[eminva]

Yes, it is paved all the way and the pavement is in excellent shape.

Liz

[eminva]

Hmm, just tried entering the appropriate addresses for my commute from Vienna, VA to DC, and it didn’t seem to be aware of the W&OD or Custis Trails — it routed me on surface streets all the way.

I tried my work address and the address of a bike shop a couple of miles away, but for which there are about a dozen ways to go, and it came up with a route that is probably the best option.

One downside is that it did not tell you how far you have to go on each street.

Liz

[eminva]

@DaveK 8666 wrote:

DC is not allowed to mark yellow lines on Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the Capitol – I think the Fine Arts Commission put their foot down on this one. It’s for the inauguration parades every four years. They take out the signal poles and all physical infrastructure on Penn in that stretch to allow the inauguration parade to pass.

Gee, when I watch a football game on TV, they can project a yellow line on the field so viewers can see how far it is to first down. So why can’t they virtually erase a yellow line on a street for all the folks in TV land who might be offended by street markings while watching the inaugural parade?

Sorry for being flippant — it just seems so silly at times.

Liz

[eminva]

Hello —

I can’t comment on the small stature issue; I am a woman but a bit on the taller side (riding a 54 cm frame bike). However, I do have very nice things to say about Jamis steel frame road bikes. I had a Quest and now have an Eclipse and loved them both. I would let fit be the primary consideration though; take a test ride on all and see what works best. I would prioritize fit over water bottle capacity.

I don’t know a lot about it, but I believe Terry Bicycles are designed for women and they have given a lot of thought to the geometry for the female cyclist. You could take a look at their website, too.

Good luck and have fun. New bike!

Liz

[eminva]

I was waiting to meet a friend on G Street a couple of days ago and saw a gaggle of Segways pass through on the bike lane. Within the block that I watched, they encountered the typical bike lane obstacles: a car double parked in the bike lane (they had to swing out into traffic to pass) and several cars “right hooking” the Segway line into a parking garage entrance. The tour guide seemed to be particularly concerned about one rider and was holding her by the shoulder most of the way. But others at the back of the line were getting separated from the group as cars pulled in and out of garages. Didn’t look too safe or fun to me.

Oh, and the tour guide had on a helmet, but the straps were unfastened.

Can’t imagine what the insurance must run on an operation like that.

Liz

[eminva]

So, the 200 Mile Ride and the adventure up in the mountains this weekend were just a warmup? You are a glutton for punishment, Pete! :p

In all seriousness, very sorry about your brother but what a wonderful legacy. Happy to support you and best wishes.

Liz

[eminva]

Hello Everyone —

Thanks for your advice, and I made it! I’m glad I did it. As others pointed out, it is a great way to see the city. As others also pointed out, virtually impossible to get any momentum due to stop lights, seven page cue sheet, etc. But it was still fun and my fellow riders and the officials were all super friendly and supportive. The weather was also great, despite a dodgy forecast.

For the record, I passed on the burrito and ate my home made PBJ sandwich for lunch. Also, the hills were killers, but luckily I was very familiar with those lovely hills in the last 15 miles because I used to live in that area and commute through there.

I also did not take up Pete’s suggestion of state themed musical selections, but I did attempt a bicycle-photograpy biathlon and made a collage of all the state street signs, which will be attached if I do this right.

Liz
[ATTACH=CONFIG]409[/ATTACH]

[eminva]

Congratulations, Ann! Excellent work, and I think you DID maintain your sense of humor quite well. Great write up.

Liz

[eminva]

@Dirt 8450 wrote:

There is usually somewhere in between that is an approach that actually comes close to helping relations.

The relatively few times I have taken the trouble to chase down and talk to a fellow cyclist had positive outcomes. Come to think of it, each instance involved an unsafe pass that endangered me and a pedestrian or multiple pedestrians. In each case I was forthright but polite. Maybe they were just so astonished to have someone (especially a beyond middle age woman) challenge them they were temporarily disarmed. I had a thoughtful conversation with one guy who gave all the appearances of taking our exchange to heart. Who knows, but I try.

Liz

[eminva]

Hello Kathy —

I usually get home from work (via Custis and W&OD) around 7 to 7:30, so at certain times of the year I am riding in partial or full darkness. I feel okay on the trail, though in the winter it is not unheard of not to see another living being past East Falls Church. For this reason, I try to avoid coming home too late when it is dark. It feels a little creepy.

Ditto on the ninja joggers, etc. That would probably be your biggest worry on the trails near you.

And competitive roller bladers(?!). I thought I’d heard of everything.

Liz

[eminva]

@paytonc 8253 wrote:

Supposedly, this will get even easier in 2012 when roll-on bike service is supposed to be implemented between here and Pgh.

Ooh, this would be great news. Did Amtrak announce this? When? Where?

We are starting to research this trip for 2012. Yes, as a matter of fact, I do start planning vacations a year in advance. Doesn’t everyone?

Liz

[eminva]

@Dirt 8163 wrote:

The driver is looking in one direction and driving in a completely different one.

When I was visiting my parents last month, my mother had a new Volvo that had a feature that alerted the driver whenever something or someone was getting too close to the car (or vice versa). My first thought was to sheepishly think how many alarm bells I might be setting off when lane splitting. On further reflection, maybe this technology, as it becomes more widespread on automobiles, can help save cyclists.

Liz

[eminva]

A belated thanks to everyone who made this meeting happen. I arrived late and couldn’t hear too well, but it was useful. I hope the assembled officials could see how many people are affected by this situation and feel strongly about it. Perhaps they will be able to devise something to improve the situation, within the considerable limitations imposed by topography, bureaucracy, etc.

I have to admit I was a bit discouraged by the remarks from the Chief of Police (I didn’t catch his name). I had already revised my route home to avoid crossing Lynn, and for the first time this morning I changed my morning routine, too. I crossed Key Bridge on the upstream side, waited for the right turning cars off Canal to clear, and positioned myself at the front of the queue of cars heading east on M Street. I had the distinct impression, based on the chief’s remarks, that as a cyclist I was pretty much on my own crossing Lynn, no matter what the signal said, and in the event of an accident, at best an investigating officer would assign fault to no one, and at worst, would assign it to me.

It was nice to talk to everyone afterwards, too. Thanks so much.

Liz

[eminva]

Does anyone know where and when any cyclocross events are scheduled in the DC area? It doesn’t have to be super high level competition. My son is intrigued about cyclocross and I thought it might be fun to go watch live somewhere. Thanks.

Liz

[eminva]

Must be the day for speeding through stop signs — in my own neighborhood, a woman didn’t even slow down, blew right through — as kids were assembling on the corner for the school bus. All’s well that end’s well, but geez.

But with the sun low on the horizon, the dew on the ball fields at Bejamin Banneker Park was glistening. I don’t have Pete’s photography skills, but it was beautiful. You don’t get those vistas from I-66 . . .

Liz

[Author]

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