FFX_Hinterlands

Forum Replies Created

Viewing 15 posts - 406 through 420 (of 421 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • in reply to: Is bike etiquette dead? #925347
    FFX_Hinterlands
    Participant

    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?

    in reply to: How to commute with a change of cloths? #925342
    FFX_Hinterlands
    Participant

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

    in reply to: Reston Commuter Station – bike lockers? #925306
    FFX_Hinterlands
    Participant

    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.

    in reply to: Bike for Newbie Commuters? #925279
    FFX_Hinterlands
    Participant

    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/ .

    in reply to: FABB monthly meeting Wed., March 16th #925263
    FFX_Hinterlands
    Participant

    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

    in reply to: W&OD and Custis Conditions 02/22/2011 #925152
    FFX_Hinterlands
    Participant

    @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.

    in reply to: FABB monthly meeting Wed., December 15 #924983
    FFX_Hinterlands
    Participant

    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

    in reply to: WOD and Curtis Trail Condition on Feb 6, 2011 #924896
    FFX_Hinterlands
    Participant

    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.

    in reply to: Trail Conditions 2011-01-26 #924890
    FFX_Hinterlands
    Participant

    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

    in reply to: Trail Conditions 2011-01-26 #924820
    FFX_Hinterlands
    Participant

    @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

    in reply to: Trail Conditions 2011-01-26 #924779
    FFX_Hinterlands
    Participant

    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

    in reply to: Road Conditions 2011-01-27 #924751
    FFX_Hinterlands
    Participant

    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!

    in reply to: Metrobus racks #923419
    FFX_Hinterlands
    Participant

    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.

    FFX_Hinterlands
    Participant

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

    FFX_Hinterlands
    Participant

    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.

Viewing 15 posts - 406 through 420 (of 421 total)