[JimK]

Thanks. I’ll we’ll give it a try.

[JimK]

What would it cost to have Clovis fit someone for just a seat? My wife has tried a number of seats over the years, but none has been comfortable. She was fitted at two local bike shops with no success.

[JimK]

My minimum commute is 14 each way, but there are lots of options. I usually take an 18-mile route in and a 14-mile route home. Either way, 95 percent of the ride is on trails rather than roads.

[JimK]

I just got off the W&OD in Vienna. What was wet this afternoon is now black ice. Treacherous in spots.

[JimK]

Good thread. Two days ago, I was six miles from home when I realized I had forgotten to put booties over my cycling shoes. I was going for a long ride that day; although at that point, my feet were fine, I knew I’d have trouble in an hour or so. I stopped into a Model’s and bought a box of Hotties toe warmers. I used them each of the past three days. My impression is that they have not helped keep my toes from going numb. In fact, they hardly seem warm to me, far from the 105 degrees F promised on the box. Any suggestions? Another brand that works better?

[JimK]

Thanks. I’ll pay special attention when I hit that area on the way home. I have dreaded getting caught on the seams on the Custis, west of the Marriott.

[JimK]

Where exactly? I want to be sure to avoid the seams that nailed you.

[JimK]

I’ve had a lot of trouble in the past month or so (early morning and evening) dealing with runners/walkers who have no lights or reflectors and oncoming bikes. Sometimes I am struggling so much to see the runners that I cannot afford to cover my headlight. What do do? A couple of nights ago I was literally threading at slow speed through a group of runners/walkers as a bike approached me from the other direction. The rider yelled at me to dim my light, but there was no way I was going dark at that moment.

[JimK]

Nice seeing folks from Bike Arlington at the Custis – W&OD junction. Thanks! I love the vest and lights.

[JimK]

FYI: Amazon is running a sale on the Conti GP 4000S, about 35 percent off the list price. I have used the 700×23 a number of times. They handle well and are durable.

[JimK]

I wear a thermal base later (wool does not work for me, but others like it) and a light wind breaker that vents. In between, I wear multiple thin layers made of artificial fibers. At 20 degrees F I might have three layers in between the base and the windbreaker. If I get too warm, no problem: the thin shirts in the middle can be removed and stuffed in a pocket. This also is good when it is not quite as cold on the way home. In January, it often is 20 degrees on the way in and 40 on the way home. In that case, I might only have one layer between the base and the windbreaker on the ride home. Below 20 degrees F I wear a light fleece vest.

[JimK]

Certifried: very cool picture. Thanks.

[JimK]

Hey, Certifried: I have the same pack you do. It is advertised as having a reflective logo, but it does not light up in your picture, especially relative to the rim strips.

[JimK]

In case you were worried that new, less obtrusive rumble strips are going to replace those that have been removed, Dan from NVPA assured me this is not the case. Here is what he said:

“Hi Jim- that was an installation error. They’re gone for good! Dan”

His contact information is below in case you want to thank him:

Dan Iglhaut
Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority
5400 Ox Road
Fairfax Station, VA 22039
703-359-4628

[JimK]

Flash! The rumble strips at W&OD and Cedar Lane are gone! When I crossed Cedar this morning at 6:45 the strips were still there, but between then and noon they were removed. Thanks to everyone who wrote in! Maybe a good idea to send an email expressing appreciation (address in a previous posting).

[Author]

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