[FFX_Hinterlands]

We clearly need some video of this intersection for those of us who don’t get to experience it. Helmet cam?

[FFX_Hinterlands]

I would call the trail office. I’ve reported vehicles on the trail before. They’ll know the contractor.

Contact the W&OD Trail Office
Washington and Old Dominion Trail
21293 Smiths Switch Road
Ashburn, VA 20147-6016
phone: 703-729-0596
WOD@nvrpa.org

Contact the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority
Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority
5400 Ox Road
Fairfax Station, VA 22039
phone: 703-352-5900

[FFX_Hinterlands]

Our answer:

Dear Tom,

I believe the device you see is from Toole Design Company. We (NVRPA) has contracted out with them to conduct a study of various trail intersections and Sterling Blvd was one of six intersections slated for study. The other five are Wiehle Avenue in Reston, Columbia Pike in Arlington, Hunter Mill Road, Belmont Ridge Road in Ashburn, and I’m drawing a blank on the last one (Lee Highway??).

In any case let me know if you have further questions. Thanks,

Karl Mohle
Park Manager
W&OD Railroad Regional Park

[FFX_Hinterlands]

@creadinger it’s entirely possible that the driver just didn’t see you. They scanned for cars, didn’t see any and pulled out. Or they may have automatically dismissed you as a slow bicycle even though you were likely going along at a good clip. There’s not much we can do as cyclists except ride in the middle of the lane (instead of near to the curb) and try to be more visible by using a front flasher, etc.

I’m not trying to make excuses for the driver but trying to get across the idea that it may have been unintentional, not punitive. And no, I don’t drive a VW and I don’t love Vermont.

[FFX_Hinterlands]

I use baskets on my commuting bike. I put a backpack in the basket. If it rains I put the backpack in a trash bag first (that looks very classy, I assure you).
This bike has a Wald basket zip tied to the front rack (from Rivendell) and two Wald folding baskets on the back.

[IMG]https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GrtZ7YfVa4PTyL19jZdnXmDHSCOYJLwAQdvUJLtuQlo?feat=directlink[/IMG]

[FFX_Hinterlands]

@RESTONTODC 3874 wrote:

Yes, a FFX police officer in Reston has been giving out a lot of tickets for the group ride during recent weeks. He would follow the cyclists with his unmarked car and give out tickets if they don’t stop completely foot down at the stop signs.

I heard that 20 to 30 riders got the tickets from a group ride.

If you’re riding in Reston, you need to do a complete stop.

I would be fair if he would ticket the distracted drivers as well.

Rick

Today I stopped at the stop sign at Grace St in Herndon, only to have to stop again halfway through the cross walk for a minivan who blew through the stop sign. So if a bike blows through a stop sign, they could be hit by a car and hurt. If a car blows through a stop sign, someone could be hit by a car and hurt? Hmmmm.

[FFX_Hinterlands]

Well seeing that I’m in the Fairfax Hinterlands, my attendance is unlikely. Sounds like fun, though!

[FFX_Hinterlands]

Done! @bikefairfax and @tomwyland

[FFX_Hinterlands]

Do you have a twitter account that you’re using to tweet this survey? Let me know and I’ll retweet.

[FFX_Hinterlands]

I coworker stopped by my cube, looked around and asked “What you didn’t ride today?” I guess the lack clothing hanging all over my cube to dry (including helmet) is a tip off. It’s a bigger tip off when my folding bike is in the aisle.

[FFX_Hinterlands]

Like @creadinger I also commute without a shower, year-round. My commute is about 7 miles one way. I take a shower before I leave (or the night before) and just towel off at work before I change. I wear shorts and a T-shirt if the temp is over 60, otherwise I just wear my work pants and change shirts. I should mention I don’t have any hair on my head to mess up, though.

[FFX_Hinterlands]

We have it at my office. SHPS is the administrator. We have about 1000 employees and probably 20 who are bike commuters (a guess). I They started offering it this year, to my surprise. Not bad for the Western Suburbs.

[FFX_Hinterlands]

Glad you’re OK! I think the car-from-the-rear is the most rare type of collision. Wow, scary.

[FFX_Hinterlands]

@Jim… Can you believe they stopped before the biggest of the cracks on the East side? Killing me.

[FFX_Hinterlands]

How many folks have a bell? I don’t know how you could ride on a MUT like the WOD without one. One thing I’ve found.. I switched from a mini incredi-bell to a nice brass hammer-strike crane bell. The incredibell is pretty lound but short ring — it has no sustain. It makes a short “ping” sound. The brass bell has a much longer and louder sound…. RIIINNNGGGGGGGGG with more sustain. I think the longer tone helps pedestrians tell how fast you’re approaching. So the brass ones do work better. It even made the guy with over-the-ear headphones walking two pitbulls on 8-foot leads in the middle of the trail heard it.

Then again if you don’t like the idea of having the extra weight of a tiny aluminum black bell on your road bike you’re probably not going to get a giant brass one.

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