[ginacico]

@peterw_diy 180780 wrote:

ginacico, whose border rendition is that? If you look at any of Alexandria’s current maps like the Parcel Viewer it’s pretty clear Alexandria thinks Arlington owns the northern 4MR trail west of Route 1. Arlington’s map seems to agree.

Google Maps. It’s accuracy may be questionable.

[ginacico]

@consularrider 180772 wrote:

Is that a little slice of Alexandria? The Arlington/Alexandria border between Shirlington Rd and the former Berkeley Apartments site is very confusing.

Interesting question, the border does get a little jaggy there.

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However, I’m pretty sure Arlington manages the 4MRT. Alexandria has the honor of looking after the Wayne F. Anderson Bikeway on the other side of the creek. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.

And thanks southrunslug, the section under Glebe Rd is a rutted dangerous mess.

[ginacico]

There are a couple of great threads on fenders.

Thread 1 (debating the issue of VO not having a quick release)

Thread 2 (with Dirt’s pro methods for how to install VOs)

[ginacico]

@lordofthemark 180743 wrote:

Do I need to look back to check for passing bikes before signalling a left?

I’ve had exactly the same thing happen, at the same place.

I don’t think you should have to, either. As drivers, we signal a left turn and assume everyone behind us will stay in the lane and let us peel off. Cyclists who think they’re entitled to pass without an audible signal, though, make it necessary to check behind before making a left. I’d rather do that than get in a wreck with some idiot.

[ginacico]

@Judd 180709 wrote:

E-CaBis are on the streets tomorrow.

Only 80 in the system. Which means it’ll be like trying to find a unicorn. I’ll give it a test ride if it’s not a competitive sport just to locate one.

I find the “juicers” or volunteer ($) scooter chargers quite entertaining. Today I saw a guy on Army Navy Drive riding a Bird, while he had at least two others somehow balanced onboard. Ghosting to an extreme.

[ginacico]

@Judd 180573 wrote:

It looks like Jump is going to be the lone survivor operating bikes.

Yup, but don’t leave out CaBi. As members found out by email this week, Capital Bikeshare will be adding ebikes to their fleet and rental agreement starting September 5th.

With dockless bikes imposing a lock-to policy (which Jump already had) and docked systems adding ebikes, the lines just get blurrier.

And then there’s this, and I’m totally not sure what to make of it.

[ginacico]

The sewer bypass project on Four Mile Run continues. Pipe has been laid out all the way from the S/W Glebe intersection to Eads.

Where the pipe crosses the trail between Mt Vernon and the treatment plant, they’ve built THIS to navigate over it. It’s solid, it has stripes and a non-skid surface, and huge signs warning you of its presence. When they’ve gone to such lengths to keep the trail open when possible, it’s hard to complain about the periods when it’s not.

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The section between S/W Glebe and S Troy is still detoured to the sidewalk. People seem to be coping with it, despite it being so narrow. Stay safe.

[ginacico]

@Judd 180179 wrote:

Can someone take a picture? The description seems to indicate that the County should establish a detour. I’m traveling so I can’t cruise by but I’ll raise some heck with my County reps tonight if it’s warranted.

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The only section where the pipe blocks the trail is where there’s no other space between the wall and fence. They’ve added lots of warning signs.

And… further down where they’re doing construction they’ve put out a cooler with free water, and a sign apologizing for the inconvenience.

Not sure I’d complain myself.

[ginacico]

Mobike has already refunded my (very small) investment in their pilot program. Ofo has also promised a refund within 30 days, and even has a message that pops up in their app explaining their departure plans. It’s fair and decent of them, I’m sad to see them go.

Aside from Jump and Limebike, who got propped up by carshare companies, Spin appears to be sticking around until further notice. And scooters are ubiquitous.

As this great social experiment shakes out, GGWash is proposing some new regulations to support up to 20,000 shared bikes and scooters. Yeah, really, 20k plus.

If DC decides to go all-in with transportation alternatives, it won’t happen without commitment to infrastructure and policy changes.

[ginacico]

@ebubar 179494 wrote:

I also expect an ebike changes the mix as I should be able to easily maintain ~20 mph through the whole route making me think city roads are better than trails where I wouldn’t keep those speeds for safety purposes.

You said this, and I just wanted to highlight it. Still, be prepared for some … er, critique?… from people who hate ebikes blowing by them at 20+ on multi-use trails like CCT, Anacostia Riverwalk, Met Branch, or the Custis. Fair warning.

I’m not all that familiar with the DC portion of your route, but strategically I would pick the straightest roads with the fewest lights and least traffic. It will take some trial and error, and your options may change when you get the ebike. If you can achieve 20+ average, feel free to take the lane even on streets with bike lanes (like M Street). When you get to Arlington, Wilson Blvd is fairly calm. Some people take the lane on Lee Hwy and are fine with it. Just ride carefully and predictably on the roads, and you could reduce the commute time.

Beast of a commute indeed. Thanks for subtracting one car, and good luck.

[ginacico]

Our local friend Lynn Salvo is currently documenting her ride across Canada in her blog Life is Like a Bike. Her personal theme and motivation for the trip is “Peace.”

She was interviewed by a local TV station on arrival at the Peace Bridge in Calgary yesterday. Click to the video then skip forward to about 25:00.

She left Tofino on Vancouver Island two weeks ago, and is expected to arrive on the east coast Sunday, August 26th.

This is her second attempt at an official Guinness world record. Her first record was set in 2016 as the oldest female to cycle across the United States.

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” Go, Lynn!!

[ginacico]

How dockless is done in Zurich. Like everything Swiss, neat and organized. It’s easy because pretty much every intersection has a bike rack. The transit center had an indoor bike garage on the lower level, full of double-decker racks and free to use.
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Also they have roads dedicated to bikes. The homeowners probably have special permission to park there.
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Every town, even the smallest ones, had covered bike parking near the train station.
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Why does Switzerland get to have nice things? Because they’ve made it a priority (and pay high taxes to support it).

[ginacico]

15th Street cycletrack between L and M is finally OPEN. It looks like L Street between 16th and 15th is about to open up as well; I’ll check it out tonight, but it appeared most of the barricades have been removed.

This is the site of the (former) WaPo building, where construction created the worst “safe passage” failure in the city. Oh happy day.

[ginacico]

@consularrider 178929 wrote:

I rode with another retired Foreign Service spouse staying in gasthauses and hotels. We did overlap a little bit of Gina’s Switzerland-Italy (and Austria and Germany) route.

Great pics – Of course now I want to go back to see Lindau and all the other places we missed! SUCH a great place for bike travel.

[ginacico]

Understood. Other $#!+ my Dad says: “It’s complicated.” I’m all for quick wins, in this city that’s often the best we can get.

My route to avoid Farragut Square is left on L to 15th. Whatever happened with safe accommodations around the old WaPo construction site (L between 16th and 15th)? I think WABA advocated for better access early on, but clearly we were shouting into the wind and lost on that one, and still suffer the consequences. It’s a disgrace.

Just in… apparently the expansion of 17th Street bike lanes is not without its detractors. Of course.

Go sign that petition, folks.

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