[GuyContinental]

@JeffC 17608 wrote:

Putting it on a trail does not congratulate cyclists. If anything it seems ironic and reminds me of how much farther we have to go to place it on a MUP/MUT which is not solely dedicated to bikes at least part of the time. In that case, a MUT/MUP is basically a glorified sidewalk and as a bicyclist you frequently have to slow down to a walking pace which is not at all bike friendly in my view.

I know some jurisdictions have bike only paths, hopefully Arlington will be one at some point.

I’m really curious about this perspective- I’m so delighted to have ANY path, especially one as long and well maintained as the NoVa trail network, that it never really occurred to me that it should be bike only. Yes, it would be nice and all, but the way MUTs get built is through compelling recreational and multistakeholder benefits plus commuting benefits. Also, given local density, where would a bike-only path run? I’d much rather advocate for near-universal bike lanes and deal with the human-slalom for the 4 months a year that it is a problem.

[GuyContinental]

Sure!

[GuyContinental]

@dasgeh 17498 wrote:

There’s no option without dismounting, but it’s not a big deal.

Oh, you can do it without dismounting… it’s just pretty exciting on a road bike

[GuyContinental]

@eminva 15826 wrote:

I agree with everything you say, but what is wrong with “The Arlington Loop”?

The beltway-equivalent interstate in my hometown is called “The Loop” — gets the idea across about how it serves the regional transportation network. I think of the Arlington Loop as serving a similar function for non-motorized transit, no?

Liz

I agree with Liz- the concept of “Loop” as in a non repeating travelway, is important to retain and we want it to be affiliated with Arlington – that leaves “Loop”, “whorl”, “spiral” and “circuit” as possible terms (but I only ran with Loop and circuit):

Arlington Circuit
Arlington Spiral
Arlington Whorl
Custis Loop
Custis Circuit
Custis and Potomac Loop
Custis and Potomac Circuit
Arlington and Potomac Loop
Arlington and Potomac Circuit
Arlington Custis Loop
Arlington Custis Circuit
Rosslyn & Potomac Loop/Circuit
Arlington & National Loop/Circuit

When I first started riding the trail I named it “Arlington Loop” in my ride log before I had any idea that it was actually called that… there is somethign to be said for simplicity, history and obviousness…

[GuyContinental]

I dunno, ANY bike lane is better than no bike lane and the occasional stairway would thin the herd and keep the rest of us on our toes… looks like fun… on a mountain bike.

[GuyContinental]

Herndon has large cyclist enforcement signs up indicating that tickets would be given for disobeying traffic laws.

Real question- do I have to carry an ID when riding a bike? If for instance I’d been nabbed for stopping and then crossing a deserted Elden St. against the signal at o’dark-thirty this morning, how would the officer verify my identity?

[GuyContinental]

Also, if this sounds exciting to anyone who does the WO&D early in the am (I go WB)- let me know, suffering loves company.

[GuyContinental]

@acc 17298 wrote:

Yes, it happens. My mouth went instantly dry visualizing that situation. My biggest challenge at the moment is coming up with the guts to take the lane when I’ve got a big truck behind me and essentially nowhere to go except into the curb. This is my next teeth gritting experience.

Make eye contact and smile- that guy really doesn’t want to run you over. Also, be super-aware of the right hook and never never never hang out at the FR corner of a stationary truck.

If it makes you feel any better, I run operations for a company with a fleet of class C (14K lbs) box trucks. As a result, all of my drivers are keenly aware that an aggressive driving complaint from a cyclist would be a very very bad thing for their career… (not that an aggressive driving complaint from a driver isn’t taken extremely seriously)

[GuyContinental]

@acc 17277 wrote:

…The first few times are harrowing and then you settle down, grit your teeth and do it.

I’m a pretty solid rider, but zoned out a bit there a few weeks ago and didn’t drop out of my big ring when I stopped- I grabbed my traffic gap and basically didn’t move. Then I flubbed my clip-in and had to scramble like a crazed duck to the median. It was ugly…

[GuyContinental]

Some of my worst moments on a bike have come from a car in only one lane of a multi-lane road stopping; it virtually guarantees that the curb lane won’t be able to see you. I’ll usually wave them on unless the traffic break is clear. Whiele and Sterling Blvds are bad this way.

Still, if they do expect you to “play through” at least give them a friendly wave and firm eye contact.

[GuyContinental]

There are some really good thoughts in here about the intent of the law (IMO safety) and how that impacts interpretation of an intersection. I have the “fortune” to hit every major crossing on the WO&D from Custis to Rt 28 on my commute. At 5:30 am there is no way that I’m going to sit at an empty Gallows Rd or Maple Ave but I’ll sit there every time at 5:30 pm (and they are indeed lonnnng). Washington/Lee I’ll run if the Lee light is red. Whiele can be pretty sketchy (and has no ped light) but seems like it is always red for cars. Sterling Blvd is plain terrifying at the wrong time of day.

As for the 32 bike stop signs on my route, I will slow (Idaho) and make eye contact/get approval with drivers before proceeding on any but the most minor crossings (those I coast, stand and look). Frankly, there are LOTS of these that should be bike yield, car stop based on the volume of travel.

All that being said, on roads, with traffic, bikes absolutely need to follow the laws so-as to be as predictable as possible. Wilson blvd at rush hour is truly the picture of cycling misbehavior.

[GuyContinental]

@SpokeGrenadeSR 16975 wrote:

In my experience, calling ‘on your left’ when there’s ample room to pass has actually made the situation a bit more dangerous because the person I’m passing often twitches to “correct” their line, or check who’s coming from behind them and swerve a bit. So I only call out if they’re hugging the center line or are just generally a twitchy looking rider, but if they’re just doin their thing on the proper side of the trail I just carry on by.

I totally agree with walkers/runners although I usually warn riders and always warn stroller pushers. If I’m 5′ away on a clear trail in daylight a warning will create more issues than it will prevent. A MUCH bigger problem are the headphones (on all types of peds)- they can’t hear you if you warn them anyway and when they do hear, they generally freak out. Keep that left ear clear people…

[GuyContinental]

Give me a minute with photoshop…

[GuyContinental]

Grrrreat… I’m *that* guy with stinky hands.

[GuyContinental]

“I’m at the Pro Shop at the moment in Gtown and we have this bike that is totally corroded from the rider/owner’s sweat. Apparently he sweats more than normal so the parts that are corroded are the shifters, handle bar, bottom bracket and shell, saddle rails, seat collar and rear drop outs. The bike is nasty and unfortunately the bike is condemned for safety reasons. I’m sure his apparel is also caked in salt after a good ride in the heat. I just wonder if he also has a problem with his gloves. BTW, do you own a TIME frame? “

That is crazy! Acid-sweat dude might want to wipe down his frame now and again and consider some lube in shifting components. No TIME frame for me- I have a C’dale Six13, the carbon/AL should be sweat resistant and I’m pretty diligent about cleaning and lubing so a sweat stalactite (yuck) would probably get noticed…

I’m not really a sweat-er and (within reason) my shoes don’t really stink. I soaked the gloves in vinegar overnight, will wash them in the tech wash when it shows up- if that combo works on THESE gloves it will work on anything. I’ll report back…

[Author]

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