[ebubar]

28’s were noticeably less comfortable to me. They’ll be going back and replaced with 32’s or 35’s. Maybe that helps you…maybe not!

[ebubar]

Final results of my ACPD complaint:

The officer was investigated and cleared of wrongdoing. I heard his side of the story and could see where he was coming from. I disagree with his style/approach/attitude, but it is what it is. I simply requested that something be on file in case the fellow has a pattern of treating cyclists poorly. I assume the best in people and think that it was probably just a bad day and the guy isn’t some rebel, bike hating cop. I’d say all ended well.

What might be relevant for others here is the conversation I had with ACPD about the legality of “taking the lane” on North Glebe Road (north of Marymount University). The officers I spoke with were all of the opinion that it is safe for a car and bike to occupy the same lane on that stretch of road. If they see you “taking the lane”, everyone I spoke with would consider this illegal and not subject to the “substandard lane width” exception in VA law. I was told that if I need to take the lane to feel safe, do so, but understand that I might have to defend this decision in court if ever ticketed. They suggested the sidewalks might be a safer place to ride (I disagree).

I should note that they officers were very cordial and willing to discuss the difference in opinion. They acknowledged that their interpretation was just an opinion and that I am equally valid in my interpretation too. I suspect that any ticket that resulted from taking the lane could be easily defeated in court. Especially since the investigation went to city planners who thought that any lane smaller than 14 feet is too narrow to safely share between a car and a bike.

Personally, to avoid any question of legality, I have taken to Military Road and am getting awesome thighs from chasing guys on folding bikes up the hills. Just ask my wife

[ebubar]

What’s that golden rule? Treat others how you would like to be treated? That’s how I tend to ride. There are many times when i’ve had to slow down or stop because of the situation described by the OP. So if I can’t pass in the opposite lane, I don’t do it and wait. If it happens on a hill, then I just get stronger by having to ride that hill without the crutch of using momentum. If i’m so feeble that I can’t stop and start on hills, then I shouldn’t be trying to bike 15 miles to work in the first place.

I think others have already said how it, but my rules:
1) Defer to more vulnerable users. I think cars need to do this for bikes (unfortunately they often don’t…sad face). I hope for some good karma by doing this for pedestrians.
2) Ride how I would want someone to ride if I was walking. I don’t like being buzzed by cars and i’m sure peds don’t like being buzzed by bikes.
3) Always use a bell and thank people whether they acknowledge you or not.
4) Assume that your bad interactions are flukes and one time mistakes. I make stupid passes because i’m not thinking sometimes. I assume others do the same and give the benefit of the doubt.
5) Chill out and enjoy the ride!

[ebubar]

I ride my Trek 7.2 FX 30 miles a day on my commute. It works fine. Not spectacular, but good enough to get me back and forth to work. I’ve put around 2700 miles on it this year and haven’t had any huge problems. A broken seat post was pretty annoying and rare and poor setup and tuning by the shop I bought from, but that’s not the bikes fault. The tires are quite hardy for my gravel/road mix and I’ve just now needed to get new tires (performance forte k’s). Will let you know how different 28’s feel compared to the 35’s that I’m used to if that helps inform your opinion.

Also, Takoma Bikes has some smoking good deals on some Giant bikes going on. Most bikes are close to 20 percent off at the moment.

[ebubar]

Today’s slice of humble pie brought to me by the guy on a tiny, folding Dahon bike who flew right past me as I climbed the hills of Military Road.
I assume he must have been a really advanced android bike rider that has escaped from a government research facility as a result of lack of security from the government shutdown.

[ebubar]

@Hancockbs 65481 wrote:

This is ridiculous. I’m sure it will cost more to close it than to leave it open. What is the cost to “operate” the CCT on a daily basis? It’s not like they have gate guards or something. This is clearly an opportunity to inflict pain in the process as opposed to being somewhat rational.

I concur. I’ve never seen anyone patrolling the trails and I’m on them daily for at least 2 hours commuting.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk – now Free

[ebubar]

I’ve been following up on my “Fiat Missed Connection” bike commuting experience and have heard back from ACPD. My message has gone from the city council member to the Arlington Bike and Pedestrian advocate and is now being investigated by the ACPD. I have been told the process that will occur, a report will be written and disciplinary action taken if the conduct is found to be unprofessional. On the legal side, I was sent the appropriate VA Code and, based on my email, it didn’t seem like I had qualified for any of the exceptions to not riding as far right as practicable. I have followed up to clarify if that stretch of Glebe is considered “sub-standard width” which would allow me to legally take the lane. I’m not sure how anyone could argue a bike and car can safely occupy the same lane in that area, but I will report back here to let you know what the ACPD considers legal along this stretch of road. Personally, i’ve been avoiding it all together and doing hill climbing training along Military Road. Time to start fighting for new bike lane paint and repaving of the mess of cracks and potholes that I encounter along there!

[ebubar]

@hoffsquared 63843 wrote:

I had this happen too. Turns out I had a bits of glass that worked it’s way through the tire in one particular area. Didn’t feel it until I turned the tire basically inside out.

This is what i’ve had to do on all my flats. Turn the tire more or less inside out wherever there looks to be any kind of crack or tiny cut and pry out glass with some tweezers.

[ebubar]

Good and bad commute today. Bad = bike not shifting right. I’m wondering if the chain and cassette are possibly worn after 2000 miles for the year. Definitely need to get that checked out.

Good = lots of responsible cyclists on the CCT. While it slowed me down to be in a long line of riders that I couldn’t safely pass with all the traffic on the trail, pretty everyone in the line had a bell and rang for all the people we were passing. Combine all those bells and it must have sounded like an ice cream truck was cruising down the trail! Hmmm…ice cream bike on trails during commute times…

[ebubar]

At the risk of someone getting a deal that I may want, if anyone is interested in a good road bike deal, Takoma Bicycles is running a sale on 2013 model Giant bikes. Most of them are about 20 % off at the moment. Really great prices for great bikes! Plus the staff there is always top notch whenever I stop in on my commute.

[ebubar]

@consularrider 63357 wrote:

A really, really good deal this weekend on Performance.com bike shorts. They’re on sale plus and extra 25% off.

Anyone have a particular pair that they’d recommend? I’ve been using the Novara Padded undershorts and want to try the real bike short thing (with some tasteful athletic shorts on top of course).

[ebubar]

My two cents:

I ride a hybrid for commuting on paths that sound similar to yours (crushed gravel, roads, etc.). It works fine for this purpose and is much more economical than a road bike, especially if you have to lock it up outside. If you do get a hybrid, i’d definitely invest in extra long handlebar grips for your palms and some bar-ends for different hand positions and hill climbing. They made a world of difference for me. Happy bike hunting!

[ebubar]

@PotomacCyclist 63312 wrote:

I’m posting this because the launch is taking place at the Wallops Flight Facility in eastern Virginia. The launch is being carried out by a NASA contractor, Orbital, on behalf of the U.S. Air Force.

The rocket will be visible in the D.C. area, assuming that the skies are clear. The launch window is between 11:27 and 11:31 pm. The rocket should be visible less than a minute later and remain visible for perhaps a minute. The latest forecast is for clear skies tomorrow night, but maybe a little chilly (60s).

Detailed charts and maps are available at the Orbital website: http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/MissionUpdates/MinotaurV/index.shtml

So if you happen to be riding late Friday, or just walking around, look to the ESE sky around that time.

Here’s a depiction of what you might see from the Lincoln Memorial:

http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/MissionUpdates/MinotaurV/images/Lincoln%20Memorial.jpg

I’m repeating this post because rockets are flippin’ awesome!

[ebubar]

Just a quick shoutout to those interested:
The connection between Chain Bridge and the C&O canal has a tree branch that has drooped down over the normal U-Ramp that connects the two. Its pretty obvious, so it won’t sneak up on anyone, but just tossing out a warning there!

[ebubar]

@dbb 62747 wrote:

Discovered that when you call out a police car for making a U-turn on Pennsylvania Ave (WMATA cruiser heading west around 12th street), the officer gets testy. My request “No U-Turn Please!!!!” in my outdoor voice netted me a traffic stop by the officer a few minutes later. The officer challenged my assertion that U-turns were illegal for the police as the law allowed police to break the law to enforce it. Didn’t we use a similar argument during the war in Viet Nam (we had to destroy the village to save it)? Because I had little else to do, I took the bait and had a grand debate with the officer.

I told him I was cool with officers making U-turns but asked they use their emergency lights prior to and during the U-turn. He suggested there was no policy requiring the use of the lights and it would have been inconvenient.

The debate ended with us agreeing to disagree and then I rode off. An unmarked car (Park Police?) that was providing backup (you know what scofflaws us cyclists are) then almost doored me as I rode away.

Bad day for cyclist/police officer interactions apparently!

[Author]

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