[JimF22003]

Just FWIW, I was on a “recreational” ride when I saw the accident I reported in the OP. I wasn’t commuting anywhere. I was just doing the usual winter loopy-loop. Maybe that’s why I get a little loopy sometimes

[JimF22003]

If the derailleur doesn’t actually move, it’s probably a worn chain or cassette.

[JimF22003]

Coldest I ever rode in was the day before the inaugural in 2008 at about 15 degrees. I rode last Monday when it was 17 degrees starting out. I’ve been OK using just thick wool DeFeet socks, regular bike shoes, and neoprene booties.

[JimF22003]

I find that my hearing is dulled enough just by wearing a thick balaclava in the winter time that I have a hard time hearing approaching traffic when I’m out on country roads. It’s harder to hear annoying little noises on my bike too, like the tire going flat

I don’t really miss having music when I ride, mainly because I’ve never tried it. I don’t knock those who do, but for me, as long as I have my hearing, I plan to use it to aid my situational awareness.

[JimF22003]

Also remember this isn’t surveying riders. It’s surveying people who know about this forum

Lots of no-big-deal commuters probably ride lots of no-big-deal miles, but don’t bother to visit specialized forums like this one to discuss it.

[JimF22003]

If any of you live to make it home tonight with all that wind, I expect detailed flight reports (I mean ride reports…)

[JimF22003]

I was going to college in Idaho at the time, and I followed the news of this crash avidly like everyone else in the country. Living in this area it’s kind of odd to remember that even our “local news”, like the Snowpocalypse, or this crash, or the guy who parked his tractor in the tidal basin, often makes national news.

Whenever I ride the MVT under the 14th street bridge(s) I always picture what the scene must have been like when the Air Florida plane crashed.

[JimF22003]

I’ve had four carbon bikes, two Treks and two Cervelos. I’ve crashed one of the Treks and one of the Cervelos pretty hard, and I came out a lot more damaged than the bikes both times. I’ve taken all of them on some really rough roads too. I think it’s pretty rare to have frame damage from ordinary use. On the other hand, Cervelo has had more than its share of cracks around the bottom bracket on some of their bikes.

The damage I had to have repaired on one of the bikes was from a dropped chain. The chain wedged in tight and I couldn’t get off the bike in time, so i ended up grinding it in. I rode the bike that way for a few months, but there was a pretty bad gouge in the frame that really needed to be fixed. I think it was a $150 repair at Calfee.

[JimF22003]

Between Saturday and Sunday, the temps together may add up to 60 degrees. Going to be a cold weekend.

On a related note, I’ve ridden to the Bethesda end of the CCT several times, but could never figure out where the Georgetown Branch continued on from there. Finally I found it the last time I rode on it a couple of weeks ago. It was sort of hidden in plain sight, but in my opinion it was still hidden.

Oh, and I’m pretty sure I saw one of the Politico reporters who regularly appears on MSNBC with his baby on the CCT that day… My brush with greatness for the day.

[JimF22003]

If you’re going as far as Purcellville, and if you still have a little gas in the legs and the time, there are tons of places to ride in that vicinity. I suggest a ride out to Bluemont for sure. You’ll see lots of other riders on Snickersville Turnpike and environs. Round Hill to Hillsboro and back to Purcellville on Hillsboro Rd. is a nice little loop. The roads are a lot hillier than the trail, but variety is the spice of life

[JimF22003]

I think that looks pretty good. You’re fine at least until you get to the Trader Joes On Rt 7

I haven’t ridden those back roads to your hotel, but I’ve driven around there. It’s just neighborhoods, so it should be fine. You could probably get by riding right on Route 7 for a couple of blocks if it’s not right in the middle of rush hour. You’re going right past the high school. It is a bit uphill right there though.

If I get a chance this week I’ll scope it out for you. I work just across the beltway on Rt 7 on the other side of the mall.

[JimF22003]

Here’s a gps track of a Thanksgiving ride that includes going through Alexandria and on down the MVT.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/130673654

If you zoom in at one point you can see where I hit the porta-potty in the marina parking lot

[JimF22003]

FWIW, here’s a story from Saturday about this that was on channel 4. They focused on the gentrification issue. Sounds like anything getting built would still be several years away:

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Alexandria-Council-Approves-Arlandria-Plan-135799238.html

[JimF22003]

I hope nobody gets impaled on those skinny metal posts on the side of the trail by the basketball court… Those are really hard to see in the dark.

[JimF22003]

Mine does some. There are other issues though…

PM Sent.

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