[eminva]

No one has ever, ever, ever said I had “itty bitty wittle feetses” so thanks for that.

Did you notice the reviews for that product on Nashbar? The general tone seemed to be that they are good for “all weather” except cold weather. I know everyone has a different threshhold, but the OP seemed to favor a heartier option.

Upon further reflection, I think I’m going to switch the pedals and go with my winter boots again this year. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

Liz

[eminva]

@pfunkallstar 30221 wrote:

A solo century, no support, no people, is living hell.

I have done this a couple of times at least and kind of enjoy it. I hasten to add that I stay within the greater DC area so I’m always near a 7-11, water fountain and mechanical help. It’s fun and not just for lone wolves.

Liz

[eminva]

I am also interested, and have a broader question. My old bike had pedals that were SPD on one side and flat on the other. In the winter, I just wore regular winter boots which were compatible with the flat side of the pedal. When I got my new bike, I switched to Look Keo pedals. These pedals are not compatible with street shoes. So I assume my options are:

1. Shoe covers (probably not a great option for my sensitive feet).
2. Switch the pedals so I can wear my own winter boots.
3. Lake boots (am I right that this would also involve a pedal switch because they would only be compatible with SPD?)

Am I missing anything?

Liz

[eminva]

Designers! Today’s challenge is to modify the Bike Arlington safety vest so that it provides a reasonably aerodynamic fit to a medium sized person. For this challenge, you may use the Bike Arlington safety vest (one size fits all) and whatever thread you have in your sewing bin. You have 45 minutes for this challenge. Carry on!

The Runway:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1678[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]1677[/ATTACH]

Judges?

[eminva]

I think the motives varied for the participants. It did inspire me to ride more miles. I already have a long commute, but I definitely increased the percentage of days that I commuted on my bike over the four months. As the competition wore on, I also wanted to see women well represented on the Arlington-Alexandria-Washington leaderboard so that served as an inspiration. I agree with dbb that I benefited fitness and health wise from a big summer on the bike. I also wanted our region to make a good showing so others in the country (and our advocacy organizations) can see we have support for cycling in the DC area.

I initially joined the first Bike Arlington team but some folks at my office put together a company team and I switched to that before the competition began. The experience helped make the cyclists at our company a little more cohesive and now we have others we can turn to as we advocate for things that cyclists need or want — such as bike commuter benefits, etc.

We did have a couple of guys on our team who work in the same department develop a friendly rivalry. Their non-cycling colleagues even got involved, rooting for one or the other. It ended with one of the guys putting in massive miles the last week of the challenge. His rival compared it to “the look.”

If it inspires us all to ride more, it’s good, no matter what the motive. Good work, everyone!

Liz

P.S. Bumming about the toilet paper.

[eminva]

@Dirt 30005 wrote:

Americancyclo on the W&OD as I was heading into town. I am pretty sure I saw Liz right after she turned onto the W&OD from the Custis, but we were both moving along well and I was solving the problems of the universe at the time. Rode part of the way home last night with The Furry Face of the Bureau (aka OneEighth), Ann too.

Yep, that was me, and I saw acc, too. I was not moving along fast; I ran out of gas about 15 miles short of finishing my 15 mile ride home. All I was thinking was, “I didn’t leave anything on the table for the National Bike Challenge.” I do hope you solved all the problems of the universe!

Liz

[eminva]

Wow, I am also glad I don’t have to log on Endomondo anymore. Actually I’m glad I don’t have to get on a bike today at all.

I’m happy to report that two women ended up in the top 20 of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria community leaderboard, including one in the Top 10! So the guys didn’t totally dominate.

I don’t know if RCannon will do a final version of his consolidated regional leaderboard, but I think my workplace based team acquitted itself well, considering we didn’t really have an organized company peloton before the contest started. But we do now, which is a great thing.

On a sad note, it appears that no one I know won a bike trip or bike. Oh well.

Liz

[eminva]

I cannot believe how close the Bike Arlington A and B teams are. It comes down to the wire!

Liz

[eminva]

@4st7lbs 29909 wrote:

If anyone has a cardiologist recommendation please let me know. I’m overdue for my five year EBT/heart catheterization.

I was pleased with Dr. Brian Glick in Arlington. However, there are no bike racks at the medical building where his office is located. You can lock it up to the railings in the parking garage.

Liz

[eminva]

You: The two kids in the jogging stroller, coming the opposite way on the W&OD.

Me: The cyclist you gave a cheery “Good Morning!” greeting to.

It was a good morning! Especially after that. Thanks.

Liz

[eminva]

@Certifried 29859 wrote:

Me: Usually fit in any other XL without issue. I haven’t gained 20 pounds in the last day, I’m pretty sure.

I find bicycle jersey sizing and fit to be just as frustrating and random as sizing and fit for street clothes. I think there’s about as much hope for standardized sizing as there is for bike lanes on every single street in the DC suburbs, though.

Liz

[eminva]

@krazygl00 29885 wrote:

Eminva, did we pass each other on the W&OD bridge over 495, you heading westbound, this evening just after 7pm?

Mark Blacknell, did we pass each other on the W&OD bridge over I66, you also heading westbound, just a few minutes later?

Or am I imagining seeing forum members everywhere?

To your first question, yes, probably so! These opposite direction sightings are hard when riding as fast as all of us go.

To your second question, if he was right behind me, he probably would have caught me at Gallows Road because I had to wait for the light for a while. But I will let him answer that.

Liz

[eminva]

Thanks, Certifried. On the W&OD, there are a lot of road crossings, and I was thinking a helmet light would be helpful there for visibility to cars approaching the trail crossings, as well as to see things off to the side of the trail if I think I see movement (I’m always anxious about deer out in my neck of the woods). So, I would hope to be using it on the trail.

I don’t think it has to be super powerful — I will have my Diablo on my handlebars so if I need all powerful light, I’ve got that. Any suggestions are welcome.

Liz

[eminva]

Okay, so the survey results are in: people don’t like blinky lights on the trail. And it appears the vis360 blinks. So that one gets crossed off the list. Thanks, everyone.

By the way, I mentioned earlier in this thread that I got my new Exposure Diablo last night. The Exposure USA website has the Diablo for sale for $199 with a “minor cosmetic blemish.” I cannot even discern the blemish on my new light. So if you were thinking about a Diablo for the approaching season, this might be an option to save some cash.

Liz

[eminva]

Just to be clear, does the rear light on the vis360 only operate in blinking mode? Is there no steady mode?

I got my Exposure Diablo in the mail today — yay! That’s going to be my handlebar mounted light. I was thinking about adding a helmet light to the set up and the vis360 looked promising, but I didn’t realize it’s gonna turn my head into a full time disco ball. I really don’t like blinky lights and try to avoid using them. 75% of my commute is on trails (Custis and W&OD) — what do people think — would the blinky light be annoying? Thanks.

Liz

[Author]

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