[eminva]

If you clicked on the agenda, you will see that I am representing commuters on a panel about cycling and safety. In preparation, I am happy to hear any thoughts from fellow commuters who ride in and through Fairfax County. I am particularly interested in input on riding in Tysons, as this is the theme of the event. By no means are we limited to talking about Tysons, and I believe the Summit will be of interest to and useful for those of us riding in all parts of the county.

Feel free to send a personal message; will also meet you for coffee if you want to bend my ear.

Liz

[eminva]

@Rod Smith 66738 wrote:

I’m a little disappointed with LAB for failing to acknowledge the winners. I can’t find anywhere a list of the individuals, teams, workplaces, communities, states that “won”. I understand the challenge was to encourage more people to ride and people who already ride to ride more, but there were rankings and it was a contest. Why no kudos to the winners?

I’ve received not one but two surveys since the challenge ended, one in my role as organizer of the local challenge for Fairfax and one in my role as a participant (I’m still waiting for the survey for my roles as workplace organizer and team captain of my workplace team). In both surveys I suggested that it would be nice to add functionality so that localities could challenge other locations. I was thinking Fairfax v. Arlington (before you get all up in arms, Arlingtonians, just look at some of those who put up the biggest miles for your “Bike Arlington” team . . . ). But there’s no reason we couldn’t do greater Washington DC vs. Gainesville FL. Or Arlington VA vs. whatever suburb the LAB just turned gold. The possibilities are endless!

Liz

[eminva]

Took the long way to work today:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3852[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]3853[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]3854[/ATTACH]

Had to avail myself of unauthorized access to some federal lands, including a cyclocross portage where a gate blocked the entrance to Anacostia Park. Other than that, a perfect day for it, even if it made me late for work.

Liz

[eminva]

Thanks for all your help and advice. I went to Spokes to get a new shifting cable, and when I explained the situation, the mechanic told me I could probably twist it back together. He gave me a handful of end caps. I carefully twisted it back together and slipped the end cap on (my fingers are little, at least that comes in handy for something).

I blame the frayed/too short cable on user error. I cut it at bike school and they had good tools, but it was my first time doing it so I probably screwed it up.

It seems to be shifting better than it has in a while, but I haven’t taken it on the road test yet. Waiting for it to dry out a bit now that the bike is all shiny and clean. Adjusting the shifting seems to be the trickiest thing of bike maintenance (at least that I’ve tackled).

So, this weekend, I managed to:

-replace the chain
-adjust the brakes
-adjust the shifting
-change the water bottle cage
-replace the cleats on my shoes
-put the rack back on (poor man’s fender — I had it off since July but I cry uncle after this week)
-cleaned everything up while the bike was partially disassembled.

So, assuming the shifting works okay, I’m good! Thanks again.

Liz

[eminva]

is the guy Chris E. calls a MAMIL at 12:29 in Bikeswell One Eighth??

Liz

[eminva]

No need to apologize, Mike! Take care and so glad you are okay. Enjoy your family. We’ll see you out there one of these days!

Liz

[eminva]

Hello —

Does anyone have any familiarity with the Northwave Arctic Commuter? It looks like it is a commuter version of the Celsius boots — distinguished mainly by a lower temperature rating and the addition of hi-viz yellow.

They are a bit more spendy than the Celsius, but it is just degrees of difference at that price, I suppose.

Should I be the guinea pig?

Liz

[eminva]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3827[/ATTACH]

[eminva]

@dasgeh 66274 wrote:

You’re right: they could be worse. But look at the aerial map of the Pentagon: parking lots, parking lots, parking lots. That’s not good land use. So they could be better.

I do wish Arlington County would do more to bring them into the SmartGrowth fold.

I guess I’ll take the opposing view here — there are probably good security reasons to have the building relatively isolated from other structures. Also, the scale of the thing is so massive, it just wouldn’t look right aesthetically if it were hemmed in like the poor Alamo. It needs space!

Liz

[eminva]

It was great to see all the young students walking and biking to school this morning! Kudos to all the organizers. Looked like a big success.

Liz

[eminva]

Rode by about 7:55 and didn’t see anyone there. It’s okay because I didn’t have time to stop. Just wanted to say hi.

Liz

[eminva]

@rcannon100 66031 wrote:

I believe I saw them at Glen Carlyn too. What a serious and ELITE pack! That was Elizabeth with the pack wasnt it? I was thrilled cause I could upload a pic from my contour which was runnin….. dammit the battery went out.

Yes, that was us. I recognized you and yelled out “Hey, that was Bob” but the others probably couldn’t hear because the wind was kind of noisy there. I think they also had tunnel vision for the end.

Liz

[eminva]

Subby! I am so sorry to hear this. Sending you healing and pain relieving wishes. Take care and rest up. Don’t worry about anything, we still have three more months until Freezing Saddles.

Liz

[eminva]

Don’t forget: Dirt and WABA think you’re essential! You could take a ride with them.

Liz

[eminva]

What cleat system do these Northwave Celcius boots work with?

In years past, I alternated between shoe covers and flat pedals/winter boots, but my old boots are giving up the ghost and the shoe covers are so tedious twice a day, so I’m considering my options. Thanks.

Liz

[Author]

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