[eminva]

@Dirt 21554 wrote:

There are companies that make little rubber things that fit over the cleats when you need to walk. 1) they give you more traction so you don’t slip around; and b) they keep you from wearing the cleats out. These are for the Keo’s http://www.amazon.com/Look-Road-Bike-Cleat-Cover/dp/B000UDBLQO

TSFKAC (The Shop Formerly Known as Conte’s… aka FreshBikes) will have them in stock.

Have the stiffer soles helped your foot pain?

Thank you for the suggestion — will try to get a pair of those asap.

Yes, my feet are feeling much better. That might also have something to do with the cleat being properly situated under the ball of my foot, rather than the middle of my arch (only a slight exaggeration).

Thanks, all!

Liz

[eminva]

Hello All —

When I had my fitting with Clovis, the one thing I complained of was foot pain, so he had me switch from my old, flexible soled MTB shoes/SPD pedals to a road bike shoe with a stiff sole and Look pedals.

A week in, I am finally starting to get used to how much more difficult it is to clip in (clipping out seems to be the same), but I’m worried the cleats are going to wear down fast. I have to drop a foot a lot commuting 28 miles a day. One week in, they are already showing some wear (especially on the right side, which is the foot I drop). As soon as I noticed this I started putting them on on my front porch and switching to flip flops at the garage at work so I am not walking on them at all. I swear I do not do a Flintstone stop so I don’t think I’m dragging them on the ground at all.

Do any of you have experience with this? What do you do to preserve the life of road bike cleats?

Thanks.

Liz

[eminva]

Thank you for the excellent advice, all. Sounds like my biggest concern — water — should not be an issue.

@Mark Blacknell 21487 wrote:

• Unlike BikeDC, there will be many pacelines of riders who are *really* dedicated to getting the fastest time possible. Leave the left side of the road to them.
• When you pull over to get water, move slowly to the right and be aware of what’s behind you before you stop.
• Just spin spin up to the Air Force Memorial, and def stay to the right on the way down if you’re not going to bomb it.
• The course should be a bit more friendly this year – that really awkward hairpin turn is out.

You’ll have great time.

I don’t know, Mark, your first three bullet points make it hard for me to envision your last sentence. 😮 But I’ve been passed by pacelines on the local MUTs, the local MUTs have sometimes been so crowded that I had to look over my shoulder before doing an emergency pullover and I’m well aquainted with the laws of gravity carrying many cyclists down hills faster than me. So perhaps my “lone wolf” commuting has prepared me better than I anticipate.

Thanks again!

Liz

[eminva]

@consularrider 21469 wrote:

What happened last Friday and Saturday? Just about all of those miles were mine. Did nobody other than me ride on Saturday, it was a seriously beautiful day to be out on the bike and I enjoyed looping around Arlington!

I did ride on Saturday. But I’m not on the A Team. It was nice, but there was a 18-22 mph wind from the west as I headed out past Ashburn.

Liz

[eminva]

@RESTONTODC 21424 wrote:

Ann, you forgot to wear the Bike Arlington reflective vest.

I was walking in dark cloth with the Bike Arlington reflective vest on the W&OD other day. Every cars stopped for me. They’re confusing me with a speed trap cop. Everyone looks at me likes “please don’t pull me over”.

I wish the vest is small. I can fit two persons in to it.

I hope the rest of your week goes well.

I was just thinking last night, as I almost got hit THREE TIMES within one mile, and then had an adult pedestrian dart in front of me on the Ballston-Custis connector while making eye contact, that I need to do a little “Project Runway: Bike Arlington Challenge” with my sewing machine soon so I can wear that vest. If I have time this weekend, will post a photo of the results.

@KLizotte 21426 wrote:

Unfortunately VDOT places cars first and foremost; we were told that was the reason why the Lynn Street intersection has not been fixed (VDOT controls that area) during the streetside meeting held with officials last year. They are adamant that nothing be done that causes cars to become backed up along the ramp.

I don’t disagree, but I think the best answer is total grade separation, which would have to happen if it we acknowledged the GW Parkway is an interstate. Given that DC is on one side and Arlington Cemetery is on the other, I think they would have to build a bunch of pedestrian overpasses or face the wrath of their Congressional overlords.

Also, I didn’t articulate this too well, but I think cyclists and pedestrians are not a big enough interest group to solve this alone. My proposal was designed to bring drivers into the fold, because if we could improve things from their perspective, they have a bigger voice.

Oh well.

Liz

[eminva]

Okay, trying some outside-of-the-box thinking here . . .

Let’s admit what the GW Parkway is: a major commuting highway that serves an essential function in the region.

What about a campaign to move the whole GW Parkway out of NPS jurisdiction? Call it an interstate and put it under the appropriate authority (is that VDOT? Sorry, not a transportation person here). They can keep the “park,” such as it is, under NPS control (e.g., all the land to either side of the road).

This would force them to admit that you cannot have bikes and pedestrians crossing the road and that appropriate infrastructure is needed for crossings/exits/entrances of all types. Given the large number of tourist attractions in the vicinity, I think they could not ignore this and would have to put something workable in place.

Motorists might like this because it would mean projects like the Humpback Bridge could be accomplished more quickly and easily. Also, it could eventually correct a lot of the crappy engineering that makes it such a drag to drive on. Finally, they wouldn’t have to worry that one day they might hit a cyclist.

Liz

[eminva]

@KLizotte 21383 wrote:

How does this guy control the dogs though from getting in the way of other cyclists though? That would be my biggest concern, esp given the long “leashes”.

I have seen him a few times on the W&OD, too, but I’m not sure about the answer to your question — he was either going the opposite direction, or in one case, I encountered them at the Gallows Road crossing, so I passed just as we were all getting going.

[eminva]

@GuyContinental 21330 wrote:

How do I fix a crazy time from a gps data error on Strava?

http://app.strava.com/segments/1030765

I’m KOM at Brandywine Castle with a 58mph/830w/4 second climb… I like to think that I’m burly but it would take a catapult to make that. Meanwhile I’m holding up the KOM spot on a climb that some folks (including me) like to work on. I tried going to the segment and then to my time but the only “action” that I can find is to flag the segment as hazardous. Any guidance?

I notice that vvill is right behind you with six seconds and only 59 watts of power. Honestly, I think I may be more impressed that will got up so quickly with so little effort.

I have one whole QOM. As it were, I am the only woman who has done this segment. It is right in front of my house, so it is only fair it is mine. I will be sad the day another woman figures out there is a segment there, or is randomly passing through with her Garmin running.

Liz

[eminva]

Maybe the poster is one of those cycling enthusiasts who has bike parts and partially assembled bikes all over the basement and/or garage. I’ve heard there may be people like that out there.

Liz

[eminva]

@thucydides 21214 wrote:

It definitely conforms with my strong impression (from when I drive or walk around the District) that earlier commuters are a far more pleasant species than later commuters.

Ouch, that hurts. 😮

Liz
Calling my passes on the late shift

[eminva]

Only if I can ride my 1970’s bike (with shifters on the downtube as God intended) and wear my salute to Stevie Nicks.

Liz

[eminva]

@Certifried 21080 wrote:

Was just about to put my CC information in to the Specialized page for the Armadillo Elites when I realized I could save $15 shipping. Unfortunately, my LBS doesn’t have them, but they do have the Bontrager Hard Case tires.

Are the Bontragers decent? I’ve only seen a few other comments about them. Or should I search all the local LBSs for an Armadillo?

I have the Bontrager Hard Case tires on my erstwhile commuting bike. I can only compare them to the stock tires that came with that bike, because those are the only two sets I have had (well, up until Wednesday, when I picked up my new bike). I find they are a bit slower than the original tires, but I haven’t had a flat in over 3000 miles so at least there’s that.

Liz

[eminva]

@dasgeh 21035 wrote:

Does anyone take Key Blvd or 18th St N in Lyon Village as a Custis/Lee alternative? That seems like it will get me from Danville to Rhodes, and I think the neighborhood is pleasant around there, but I haven’t been there during rush hour….

Key is an excellent Custis alternative, and I take it in the afternoon often (especially when I have errands along the Wilson/Fairfax corridor). In the afternoon rush, it is theoretically limited to local traffic only so it is very quiet. Highly recommended.

Liz

[eminva]

We all have our limits — the tornado forecast scared me off the bike today. That, plus my husband had to drive into the city and wanted an extra body in the car to drive on I-66. In order to keep my NBC streak alive, I’ll have to think of a lunchtime errand I can run on CaBi. I’m open to suggestions.

Best wishes this afternoon to everyone who will be out there on the bike. Keep your eye on the forecast and stay safe.

Liz

[eminva]

Thank you Arlingtonrider for organizing this! It was fun. Great to see some forum folks I had not met.

@vvill 21014 wrote:

And eminva – was that your new Cannondale?

Yes! So far, so good. Still getting used to those pedals — maybe one of these days I can clip in without having to look down.

Liz

[Author]

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