[ian74]

@ebubar 104017 wrote:

Around this time last year I had to start bailing on the CCT and just go through the city for the rest of the winter. Plowing the CCT doesn’t help me much when Sligo Trail and GBT see no work. With all the shade and cold, they’ll be icy for at least the rest of the week.

I just hope that enough of the roads got plowed enough to clear out ice for tomorrow morning. But I suspect I’ll be metroing

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hmmm, I’m heading north to Bethesda from Alexandria on my commute. Should I ride up Wisconsin? I don’t know any easier way to get up there besides the CCT, but riding up Wisconsin scares me.

[ian74]

@sethpo 103998 wrote:

According to reports via folks on Twitter, the CCT (Cap Crescent Trail) is unplowed on the DC side and plowed on the MoCo side.

This, of course, is a reversal of last year when the NPS was good about doing their part and MoCo didn’t do anything. Btw, this is our first example of the new MoCo CCT plow policy we fought for last spring. So yippie!

I’m bailing and taking my bike home on metro. A frozen rutted half section of CCT along with about 10 miles of county road shoulders in the dark is just too much for me to risk (and take after this morning’s 3-hr adventure).

Caution over valour.

Who can I follow on Twitter to find out the conditions on the CCT? It would be a big help, that’s my main commuting route! Thanks sethpo? Actually what other bike feeds would be worth following on Twitter for that matter? Anyone?

[ian74]

Here’s my apologies in advance. After my fall last Sunday on WET roads, there is no way I’m going out there to brave the ice. My knee is janky and the goose egg on my butt are already a reminder of my lack of sure footedness. Cold and dry I can do. Not like this though. Also, I saw someone post that the CCT isn’t cleared from DC to the MD line. I won’t try to commute on that until it thaws and melts.

Sorry team! I swear I’ll make up the miles, and make a few sleaze attempts when I can!

[ian74]

@KLizotte 103530 wrote:

Ian,

Ouch, that sounds like a really, really bad day. At least you didn’t have to worry about getting too cold standing out there while fixing flats and brushing yourself off.

It looks like you were wearing a Prevail helmet. I have one too and am curious as to how well you think it protected your noggin.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

True, wasn’t bad at all out there. I was wearing bib shorts.

Actually my helmet is a Specialized Align, it’s a cheaper helmet, the Prevail looks much nicer. For a cheap helmet though I would say it did a great job. It made a loud knock but I was up on my feet right away. Looks like the styromfoam on the inside cracked a tiny bit, so I’m actaully going to hit Spokes Etc. tomorrow after work to buy another one of the same (also because I already have a spare set of replacement pads for the helmet).

[ian74]

Do I get an award for Freezing Saddles First Faceplant? I wiped today on the wet trail. Need a new helmet, I have road rash all over my side butt and leg and shoulder, with some dings on the face thrown in. Now I have to get my rear wheel trued and everything readjusted at the shop. I’m out of commission for a day or two already. Need to find the apologize to my team thread.

Oh, then I got a flat on the ride home, glass stuck in the tire and popped my tube (and then my spare). Really not my day. If you saw me changing a tire on the W&OD right next to Walter Reed Dr. today. I hope you said “hi!”

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[ian74]

@dkel 103436 wrote:

No more cold feet:
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I got the same booties for Christmas and have to say they are a nice accessory. I went out for a two hour ride when it was in the low 30s and my feet were comfortable, where as with toe covers only my toes would have been cold and painful.

I did ride in them last week to work in the morning, when it was in the upper 20s and after my hour commute, my feet were still cold and achy, but not nearly as bad as if riding without them. It was more tolerable. I have them on my shoes, and I also have toe covers underneath them. I did notice that when I got to work and took of my socks they were soaked with sweat. I figured that is why my feet got so cold. It’s funny, my feet never felt hot, so I can’t figure why I had sweated so much.

I can’t wait to test them out later this week when the temp drops. I do have to admit I feel like they look silly. Like cycling in moon boots.

Let us know how they work for you. I’m still looking for the magic bullet to solve my cold toe problems.

[ian74]

I’m definitely going to be there. Can’t wait to meet you guys.

[ian74]

Blissfully quiet this morning. I saw one other rider from Alexandria to the 14th St. bridge. Of course, on the CCT, I was the only one heading North, nobody ever seems to going North in the morning. Plenty heading south to DC though.

I also had ice in my water bottle when I got to work

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[ian74]

I got these for Christmas, but they have been on my wish list since it got cold in anticipation for FS. Can’t recommend them enough. I rode yesterday in them for about 2 hours and my feet were really comfortable, where as before they were numb and freezing cold.

http://shop.pearlizumi.com/product.php?product_id=1740289

The last thing I need is the Pearl Izumi Amfib bibs. Supposedly good for riding down to 20 F. The price is on the hefty side and the way this winter is going I might not even need them. Right now I have a pair of Gore Power 2.0 Thermal Bib tights, and they are fine until the wind really kicks up.

But with the booties….the booties…I will be UNSTOPPABLE. Unless it rains…or snows…

[ian74]

Sorry! It’s not my fault. Bike seats are just shaped like phali!

More like this? I can remove more text. Or I can just give up.

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[ian74]

Don’t know if anyone put together a logo for this year. I don’t know what the past ones look like, but I messed around a little. I can understand if no one is interested. I really have no formal photoshop/image experience. I thought something like these might be cool, someone else might want to put something better together. Of course, if anyone has comments thoughts or “no thanks”, I’m all ears.

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[ian74]

@dasgeh 102559 wrote:

Not sure if you want to know this now, but there’s a vending machine with spare tubes in Crystal City near where that connector lets you out.

That is really good to know!

@PotomacCyclist 102560 wrote:

Even if the vending machine is out of inner tubes, that’s still a good place to catch a bus to Old Town.

And this taught me another lesson. Always bring my smartrip card with me on my ride (or at least more than 1 dollar and a debit card and my DL)

[ian74]

So, had an interesting ride today. Out the W&OD to Vienna, back down the Custis trail. It was nice, saw plenty of runners, but only 2 or 3 cyclists until I got back near the airport. Everything was great until I got my first flat tire. I stopped right near the split at the airport that goes to Crystal City to change it. So many people offered to help and it was nice. Since I never changed a tire before I took a guy up on his offer to help.

I got the old tube out, put the new one in, hit it with my CO2 cartridge to find out I puncture the tube putting it back on the rim. So….my helper left after I said no need to worry, and I walked home from the airport to Old Town in my cycling shoes. My calves are still hurting.

So, if anyone saw a guy walking his bike from the airport to old town on the Mt. Vernon trail, that was me. I went to a shop in Old Town called wheel nuts, and he had a new tube in and had me out the door in less than 10 minutes (with another spare tube).

So it was good day. 33 miles on the bike and a 3.5 mile hike. I’ll take it. Hope you all had a good day out there!

[ian74]

@KLizotte 102471 wrote:

“Keep your eyes peeled for….the flourescent yellow jacket”

Gee, that really narrows down the field! :p

Join the crowd for the brewery ugly sweater ride and add miles before/after. Or save your legs for the Hains Point 100 event on Sunday!

I figured describing the jacket would be the best way to identify me!

I can’t make either of the other rides unfortunately, we have plans this weekend that conflict with both rides. I’ll watch the calendar and hopefully I’ll make it to one of these rides someday.

[ian74]

I’m coming too. If I ride there in my tights will they let me sit on the furniture? I’m not allowed to at home after a ride.

[Author]

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