[JorgeGortex]

This is my response to the ARLNow post on Facebook (i.e. I think this new bit of trail sucks): Any time you have to zig-zag through tight entrance/exit areas like they’ve created here you are reducing safety. The sight lines are blocked, the new surface has the potential for being slippery (although better because it gets lots of sun compared to the wooden path near TR Island along the Mount Vernon Trail), and again, the terrible zig-zag on and off the main path. It looks nicely built, but about only 75% well-engineered from a use standpoint. And given how many people go through this area on foot and bike, it’s going to be far from ideal. As always, ArlCty failed and allowed something to be executed poorly.

(And yes, I realize it was more than ArlCty that any active say in how this was constructed.) This area, as well as the zig-zag where you come from under West Glebe and onto the main trail along S. Glebe Road, are foolish and dangerous.

[JorgeGortex]

I’d say that what the NPS is the cheap and easy fix instead of investing the time and effort to do it right. They could have made a sidewalk on the inside of the point in the grassy area shown in the picture, for pedestrians. Slower riders could have been reminded to stay on the far right, and otherwise things should have been left as they are now. If they wanted to enhance the point, then they could have restricted cars and left the whole thing for cyclists and peds. Make cars park in the lot for the golf course. But noooo, they had to try to be everything for everyone while doing it in a half-assed way that is going to get someone hurt. Where does WABA stand on this?

[JorgeGortex]

My feeling is that they are trying to create a solution for a problem that doesn’t really exist and in the process will mess up one of the most enjoyable places to ride. Most riders, except the most casual and families, will end up in more conflict with cars. If they want to ensure pedestrian safety, install a sidewalk on the “inside” of the loop adjacent to the golf course property. Leave the roads alone.

[JorgeGortex]

Thanks, Komo and Judd! I appreciate the intel. This could be a really nice day ride. One other question-

I know about taking bikes on Metro, but I’m having a hard time finding info about the MARC train, which seems like I’d grab at New Carrolton. Do you have any insight about taking bikes onto the MARC trains and how that works? (I’ve never taken MARC anywhere, and not taken a bike on Amtrack either.)

Thanks, JG

@komorebi 211638 wrote:

The route uses a lot of bike lanes, trails, and back roads, and I’ve found it all pretty manageable even when riding solo. The hairiest area is between miles 6.7 and 12.0, where you’ll just need to be assertive and take the lane. And yes, once you’re at Benning Road you can take either side of the Anacostia trail system and work your way back to Arlington. You’ll also be pretty close to the Minnesota Ave. metro station if you want to metro back to Arlington from there.

One other thing to note is that the tracks at Penn Station are one level below the station, so you’ll need to carry your bike up the stairs to exit the station. With a fully loaded bike, I usually have to make two trips up and down the stairs — one trip to carry the bike up, and one trip to carry the panniers up.

[JorgeGortex]

@komorebi 211633 wrote:

I’ve only ever ridden DC -> Baltimore, not vice versa, but https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37966497 is the reverse of the route I did last month, which I thought worked pretty well. Just pay attention to the few places on the cuesheet (at miles 3.0, 4.3, and 10.1) where there are some tricky spots — e.g., I suggest staying on the sidewalk for a block or two, or using a cut-through by a train station.

This is really cool! A buddy had suggested doing a 50 miler for his birthday coming up in two weeks and this could be a good adventure. Once at Benning Road you could motor along the Anacostia trail, over the new bridge, and work our way back into Arlington. And you felt, except for the noted spots, that this was a pretty safe route in all regards? Any othe tips for riding it?

JG

[JorgeGortex]

What can we do to put pressure on those in charge of the MVT trail and other areas to get real fixes done in a reasonable amount of time? Riding the MVT is downright dangerous and something I avoid except to get to Haines Point the “easy” way these days. To make matters worse a friend went down hard after hitting a root bump today on the MVT near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and broke his collar bone. His MIPS helmet saved his head. He’s a very experienced cyclist, so this was a fluke for him, but still.

There are so many bad spots on the trails that make me think the engineers and foremen that do the construction are clueless. Let me make my rant list:

1. The turn from 4M trail along Glebe to get on the trail as it goes under W. Glebe and Glebe Rd. Who puts metal fencing on a 90-degree turn on a busy trail?
2. The new “round-a-bout” at the bottom of the Custis Trail after it goes under 66. The concrete edge is raised in such a way that if you aren’t careful you can catch the sidewall of your tire and nearly go down. Which I’ve nearly done more than once.
3. That beautiful new bridge over Lee/Langston Blvd that dumps into a busy, narrow trail with people merging or moving from two directions, with limited sightlines from 19th Rd.
4. The aforementioned MVT Trail, which is so rooted as to be absurd, let alone dangerous.

Frankly, I am surprised there aren’t more accidents and injuries in these locations. It’s a big reason I mostly avoid the trails anymore… and there is the irony because I now have to keep fingers crossed my smart riding protects me from the distracted idiots in cars.

JG

[JorgeGortex]

@Starduster 202175 wrote:

A year ago, Pete did a Bikenetic ride down to 12th & Florida NE, to the place where Dave Salovesh died. The day before, the first attempt at a ghost bike was installed (for date reference, #Bobco85 was back in town and rode with #Steve O the night before). Pete’s enormous humanity showed, the whole way. [ATTACH=CONFIG]21653[/ATTACH] (Photo by #Boomer2U)

Now I have my own journey to make to Lake Accotink, to sit at that place and find some sort of closure. Probably midday…

You are loved…

Thanks for sharing the photo and story. I think I may try to make my own pilgrimage after 3 today when work and child duties lift for the afternoon. #dirttherapy

[JorgeGortex]

@jabberwocky 202168 wrote:

I think he adopted it on the old (now defunct) MORE forum; when I first met him back in 2003, he went by peterbeers there, but a year or two later he changed it to dirt and went by that everywhere since. He drove a bright yellow GTI with the license plate “Eat Dirt” for a long time (which he still has, though I don’t think he had that plate anymore). He may have adopted dirt as a monicker before that, but thats as far back as I’ve known him.

Pete was one of a kind, a longtime friend, and when I got the call from the hospital my stomach knotted. Theres a Pete-shaped hole in my heart that I’ll probably always feel.

Pete spread a lot of love and wisdom around during his time here. Ultimately he left the world a much better place than he found it.

Thanks for sharing Jabberwocky. It’s nice to learn more about Pete. An amazing and special guy. I’m grateful for this forum (and the posts on his FB page) where we can share both our grief and love for him. You are not alone.

[JorgeGortex]

@Steve O 202162 wrote:

You don’t have a fixie anymore.

Yeah, but it went to a good home where it is loved. Like Pete.

[JorgeGortex]

@jrenaut 202154 wrote:

I haven’t even been able to begin to process this. On one hand I feel like I barely knew him, and on the other he undoubtedly made me a better person. Every singe time I’ve had what could have been a bad interaction with an inattentive driver but instead turned out well, it’s been because I was able to channel Pete’s positive vibes. I hear his voice in my head ALL THE TIME when I’m riding my bike, and every time it nudges me in a better direction.

I’m stuck on my fixie this week while my Bianchi is in the shop and coming home from a work errand, I rode it up the biggest hill in the neighborhood in Pete’s honor.

This photo he took after a 2015 Friday Coffee Club is particularly hard but I’m really glad I have it.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]21647[/ATTACH]

I think I am in your position as well. I knew him somewhat from this forum, and from going by the shop in the last couple of years when I found cycling again. I, very regretfully, only made it on one Sunday Coffee Ride he led back in February and it was such fun. I feel like I missed out on a lot by not getting on the bike sooner and getting involved.

And I cheer your fixie and your legs. I admit to not being the fittest right now, and my legs were not feeling it today, but when a buddy suggested we hit some areas with hills during our ride this morning I put one pedal after another and thought of Pete even as my heart beat out of my chest. It felt good.

PS- the only picture I have from riding with Pete from that Feb coffee ride: I’m dead center on orange. I was honored to be included.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]21648[/ATTACH]

[JorgeGortex]

@dkel 202153 wrote:

I haven’t decided yet whether I want to be on that spot where it happened…

Oddly, I found telling some coworkers about Pete kind of helped me. It’s great material, because he was such a positive influence. They liked hearing about a cyclist who made all those tough interactions with angry drivers and pedestrians about love and understanding. I still don’t know how he did it; it’s the reason I think about him so much when I’m on the bike–what would Dirt do?? This world will be lacking for that going forward.

Yeah, I feel you on that. I do have mixed feelings too… but going to the shop feels weird and even more painful b/c I’d expect him to be manning his position up front. I feel for all the guys at the shop too because they must be really reeling right now. I sort of want to take them a six-pack of good beer as a bit of cheer and remind them that they aren’t alone in all this.

I have to remember that mantra, and I am glad you reminded me/us of it: “What would DIRT do?” Do you know where that nickname came from?

[JorgeGortex]

@Starduster 202150 wrote:

I have a pilgrimage to make Friday.

Yeah, I’m feeling the same. Find a way to get some closure of sorts.

[JorgeGortex]

I’ve always been a fringe participant in the local biking community, focusing on other things in life while enjoying cycling virtually until a few years ago. Then I dove in headfirst and immediately needed a mechanic… and everyone yelled “PETE!” So I went and I was immediately taken by a man and shop where I was treated with respect and interest just because I rode a bike. The smile, the hearty greeting, the sense of humor, and the warmth I felt when I’d go by the shop or send an email to Pete with a question truly made me feel like I had found a new community. It wasn’t until recently when I connected the pink dots and got that Pete = Dirt here on the forum. I had met a legend, who I could actually ride with. And I did. Once. On a coffee ride with the Bikenetic gang. It wasn’t enough.

Like many of you, I am mourning someone special. I said to my wife this morning that I felt ridiculous tearing up while reading tributes on his Facebook page when I barely knew the man. I felt guilty. But then it dawned on me that the tears were really about love and goodness and that is EXACTLY what Pete would appreciate.

Thanks, Pete, for being you. You are loved.

JorgeGortex aka George Kirschbaum

[JorgeGortex]

Bumpitty bump bump.

[JorgeGortex]

@Crickey7 190204 wrote:

Yeah, I’d go with the cheapest. Performance on all of the current offerings is more than adequate for someone not looking to post amazing videos of themselves shredding. And all out now, I believe, have replay screens on the back.

My Hero5 has a screen. The older models like my 3 can be outfitted with an accessory rear screen that works well.

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