[Justin Antos]

It was a great ride! Here was our route, as recorded by my phone. Got a little lost around Wisconsin and Van Ness, and may have blown past Texas Ave, but otherwise I think we bagged all 50. The camaraderie with the other riders, and the scenery were the highlights. Adding in the ride from home, this was definitely the longest I’ve ever sat in the saddle. We even saw some sun peeking out!

[Justin Antos]

True, some bike lights can be pretty bright. In my post, I meant getting blinded headlights from the cars going northbound on the GW Parkway!

[Justin Antos]

I second the recommendation to avoid going southbound on the MVT after nightfall. You’re frequently blinded by oncoming car headlights – exquisitely calibrated to be just at eye level for an extra special dose of blinding-ness. I’ve yet to figure out any kind of light setup or visor that’s very effective against it. At times I’ve had trouble even seeing the trail, let alone ninjas on it.

[Justin Antos]

I was thinking something like this, only easily removable and custom-fit to work with a CaBi and a Dunkie’s medium regulah.

[Justin Antos]

I’ve faced a similar conundrum. Sometimes ya just need Dunkies. It’d be great if someone could invent a cup holder that fit into the CaBi basket somehow!

[Justin Antos]

I also did the full Arlington loop, and all downed trees mentioned in earlier post had been cleared with chainsaws or moved off to the side. Lots of leaves, sticks on the Custis especially, and in wooded areas of MVT, but everything is passable. W&OD east of Bluemont all clear, including road underpasses.

MVT was exceptionally busy…

[Justin Antos]

I did the loop about 6pm tonight- all clear, actually less debris than MVT or Custis. Just a strong headwind going northbound .

[Justin Antos]

Great information, thanks DSalovesh. I use E St. NW alot and was wondering the same thing, and have recently been either taking the lane westbound (and feeling similar to nicegirl) or riding on the sidewalk eastbound for that block.

Unfortunately, E St. NW is one of the few relatively safe ways to cross 395 around there. The crossings to the north and south are primarily designed for funneling cars to/from the freeway, with bike-unfriendly slip lanes. During the second phase of construction when all of E Street is shut down, is D St. the best east-west alternative for bicyclists? (The H St./Mass. Ave. intersection is kinda chaotic). Could there be signs for cyclists advising a good detour? Maybe some temporary treatments (signage, cones, painted lanes, e.g.) around D and 3rd to help us navigate across the slip lanes?

Good luck with the construction project. It’s never easy in a downtown area.

[Justin Antos]

I like to think I gain a 25th hour in every day by combining commuting with exercising.

[Justin Antos]

Ah… yeah, I never ride for more than a few hours. My maximum probably coincides with the phone’s

[Justin Antos]

As for others’ complaints that phone apps drain the battery… I’ve never had a problem with it.

Also, the GPS on my iPhone does tend to jump around near tall buildings downtown. Further afield is no problem.

[Justin Antos]

RunMeter on my iPhone. Syncs pretty easily to Google Calendar, Twitter, etc. Good “route” capabilities for commutes and frequent trips. Even gives you “behind best by 2 mins” announcements.

[Justin Antos]

13.3 MPH over 900+ miles since I started keeping track with my phone in April. This is for my commute, errands, and everything else. Trails in Arlington definitely faster; slower in traffic in DC.

[Justin Antos]

Also, thanks for stopping at that crosswalk. I have always been taught that drivers stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, too. I’d like to buy you both a beer.

[Justin Antos]

David, the cyclist may be identified in a post over on Greater Greater Washington who picked up on this yesterday, I’m guessing it’s the same incident (do you drive a red BMW?) link.

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