[JustinW]

Monday bump – the riders are approaching Utah and are 29 days in. A recent FB posting:

Dear families, friends and supporters:
We are 10 days away from San Francisco. We have ridden over 2,700 miles … Climbing the Appalachians and the Rockies, enjoying the endless flats in Kansas or the roller coasters in the Ozarks. It has been a great adventure, even better with all the support received via likes, texts, messages, donations … etc
We are in the last stretch and we would like to ask you a last effort. Stay with us until July 4th and consider donation or encourage others to do it. We have raised $5,700 so far … Our goal is $10,000 and if we reach that number, the biking team will do something special … suggestions accepted.

THANK YOU !!!!

Biking for Phil Keating fund team.

http://bikingforphilkeatingfund.blogspot.com/

[JustinW]

Did it last year – would have done it again had I been more aware. Nice ride, great support, some rolling hills but nothing horrible, attracts a variety of riders. One of the rest stops (towards the end) is right on the river, gorgeous views, with fabulous tomato sandwiches that taste “just right” at that point in the journey. Well worth it.

[JustinW]

Wonderfully clean trails (at least what I saw on the W&OD) this AM. Big change from yesterday PM. Sent a happy note to those responsible for trail cleanup. Do likewise if the stewards of our trails do good work, please.

[JustinW]

Woot! Saw the spray paint markings and was hoping they were there preceding this sort of work! Big plus…

[JustinW]

This is a cool program. My son volunteered for several shifts last year, and I’m doing a week along with my daughter this summer.

Even if you can just eke out one session for one week, please consider helping out.

[JustinW]

Friday bump – the lads are hitting the mountains now. Pics and updates here: http://bikingforphilkeatingfund.blogspot.com/. Offer the guys some support – send them positive comments, helpful long distance hints, or even considering donating to the fund. Thanks for sharing the customary BikeArlington positive vibes as they trek westward!

[JustinW]

Me: Biking along and approaching joggers from behind or head-on.

You: Jogging with that awkward side-to-side motion (or perhaps pivoting just your lower legs outward as you run).

Me: My knees start aching in sympathy every time I see such a thing. Luckily I can ride past and resume bodily happiness.

[JustinW]

I assume from the way the service’s name is displayed that the service is sponsored by Citibank, yes? Has CaBi gotten any closer to being able to seek and display a sponsor?

[JustinW]

The iPhone can work depending on the length of the ride and the location / signal availability. Turning off the wifi search increases battery life. I used an iPhone on metric centuries and a full century and it worked in all cases ( tho for the full century it pooped out with about 4 miles to go, and after going through some low coverage areas). Many useful apps exist. If the rides are not oh-so lo and you are in areas with decent signal coverage, you should be fine.

An exception is that, as with many biking related issues, using the phone as a computer deprives you of the chance to but more toys. Everyone wants more toys, yes? Tradeoffs…

[JustinW]

An issue is the trip home after the fireworks. The MVT is usually dark and crowded with pedestrians with varying degrees of awareness and sobriety. A biker needs lots of lights, patience and time, because it can be really slow going.

Other than that, biking to a spot on the river is a great way to get premium viewing with minimal effort.

[JustinW]

FWIW, the bike tour portion of the event will hit houses labelled B through F on the event’s PDF / booklet.

[JustinW]

me: Stopped on the W&OD yesterday afternoon, waiting to cross eastbound @ Columbia Pike
you: Offering protesting comments to the silly motorist who initially looked like he’d go through the yellow/red light, then ended up stopping squarely in the crosswalk, blocking your path. I had to agree that the motorist was in the wrong….
me: Exiting the W&OD @ George Mason, where….
you: Did not want to wait for the light at George Mason, so you ran through the red and then got stuck in the middle of the road waiting for traffic. Sorta like the pot calling the kettle black in this case. If you don’t like errant commuters blocking crosswalks, don’t be that guy stuck in the crosswalk in the middle of a major intersection.
me: Hoping you got home ok.

[JustinW]

I’ve not biked there for a match, but I’ve seen plenty of cyclists afterwards, so clearly there is fairly safe bike parking around. Just remember proper lighting for the return trip – some fans kinda forget about being seen after dark….

[JustinW]

I have some on my commuting bike, one per wheel opposite the valve stems. No noticeable balance issues. Fun and useful.

[JustinW]

I am Justin, can be found on the W&OD between Shirlington and Ballston weekdays and sundry other locations/roads/trails otherwise. Red/silver/black Giant OCR (with a rear rack and BikeArlington pantleg band reflective doohickey below the seatpost) for commutes, silver/red/black (yeah, complete coincidence, really) Fuji Frankenbike for other / touring uses. Also generally known to abuse ELITE rider clothing protocols.

[Author]

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