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@MFC 143051 wrote:

However, you can ride on sidewalks in the CBD if they are subject to NPS jurisdiction, which may allow a cyclist on part of the Independence Avenue sidewalks. Not sure where the NPS jurisdiction starts.

“Within the CBD, bicycling is allowed on lands under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service including places like Lafayette Park, Farragut Square Park, the National Mall and Dupont Circle. However, if cyclists do ride on the sidewalk they must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.”

Is Independence technically part of the National Mall, or not?

I’ve learned something today. Didn’t know before that these NPS sidewalks are exceptions to the CBD rules. I use them often, and now I know I’m right to do so if they seem safer than road conditions.

And I really want to smack a self-righteous woman who yelled and I mean YELLED at me once as I was enjoying a lovely, slow, peaceful cruise down the Mall at night when no one else was around. It was awhile ago, but whoa, the attitude!

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@CaseyKane50 142981 wrote:

Your photos are of the LBJ memorial – Texas granite monolith.

Where we admired the riverfront view, and read LBJ quotes aloud, e.g. “I hope it may be said a hundred years from now. that by working together we helped to make our country more just for all its people … I believe that at least it will be said that we tried.”

@CaseyKane50 142981 wrote:

The Navy Merchant Marine Memorial has waves and seagulls.

Which we also circled on our way up to 14th St bridge.

An excellent post-coffee caravan!

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Meatmotor-recommended and hozn-endorsed Fizik Performance Classic bar tape in metallic blue. Nice to have a happy, cushy, socially acceptable handlebar again.

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@huskerdont 142829 wrote:

Having more than one bike is great because you don’t worry so much if one breaks down; you just ride the other until it’s fixed.

That is exactly how I wound up with two cars. (The engine block incident was particularly traumatic, but in retrospect I have no regrets.)

I’ve also got (only?) two bikes. I just keep modifying them to make me happy.

Not sure I could define what makes some old bikes “vintage” and others junk, when parts are almost infinitely replaceable.

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@cvcalhoun 142810 wrote:

Just a lot of little things. And when we’re talking about a bike for which I originally paid $250, the question is how many repairs are worthwhile to avoid buying a new one.

That is precisely the question. For $250 you can do a fair amount of routine maintenance stuff to keep the existing bike rolling. Before you go hunting for a replacement, I’d at least find out what “little things” bring it back to acceptable working order.

It’s in no way a personal judgment, just a passionate peculiarity of mine that dislikes when things get tossed aside because it’s inconvenient to maintain them. As Judd mentioned if the frame is still in good shape, there’s nothing else that can’t be fixed. Go with the same level of components that you’ve got now, and it’s like you’ve doubled its lifespan. If your LBS seems unwilling to give it the effort (or are they hoping you’ll buy a new, more expensive bike?), maybe someone can recommend a mechanic who likes to tinker so you can get a real estimate for the overhaul.

Just not sure it makes sense to go replacing it with a new or somewhat used version of exactly the same bike. I just upgraded the drive train on a 15-year-old road bike that might have cost more than the original (NEVER add up the receipts!), but I still love and ride it. Bought the parts on eBay and Spokes was happy to assemble it for me.

(My “reduce, reuse, recycle” mentality also keeps me maintaining two cars I rarely drive — one had an engine block replacement $$$, and the other got a new hybrid battery pack $$ — because they’re paid for and I still find them useful. It eases my environmental conscience but doesn’t necessarily make economic sense.)

Whatever you decide, good luck — the bike sounds like a real trooper!

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Count me in!

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@Judd 142414 wrote:

I’m proposing a rule to prevent Midwesterners in tank tops from eating pretzels on a motorized vehicle with an operator using an amplified speaker and stopping so people can trample the gravesite of Audie Murphy. It just doesn’t seem dignified.

#Lumberjack2016 !

My Dad is an Army veteran and will end up at ANC next to Mom someday — he’s 87 and plans to live past 100.

Mom didn’t even know how to ride a bike. But both of them, presented with this “bike ban” nonsense, would tell the Department of the Army they’re out of their ever-lovin’ minds. I said as much, and more, in my comments. People can’t pay their respects to the dead looking over a wall, and exclusion based on a mode of transportation is silly. It would be reasonable to keep a perimeter around the Tomb and other sacred spaces (better yet, install bike racks so cyclists can leave the bike and go participate), but otherwise cycling may be the perfect way to tour the cemetery and its sites. It wouldn’t be hard to accomplish both and maintain the decorum.

Despite telling us specifically not to, I copied dasgeh’s first sentence (it just didn’t seem to need improvement) and ad libbed the rest. However, the form still says only 2 comments have been received, and I’m worried it got passed over. Hopefully someone on that end is actually reading them.

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@TwoWheelsDC 142399 wrote:

I have to confess that I just assumed bikes were already banned in ANC, given that the entrance at Marshall Drive has at least two “no bikes” signs.

Almost. There is a bike rack at the Memorial Ave entrance, but they can’t go much further.

Bicycle Use Policy

Bicycles are only permitted within cemetery grounds on Meigs Drive, Sherman Drive and Schley Drive traveling in one direction from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall towards Memorial Avenue or as otherwise authorized by the Executive Director.

Bicyclists may use the route indicated above during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. from April 1 to September 30 and 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. from October 1 to March 31.

For more information call 1-877-907-8585.

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My mother is also in the Columbarium section. I just submitted my comments as well.

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@TwoWheelsDC 142173 wrote:

Have you tried charging anything with the solar panel directly? Panel>battery pack>device seems like the smartest route, but would you be able to ditch the battery back if you were trying to minimize what you were going to carry?

Great question. Yes, the solar panel can charge a device directly. Here it is charging my iPhone with a lightning cable.

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The catch is, we didn’t consistently get sun on the GAP-C&O. I’ve developed the habit to toss the panel-battery combo in an open area (grass, sidewalk, table) as soon as I stop somewhere, but otherwise it’s on my rear rack. The nice thing about the Venture battery pack is it’s storing whatever intermittent energy it gets as we ride through sun and shade.

The other great thing about the Venture 30 is its capacity. I could charge every gadget I had, daily, without draining the battery. My previous solar thingy (a Solio) had terrible capacity, and wasn’t as reliable.

If I had to choose only one, I would take the Venture battery pack and leave the solar panel home. Because the Venture can be charged at an electrical outlet, I’d only need to worry about it every couple of days. For a wilderness trip, I’d take both.

Also, the battery pack allows “pass-through power” so it can charge a device and be recharged at the same time. Pretty smart. I had to plug in my Polar watch halfway through each day (which meant I wasn’t wearing it) so it would record the entire day’s route. The Venture is also built to withstand water (spray or rain, not submersible), and it passed that test too.

I have a tiny USB converter (USB, mini, and micro) that I tuck into the pocket. Mine’s an iGo KeyJuice (discontinued but still available on Amazon), plenty of choices there for whatever interfaces you need.

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The stuff I ordered is Fizik Performance Classic in 3mm. Microtex appears to be what they call the material they use.

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@hozn 142121 wrote:

Check out the Fizik microtouch tape.

Thanks, hozn! I found and ordered some in a few colors.

Turns out the leak in the rear tube was a miniscule puncture, not the valve at all. Who knows what got in there or how, but…… 187 miles of C&O Canal. A patched tube is better than none at all in an emergency, so I’ll hang onto it.

Despite the reputation of Schwalbe flatless tires for being tough to get over the rims, I easily changed out the 40s for new 28s. Thumbs only. Took off the fenders, now Vaya is down to her summer weight. I left the rear rack on, so I can use the trunk bag for commuting.

The result of de-mudding after a tour is so gratifying.

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So, this was posted today about a public meeting that……. was today.

Just blocks from the White House… new bike and bus lanes?

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Those pictures……………

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@lordofthemark 141425 wrote:

1. It seems from the above, that most folks rely on snacks, bars, drinks, etc the entire ride and never sit down for a meal. Is that correct? My roundtrip on the W&OD took 12 hours, about 8 in the saddle. Not sure not having a “meal” all day is a good strategy. Of course I could try go faster (note I am riding a hybrid)

I often do eat a real meal, especially when we’re out touring. We’ll take whatever opportunities present themselves when we roll through town and get lunch. I try to stick to healthy choices with some protein, veggies, and some carbs (which are more immediately available as energy). At a touring pace, I’m not in my red zone and a meal doesn’t affect me adversely.

@lordofthemark 141425 wrote:

2. I am have a hard time with the notion of drinking my calories (beer aside) or taking too much as simple carbs – years of changing habits that helped me lose weight (I used to be obese) and my concern about my blood sugar. I feel comfortable with the idea of cliff bars – seem to have a fair amount of fibers compared to sugars, a fair amount of unsat fat vs sat fat, and a general mix of nutrients, and some potassium.

It’s a delicate dance between fueling yourself for activity and overeating, or undereating, either of which can throw your metabolism into a tailspin. I can’t even endure a sedentary day without a couple of real wholesome meals, so surviving on minimal snacks or convenience store foods during a long ride is out of the question. It’s physiology, and not an issue of willpower. My strategy is to eat things I’m accustomed to eating, and do it frequently enough that I don’t bonk.

Do check out the Feed Zone references above. With minimal cooking skills, you can make your own portable snacks out of real ingredients with well documented nutritional balance. I’ve completely eliminated manufactured, processed, prepackaged “power bars” of any brand, and am much happier for it.

In the hydration category I use Nuun tablets in one of my two water bottles (the second being plain water) for the electrolytes and some flavor.

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