[Kbikeva]

How will it work? Where do you want the photo? With bike? Today I biked to the bank to cash the check my mom sent for Christmas. The drive/bike through was full so I parked, masked, and went in. It’s so weird to be required to wear a mask inside a bank. A year ago, they would have hit an alarm! I don’t think I’ve actually been inside since all this started! Haven’t really needed to cash any checks either. Times are strange.

Since I couldn’t take the bike inside, I took a photo with the ATM on the front wall. I’m having trouble posting photos upright today, so this may require you to crane your neck sideways. Apologies in advance.

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[Kbikeva]

#STEM

NovaLabs in Reston is the largest maker space in the area. It’s also completely self-funded by members and sponsors – no government money. And it’s non-profit. The result is a community of passionate, encouraging, inclusive individuals who teach, guide, share, and support all kinds of technology ventures. Everything from 3D printers to textiles to robotics to CNC and laser cutters to wood working to costumes and more. NovaLabs is the home of TeamRhinoHawk, a competitive drone team that brings all kinds of expertise together to solve real world problems.

They’re the founders of MakerFaireNova, now produced in conjunction with George Mason University.

While NovaLabs has always been extremely supportive to homeschool families, in the fall of 2020, they launched a school alternative for families wanting to have their kids in some kind of physical school with a focus on STEM.

The best news for interested cyclists from outside Reston is that it’s just off the W&OD, and a short ride from the Wiehle-Reston Silver Line Station.

I’m having trouble getting photos upright, so apologies in advance if this is sideways. It’s probably a reflection of my tech ineptitude. Yesterday, they posted just fine. sigh

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[Kbikeva]

#civilwarmarker – Hunter Mill (on the W&OD between Vienna and Reston)

This crossroads was key to western Fairfax in 1862. Hunter Mill Rd was a ‘major’ thoroughfare, and the Alexandria, Loudoun & Hampshire Railroad crossed here. Troops from both sides moved along the tracks between Vienna and Leesburg. In September 1862, Confederate General Wade Hampton moved through here on the way to Antietam. In June 1863, both Union troops (under Joe Hooker) and Confederate troops (under J.E.B. Stuart) passed through here on their way to Pennsylvania and what would become known as Gettysburg.

Despite tremendous pressure from traffic counts on Hunter Mill (it connects 66 and the Dulles Toll Road), the Hunter Mill Defense League is determined to stave off any attempts to widen or change the character of this road citing its historical importance. For cyclists, any widening of Hunter Mill would negatively affect the W&OD crossing as well. In August 2020, button activated flashing beacons were installed to improve safety of this crossing. Apparently the flashing yellow “always on” lights had lost effectiveness for drivers.

I’m having trouble posting photos upright, so if this is sideways, apologies in advance.

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[Kbikeva]

Glyndon Park in Vienna. We lived nearby this park briefly when we returned to the DC area. It was just the right size for my kids to run and play in without getting too far away.

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[Kbikeva]

At the Vienna Community Center, right next to the W&OD. It’s called, “Take Flight” and is by Texas sculptors Seth & Missy Vandable. I focused on the side with the boy reading. The other side shows a girl seeming to take off towards the sky. The figures are atop a stack of books.

I don’t know how to make the photo flip upright for posting. Any pointers?

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[Kbikeva]

1/4/21 – Italian Restaurant, no “zz” or “Garden” in the name or the sign

Lucia’s Italian Ristorante

Neighborhood place in Reston (technically Herndon but not the part of Herndon those of you who use the W&OD think of as Herndon). They’re really supportive of local youth programs and have a party room for when we can have parties. And yes, they serve spaghetti. Wait … can an Italian restaurant call itself that if it does NOT serve spaghetti?

Can you imagine if @drevil had said, “no double letters” instead of just no “zz”? THAT would have been challenging!

Sorry, I can’t get the photo to flip right side up.

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[Kbikeva]

Here’s my wormhole. It’s fun because there’s climbing, it’s paved the whole way, and it gets you not only off the busy W&OD but away from the cars on 2 lane Hunter Mill. I made a cut out from my today’s ride map. Do I need to also hashtag it on my Strava ride for the day?

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[Kbikeva]

Yes, we sent a note to Henry but I know he’s busy and underfunded. I hoped that one of the very active people on the forum might have come across the issues and knew a work around so Henry wouldn’t have to bother with it. And of course, there are a notable number of high-frequency users of the forum who are part of BAFS.

[Kbikeva]

What is the difference between a wormhole and a great shortcut?

And here’s a great resource for finding “otherwise undefined” connections in Fx County. If you turn on the “trail buddy” layer, it tells almost all.

https://fairfaxcountygis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Viewer/index.html?appid=8a7ac4884e9c4c9bb37acc69dfb237a4

[Kbikeva]

In the edited rules for sites that aren’t necessarily marked as CW sites, you mentioned our bike being in the photo. I don’t see that requirement in the other rules (Markers, Streets). So — should our bikes be in the photo or is that optional except if the site isn’t obviously CW?

[Kbikeva]

Birthday gift from a friend. I posted the photo in the wrong place earlier. This forum is bewildering in the number of wrong places one can end up!

They’re not in bike shoes b/c my shoes are still drying from this morning’s wet ride. But I got the wizard so it was worth it!

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[Kbikeva]

Is this the SOCK THREAD? These were a birthday gift from a friend who bikes (is there any other kind of friend?). Each time I wear them I think of her and smile. They’re not in bike shoes right now because my bike shoes are drying from my ride this morning.

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[Kbikeva]

1/3/21 – Elf or Wizard

I planned a route through a much decorated neighborhood and had captured several elves to choose from once I got home. Channeling my shire instincts, I decided to go OFF ROUTE to take a shortcut along a road I haven’t traveled since schools went virtual. Coddiwompling along (see definition below), I came to a “T” intersection and Shazam — Serendipity is best enjoyed via bicycle!
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Coddiwomple (v.) To travel purposefully toward an as-yet-unknown destination. (English slang)

[Kbikeva]

Thanks for posting the challenge. I find myself looking at the environment around me in a completely different way. Well done!

[Kbikeva]

1/2/21 – Palindrome – Level

If only this was Amsterdam, this would be BIKE parking! A selfie at Reston Town Center
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