[KLizotte]

I always wear a ponytail and my Specialized Prevail helmet works great. I presume the ponytail port is the same across all of their helmets but you may wish to check. Fortunately it allows me to wear my ponytail high up since I sweat a lot.

[KLizotte]

@AFHokie 162897 wrote:

A better job for explosives…

what bollard?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

Aren’t the bollards under a bridge?

[KLizotte]

On a slight tangent but the cause of the accident in the original post highlights the need for peds to acknowledge passing calls. We can’t read minds and if we are required to announce our passes they should be required to acknowledge them. Would increase safety greatly and probably compliance on both sides. I’m rather perplexed that running culture doesn’t seem to enforce the idea of a simple hand wave. Sigh.

[KLizotte]

Two items I saw this week in the home goods section of Target at Potomac Yards:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]15083[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]15084[/ATTACH]

[KLizotte]

Regarding your average speed, if you are riding in a lot of traffic, dealing with a lot of lights, on trails, around a lot of peds, etc. you will never average more than 12 mph because you can’t (or shouldn’t) go much faster for everyone’s safety. When you have long stretches of road or trail without interference you can ride faster.

I started with straps which I don’t recommend because your foot may become trapped in a fall and they aren’t as efficient as clipless. I then moved to SPD which I found nearly effortless. I use these pedals: https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-A530-SPD-Pedals/dp/B00AAOIAQC This way I can wear clipless or regular shoes. I find the platform half to be invaluable when I need to start on a steep hill and can’t get enough momentum/pressure to clip in at the start or if I’m following behind a group of people at walking pace.

I once tried a generic brand of dual platform pedals and they were awful; the poor weighting meant they never righted themselves correctly when they came to the top of the pedaling circle (this is important when you are trying to clip in). They were also harder to get in and out of. Now I just pay for the Shimanos; the price differential is worth it.

I keep them at a very low tension setting so clipping out is effortless; Shimano has an “M” category which means there are more angles by which you can clip out. I have crashed in them (not because I was riding clipless, rather, because of slippery boardwalk, groove in pavement, etc) and my feet automatically unclipped so I don’t worry about that.

I have only used SPD so can’t comment on other systems. Wearing shoes with a very stiff sole helps a lot when biking; sneakers aren’t good for long rides because your foot is flexing. Any of the clipless shoes will have stiff soles. It is much easier going up hills with clipless because you can pull as well as push; on the flats they make much less of a difference in terms of speed or effort. Personally I can’t stand wearing normal shoes now while biking but everyone has their preferences. If you do decide to try clipless, be sure to ask the salesperson how to adjust them (it’s super easy) and keep them at the lightest tension possible (I’ve never unclipped unintentionally despite the low tension), at least at the beginning when you are getting used to the feeling. The feeling of being clipped in at first is terrifying but once your brain figures out that you can put your foot down like normal it all becomes second nature and very comfortable.

If you decide to go clipless, I would ask the bike shop for help with fitting (this may require going in on a weekday when they are less busy). That way you can sit on a bike in a stand and practice unclipping/clipping and they can check that your knees are lined up correctly (cleats are adjustable). This all sounds more complicated than it really is but it’s good to get the best fit the first time; after that you can self-serve.

But yeah, to echo what others have said, just keep riding and getting used to the bike, terrain, trail etiquette, etc. There is much to learn and enjoy! You should check out the Northern Virginia Casual Biking Group (NOVA-CBG) on Meetup. Lots of casual and semi-casual group rides and events are held with that group. Would be a good introduction to the community and the guy running it is a super awesome friendly guy.

[KLizotte]

You should plan on spending a few hours riding around DC itself. Lots of cool monuments and architecture. Slow going because of cars, lights, peds but it’s a fun way to see the city. The NW part is where the rich folks live (also quite hilly). DC isn’t very big so you can see a lot in a day. Along with the usual tourist sites you can add in Rock Creek Park (go on the weekend when they close the road; it also passes right by our free zoo).

The Capital Crescent Trail is absolutely wonderful too (11 miles I think). Goes from DC to Bethesda and only crosses two roads. Very green and you get good views of the Potomac River. The Bethesda end is touristy with restaurants/shops.

The Mt. Vernon Trail is great too for a newcomer but I would only go during the week because it gets super busy on weekends. You could visit Mt. Vernon at the end if you want to be a tourist. Be very careful on the boardwalks though. They get covered in green algae muck that makes them very slippery (at least the ones that have some tree cover). Seriously, don’t underestimate how slippery the tree covered boards can be. If you are careful, you will be fine and it is a beautiful ride (22 miles one way).

Poolesville area is a heavily cycled area. C&O canal is beautiful; best if you have thicker tires though since it’s rough gravel.

Also we have Capital Bikeshare if your wife wants to join you for an hour or so.

[KLizotte]

Also, are you comfortable riding on the right hand side of the road? I presume Australians drive on the left.

[KLizotte]

I only have a second to respond but you should be aware that August is usually very humid and hot here. I know Australia is hot but I don’t know if Sydney is humid and that makes all the difference.

That said, last year’s August was glorious. Low temps and humidity; it was a very comfortable summer. Last year was an outlier though.

Just be prepared to bring lots of water and riding a little slower than normal if you aren’t used to the humidity. You will probably find that it is a lot greener here than you are used to which may or may not be a nice change depending on preferences.

There are mountains west and north-west of DC.

[KLizotte]

Unfortunately runners hate running on concrete. They claim it is “harder” than asphalt which is often why they gravitate to the W&OD and bike lanes over sidewalks.

[KLizotte]

I figure if it is legal to ride on the road then the tunnel should be fine. The only place I’ve seen a tunnel marked as a no go zone for peds and cyclists was in Williamsburg on the Colonial Parkway and I thought it was very odd they would prohibit cyclists.

The only thing that bothers me about tunnels is reduced visibility for drivers. Going from sun to dark is sometimes an issue and if you don’t have lights on you may be hard to see. I also don’t think drivers expect to encounter cyclists in tunnels. So I would judge each tunnel individually but it may be a safer alternative than dodging cars in a roundabout.

[KLizotte]

@n18 162062 wrote:

Nice! Now you need one of these.

Oh wow! I never knew these existed. Anyone know if they work well in real life? I have a VersaCart that I love but it’s not gonna be practical once I move.

[KLizotte]

@KWL 162060 wrote:

Let me know if you decide to do that. I’ve got two unused winch bike hoists just like the Good Doctor pictured and would be willing to give you one.

Ha! That’s amazing but I’m sure that would be against condo rules and I doubt the folks living below would be pleased. Many thanks for the offer though.

[KLizotte]

Well, I pulled the trigger on Condo choice #2 last night. We ratified at 11:00 pm. It’s been a crazy few days to say the least. Hopefully all of the other stuff (home inspection, title, appraisal, etc) will sail through. We close on July 28.

I’ll be moving into the West Village of Shirlington. Never in a million years did I think I would move there since the buildings’ curb appeal from 4MR is lacking. But I quickly changed my mind because the complex offers:

– 15-20 min walking distance to Shirlington (7-8 min bike ride),
– located right on the WO&D,
– there is a Cabi station right outside,
– the condos are enormous,
– beautiful large kitchens (by far the largest in my price range),
– large walk in closets with built-ins,
– coat closet in entry way,
– large balcony,
– no renovations required,
– supposedly the largest pool in Arlington,
– free rush hour shuttle to Pentagon City metro (with an arrival time app),
– a fitness center (decent sized too),
– a club/party room,
– communal BBQs and sitting areas,
– next to 4 bus routes,
– individual storage facilities that are so large they come with their own deeds (seriously) – you could fit a lot of bikes/cycling stuff in them,
– free parking, and
– I can finally host parties!

Regardless of whether I keep my bike in my apartment or my storage unit, I will still have to deal with stairs (1.5 flights) but there is a landing, the stairs are wide and the walls are made of brick so scuffing things up a bit won’t matter.

I did not see any bike racks on the property though (major fail!) but will bring it up at the condo association meetings. I’m gonna be the “bike lady.”

Fingers crossed everything works out okay with the paperwork.

And yes, housing prices in Arlington/Alexandria are crazy. This place seemed to offer the best value for money and I won’t be paying any more out of pocket than I do now renting.

Y’all should consider the place if you want to be close to DC and on a multi-use trail. Happy hour at Cap City!

(I’d still like to attach a winch to the balcony though).

[KLizotte]

They are planning on “fixing” two other intersections along the WOD and 4MR (but not Walter Reed?!) too as part of the same project.

[KLizotte]

I just realized people not be pleased hearing my cleats on the steps outside their doors. Will have to check that too.

I would have a large balcony. I’m thinking a hoist would be far easier. Battery or electric powered – easy peasy!

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