[Kitty]

Ooo Ooo! I think I have one. I’m new to this game, so let me know what you think of: The Michigander “You call that a snow day?” Prize!

It will go to whomever rides on each of the official OPM-called snow days this season. If there are multiple candidates, mileage will be the tie-breaker.

If there are no snow days this year, I’ll think of something else emblematic (Strava route that most closely resembles a mitten?)

For the prize, I’m thinking a 6-pack of assorted craft beers from Michigan.

[Kitty]

Well you guys did it. You not only got me to sign up for BAFS, but now I’m on Strava.

Time to figure out what I signed up for… and get warm gloves.

[Kitty]

Thanks for sharing w&w! Reading it was a nice way to reflect on the holiday (as well as wonderful year of cycling) before gearing up for a drizzly commute.

Despite hosting Thanksgiving this year (first time having it at our place and therefore in charge of the turkey :eek:) I was able to get out beforehand for a ride. I spent the first half reflecting on the blessings of the year, including quite a few cycling related ones!

Beyond the basic ones (healthy body, supportive husband who can deal with my riding off incommunicado for half a day etc.) I’m so thankful for the numerous opportunities this area provides for cycling, in terms of trails, routes, and events! I know none of them would exist without the investment of time, treasure and passion of people who came before; so I’m grateful to the community that supports it. To that end, I’m so thankful I wandered onto the forums this year and was able to meet you all. It has this year the best for cycling yet!

[Kitty]

Hey! It looks like you’re way ahead of the game!

[Kitty]

@Tim Kelley 127783 wrote:

A few photos of the velodrome in Tokyo from my visit last year:

That’s awesome! Those action shots are fantastic!
I’ve only recently learned the Keirin and how highly regimented it is. (All riders, bikes etc, need to be up to every precise spec.) Apparently it was started as a gambling sport, much like horse or dog racing, so a lot of care it put into trying to keep the yakuza (Japanese mob) out of it.

@dasgeh 127887 wrote:

This is, I believe, a “frame lock” (I’m familiar with them attached to the frame, not the fender). They are useful here for cargo bikes, which are too heavy pick up. You can buy a chain/cable that works with a frame lock, but generally these are less useful for normal bikes. But, man, is it convenient to just turn the key and go.

You’re right, they probably are attached to the frame, just over the fender:

I like the idea of them on a cargo bike or anything else no one is going to walk off with. That’s the one benefit of so many people being on similar large, heavy, cheap bikes, less temptation to steal! (societal opprobrium not withstanding)

[Kitty]

I wonder how many of the 320 respondents came from this forum… Lord know I dropped a lot of comment pins!

[Kitty]

It’s a real shame that the W&OD doesn’t even show up on the map. It took a moment, but I was able to find the area of concern.

Frankly I’d love it if this project finds some way to keep us from being kicked off the trail onto Tuckahoe with that “traffic doesn’t stop” crossing; and/or addresses the frustrating intersection at Lee. (“Who’s turn is it to go?” “I don’t know! All the lights are red!” Until of course the crosslight comes on and right turning traffic barrels into peds/bikes)

Those two spots are among the most frustrating on the W&OD for me, so if this project addresses them, I’m for it!

[Kitty]

@Steve O 127917 wrote:

My estimated start time for the Honeycrisp (longer route) is 9:30. Would love to have some people join me, since Boomer and Sarah have downgraded to the shorter route.

I’ll ride with you Steve if you want (assuming you’re going to do the actual Honeycrisp route and not Greenbelt’s “Cue-sheets-be-damned-magical-mystery-tour”) and can show up later to accommodate.

If not, let me know and I might try to catch Colin’s 8:30 roll-out.

In any event, despite the possible vitriol from riding in College Park tomorrow, I’ll be in my white Michigan State jersey again because it is a football Saturday in fall and I am obligated to wear Green and White on game days. (Interestingly, MSU is playing Maryland tomorrow)

[Kitty]

You know? This sounds like a bunch of fun! I really love the idea of cops on bikes and would love to get to know some and what their jurisdiction is.

The bummer is that it’s on a Sunday morning, and call me old fashioned, but I have church…

[Kitty]

@Steve O 127761 wrote:

Some of us from the BBBB group (it’s a secret society – ssshhh) will be rolling about 9:30 on the Honeycrisp. You can look for me or SarahBee or Boomer. I have bicycle icicles just below my saddle. And a brand new, bright, dynamo powered tail light.

Ah! I was thinking I’d have to try to be there by 8:30, but to be real, I’ll be riding there from Rosslyn. Meeting up at 9:30 sounds doable.

[Kitty]

That’s a grand idea! I’m going to need fun things like this to convince me that doing more riding than the daily commute is a good idea this winter. :p

[Kitty]

I’ll also be a first-time Cider-Rider. I’ll be doing the Honeycrisp?

Will anyone among us be marshaling? If so, I’ll happily follow you!

If not, is there interest in starting a little Bike Arlington mob?

[Kitty]

Aside from that, here are some miscellaneous bike-related photos. I didn’t get any of my husband or I on our Kyoto-by-Bike adventure, largely because he wasn’t having much fun (our bikes weren’t in the best shape and his had brakes that kept locking and gears that wouldn’t shift) but the memories were there. It was a fun way to get around for touring.

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This “rugged” Mommy Bike in Tokyo is a Chevy. Seriously, the decal reads “Heartbeat of America.” Hummer was another popular model.

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A van decorated with “Keirin” bikes- a special indoor type of racing.

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A bike shop in Sendai with a ton of “Mommy Bikes” parked outside. (I have to wonder if they bring them out and set them up every morning)

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A shot of the same shop. What struck my eye is they do sell road and performance bikes, but inside on the 3rd floor–with the sporty figure jumping the roof!

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A quiet neighborhood street in Kyoto, with the residents’ bikes parked just outside the front door.

[Kitty]

Aww man! The biggest bummer is the Saturday/Sunday rule. I don’t suppose belated summer vacation counts?

The only bike I’m going to see for the next week+ is the one I’m renting to tour Kyoto, which will fall on Wednesday.

[Kitty]

@Rod Smith 125365 wrote:

They won on paper. Show me a single GCC rider who has GPS documentation to back up their claims. I can’t find one. The ones who do Strava have LOTS more miles on NBC than on Strava. We are almost all 100% verifiable. Call me a sore loser but I don’t believe we lost!

I don’t believe we lost, but for other reasons. I just spent some time looking over the final numbers, and there’s some stuff we can be proud of!

Before joining the WAAS part-way through the season, the big things on the leader board I’d watch was city and state. For cities over 200,000, Arlington finished 17 and DC 15 (high enough to be on the big board). Imagine how things would be different if the Virginia half of the ol’ District hadn’t wandered off!

In terms of state, in the end we were able to get all three: DC, Maryland, and Virginia on the board–I don’t think I’ve seen that yet!

Finally, as a Community Challenge, Bike Arlington… i.e. us if our jerseys are telling the truth, finished 9th!

Its a bummer to be edged out in the end, but there were a lot of positive icons on the big board at the end of the challenge.
(Plus, I was able to help pedal Michigan State to 5th–no match for the likes of Wisconsin, but better than UofM!)

[Author]

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