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I ride the W&OD to work and people rarely signal when passing. At a signalized crosswalk I witnessed three cyclists blast out into the street, turn right with the flow of traffic, cut off a car to pull and u-turn and swing back into the crosswalk just to avoid waiting another 30 seconds for the light to change. A minute later another cyclist blew by everyone waiting for the light to change and careened into traffic at full speed. He made it across, but not without scaring the crap out of a couple of drivers I’m sure. The rest of us kind of looked at each other in disbelief and shook our heads.

I guess 10% of people drive their cars like idiots, why should cyclists be any different?

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I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one who commutes with a thermos full of coffee!

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There are lockers for rent at Herndon Monroe Transit they’re run by Fairfax County. You can catch buses every 5 minutes or so from there to WFC. That will be much more reliable than using Reston Town Center. There will be lockers at the temporary Park and Ride (relocation from Reston East) as well. Contact the county bike coordinator for more.

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I guess if there was a perfect commuter/transportation bike we’d all be riding the same one. I ride a Dutch-style bike, but then again my commute is fairly flat and less than 8 miles (one way). A commuting bike should have some things to make your life easier like fenders, rack, chain guard, etc. IMO a commuting bike shouldn’t require special shoes or attire. If you can’t ride it in regular shoes and business casual attire, you won’t ride it as much (especially someone just starting out). I’ll second the recommendation for Phoenix Bikes or similar co-ops, as long as you don’t settle for a bike that doesn’t fit. Of course, for selfish reasons I usually point people to http://www.bikesfortherestofus.com/ .

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Bikewalk VA has posted an online survey and would like input. Please see the FABB Blog Post:
http://fabb-bikes.blogspot.com/2011/03/bikewalk-virginia-survey.html

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@roadCruiser76 2643 wrote:

Has anyone been out to the western portions of the W&OD – particularly west of Ashburn? Just wondering about the conditions out there.

Herndon to Pacific Blvd (West of Route 28) is clear aside for a 10′ stretch under the Church St. Bridge. The shade of the bridge has kept it frozen edge to edge.

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Tomorrow, Wednesday Feb 16th: Monthly meeting of FABB members at 7:30 p.m. at Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Avenue East Vienna, VA near the W&OD Trail.

All are welcome. @PrintError we’d love to hear about your W&OD time-trail commutes.

Lots of great things to discuss at the meeting!

http://www.fabb-bikes.org/events.html

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Ugh, I’m all ready to go West on the W&OD this morning. It’s colder than I expected, perhaps I’ll pass. Too bad it might be the only commute day for me this week.

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Here’s another photo looking West towards the Route 28 Overpass from Ruritan Circle. I can see actual pavement!
[IMG]https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RlPEskEGVUQknFppKJUo-E1o2q1cn1McEi6hNsvycSs?feat=directlink[/IMG]
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RlPEskEGVUQknFppKJUo-E1o2q1cn1McEi6hNsvycSs?feat=directlink

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@CCrew 2208 wrote:

Historically the answer has always been:
1: No Funding
2: Not plowing as that gives the cross-country skiiers, snowshoers, etc a chance to use it.

Interesting to see if that’s changed. Not like it’s not a major commuting corridor

FABB Reported yesterday that NVRPA has purchased a snowblower and plans to use it to clear the W&OD. They won’t get it until Mid Feb so who knows if it will be in action this year. Great news, though. http://cot.ag/hwB0HY

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Here’s the W&OD Looking west towards the Route 28 Bridge (Loudoun Co).
[IMG]http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ygQjHV6gks9SRsr-46SC8U1o2q1cn1McEi6hNsvycSs?feat=directlink[/IMG]
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ygQjHV6gks9SRsr-46SC8U1o2q1cn1McEi6hNsvycSs?feat=directlink

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Did anyone else hear that they are/were considering plowing the W&OD this winter? What ever happened to that effort? It kind of burns me that 55 miles of Reston paths were plowed out by this morning but the W&OD is a snowbank and will be that way until it melts. Frustrating!

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I’ve taken my steel-fendered 26″ (x 1.95) bike on Fairfax County Bus Racks. The hook is supposed to go over the top of the tire(12 oclock) and it didn’t hold my bike very well at the 10/2 o clock position. A driver suggested that I bring a strap with me to help hold it down. I had a Rivendell “Irish Strap” with me and it helped quite a bit. So bring a strap with you if you’re not sure.

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I’ve had good luck with A-1 in Clocktower (Herndon). They’re very friendly and no-frills. Sam is the service manager there.

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I’ve taking my rather large Dutch bike from Herndon-Monroe P&R to WFC Metro (drops off in the same bus bays). My bike barely fit in the elevator, and it’s 68 inches long with a wide front rack. I had about 1-2 inches to spare with the bike diagonal in the elevator. So door to door it would not fit the bike if I pulled it straight in. It would have been easier to take it on the escalator. After the elevator simply walked my bike across the platform to the kiss and ride area. no one gave me a second look. I think many of the regulations pertain to bikes on trains and platforms, not the upper level. The issue is that there is no alternate route other than escalators and elevators to get from the bus bays to the kiss and ride, which makes me think the operators/WMATA folks should be forgiving if the elevator doesn’t work out.

As a second step you may want to consider riding the W&OD all the way to Van Buren St (herndon) and riding south to Herndon Monroe P&R. It should cut off a good 11 miles from your commute. Fairfax Connector buses are frequent in the AM and have external bike racks on the front of the bus. Take extra tie downs for your bike, though.

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