[GovernorSilver]

Anybody deal with Worldwide Cyclery? Their price for the Schwalbes looks a tad better:

https://www.worldwidecyclery.com/products/schwalbe-marathon-gt-365-tire-26-x-2-0-wire-bead-black-with-dualguard-and-reflective-sidewall?nosto=productpage-nosto-3

[GovernorSilver]

@FFX_Hinterlands 165534 wrote:

Chain Reaction Cycles (UK) is having a tire sale. Good prices on Schwalbe tires. The last time I tried to post a UK link I was locked out of the forum for a few days, so you’ll just need to google it.

Thanks! Time to order a pair of Marathon GT 365s. Actually, 2 pairs – one in 26 x 2.00 for my Breezer and the other in 700×35

[GovernorSilver]

@KWL 163786 wrote:

…was a little eventful. I figured I would need to clean up and dry off when I got to the office but I didn’t count on needing to walk the last 4 miles to work pushing a bike with a blown out front rim. It became clear the tire trashing about made things worse so I removed it and clattered up the MVT on the rim. I was tempted to ride in the grass, but my bike handling skills aren’t all that great in the best circumstances. I took CaBi home and will transport an extra 26″ front wheel to my crippled XO-1 tomorrow. Note to self: Be more diligent in checking rim wear.

Sorry to hear that. I might have taken advantage of my AAA membership in that situation, since it includes byke roadside assistance – depending of course on distance to go.

[GovernorSilver]

Got away w/ riding with my very light Pearl Izumi jacket last cold season, with a bunch of layers. At under $20 this might be a nice addition:

https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/890768/marmot-calaveras-fleece-jacket-mens

Some other stuff on sale for 70% off:

https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/s/handpicked-deals?origin=web&pagesize=84&ir=collection%3Ahandpicked-deals&sort=relevance&outlet=true&mi_u=48725452&cm_mmc=email_com_gm-_-20170806_GAR_TempMarkdown_SL2-_-080617-_-cta_hero&rmid=20170806_GAR_TempMarkdown_SL2&ev36=21182682&rrid=48725452&ev11=1

[GovernorSilver]

Fairfax County Tax Holiday:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news2/sales-tax-holiday-aug-4-6-save-on-school-supplies-clothes-emergency-items/

Looks like some stuff for cycling might apply:

Footwear
Bungee cords
Batteries
Flashlights

[GovernorSilver]

@bobco85 163434 wrote:

Yeah, that section of the Potomac Yard Trail has been a PITA recently since it’s much easier to just take the lane on Potomac Ave rather than take the awkward detour that involves waiting for the unnecessarily long light at Glebe.

When I’m heading north on Potomac Ave. Trail, I normally switch to the street when I reach the S. Glebe intersection – when the wind conditions are reasonable anyway. My least favorite segment of the street (northbound) is between the cinema and the start of the bike lane – there’s like a half-foot drop off the right edge of the road. It was on that segment where the wind gusts were intense enough to either put me in front of cars, or blow me off the road. My coworker advised me to truly take the lane – ride in the middle – when it’s windy, and too bad for any driver who doesn’t want to spare the 30 seconds until one reaches the bike lane.

It’s either that or try to cross Potomac Ave. to the temporary trail (can be difficult as the temp trail does not connect to the intersection due to construction), ride the temp trail to the 35th St. intersection, and try to cross Potomac Ave. there to get to the bike lane, waiting for a light change that may never come, as it doesn’t seem to detect a cyclist.

[GovernorSilver]

Potomac Ave. Trail was extended north past S. Glebe.

However, it abruptly ends without a connection to the street. :rolleyes:

Luckily there seems to be enough would-be drivers on summer break that I was able to ride over the grass to get on Potomac Ave, without waiting.

[GovernorSilver]

Rode north on Potomac Ave. as usual. I don’t mind motorists trying to use it as a shortcut around Rt. 1 – they get punished for that by the backup to the Potomac Ave/Crystal Dr. intersection . Lack of easy access to the temporary MUP on the west side of the street, from the east side when heading north sucks, but the news about the plan to extend Potomac Ave Trail, presumably to meet the new Metro station, then go all the way to Crystal City is encouraging – a more comfortable route to ride on when the wind gusts are ridiculous.

Actually, what I dislike the most is the shuttle parked on Potomac Ave, across from the hotel, blocking the bike lane. With all the obstacles on the sidewalk (not human ones), there’s no place to go other than try filtering between vehicles. Today I got to sprint ahead of the shuttle, thanks to that traffic backup, and beat it for a change

[GovernorSilver]

@scoot 161337 wrote:

If you do choose to ride on streets in gusty conditions, it’s advisable to be more assertive about taking the lane than you would in calmer conditions. When you make it obvious to drivers that they need to use another lane to get around you, they almost always fully move into the next lane. As a result, you’ll get much wider passing distances, as well as fewer passing drivers overall. When many drivers are already passing too close (a typical situation if one rides near the edge of the right lane), the extra uncertainty in your position due to the wind gusts can be disastrous.

I was just told by a colleague that he takes the lane, until he can get to the start of the bike lane on Potomac Ave.

I’ll do that the next time I get caught on the road with strong wind gusts. It’s a game-time decision after I pass S. Glebe, whether to stay on the street or switch to the (temporary) MUP that goes by Target and other stores. I usually stay on the street because getting to the MUP can be a pain, when there are oncoming cars in the opposite direction, as well as cars going in my direction; and there’s no left turn lane. Once in a while I make the wrong call.

[GovernorSilver]

Another satisfied Spurcycle owner here. Got the brassy one because I didn’t feel like spending extra money just for a black color.

I somehow stripped the adjustment screw on mine. I got a new one fairly quick and painlessly by ordering from their website.

[GovernorSilver]

I was riding on the street when a wind gust nearly blew me into the path of 2 lanes of cars. I think it was the same ride in which the headwind slowed me down to like 5 mph, which is not good for street riding.

So, no to “always ride the street” for me. I used to commute on N. Capitol St NE btw. I’d rather ride in that zoo of a street than Potomac Ave with nasty wind gusts.

If the wind conditions are not to my liking, I retreat to the nearest MUP/parking lot/sidewalk/whatever.

[GovernorSilver]

@AT_Hiker59 161143 wrote:

I don’t live in the area but visit family who do frequently. Many times this spring I have been on the Sligo Trail. I have noticed only 7 bikers calling out their passes. Bikers who do not call out their passes whizzing close by me are too numerous. I am not used to bikers not calling out. Is this a DC area norm? Sligo Trail is too narrow to be speeding by. Is there any educating bikers to sensible courteous trail usage?

Not signaling passes is the typical behavior I’ve observed here. I’m still new to cycling and bike commuting – 2 years experience so far.

Once in a while I pass a pedestrian who thanks me for signaling a pass. My preferred method:

1. Ring bell
2. As I pass the pedestrian, say “Good morning/Good evening” (inspired by komorebi). Usually defuses anyone who might be upset at the sound of the bell. Some people can’t tell the difference between a cyclist ringing a bell before passing, and a car honking a horn.

Early in my cycling experience, I ran another cyclist off the trail by accident. I rang my bell to pass a walker on the MVT. As a passed him/her (forgot, sorry), I heard a sound to my left – it was another cyclist falling off the trail. I didn’t know he was there because he didn’t signal his pass. I had been instructed in WABA classes to look left before passing so that was I was also at fault, but he really should have signaled. Of course nowadays I use my helmet mirror to check, plus a quick glance over the shoulder for confirmation, before passing anybody.

Yes WABA works hard to educate cyclists in this area, but you can’t really force cyclists to attend WABA classes. DC is notorious for being a city of transients – people move in and out all the time, and there’s no telling what kind of people the newcomers will be like once they get on the saddle.

[GovernorSilver]

WABA might need to put up a variation of this guide – it does say “…and other types of harassment”

https://www.themarysue.com/bystanders-harassment-guide/

[GovernorSilver]

Was going to ride today but some kind of bug is going around the office – one that got me too.

Sick of being sick already. :p

[GovernorSilver]

Never owned a Gutr but have 2 Halos that I bought on sale at REI – one w/ a skullcap and one headband-only.

On 12 mile evening rides in 90 F heat, the headband oversaturated around the midpoint of the ride. Someone here posted the genius idea of stopping and wringing it out, which can work, but I found that wearing one of my tech cycling caps (also purchased at REI) instead of a Halo was a better solution still.

I’ve settled on wearing the Halos on the cooler spring/fall rides, when I don’t need the visor provided by a cycling cap – the extra bit of protection from the rain makes a difference. Since I now have multiple caps/Halos, I may also carry extra headwear for the very hottest days.

[Author]

Posts