[Kitty]

@consularrider 122473 wrote:

By getting lost today, I got ten more points than I had planned on. You’re welcome. Too bad that didn’t make up for not riding yesterday. :p

Last I checked, you’re still in the Top Ten for the challenge period for our little community.

[Kitty]

@bentbike33 122487 wrote:

Unfortunately, the work lines don’t reach the root-heaves, etc. at the bottom of the hill, not to mention the moguls on the shelf road to the bridge to nowhere. To me, this stretch of the Custis is worse than most of what was just repaved. But I know we must be thankful for all trail maintenance.

Darn! That was just the part I was hoping they’d redo. I’ve hit some of those pretty hard…

[Kitty]

I’ve got to say, nothing seems to clear the MVT like the “threat” of rainstorms. I’m so glad I rolled the dice and came anyway. Last night was a blast and after a very stressful work day the HH and the 9 mile ride to get there was just what the Dr. ordered! Thank you again Arlingtonrider for putting it together!

As I’d hoped, it was a great opportunity to regroup with Boomer and Pete and share TDF stories. 😮

[Kitty]

@lordofthemark 122441 wrote:

Iced coffee at Caffe Amouri. Smoothie at Green Lizard. Lunch at South Street Under in Leesburg. Beer at Crooked Run Brewing. Cookie at Green Lizard.

I stop for breaks ALOT.

Folks here can tell you more about Caffe Amouri. GL is a must stop, for the scene if nothing else. SSU was sort of standard upscale bakery/sandwich place.

Oooh man. I’m not even going to do this until next-week Saturday (need to rest my knee with some easy riding this weekend) and already I want to start plotting out my “pit stops”

[Kitty]

@elbows 122454 wrote:

The park police were not friendly but they didn’t try to blame me and were not unprofessional.

That’s good to know! In a situation like that where you’re tangentially involved, it would probably be best to stick around.

[Kitty]

@Kitty 122433 wrote:

(Though I’m trying to remember what BAFS is?)

Of course! “Bike. Arlington. Freezing. Saddles.” Duh… It until I left my computer and was brushing my teeth to come to me.

[Kitty]

@Powerful Pete 122388 wrote:

Kitty, we spoke to you, I guess – Boomer asked you about the jersey and informed you about the mental-illness that is BAFS?

I’d hoped that was the case! (Though I’m trying to remember what BAFS is?) It was really fun to have that rolling connection before I lost the pack.

I ended up riding solo for most of the route, which was kind of nice in its own way. (So long as I knew people were still behind me, I didn’t feel bad about losing sight of people ahead) By my next century I hope to have saved up enough for a set of road tires which might help a bit.

[Kitty]

Thanks for the further inspiration LoM! I’d wanted to go all the way to Purcellville as part of my century training, but ran out of time. I think I’m going to take it easy this weekend (maybe a 30-40 mile ride somewhere), but will “complete” the WO&D the weekend after.

Did you stop to eat? Any recommendations?

[Kitty]

You know, I’ve never ridden on Beach drive when it wasn’t closed off due to weekend/holiday. When cars are on it, is it heavy traffic? Or still a fairly “sharable” road? :confused:

[Kitty]

@Brendan von Buckingham 122422 wrote:

I’m with SotD. If you want to give an eyewitness account, make sure to stash your bike in some bushes, ditch your helmet and explain the wardrobe by saying you were out for a run or a walk.

That’s a shame. For a moment there I was inspired to be helpful in case I saw anything while riding in the future…

[Kitty]

@mstone 122019 wrote:

I’m jealous–when I was a kid we had bowling and square dancing in PE, never bikes.

We played a lot of kickball, and floor hockey. We only learned to ride bikes if our parents/other adults bothered to teach us. I continue to be AMAZED by APS (but this is coming from a poor, semi-rural rustbelt community)

[Kitty]

@jonathankrall 121834 wrote:

I’m working on a story about going or staying car free or car lite (less cars than adults): How did you get from “I need to own a car” to “I don’t need to own a car”? Were you reluctant? What convinced you to make the leap? What did living without a car teach you? Any surprises?

Here are some more, perhaps silly, questions:
Is living car free a “lifestyle”?

I have read that Americans are hesitant do any of the following without a car: buy groceries, run errands with children, run errands on rainy days, or shop at big box stores. How do you do these things?

FWIW, my previous writing can be found here: http://www.alexandrianews.org/category/transportation-talk/

Indeed! While I’m not nearly as awesome as Dasgeth with the kids and all, I try to avoid driving as much as possible, and I grew up in MICHIGAN loving CARS!

If you still need help, feel free to DM me as well. I’m sorry I missed it the first time.

[Kitty]

I will do my darnedest to be there before 6, but I can’t promise much else I’m afraid…

[Kitty]

I definitely like the idea! When I lived in Pentagon City I had as much access to Alexandria as I did Arlington for riding, but the trails down there seem to be lesser known.

I remember having a particularly rough attempt at their “bike friendly” trails when I found myself having to cross creeks on stepping stones and dragging my bike through the water…

You route doesn’t have any river fording does it? :confused:

[Kitty]

I probably spent waay to much time on this on an afternoon at work last week. The opportunity to flag things with comments and do thumbs up/down was too great an opportunity to pass up.

It especially allowed me to flag some things that weren’t on their radar apparently that Google Maps likes to label as bike routes/bike roads. Based off of my own experience, riders mapping a new route are more likely to turn to Google than some esoteric VDOT map…

[Author]

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