[Henry]

I’m in (and with a stylish ortho boot) but coming late b/c Phoenix Bikes is doing a pot luck at the EXACT same time. Good thing they are just down the street. Eat first, drink later, I like to say.

[Henry]

To paraphrase that great philosopher Dan Quayle: We wear your scorn as a badge of honor. # Rules!

[Henry]

FYI, here is the latest Media Advisory from JBM-HH (which does not appear to differ from earlier posts). Posting in its entirety in case I missed something:

Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall

Media Advisory
Public Affairs Office
204 Lee Avenue
Fort Myer, VA 22211-1199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE #001
Date: February 27, 2015

Contact: Leah Rubalcaba, JBM-HH Public Affairs (703) 696-3283

JBM-HH enhanced access control – Requirements for bicyclists and pedestrians

On Feb. 16, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (JBM-HH) began implementation of the first phase of Secretary of the Army-directed access control measures to be phased in over the coming months.
New requirements are for individuals who do not have a Department of Defense (DoD)-issued ID. These individuals will be directed to one of the two designated visitor gates for the joint base: Hatfield Gate at Washington Boulevard and South 2nd Street in Arlington, Va., on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base; and Second Street Gate at 2nd Street, south of P Street, in Washington, D.C., on the Fort McNair side.
Visitors will be subject to in-lane vetting (search lane inspection and criminal background vetting). The vetting will include a National Crime Information Center (NCIC-III) criminal history check prior to being granted access to the base. This applies to anyone wanting to get on the installation, whether travelling in a vehicle, by bicycle or on foot.
Individuals with DoD-issued IDs will be allowed access through any of the joint base’s gates during published hours of operation.
To avoid long lines and backups at the gates, visitors not affiliated with the DoD, have the opportunity to register and be vetted for an Automated Installation Entry (AIE) pass.
To register for an AIE Pass, a JBM-HH access request form must be filled out and dropped off in person at the Visitor Control Center (VCC) at Fort Myer’s MP Station, Bldg. 415, between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Beginning Saturday, March 14, the VCC will open with minimum staffing from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Saturdays and Sundays. Beginning March 16, the VCC will continue to open Monday through Friday beginning at 8 a.m., but its hours will be extended until 7 p.m., with minimum staffing from 3:30 to 7 p.m.
The access request form may be found online at the “JBM-HH enhanced access control – frequently asked questions” section of our website at: http://www.army.mil/article/142719/JBM_HH_enhanced_access_control___frequently_asked_questions/
Currently, the joint base is unable to accept pass applications online, as once reported, due to the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) the application necessarily contains. Online pass request registration will be allowed at a time when a registrant’s privacy can be insured.
Once a completed, signed form is turned in at the VCC, the joint base requires three business days turn-around time for vetting. Registrants are asked to make a copy of their signed access request form for their records before arriving on base, as copies will not be provided at the VCC. Once approved, a member of the VCC staff will notify the registrant, who will then return to the VCC to have his or her photo taken and be fingerprinted. The AIE pass is issued at this time. Registrants will also be notified if they fail the background check.
There are two types of AIE passes that may be issued: 1) A “sponsored” AIE pass is good for one year. This requires the registrant to be sponsored by someone who has a DoD ID card; 2) A “non-sponsored” AIE pass is good for 60 days. Anyone holding a “non-sponsored” AIE pass is subject to search. Once an AIE pass has expired, the pass holder will be required to re-register by filling out and submitting a new JBM-HH access request form and repeating the vetting process.
For clarification, a DoD ID is one issued by the Department of Defense – the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy, and Air Force – to its active duty personnel and their immediate family members; to Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force retirees and their immediate family members; and to its civilian personnel. This also includes personnel working for the Secretary of Defense. Please know that other federal agencies, such as the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, and DoD contractors are not authorized to sponsor someone for an AIE pass.

Requirements for bicyclists and pedestrians

From now through April 16, bicyclists (who are not DoD ID card holders and who traverse the Fort Myer and Henderson Hall portions of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall) will have the opportunity to be vetted and receive an AIE pass following the registration guidelines noted above.
In the interim, up through April 16, bicyclists will be allowed access to traverse the base through any of its three operational gates during normal hours of operation:
• Hatfield Gate (Washington Blvd. at 2nd Street Bridge) open 24/7
• Wright Gate (Marshall Drive at North Meade Street) open 5 a.m.–11 p.m.
• Henderson Hall Gate 1 (Southgate Road at South Orme Street) open 5 a.m.–11 p.m.
During this time, bicyclists will be required to show a valid, photo ID and follow the joint base’s rules for riding a bicycle on base:
• Wear an approved helmet that meets or exceeds American National Standards Institute or Snell Memorial Foundation Standards for bicycle helmets.
• Obey all traffic signals, signs and devices except when dismounted, at which time the rules pertaining to pedestrians will apply.
• Ride single file when vehicle traffic is present. Bicyclists may not ride more than two abreast.
• Ensure the bicycle is equipped with a front clear reflector and red rear reflector if in operation from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise. Bicyclists will wear a reflective upper outer garment during hours of reduced visibility.
• Do not wear or use headphones, earphones or cell phones while riding a bicycle.
After a bicyclist receives an AIE pass, he or she will be allowed access through any of the three JBM-HH gates on the Fort Myer and Henderson Hall portions of the base.
After April 16, any bicyclist who wants to traverse the base and is not vetted will be directed to Hatfield Gate to begin the vetting process.
The vetting, access request and pass renewal processes will be the same for pedestrians who wish to access any of portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, to include Fort Myer, Henderson Hall and Fort McNair.
All bicyclists and pedestrians will still be required to carry a valid, photo ID along with their AIE pass and may be asked to present the valid ID at any time.
Registrants may email questions to usarmy.jbmhh.asa.mbx.des-access-q-a@mail.mil. Please allow up to three business days for an email response.

###

[Henry]

@dasgeh 108259 wrote:

Having someone do this is a great idea. But it should be someone from ArlCo staff, possibly with ABAC support/involvement, and from WABA.

BikeArlington focuses on outreach and education, and is not an advocacy organization, and while they could certainly educate the base how to be more bike friendly, asking for a change in proposed policy is better left to others.

Thanks. This is really a discussion that County Board members should have with Base Commanders, about general access to the base for the larger civilian population and being a good neighbor. Aside from aforementioned bike community and bowling alley birthday parties, many civic groups (the Chamber; Leadership Arlington, etc.) hold events at the Officer’s Club that draw many one-time and infrequent visitors.

I will run this up the county channels to make sure the highest-level officials are aware of these new restrictions.

Henry

[Henry]

@cyclingfool 106900 wrote:

So tranquil and quiet. Almost eerily so, but very nice.

True that. In a previous life I worked at at newspaper in Merrifield. Would often, at 1AM after we put an issue to bed, ride the 9 miles on the W&OD back to South Arlington in total solitude. It was grand.

Tonight’s commute promises to be something less than that.

[Henry]

Where are the rides announced/posted? I don’t see them on the thread or Starva discussion. Henry

[Henry]

@Dirt 104051 wrote:

Stop by Bikenetic. We have them in stock and you can see what size fits and what fits your bike best.

What’s the price range? I’m likely coming out to get some.

[Henry]

Went from Crystal City to Barcroft last night in evening commute:

Eads St PBL a mess b/t 18th & 23rd. Only 50% clear w/frozen ruts on the rest. Unprotected lane from 23rd to Glebe was 95% clear.
Four Mile Run Trail: A crystal clear dream! Cleared edge-to-edge. Thanks Arl Parks & Rec.
W&OD from Shirlington Drive to Oakland street mostly clear, then suddenly becomes a very dangerous mess of frozen ruts from Oakland to Walter Reed.
W&OD from Walter Reed to at least Geo. Mason was plowed in the middle and safe riding. Didn’t go beyond that.

Ride Safe Everyone.

[Henry]

In my attempt to win the ‘least creative forum member award’, I go by Henry. It’s my first name {yawn}.

[Henry]

@PotomacCyclist 103664 wrote:

Are they moving the vending machine? I saw a concrete pad just at the top of the MVT connector, as it reaches the Water Park. I don’t remember seeing that concrete pad before, but maybe I just didn’t notice it before. It was marked off with caution tape last week. I think it’s large enough for the vending machine and the bike stand/station. Or maybe it will be used for something else.

Yes, the vending machine is supposed to move to the site of the new concrete pad. The CCBID would know better on the timing. Later this spring would be a safe bet.

Henry

[Henry]

@PotomacCyclist 102721 wrote:

How the heck did I confuse a comma with an apostrophe? It must have been caused by the blinding light on the bike of a passing cyclist or car (even though I haven’t ridden at all this week, or this month).

Edit: I just looked at that earlier post. I don’t see any references to commas. And no, I did not edit that earlier post. No sirree. No way, no how. Or if it has been edited, it was not me. I never lie. The previous sentence is false.

Wait, those little tick marks have names?

[Henry]

@Steve O 101502 wrote:

Your wish is granted. They’re back.
Be careful.

Sometimes keeping these paths clear is like raking leaves in the wind. Oh, wait …

[Henry]

8:30am, Tuesday, Clarendon Blvd and Barton.

You: Mountain Bike, backpack, headphones, oblivious to everything. Me: 50 feet back, watching you blow past the school bus, on the right, by its open door, with its flashing lights and stop sign fully engaged, honking its horn at you to stop. That you had to dodge the kid with the violin case running to catch the bus only reaffirms why vehicles are required to stop for school buses while they load/unload. And yet you rode on, blissfully ignorant of the chaos in your wake.

Thanks for demonstrating the worst in scofflaw cyclist behavior and reinforcing every negative stereotype about us.

[Henry]

For whatever reason they are closing, we at Phoenix Bikes are sorry to see them go. They have been very supportive of us, and set up monthly parts pick-up that were cast offs from customers upgrading components. Thank you Neil.

And yes, as someone earlier in the thread noted, Phoenix Bikes does sell used parts.

Henry

[Henry]

@Tim Kelley 92049 wrote:

We’ve got a serious contender….

[video=vimeo;101883999]http://vimeo.com/101883999[/video]

Belt drive
Internal hub
Integrated, innovative handlebar “lock” – whoa.
Minimal fenders, with little dragging brush thingie
Front rack
Intergrated front/rear lights
Turn signals
E-assist

http://blogs.bicycling.com/blogs/thehub/building-the-perfect-urban-bike?cid=socBL_20140806_29171456

From the blog: “No price has been announced yet, but it’ll likely be a bit more than your average skratched and dented singlespeed.” Any guesses? More than $1,500?

[Author]

Posts