[JustinW]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]9781[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]9782[/ATTACH]Bike varieties @ the Ballston pitstop. It was great seeing so many kids out on a less-than-stellar day!

[JustinW]

Overall this is a great idea and a fun route. Have you considered taking it to the entity in Alexandria (I am naively assuming there is one) that is the Bike Arlington equivalent for the Alexandria? (I found this…but don’t they have anything more evolved?) There’s a good amount of official Arlington support for the Arlington Loop, as there should be in Alexandria for their iteration.

In so doing you might (a) elevate the profile of cyclists in the community, (b) possibly effect some beneficial changes along the route of the newly recognized loop, and (c) be able to trademark the name you’ve coined and make millions (not really, tho you may earn bragging rights).

[JustinW]

Funny, I biked thru the area (using a signalled crosswalk) and almost got hit by a guy trying to jump the green light (no arrow) and turn left across the crosswalk that indicated “walk”….But I don’t think I was “your guy” as I did not yell at anyone later.

In your scenario, you ask who would be at fault. I would prefer to take the angle of “what’s the safest approach in a situation like this”. Having just taught my two kids to drive, I made sure I gave them specific info about crosswalks and users of crosswalks (peds, cyclists, etc.) and the random nature of their use. As a motorist, you should look not just at the crosswalk but also at the approaches to said crosswalk. Even then you may not catch everything (e.g. the cyclist in the OP’s account) if someone blasts into the crosswalk. So, caution when approaching any crosswalk, even those that are seemingly vacant, is a safe approach. It means you’ll be a bit slower traveling in the car, but ultimately it should avoid a chance encounter with a late crosswalk user.

As a motorist, I’ve screwed up and not always been as vigilant as I should be. As a cyclist I have not always been as predicable as I should be. Still working on improving in both arenas….

[JustinW]

Perhaps related to the power lines downed in S ARL near Barcroft Park, the trail going thru the park has a surprise hose / line / cable lying across it. No signage. Cable is 3″ to 4″ in diameter, so you can manage it easily enough * if* you know it is there. As it gets darker, watch out.

[JustinW]

@KLizotte 115549 wrote:

Justin, I wonder if you might have told the EMS folks what happened since you were obviously speaking with them (and now don’t remember). Perhaps you could contact them to see if they recall what you might have said at the time?

Did that already. They did not have a lot to offer. I suspect their focus is more on fixing the silly human rather than determining exactly what caused the incident. The closest to a cause I could get was “curb”, which is kinda vague.

My wife blames the rock cairns seen on the nearby embankment. I’m sticking with my angry squirrels story. I assume I won’t find out anything definitive, and simply will need to be more careful in general in the future.

And again, thanks all for the time and inputs. Lovely having the support of this fine group. Good on y’all!

[JustinW]

@rcannon100 115382 wrote:

I stopped by and inspected where the event took place….

You are a gentleman and a scholar. And a would-be forensics expert. Thanks for taking the time to check out the scene.

[JustinW]

All fair questions…and has been stated, we may never know unless someone watched as I fell (or some such thing).

Anyway, thanks for the thoughts and the wishes.

[JustinW]

Yup I looked at the flyby first thing to try to recreate what happened and see who might have seen anything. Puzzling locations of no movement – perhaps starting in the road and later moved (into the ambulance?).

Unfortunately the EMS and dispatch records shed no real light, either.

Thanks anyway for the inputs.

[JustinW]

Here’s the activity: https://app.strava.com/activities/297668193

I remember *zero* about this ride – I’m missing about 24 hours, give or take, starting about an hour or more *before* this ride took place. Yeah, when I bonk I bonk all the way.

And yes the bridge-to-trail transition sucks there, and I’ve wondered if an errant bunnyhop did me in. I’m not entirely sure I was on the trail at that point vs. on the parallel stretch of road, tho the track looks like I was on the trail for a while.

Maybe one of those mysterious rock structures next to the underpass got me….

[JustinW]

“15. Anyone know what is up with the bike (looks like a kids’ bike) on the island in four mile run?” — Noticed that last weekend. Was wondering if it was deliberately placed there, propped against a tree, or if the stream flow on a rainy day simply plopped it there. Pretty eye-catching in many ways.

[JustinW]

That is poor timing given that the 22nd is Car Free Day…

[JustinW]

You convince a co-worker to ride the extra bike with you serving as the guide. Buy ’em a beer afterwards and all is done!

[JustinW]

@consularrider 90019 wrote:

Well, not independent LBS, but you also have Performance at Baileys Crossroads and REI at Leesburg Pike and Carlin Springs which are relatively close. In north Old Town you have Wheel Nuts on Montgomery St between Fairfax and Royal, then west of Old Town is Pro Bike Shop on Duke St, and in Old Town is Big Wheel Bikes. Of course, I’m still partial to Bikenetic.

Just down the road @ Barcroft Park you’ll have Phoenix Bikes. Over a ways on Columbia Pike you’ll have Papillon. Both worthy options!

[JustinW]

Best Value (!) in road closures – for July 4 Memorial Bridge and many roads ringing the Mall are closed to cars starting at something like 6am. That means unfettered bikeability…and it is too cool to bike down Memorial Bridge’s center stripes with nary a car in sight! Just have to watch the many wandering pedestrians who sometimes don’t realize that bikes are about.

While it is not as wonderful as Bike DC it comes in a really close 2nd. I will need to plan on spending more time enjoying those closures next year.

[JustinW]

The Greenbrier hill is moderate and steady, so it is not a big deal. Watch for pedestrians, however. Columbia Pike is generally not too bike-friendly, especially @ rush hour, so alternates may be wise. Sidewalks may be iffy at times. Depends on your level of patience. Still, the relative proximity to the trail(s) is a plus that you will appreciate.

[Author]

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