[GuyContinental]

@off2ride 29722 wrote:

I used Strava on a few rides. The end data is totally inaccurate. So I stopped using it. I just stick with my gaminconnect.

The HR zone issue on Strava is pretty well reported- everyone’s zones are different and there are a bunch of varying methodologies for establishing your own zone but Strava tried to use a one-size-fits-all approach. Which doesn’t work. On their “suggested features” page iot’s marked as “planned” (LINK). Then again, it’s been marked as such for months…

[GuyContinental]

@vvill 29335 wrote:

I had a cab driver get irate with me for having to nerve to ride in a bike lane (coming back from the Freshbikes ride on Tuesday) because he wanted to turn and stop in it to drop off a passenger. We both started from the same green light cycle. I had a short discussion with him, and suggested it was fine and “no big deal” for him to wait a few seconds for me to pass before he pulled over to stop, just as if I was a car in a normal traffic lane. He was adamant that he could do nothing of the sort and continued to be irate and insisted that it was a ridiculous situation “it IS a big deal!”. He seemed to be ranting at a) the existence of a bike lane and b) the fact it was being used. I rode off feeling genuinely sorry for him. Still, better than the time in DC when a cab driver told me he would’ve shot me if he’d been carrying a gun.

Good thing that those cab company phone numbers are so obvious… I’ve had nice conversations with the Red Top dispatch manager about driver behavior like this, he at least *seemed* intent on having a conversation with the driver especially since I’m a long-time reliable Red Top customer. No point with a DC or off-brand cab; you’re likely talking to the owner and he’s probably armed.

It’s a wee aggressive but I’ve found that starting cab conversations with “Hi VA plate XUR 2222, cab no 323, you nearly crushed me…” repeating the info 3 times in the conversation (“…no no no VA plate XUR 2222, cab no 323, you don’t actually have the right to just sit double parked in that bike lane…”) and generally conveys the point.

This actually works well with most aggressive drivers, particularly if it’s done with dripping friendliness.

[GuyContinental]

@ShawnoftheDread 29319 wrote:

Or just a handlebar bag full of eggs. The same eggs, all summer long. How’s your throwing arm from the saddle?

My brother in Phoenix actually does this (well not the all summer part)- I get the impression that street commuting out there is truly truly horrendous. He has a basket on his commuter and a little nest for his eggs. He says he uses 1-2 a week… During the inevitable confrontations it helps that he’s also 6’5″; 300# and has “ULGA THE BRINGER OF PAIN” stenciled on his frame but I’d be worried about them cowboys carrying sidearms meeself…

[GuyContinental]

@ShawnoftheDread 29286 wrote:

They’re very stretchy. It should have worked, at least as a temp.

Yup- I’ve done this twice this month with 23-25mm tubes on 34mm CX tires at ~80psi (I always forget to bring the right tube in my saddle bag when I change wheels). They are more susceptible to pinch flats (hence the second flat…) and punctures but It’ll get you home. The biggest problem I’ve found is that a 40mm presta on a 23mm tube in a 34mm tire on a wheel with some dish hugs the tire more than the inside of the wheel, shortening the stem length to the point that my micro pump can’t make a good connection. I have to use a schrader adapter and a CO2.

[GuyContinental]

@Certifried 29300 wrote:

so, I’m pretty set if I just get on the bike naked, right?

I’ll donate some 3M reflective tape to spell “ELITE” on your tush (which may not need it…)

Or is it “EL-i-TE” (using natural features for the “i”)

[GuyContinental]

Wow… even the pose and defiant glare is badass!

(ouch BTW… glad that you are vertical! Bummer about the lid, but this is why we wear them, so they can sacrifice themselves for us…)

[GuyContinental]

@txgoonie 29228 wrote:

but weather.com says it’s partly cloudy.

It’s hard to make promises with weather, especially in respect to late-summer micro bursts but I’ve found Wunderground to be far superior to Weather.com (LINK to DC)

Yesterday I had crystal clear skies and then torrential downpour just in time to hit the “Barrister Square” construction debris on Fairfax… 100 yards 5 minutes from home and I looked like I’d done the Roubaix.

My problem is that the ride is just long enough that the inside the beltway data is going to be out of date by the time I get there… so I get wet. And cold. And wonder why I took off my fenders.

[GuyContinental]

Another note on this- the red light goes in the back, NOT the front. Nearly had a bad one yesterday morning with two oncoming cyclists that I thought I was overtaking. Both had solid red lights in the front and nothing on the rear. Yikes.

[GuyContinental]

Saw THIS camera mount and thought of Dirt.

Inspired by this thread, I actually carried a waterproof camera for a few weeks but always forgot that it was in my jersey- having it on my bar would be annoying. Maybe Dirt’s holster is the way to go… Or if it wasn’t so expensive, one of THESE things on my helmet.

[GuyContinental]

@Tim Kelley 29122 wrote:

He’s also missing the EMS in Clarendon too, Transition Triathlon in Leesburg and Trails End in Purceville.

EMS in Clarendon isn’t a bike shop (unlike the Ashburn location which at least has a shop with a stand and tools that I’ve never seen manned) but they do have a few tubes, basic supplies and a simple assortment of clothing so I suppose that is useful too.

[GuyContinental]

Cool! I love knowing that there is nearly always a shop nearby on my commute and this added a few that I didn’t know about (Bikes @ Vienna?). I added the link to my phone…

Who’s the POC? It’s missing the EMS at Rt. 28 (which has saved my bacon when I needed a tube since it’s right off the W&OD)

[GuyContinental]

Beer + stand/tool rental would go well with that location and ethos…

[GuyContinental]

@Dirt 29074 wrote:

I would have said “hi” but I really didn’t wake up until I hit Gravely Point at about the 24km mark of my ride.

I felt bad- you looked like you wanted to say hello but that I scared you away with a serious, yet contemplative scowl (kind of rare for me). I shouted something like “grumbleBORKhiPete” over my shoulder…

[GuyContinental]

Saw the omnipresent Dirt this am… actually heard him rumbling towards me on those gloriously fat tires whilst I was in la-la land contemplating my navel and the beau-ti-ful morning.

I bet that I pass a number of you most days while I head WB on the Custis & WO&D at about 6am. Sans BA gear or, well, being Dirt with his extremely distinctive bikes and self, it’s tough to ID folks when you are passing at a combined 30-45 mph (Dirt, if I’m going to see him, I see around EFC at 6:20 or so). Who should I look for tomorrow? I want to collect some more Bobs! It gives me a hobby…

[GuyContinental]

@KelOnWheels 29061 wrote:

This. I’ve noticed (on the rare occasions when I drive my car) that blinking lights on a bike are much easier to see. Solid lights just sort of blend into the background.

True true, blinkies and strobes are great for visibility in traffic but please please don’t use a high powered strobe on the trails- I literally have to wear lightly tinted “clear” lenses in the winter to keep my retinas from being seared by oncoming bikers. You don’t get bonus points for using a helmet mount strobe and then turning your head at the last minute either (as you would with a normal sun-bright light). You “got” me 100′ back, I’m now blind, and if there is a ninja lurking between us bad things are going to happen to me and said ninja.

A little 40ln frog strobe provides lots of attention-getting without blinding anyone.

[Author]

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