[huskerdont]

First coupla entries for me. Not winners because where is winter? Need snow. But, #freezingsaddles2020!

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[huskerdont]

@Judd 195463 wrote:

Definitely merino everything. Thick wool hiking socks are a good first purchase. If I could turn back time I would have bought bar mitts my first year of winter riding.

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Bar mitts! Seriously, decades of not using them, then bought them and got one use* out of them before our too-early spring, but that one use was a real eye opener. I have poor hand circulation, and that was the first time riding in the low- to mid-20s where I did not have any problems.

I was always nervous I’d wreck the bike using them. I did forget and jerked the handlebars once, but I imagine I’ll get used to them and not do that.

*Wore lobster gloves underneath them, and they did fit (XLs)

[huskerdont]

@Crickey7 195391 wrote:

This one’s a total head scratcher. “Electric-scooter rentals will not be coming to New York and the electric bicycles favored by New York City delivery workers will remain illegal after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Thursday vetoed a bill that would have legalized both types of battery-powered transport. . . ‘Failure to include these basic measures renders this legislation fatally flawed,’ the governor said in his veto message. He specifically referred to the lack of a requirement that riders of the battery-powered conveyances wear helmets as one of his main objections.”

Scientific and statistical illiteracy wins.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/26/nyregion/Ebikes-scooters-Bill-ny.html

‘“Helmets are a common-sense requirement that should be imposed on operators of these vehicles to protect public safety,” Mr. Cuomo said, adding that he looked forward “to continuing this discussion in the 2020 legislative session.”’

Cuomo needs to be required to wear a helmet for walking and driving/being a passenger in his limo. I mean, it’s just “common sense” that will “protect public safety.”*

*Protect public safety is stupid too. You either protect the public, or ensure its safety, but you don’t protect safety. Makes no sense.

[huskerdont]

Pre-freezing saddles I was around 5,000 miles a year; with freezing saddles, I’ve been over 7,000. I’m not saying it is because of freezing saddles, but it is because of freezing saddles.

[huskerdont]

Saw one along the towpath near Little Falls Branch a few years back. That’s the only one so far in the immediate metro area. Three foxes on the morning ride though, a new record.

[huskerdont]

Nice. I think it was 2016-17 when I finally got a smart phone, joined Strava, and did my first FS. Stayed a Luddite too long.

[huskerdont]

Hey look, I get to play a reindeer game after all instead of just lying about it on the form! /s

Seriously, great contest. Much more likely to do this than to remember to tag my errands or coffee shop/brewery visits.

[huskerdont]

And don’t let’s get overconfident. People still routinely ignore the no-turn-on-red signs, both here and at Ft. Myer. Oak is arguably worse though because of the lack of a sightline and the increased speed potential from the downhill.

[huskerdont]

Will be hard to make it this year but I registered since it’s the last one. Will only be able to squeeze in the 100 minutes, not miles, and that’s counting riding there and back.

Good luck and thanks for running this over the years.

[huskerdont]

Damn, I thought the reason I usually avoid the official bike detours is because I’m just ornery, but maybe it’s maybe a bit more than that.

I don’t know all those street names because I’m not that smart, but the SteveO/Boomer/Bent Bike route is the way I just naturally went while ignoring the detour signs. Other than the lack of a light being a concern during rush hour, it’s a no-brainer. If Arlington doesn’t do something about the signage before the weather gets nice, some Lumberjacking may be in order to keep someone from getting hurt or killed.

[huskerdont]

@musclys 194820 wrote:

Don’t lose hope. I’m sure we can over-complicate this quite a bit more.

We makes the point competition a function of the number of spokes that complete a full rotation. The more spokes your wheels have (and the more wheels you have), the higher you score!

[huskerdont]

A system so complicated that various smart peoples come to different numerical conclusions. Only around DC could this be. Glad I’m just here to ride my biek.

[huskerdont]

@Vec5d 194810 wrote:

I started a job in Arlington over the summer and this is my first fall commuting on the custis. I have been wondering about this, does anyone maintain the trails when leaves and snow fall on it? The wet leaves are not to be underestimated..

It is plowed by Arlington, yes. Any downed trees are also removed, and they do it pretty quickly. Leaves are another issue. I have never seen Arlington remove them (except when they are removed in snow plowing), but I have seen sections of the trail where the leaves have clearly been removed by somebody. But a couple of posters here would know for certain about that (perhaps dasgeh or Henry).

[huskerdont]

@PeteD 194779 wrote:

Agreed, they’ve been Extra Perilous this past week. With last night’s rain/humidity I was a little more concerned, but there had cleared out a mostly asphalt path up the Turns of Autumnal Peril.

–Pete

Yes, noted this morning that, in order to have just a little bit of peril, it needs to rain again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtcSYPjJbgg

[huskerdont]

I suppose everyone who goes this way knows this, but the Custis S-Turn of Death is especially deathy right now. The Bradford pear leaves have fallen on top of the older leaf mush, and it’s like little pieces of plastic tarp on top of oatmeal. Even taking it easy I’ve slipped both ways this week.

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