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I’m going with 3000 miles and ride my first century.

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I’ll play: 170 pounds, 4:25 PM, 01/02/2014

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I posted the same article over in commuting (shame on my lack of reading of other topics!). I found it interesting, not as an idea to actually do, but more as an indicator that such a tax is stupid and would never pass. The only way I would/could understand a one time bike fee, or some kind of yearly bike registration fee would be if ALL the funds were guaranteed to go to paving my bike trails (e.g. Georgetown Branch perhaps), clearing my trails on snow days, actually creating properly safe bike lanes with bike traffic lights and giving me bike lane connections linking the trail network with bike lanes that don’t appear and disappear in random places.

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Lots of awesome bike stuff for me: 4 pack of wool socks, cycling shoe covers, lobster gloves and thermal liners (actually these were a bday gift from September), neon green spoke lights (excited to see how those work), a black diamond headlamp, a chain checker (definitely need to replace my chain!) and the rails-to-trails guide to DC,WVa,MD,Va.

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@TwoWheelsDC 72442 wrote:

Not a good night to be a driver…

Its never a good night to be a driver here :p

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Great thread! I think I want to try a century in 2014. Logged just short of 3000 miles in 2013 (first year of commuting) and think this would make a good goal. I’ll be training by virtue of bike commuting, but might be up for some training rides with you at some point!

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@guga31bb 71669 wrote:

Yep I attempted the beginning of Custis and saw how bad the overpasses were and bailed around Adams and then took Lee Hwy. I hate taking Lee (prior to this week, the last time I took it I was hit by a car) but the ice is even worse.

Thats what would stop me from taking Lee. I don’t like cars that aim for me, and cars in northern VA seem to be drawn to me, especially Prius’. Has anyone taken Wilson instead? I’m considering that as an alternative. I don’t mind a few extra miles for peace of mind. In fact, I might prefer it

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@TwoWheelsDC 71660 wrote:

Ho.lee.sheeeeiiiiiit. Custis west of Veitch was soooooo bad! Uphill to the turnoff, the trail was in great shape, but going up the hill at McCoy Park was scary. The one other rider I passed was off her bike walking, and I eventually did the same. Once I got to the top of the hill, it appeared to be that bad all the way to Spout Run, so I ditched to Adams and took surface streets the rest of the way. Given the forecasted temps, it looks like I’ll be doing that for the rest of the week.

Humbug. Any suggestions for alternate routes from Key Bridge to get over to Marymount University from the assembled riders? My usual route has been to cross Key Bridge and take the Custis to around Lorcom/Old Dominion and then bail to the sidewalk to get to North Glebe. Since I don’t live in the area, I know next to NOTHING about the roads around there. I’ll plan to leave early (7 AM for a noon exam) so i’ll have plenty of time to explore a new/safe route.

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I’ve been locked inside grading this week. I have a final to give tomorrow and will probably bike in.

Questions for those more hearty than myself:
1). How is the Custis from the Key Bridge up to around Glebe road? (My city route)
2). Anyone been on the Georgetown Branch/Capitol Crescent trial/Chain Bridge area? It’s pretty shady so I’m planning on the city route to avoid ice and icky mess.

Thanks for any info!

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Relive my commute home with the following instructions:
1). Find the Glasgow Love Theme on youtube (from the Love Actually Soundtrack)
2). Imagine it playing on your headphones just as you round a corner of the trail you’re on.
A nice relaxing moment that became downright legen…wait for it…dary when I look up and see
3). A mother deer walking along the middle of the trail with her baby. I trailed them for a good five minutes
Until they turned off the trail when Captain Noise came barreling down the trail on his mountain bike.
Regardless, that is the most awesome commuting moment I’ve had this year and it made my week.
You just don’t get that kind of peace riding in a car or metro-ing.

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Back on the trails for my first full commute in weeks. The Garmin conked out and won’t find a satellite signal anymore and almost ran over half a dozen trail ninjas on the way home. Other than that it was a great return to commuting!

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Just chiming in to say i’m in for the challenge this year!

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After a little over a month of metro due to a knee injury I’ve finally built back up to fullish commuting strength. Last week was commuting to metro (easy 4 mile round trip). No knee pain at all. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be back to my glorious 30 mile round trip! See you on the trails!

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Any financing available on these deals?

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So we can all just start riding with a vest that says POLICE. I’m sure the friendly neighborhood officers won’t have any objections…

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