[jwfisher3]

Pete was probably the very first person to reach out to me to help when I asked questions on this Forum, now nearly a decade ago. Before long, I realized this Dirt guy was BikeDC’s version of the legendary Sheldon Brown. Pete knew bikes, and he knew the joy bikes brought to him, and he wanted you, me and everybody to share in it. He was always ready with words of encouragement, or some expert mechanical advice on a common passion we shared – single-speed cyclocross bikes. I loved watching his irrepressible personality come bursting out in all the images of rides he shared with all of us. He made even made cars (a banana yellow GTI? YES!!) cool. I’m so sorry he’s left us. I hope he’s on a ride with Dave somewhere out among the stars.

[jwfisher3]

@cvcalhoun 80920 wrote:

Sorry, but having been #1 in the Tortoise category in Freezing Saddles, I consider my credentials as “official slowest guy on the trail” impeccable! I like to think it’s because I have a 64-lb. bike and do a lot of my riding up either Wisconsin or the Capital Crescent Trail. But I have to admit that I consider it a good day when I’m able to pass a toddler on a tricycle. And alas, this is my fastest pace.

I’m just happy reading that I have some company in the slower pace crowd on the CCT. I get passed by just about everybody and everything, including young women wearing flip-flops and talking on their phone (!) My Surly only tips the scale at about 50lbs loaded up, but I’m guessing I’m not putting that weight differential to advantage.

[jwfisher3]

Count me in, starting next week. I’ve been riding the closed part of Beach Drive – only good thing I can find about this political theater-induced vacation, besides the fact my garden hasn’t looked this tidy in quite a while, and my dog is getting more exercise.

[jwfisher3]

I will cease and desist – I promise. I will occupy my time with trying to figure out how to get to Friday Coffee Club, now that I don’t leave for work at 0515, without using the CCT, which is closed due to shutdown. The conundrums continue.

[jwfisher3]

Like Steve, my work box would have blocked the Google Groups, but since I’m furloughed – success! Membership plea submitted. Thanks for starting the group.

[jwfisher3]

@rcannon100 59971 wrote:

25 or 6 to 4. Alright…. be honest…. who knows the reference without clicking on the link??

T

Know it? Hell, I can still play the opening drum riff on a handy drum kit – it’s the high-hat syncopation that makes it . . . .

[jwfisher3]

@Steve 59395 wrote:

Nice to meet you! When you slowed down after the turn, I thought maybe that was just your building or I would have waited to chat. I just bought a Disc Trucker as well, so I was eager to discuss. I’m sure I’ll see around base.

No, my building is in the middle of the base, so to speak. I saw where you stopped – I’m just a ways further south. The Disc Trucker is great – my second commute with it this morning – I’m just easing back into commuting after an enforced hiatus. You’ll love it. The steel frame and long wheelbase is great – I commuted on a Cannondale for a couple of years, and it’s a great bike, but the Surly is awesome. Hope to see you around soon.

[jwfisher3]

Had a sighting of a prestigious Bike Arlington vest wearing rider – I think might be Steve? – we rode across the Douglass bridge to the Firth Sterling (aka Navy) gate entrance of Joint Base Anacostia Bolling at the same time this morning. We exchanged a few appreciative words about the gift of this morning’s weather before heading off to our respective buildings on the Base. Meant to give props for the BA vest, but I got caught up in the putting away of the ID – next time.

[jwfisher3]

@rcannon100 56757 wrote:

Anyone recommend a good Surly shop?

I bought my Disc Trucker at City Bikes in Chevy Chase (blocks away from me) earlier this summer, but also found the folks at BicycleSpace very helpful to talk to, though they didn’t have any LHTs or Disc Truckers in my size in the store, and it was going to take some weeks to get one built up to test, since they were undergoing some reorganization at the shop

Wayne, the manager at City Bikes CCMD, was helpful and knowledgeable – I took lots of test rides, he brought in different sizes from the Adams Morgan store, and got me the Surly rear rack I wanted, as well as did a nice job of installing the SKS fenders I supplied. Overall, I agree with Greenbelt (no surprise there) – talk to a shop you like and trust, and they can get a Surly for you to try, or build you what you want. The Konas and Bianchis are pretty sweet too, but I fell for the Surly’s long wheelbase, touring geometry, and steel feel. It also has a good mix of components in the factory build.

[jwfisher3]

Just a heads-up to those thinking about bringing bikes on Metro this week – this is one of those periods Metro alludes to in their policy that invokes the right to deny access to cyclists during peak ridership periods at Metro employees discretion, meaning that if trains are crowded due to all the tourists and cherry blossom gawkers, you can be told to exit the system, or denied entry.

[jwfisher3]

I’ve been spending some time researching CX and light touring bikes, since I need a new commuter – I’ll append onto what’s already been posted. CX bikes are trending, and there’s lots of quality out there, in aluminum, steel and carbon frames. I like steel, since carbon CX bikes are racing bikes, and don’t have fender/rack eyelets on the dropouts. I find aluminum to be sorta harsh – my current commuter is a Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra, but newer frames from some of the makers claim to have tuned the ride by shaping seat stays, etc. to absorb some of the inherent stiffness in aluminum – you have to ride and try. A few bikes that looked interesting are Specialized TriCross Elite Steel Disc Triple and the Kona Rove. Both steel bikes with mechanical discs (only way you’ll get discs on a drop bar bike) and overall nice spec. I rode the Specialized, and also a Cannondale CAADX 105 (to compare and contrast) in the last week and both performed well, but differently. Cannondale was lighter and zippier (partly comes from being 6lbs lighter @ 22lbs) but didn’t have the steel ride compliance that I like, and it stretches you out more than I like. I agree with the consensus here that a CX bike is not for rugged singletrack, unless you like the hardtail feel and can hold on tight to your hoods on a drop bar. I think Bianchi’s cyclocross bikes (Zurigo?) are also worth a look – I sure do miss my San Jose. Now, because I’m looking for a four season commuter, with that fender/rack requirement, I’m also looking at Surly frames – the Cross Check does not come as disc-capable, and the Disc Trucker is touring geometry. May go with a Long Haul Trucker. Lots to think about, but you love to ride, so it’s important to take your time. Oh, and doesn’t Ann have a CX bike? What’s her advice?

[jwfisher3]

Lots of great advice here – I’ll focus specifically on the issue of that stretch of Water Street, since I have the same stretch as part of my bike commute. Tim Kelley is absolutely correct (naturally) in urging you to take the lane. The issue with Water Street as you come off the Rock Creek Parkway to head to the CCT is this is tourist mecca – there are movie theaters, people jaywalking, the Whitehurst Freeway overhead, and streets (e.g. Thomas Jefferson, 31st, etc.) that dead-end into Water Street. I think you have to use your visibility – bright clothing, blinkies -even in daytime to maximize drivers and pedestrians noticing you. Another key is to be predictable – signal your intention to stop at each and every stop sign, and put a foot down, make eye contact with drivers so you know they know you’re there. Let pedestrians know that you will yield to them in the crosswalks just as cars must do. Watch for cars doing the “Crazy Ivan” u-turns if they spot parking opening up. Stop at CycleLife Cafe once in a while for a juice or a cappuccino. All these things will increase your comfort level, but always be anticipatory of the unexpected. I always feel better as I ride onto the trailhead, which brings its own issues.

[jwfisher3]

Oh, and I almost forgot – about the cycling caps – well, I’ve never actually had the pleasure of meeting Felkerino and MG/Gypsybug, but from what I can tell via images, and also BicycleSpace’s Friends of the Shop video, the peeps sporting the coolest most stylish caps are those two. I’d ask where they (she, I guess, specifically) get their great looking caps.

[jwfisher3]

I think you’ve already figured out that there’s ZERO chance that your guy wants to wear anything tight and shiny, so MTB shorts seem to be the way to go – Endura HumVees are excellent and look very much like cargo shorts (the favorite apparel of actual and/or perpetual adolescents everywhere) – I know Proteus is an Endura dealer. Could also go with a PI liner short, which gives him the chamois underneath a pair of his own favorite shorts (stealth). Those are available at REI, among other places.

[jwfisher3]

Aw, man, that sucks. Nothing worse than coming outside to find, well, nothing where something you spent time, attention, and $$ to build used to be. A nice ride, too, from the description – Brooks, VeloOrange, Soma, etc. Bet the thief doesn’t know what they have, but it should make it easier to “find.” Did you capture the bike serial# – remember, Surly puts it in a special place to make it easier to ID and recover (see Surly’s website for more details.) Also (and a shout-out on this goes to Kate C. aka @girlonabikedc, and an MPD officer) MPD makes it easier to check out the haul of what they recover, so you may be able to spot your bike that way – see https://secure.flickr.com/photos/mpd_evidencecontroldivision/sets/

Good luck – I hope your Shirly comes back to you, and intact.

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