or a line to ride on.

Trail was plowed, so cover of snow has been stripped off, making the icy sections slicker than they would otherwise be. I rode a road bike w 28s, but would discourage others from doing so. Although you could if you like the sphincter-clenching thrill of holding your straight line across a 50-foot ice patch (like I do!)

Bridges over Glebe & Lee Hwy are good.

Bad spots:
After Glebe bridge before western sister
western sister
The switchback has a narrow clear path all the way down – go slow
Real bad patch on the final 50 feet of Spout Run bridge
Lots of ice behind the apartments, but with a little powder on top, so possible to ride for the brave
Bad bad bad behind the soundwalls on the Rosslyn luge–this is the worst section.

10-12 other patches of ice ranging from 5 feet to 40 feet long. Rideable if you hold your line (and hold your breath!)

Have fun!
Steve

I walked many sections of the Custis this morning. Quite slick and icy in lots of spots. Hoping for some time above freezing today to melt some of that junk.

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BTWD pros: suggestions on Pit Stop with the best stuff? I made it to three different stops last year, and it looked like Rosslyn had some of the best goodies.
Might register that as my Pit Stop of choice…

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Why was disabled children even a salient point here? It seems their goal in mentioning that was to 1) absolve themselves of blame and 2) somehow make you feel guilty for complaining about the situation. The real problem is that bike lanes are CONSTANTLY blocked (whether for good reason or not) and nothing is ever done about it. Cars complain when we ride in the roads and then take the few lanes that are set aside for our use. I find it VERY hard to believe that there was no alternative to accommodate the situation.

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@GB 78205 wrote:

Tim pointed me to this post which sound pretty similar.

http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?688-Missed-connection&p=62618#post62618

Based on these two incidents I’d say Glebe is not a bike friendly street.

I reported my incident (unwritten “warning”) and they investigated the fellow with due diligence. I too was shocked at getting pulled over on my bike, so I get your feelings. He was found to not be at fault in my case (a case of his word against mine), but I didn’t raise too much of a fuss about it. My goal was to get the incident on file and this was done. I don’t believe it was the same guy, but if it was then my situation is well documented in his file.

Sorry you had a bad experience. If you speak with the police about it, i’d be curious if they advise you to ride on the sidewalk like they did me.

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Congrats on the new bike! Let us know how it all goes for you. I’m looking at the Nashbar Steel Touring next time they have a 25% off sale. BD has downgraded their Windsor Tourist a bit and upped the price, so Nashbar is top of the list ATM.

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http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/tourist-touring-bikes-v.htm#specs

New Windsor Tourist on BikesDirect. Drop-bar, Tiagra/Sora/Deore mix of components. Slightly different frame geometry this year. Slightly downgraded components from the 2013. Still seems to be a good potential deal for a commuter/tourer. Plus you gotta love that orange!

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I think there is a lot of room for confusion with the way the law is written. Therein lies the problem. I was of the opinion that cars buzz me too closely if I don’t take the lane. That makes me feel unsafe. I take the lane to discourage unsafe passing, provided both lanes of traffic are clear. I don’t find the lane wide enough for a car and bike to share comfortably, but that’s my opinion and not fact. Dismal’s view is just as valid and reasonable. His view seems to match with that of ACPD. To avoid any confusion, i’ve taken to abandoning Glebe and ride on the admittedly crappy bike lanes on Military Road instead. There is no confusion about where I can ride on that stretch of road. Plus its pretty great hill training for the end of my 15 mile commute!

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Bike: 15 miles, ~80 minutes, free
Bike+Metro+shuttle: ~70 minutes, $5 each way
Bus+Metro+shuttle:~80 minutes, $6 each way

Times are all about the same. Biking might be a little longer when I factor in the clothing changes.
Plus with a cold, i’ve been sidelined for the past few days. Stupid cold.

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Best part of freezing saddles? Water bottle is ALWAYS chilled!

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To the dude on the blue trek road bike, hope you made it to Arlington! Hopefully my flat tire changing lesson will prove useful to you in the future. And always remember, keep those tires properly inflated! Pinch flats are a beast! Also, lookup some youtube videos on how to change a flat so you can study and get some practice if it happens and nobody is around. All the best!

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@jnva 74772 wrote:

To the driver of the Lexus on fairfax drive tonight. Your lucky I didn’t break your side mirror after you tried to intentionally run me over. Your also lucky I forgot to charge my gopro battery.

It’s moments like these that make me not enjoy my commute as much. Maybe we can engineer an EMP pulse coupled with proximity sensors that shuts-down a car for passing too close. Or proximity sensor coupled with red light camera tech to automatically ticket someone who passes bikes too close.

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Dear Mercedes Lady on M-Street,

I think you have some rage issues since you feel the need to scream at me from inside your car as I sit in the turn lane waiting for a chance to turn. I apparently offended you just by being on my bike.

It’s absolutely right and proper for you to block the intersection even when there is a parking lot of cars in front of you going nowhere. That I would have the audacity to attempt to turn when the fellow cager on your right side was trying to be nice and wave me through is just inconceivable. I am ashamed and clearly need to retire from all cycling and should go buy a car that costs more than my entire undergraduate and graduate education and drive around yelling at people through my closed window.

And to the other lady who informed me of how dangerous I was since nobody could possibly see me despite the reflective cycling jacket, two headlights, three rear red blinking lights and green spoke lights, I might suggest getting your eyes checked. With the police officer I was parked next to at a light commenting on how well lit I was, I would tend to take his opinion over your own. However, thanks for letting me know your thoughts in a not entirely condescending manner.

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@rcannon100 73914 wrote:

Place a CABI station at N Glebe Rd and Lee Hwy. There are multiple commercial establishments in that neighborhood including the Lee-Heights Shopping Mall, Metro-29 Diner, Thirty Bernies, and Cowboy Cafe. There is also a major housing development about to go online. It is also a very reasonable bicycle distance to the ballston area with safe routes along Utah street. It would also be a good intermediary point if Marymout U ever decides to get a station (including apt complexes where MU students live).

I like this idea! I’m going to try to work on convincing more folks at MU that they should be biking and this would help with that!

Also, the bike lanes on Military Road when you get around Old north glebe road are abysmal. Potholes, paint completely rubbed off. This seems bad as it’s the best (only?) bike lane connection in that area to connect to Chain Bridge which is “nicely” connected with both the C&O and the Capital Crescent Trail.

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@vvill 74454 wrote:

This is why it might be good to have a n+1 rain bike!

Indeed that’s why i’ve cleaned out the basement apartment storage and moved the wife’s bike down there. We now have room for another one inside the apartment! Windsor Tourist and Nashbar TR1 are top of the list.

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I use the Shimano PD-M324 Dual Platform pedals. Great for clipping in on commutes and for hopping on in regular shoes for sleaze rides to the grocery store.

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