[KelOnWheels]

@Terpfan 29553 wrote:

Maybe NPS is reading this thread (wishful thinking or reality?) because the sidewalk was open this morning down by the Jefferson. It looked great too. So if they’re reading, thanks for ending the detours (hopefully permanently).

Hurray!

[KelOnWheels]

That Soma does look nice. I like the Port Townsend in that pewter color – I think it was brown before.

[KelOnWheels]

Alright, then here is my imaginary shopping list to go with my imaginary moneys:

Surly Cross-Check (which I shall spell a different way every time I write it)
Surly LHT
Salsa Casseroll
All-City Space Horse
Jamis Bosanova
Jamis Aurora

what else?

[KelOnWheels]

@TwoWheelsDC 29540 wrote:

I once read you are 87% less likely to get hit by a car if you ride a CX bike….I uh, can’t find the source right now or get into the details as to how that stat could in any way be realistic, but I’m pretty much totally positive it’s accurate. So really, if your wife loves you at all, she’ll encourage you to get that CX bike.

Lemme know when you make that article up, maybe I can convince the in-laws I need an early Christmas present! Don’t forget to include the stats about how you’re 93% less likely to crash into sidewalks on a CX bike too.

[KelOnWheels]

Forgot to post this yesterday!

Me: black & pink 1993 Giant Rincon MTB locked up on C St NW. Slicks, original grips, SPDs.

You: black & pink 1993 Giant Rincon MTB locked up less than a block away on C St NW. Knobbies, bar ends, flat pedals.

I so should have gotten a picture but I was on the way to lunch and STARVING. Sadly it wasn’t there on the way back. I’ll keep an eye out for it though!

[KelOnWheels]

@Dirt 29533 wrote:

Drop bars for me. Lots more choice for how to position yourself on the bike.

That makes sense. I think I’m going to get Ergon grips with bar ends for the MTB soon (and maybe a narrower bar & longer stem). It would be nice to have a different hand position.

[KelOnWheels]

@TwoWheelsDC 29435 wrote:

Just remember, turn your head and look through the turn…your body will take care of the rest without you even having to consciously do anything. That’s probably the one motorcycling skill that has helped improve my bike handling. We all sort of do it instinctively without even realizing it, but learning to do it deliberately will make a big difference.

I concentrated on this on the way home tonight and conquered the ped bridge!

[KelOnWheels]

4 more from moi!

[KelOnWheels]

@Dirt 29490 wrote:

Fixed it…. Muahahahahaha

I see what you did thar, Mr. Fixie-it! :p

[KelOnWheels]

Riding up hills is fun when you can’t shift to your small chainring!

Oh wait, no it’s not.

[KelOnWheels]

@TwoWheelsDC 29448 wrote:

Not really…basically the ADA-compliant ramp from hell…

Whoa.

(No wonder I was confused, I tried looking at Satellite View and it showed me the wall side instead of the ramp.)

That looks perfect for some drills! It also looks like it’s not covered in slippery wet sticks and mud like the ped bridge is :p

[KelOnWheels]

@bobco85 29443 wrote:

If you’re looking for drills on tight downhill turns (both right and left hairpins) that won’t kill you if you mess up, try this obstacle course at the edge of the Eisenhower Avenue Connector in Alexandria: http://goo.gl/maps/us3Da

What the heck IS that?

[KelOnWheels]

@Terpfan 29438 wrote:

Today’s signage was great. It detoured me back into the construction mess with a chain link fence rather than to cross Ohio Drive. I’m not sure what the point of the detour sign is if not’s actually a legitimate detour. Maybe they will complete the project by Halloween.

I only made it through the detour because I followed someone else that actually knew where they were going. I like how there’s a giant concrete planter full of weeds right in the middle of the path you’re supposed to detour onto.

[KelOnWheels]

@TwoWheelsDC 29435 wrote:

Just remember, turn your head and look through the turn…your body will take care of the rest without you even having to consciously do anything. That’s probably the one motorcycling skill that has helped improve my bike handling. We all sort of do it instinctively without even realizing it, but learning to do it deliberately will make a big difference.

La bicicletta va dove vanno gli occhi.

Which is what I normally do, but post-crash I’m all “ZOMG IT IS A PAVEMENT WE’RE GONNA DIEEEEEE!” and tensing up instead of looking where I want to go. :p Eh, I’ll get over it. Probably not a bad plan to go a little slow while my shoulder’s healing up anyway. (It’s an awesome green color today.)

I felt a bit better after watching Chris Barton crash into a sidewalk during the USA Pro Challenge TT yesterday… of course he was actually going fast and around a corner and stuff, but hey

[KelOnWheels]

Goooood morning!

I have GOT to get a new helmet. My head is boiling in the Nutcase. I’ll probably like it in the winter.

Did a long run a little too hard yesterday (what is UP with this running thing?) so I took it slow this morning.

OK, so when am I gonna get over being terrified of the edges of pavement? If I keep riding like I’m going to crash, I’m going to crash :p On Friday I WALKED my bike down the hairpin turn on the Shirlington ped bridge. (I experimented this morning and discovered that I am more comfortable turning left downhill than right. Time for some drills!)

OTOH, I was totally fine with the giant truck trying to mash me into the curb on 15th and the dude that sorta kinda left hooked me on Penn Ave. Fortunately they were both moving slowly. COMMIT, PEOPLE!

My brakes work extremely well. I braked like I had my old brakes and wound up emergency stopping right off the back really far from the left turning guy. Ha.

I think I got a drop of puddle water in my mouth. Death is no doubt imminent.

Oh! And since I rode an extra 10 last week because of the crash, I can add a third commuting day on either this week or next week (10% would be 5 miles but a third day is only 8 more miles.)

[Author]

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