[eminva]

@Dirt 4257 wrote:

I’m a firm believer in spending a bit of time in someone else’s shoes. It reminds me that I need to slow down when I’m in an area with a fair amount of traffic of any kind. Do I really need to get to work any earlier? It is much better if I dial it back a little and be safe and polite.

I think this is a good point and it bears repeating. Yes, we have had this conversation on this forum before and yes, we are somewhat preaching to the choir, but I think it is incumbent on those of us who use the trail A LOT to look out for the more vulnerable trail users, whether they be runners, pets being walked, small children, or even adults who are new bicyclists and may not be familiar with all the etiquette yet.

Tomorrow we’ll be back in the 90’s so I bet the trail quiets down a bit again. 😎

[eminva]

I have the Novara panniers from REI and they work great for grocery shopping. They hold a ton of stuff.

Liz

[eminva]

Thanks everyone, for your input — appreciated.

This whole thread, especially Dirt’s photo, is making me flash back to middle school when my brother had a paper route and I had to do it for him on the weekends when he went off camping. There were racks and panniers on the front and rear. If I remember correctly they were made out of two by fours and canvas. There was also a messenger bag, but not a cushy Chrome bag, but a huge, flimsy muslin affair. I remember one day when the rig was so heavy I could not get it going, so I had to keep coming back to the house for a refill of newspapers. Oh well, kept me in school so I could someday have an office job . . . which I ride my bike to.

Dirt, the hipster skidding contest, as well as the sidewalk riding contest, salmon contest and CaBi fashion contest are all right outside my window on L Street, all day, everyday.

Liz

[eminva]

This is almost the exact opposite of the question I was thinking of asking! Anyway, I’ve always used a rack so I will attempt to answer your questions:

I have a rack and a trunk bag with optional panniers that can be opened. Most of the time I can get everything I need in the main compartment and keep the panniers zipped up. When I need to bring my laptop or something else large home I open the panniers and they are very spacious. Everything handles very well regardless of weight distribution. It might be a problem if you are carrying serious weight, but I never tried. I did ride for a while without the rack when I got my new frame and the bike did seem more zippy, but you get used to it. If you have tabs on your frame for the rack it shouldn’t affect your tire changing efforts. If you don’t have tabs, you need a special rack. Let me know and I can steer you in the right direction on that.

I don’t think I could get a laptop in the trunk bag, though. It’s more of a cube shaped space. You might be able to find something specialized that would do the job.

The question I had for the troops is this: how tolerable is a backpack or messenger bag in the heat? I had major surgery a couple of years ago which ruled out carrying anything on my back, but I think I could do it now and was thinking of making a switch at some point in the future. However, it’s bad enough out there in 90+ degree heat, so I can’t imagine adding a backpack. But I see plenty of people doing it so I guess it’s okay.

Liz (who looks uncool no matter what so the rack is the least of my worries)

[eminva]

I saw three deer crossing the trail between Cedar and Gallows (close to Cedar) a couple of hours ago. As I rode past they were munching on a tree in a yard.

Congrats on meeting your recruiting goal. I have not been able to convince anyone, at least not that I know of. Of course I have no way of knowing how many “if that old lady can do it, I bet I can” cyclists I have inspired.

Liz

[eminva]

I believe City Bikes also carries them.

Liz

[eminva]

“Completely foot down”? What about those accomplished cyclists who can come to a complete stop without dropping a foot?

I guess in the presence of an officer of the law I would do the belt and suspenders approach. I also agree that some deterrence is needed at some of the trail crossings. I concur that I would love to see it involving the motorists. too.

Liz

[eminva]

I assume you want to look like you don’t stick out among non-cyclists? Because there is no team kit too garish not to be admired by your fellow cyclists.

Depending on how much you want to spend, there are some high end bicycle clothing manufacturers that make technical gear in somewhat more subdued designs (I’m thinking Rapha, there are probably others). $$$$

You could go the route of my brother the mountain bike enthusiast — he wears sunblock technical t-shirts and baggy shorts over his bike shorts. You could blend in with a crowd in that (see REI, Sierra Trading Post). $$$

You can also get plain jerseys that don’t have team names or bike store names, etc. plastered all over them (see Sierra Trading Post). $$

If you are a female and don’t like going about in bike shorts, you could get a couple of stretch minis (terrybicycles.com) to put on over your shorts. $$$

Liz

[eminva]

During the week I usually ride the W&OD and Custis Trails from Vienna in to DC. Eleven days ago, I took a Friday off and rode the other direction out to Leesburg. I took money, water bottle and a few snacks. I was able to find frequent enough fountains to keep my water bottle full and there were adequate facilities if not actual restrooms (there is a Porta-Pottie for trail users at Smith Switch in Ashburn). I didn’t have to spend any money on bottled water or food. It was a really pleasant ride and saw lots of flora and fauna. I would go miles without seeing another trail user. Would highly recommend this route/day of week/time of day to frustrated roadies who are fed up with having to pass so many kids with training wheels/dog walkers/slow commuters on their usual training routes along the more congested parts of the trail.

From my house, it was about 10 miles exactly to the center of Herndon. That looks like a nice place to stop for lunch and sight seeing. Lots to do right by the trail. Don’t know about facilities because I was just passing through.

Liz

[eminva]

I am very sorry to hear this news. I do hope the cyclist is able to recover from his injuries. What a sad coda to an otherwise good day. I appreciate that you will be a witness for the challenges that bicyclists face in your profession.

Liz

[eminva]

A few years ago, there were a series of chalk messages and elaborate art on the W&OD every quarter mile or so through Falls Church. They concluded with a big “Happy Birthday” message to someone. It happened to be my birthday, too, so I considered myself to be a joint recipient of the well wishes.

Liz

[eminva]

I forgot to say, thanks Pete, for the photographs. A picture speaks a thousand words.

Chris, congrats on the bike commuting and I hope that other cyclist is okay, too.

Liz

[eminva]

Hooray for Bike to Work Day! Thanks WABA!

I think I saw more people than ever cycling in today. There were a couple of dozen on the W&OD waiting to cross Gallows by the time the light changed. Come out everyday, people!

Was surprised to see a new pit stop at Dunn Loring (should have stopped because they appeared to have reflective vests and mine has fallen apart, oh well, can always get one at the Home Depot). There was also an impromptu pit stop at Falls Church (by the Lodge Hall near the Arlington/Falls Church county line).

The Rosslyn pit stop, as always, was tops, with best food and swag. And huge turnout at about 7:45. Plus entertainment! A stunt cycling show.

Didn’t go to Freedom Plaza — Farragut Square was hosting its first ever pit stop so I registered there to support my own neighborhood. They had a steady stream of customers, too. Thought about going over to Freedom Plaza from there, but how many breakfasts can one eat?

Thanks again to WABA, Bike Arlington and everyone for making this great event happen.

Liz

[eminva]

The advantages of the late shift: I missed the rain (except for the puddles).

It’s amazing how many crazy and dangerous things you see at this time of the year. It makes me think of BikeSnobNYC’s descriptor “Beautiful Godzillas.” I don’t mean to be sexist; I see men all the time that fit the profile, too (if not more of them). I guess it is lucky something is protecting them from themselves.

As for drying out shoes, may I recommend this: http://www.dryguy.net/DG10.html

Liz

[eminva]

Yes, definitely!

(I mean I agree with Baiskeli, you definitely should)

Liz

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