[eminva]

@OneEighth 5361 wrote:

35 mph on the Custis trail?

I think he’s referring to the double hill just after Glebe Road when you are coming inbound.

I would suggest ballast — some bricks in your backpack or panniers.

Liz

[eminva]

@CCrew 5341 wrote:

I’ve noticed that in the areas where you see lots of foxes (and cats) you tend to see few bunnies. Must really suck to be at the bottom of the food chain :p

I was coming back from Leesburg a few weeks ago when a rabbit darted out onto the trail ahead of me and went sprinting up the trail a little faster than I thought bunnies could go. My first thought was that my bike must be pretty intimidating to a bunny. Just as I got to the place in the bushes where the rabbit had come out, another animal darted out, which I thought might be another rabbit, but was instead a fox. My wheel was almost on top of him, so he gave me a startled look and took off in another direction. The bunny got a stay of execution.

Liz

[eminva]

This was in Vienna? We do love our holiday revelry. Be safe out there.

Liz

[eminva]

No recommendations for a particular shop, but I would go with your gut and wait for a mechanic you trust. BTW, it was Contes that discovered my frame was cracked this past winter, while it was in for some maintenance.

Liz

[eminva]

Glad to hear the damage was minimal, but how frightening. Best wishes for her continued speedy recovery.

Liz

[eminva]

@Joe Chapline 5200 wrote:

The drafting discussion is timely. With the Tour de France starting in two days, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s an increase in trail riders mimicking the pros.

Oh no, I fear you are right. Not that I am opposed to more cyclists, it’s just the etiquette.

One problem I am seeing a lot of is passing in oncoming traffic. I wait behind joggers and slower cyclists until all oncoming traffic has cleared. I see a lot of cyclists (coming from either direction) who try to squeeze through in the middle. No regard to whether pets, small children, roller skaters, etc. are involved.

Sorry for the rant — In know I’m preaching to the choir.

Liz

[eminva]

@eminva 5194 wrote:

I asked this question way back in the winter

Okay, and Brendan linked to it. Thanks!

Liz

[eminva]

I asked this question way back in the winter — it kind of creeped me out when someone started drafting unannounced (right after I passed him) when it was dark on the way home. Not sure this is logical, but if it is daylight I am less bothered by it because I can turn around and see who’s back there. Still, I think it is best to ask and of course take your turn doing the work.

It’s not something I would normally engage in because most of my commute is on the Custis and W&OD through Vienna which are very crowded during good weather. It’s crazy enough just trying to dodge all the obstacles by myself. In the winter, not so bad, and I think Greenbelt has pointed out that his trails are usually much less crowded.

Liz

[eminva]

Hmmm. . . .

“If you were on a bike, you would be home by now” — guess that would only aggravate them more, huh?

Looking forward to the other suggestions.

Liz

[eminva]

When I’m in the lane and passing someone in the same lane (or general vicinity), I always call a warning. I figure with all the traffic noise they wouldn’t hear me approaching. It’s kind of a defensive maneuver, just to prevent them from being startled or in case they were about to do something unexpected.

Having said that, I would anticipate them moving to avoid a large bus blocking their path, and would either not pass then or give an even wider berth.

But I’ve had plenty of people pass me on the street without a warning, so I don’t think it is expected.

Liz

[eminva]

@StopMeansStop 5112 wrote:

Damn. 20 miles is a long ride for me.

It’s just a slippery slope from riding out to Ashburn for barbeque to riding in a 200 mile event. And from there to trying to figure out how to tell your spouse you want to train for RAAM.

Liz

[eminva]

Nothing to add, just sorry to hear the news and hope you recover quickly and that the insurance company makes things easy.

Liz

[eminva]

@anj611 5036 wrote:

Hello, my name is Annie and I am very new to biking. I just took a job in downtown dc and live in Bethesda and am planning on taking the capital crest trail, but have no idea what type of bike I should buy. I believe I would like a hybrid with an extra small frame and something that can take a few rocks and bumps while not falling. I have to bike to union station and am planning on sticking to all trails. If anyone can point me in the right direction, that would be so so helpful! Thanks and I hope to see some of you on the trails soon!

Okay, getting back to the OP’s request —

Annie, welcome aboard. I looked at Google Maps and from “Bethesda” (no specific address) to Union Station it looks like about 12 miles each way. While any bike would get you there, for that kind of distance, comfort and speed enter into the equation. If you are on pavement the whole way, you could get a bike with smoother tires, thus less rolling resistance, thus easier to pedal 24 miles round trip. But you mentioned rocks and bumps so I guess you want to take it on unpaved trails, too. A hybrid, as you surmised, is an obvious choice, but I would suggest you go to several local bike shops and tell them exactly how you want to use the bike, budget as well as any wish list items (fenders? specific style of saddle? etc.) and see what they recommend. The more specific you are about how you wish to use the bike, the better they will be able to match the right bike to your needs.

As for a specific bike shop, I would just google bike shops in your area and try out two or three. They are all good and at least far superior to buying a bike at Wal-Mart, Sports Authority or other department store. Make sure it is convenient because you will be going back there for service, extra bike-related goodies and so on.

Best wishes on your commute! It is fun and 150% better than metro or car commuting.

Liz
Owner of four bikes, only one of which inexplicably has a name

[eminva]

Yeah, that “speedbump” is better than what we had on the old bridge, but I fear that if this is what it’s like when it’s new, then, as time takes its toll . . . not good.

I also think this is the intended alignment, or else they would have built up that slope on the right in your first picture more.

On a positive note, I like how nice and wide the new bridge is.

Thanks for raising these issues, Mark.

Liz

[eminva]

*Envy*envy*envy*

In all seriousness, have fun and I don’t have any specific questions — just make sure all the bike manufacturers know there are long haul commuters out there and we’d love more of a selection of bikes with all the features we need. Your example is a good one.

Liz

[Author]

Posts