[eminva]

@Steve O 77883 wrote:

Yeah. Well when this got started I thought, “hey, maybe I could do one of these.” I even had an idea for a rectangle or something. Then you posted the butterfly and the flower and I balled up my sheet of paper and threw it away.

Pro Tip: Start with the DC or Arlington Bike Map, not any old piece of paper.

I am biding my time for more snow melt (and repeat recovery from the double dip cold/congestion thing) but will get my entry in for Tim’s commission this weekend.

Liz

[eminva]

@hozn 77481 wrote:

And here I thought it was my new boots that did it!

I have those boots! Hope you like them. I have been very happy so far.

Liz

[eminva]

@eminva 74478 wrote:

Yesterday’s commute exposed a few shortcomings in my rainy weather wardrobe. Does anyone have a recommendation for women’s rain pants? Endura doesn’t seem to feature women’s pants. Showers Pass has several models; any recommendations there?

Also, what can I do to keep rain from seeping into my Northwave Arctic boots? Even allowing a lot of water in, they did keep my feet warm, but they didn’t dry out by the end of the day. A google search suggested cutting the cuffs off of rubber kitchen gloves and sealing that around the top. I was dubious; anyone try that?

Thanks!

Liz

Thought I’d give a report on my findings now that I have given my new rain pants an inaugural run.

I ordered both Showers Pass Club Convertible 2 pants and Novara Stratos 2.0 pants (when I ordered, they had both the full range of sizes and a higher price tag). I tried them both on and it was close, but absent the crucial real world test, I gave the edge to the Showers Pass. Pluses for the Showers Pass pants: they had a real waist band with a zipper (=> better fit and less extra bulky fabric overall), articulated knees and the fabric seemed slightly more substantial. Pluses for the Novara pants: the reflective parts seemed better thought out and I liked the closure at the ankle better. The length was good for both (I am 5’5″).

This morning I went for a 45 minute ride in the sleet in my new Showers Pass pants and they were great! The ankle closure is growing on me — I cinched them over my boots and no water got in to the boots. The ultimate test will be the full commute in a torrential downpour, but so far, so good.

By the way, there were plenty of women’s Novara Stratos 2.0 on the shelves at the Tysons REI last weekend in a full range of sizes so if they’ve been similarly marked down, those would be a great bargain for someone. As I say, it was very close and I suspect I would have been satisfied with those.

Liz

Addendum: I meant to add that they are sized to allow you to wear something underneath — bike shorts, tights, long johns, whatever your preference. I wore tights this morning and was both warm and dry.

[eminva]

My street got plowed so I rode around the neighborhood.

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Liz

[eminva]

Look — Twenty whole feet of the W&OD are clear in Vienna!

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Liz

[eminva]

Very well done, FFG! Did you do a “pause” to get the back of the diamond frame (through the cemetery)? I was playing around with this and thought the diamond frame, not the wheels, would pose the biggest challenge if you go with that style of bike. Arlington is not built on a grid. This is hard. I am amazed!

I once rode on Washington and Columbia Pike when going from work to the Cinema and Drafthouse — quite the hair raising adventure.

I’ve got the schematic in my back pocket for my entry, but I would need an extension from Tim — couldn’t get to it before the snows due to having to play Florence Nightingale for my recuperating husband. Oh well, this is very well done, I couldn’t top it, although I was going in a little different direction.

Liz

[eminva]

For those of you with an iPhone doing the C&O self-supported or semi-supported, please download the C&O Companion app; it got rave reviews from all of us on the scout trip last summer. Helps you find the nearest lodging/food/water/bike shop. It wasn’t available for other phones then but it may be now.

Liz

[eminva]

@culimerc 76571 wrote:

Those of you (us?) that have stayed in inns along the route from Pitt to DC; Any suggestions or recommendations on hotels or inns?

I’m planning my own Pitt to DC ride for the fall.

Sorry, I didn’t see this when you first posted. I will ask my husband who did the Cumberland to DC leg a couple of years ago and they did “credit card camping.” Don’t know where you plan to stop, but some locations don’t offer much of a choice.

@culimerc 76851 wrote:

Riding the GAP, coming from Pitts on the first day, Ohiopyle is @ mile 72. Which would seem like a good place to stop, I’ll be riding with riders that are maybe not as strong as some others. Considering the lack of choices in Ohiopyle, is it worth it to stretch the day out and ride 11 miles to Confluence, which is larger and would offer maybe nicer food and lodging choices.

I have this exact same question — would be interested in thoughts from others.

Liz

[eminva]

@Dirt 76683 wrote:

What time do you normally roll out? Roughly where do you start your ride?

Hello Pete — I was hoping to return to bike commuting tomorrow now that I’ve more or less recovered from the croup (as diagnosed by my co-worker).

I start in Vienna. I usually start about 7 but could start as early as 6:20. Earlier is doable but requires coordination with the troops here.

Liz

[eminva]

@Steve O 76659 wrote:

Finally – Ford. But you have to play along.

Remember my crappy phone? Well, it has no flash, so here is my documentation that I visited Ford’s Historic home in Alexandria in the dark this evening.

The street sign on the corner
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My bike leaning on the street sign post
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The house number: 514 Crown View
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The Historic plaque
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And my Strava ride showing I went there:
http://app.strava.com/activities/111439561

You get a “like” from me but the only thing missing is the restraining order from the folks who actually live there now.

Liz

[eminva]

That’s excellent, Rod! But don’t feel constrained — you can supplement your entry as you add more trails throughout the remainder of the competition.

Liz

[eminva]

@Phatboing 76515 wrote:

Then the GAP from Cumberland to the Mason Dixon Line, surely, should count too.

Yep.

[eminva]

Press Release: For Release on February 4, 2014 at 1:56 p.m.
Maryland, USA (give or take six miles)

****Announcing a new, Maryland-centric Pointless Prize! ****

****Team and Individual Prizes to be Awarded!****

This prize challenges you to ride on as many unique Maryland mixed use trails or rail trails for the duration of the Freezing Saddles competition period (yes, you can count rides going back to 1/1/14). Prizes will be awarded for the individual who rides on the most trails and for the team that collectively rides on the most different trails. For the team competition, there is no limit to the number of trails any individual can contribute, but each trail only counts once.

Paved, gravel and hard packed trails are okay but mountain bike trails are excluded — e.g.:

C&O: Yes
Northwest Branch Trail: Yes
Torrey C. Brown Trail: Yes
Rosaryville: No

Prize is TBD — could be a contribution in your name to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. If I can get them to provide some without thinking I’m crazy, maybe I can also award some RTC socks or something to the winners.

To be consired for an individual prize, near the end of the competition period, post a message here identifying the trails you have ridden on. To be considered for a team prize, have one team member post a message here identifying the trails your team has ridden on. You will be on the honor system; no proof is required although trail reviews are VERY welcome and may be rewarded.

(Yes, this is a self-serving competition. My love for rail trails is well known and I’m always looking for new ones to check out).

Enjoy! Also, don’t make me award this to my own captain.

Liz

[eminva]

@Fast Friendly Guy 76299 wrote:

eminva: Need your pig? dog?

It’s not much to write home about, but here it is:

http://www.strava.com/activities/107823107

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“Pig? . . . Or Dog? . . . I’m No David P.” on January 20, 2014. 2.2 miles

Liz

[eminva]

Happy New Year!

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(The hyperlink above will take you to the Strava entry).

[Author]

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