[KLizotte]

I know but losing my two stop metro commute is gonna kill me. I live and work on metro and have had a 25 minute commute for 15 years. I can walk to most everything I need. That’s why I have remained in my rental for so long. It will be a tough adjustment. Plus I’ve just discovered one way commuting on Cabi (my work schedule is weird).

I’m trying to convince myself that the hills will make up for losing the gym in my building.

[KLizotte]

^^I greatly agree (though the real estate agent thinks I’m a bit nuts) but it it is proving very, very difficult to find a place within 45 mins to work on public transportation, less than 60 min bike commute that won’t scare me, walking distance to amenities, preferably on the yellow line (least delayed/crowded), at least 755 sq feet, will not require walking bike up a flight or more of stairs, has parking, quiet/safe neighborhood, won’t require a lot of renovation/upkeep, low condo fees, etc. all for $300K or less.

Augh. Just discovered that the country club hill is an 8% climb. Augh.

[KLizotte]

Ha! So there is a secret “back way” through apartment bldg lots. Frankly that kind of route and the big climb up the pike would drive me nutty.

Yeah, I really need to ride my bike this week and see what my options are. Esp check out the hills since I’ve only used the club shortcut downhill. Overall the location is great considering my budget but it is a bit of an island bikewise. Arlington really needs to work harder on improving the Pike for nondrivers.

I suppose I could always take the bus home from the Pentagon or PC. I know. Heresy.

[KLizotte]

Okay….I’m just gonna say what everyone else is thinking. If you are being asked THAT MUCH while just quietly sitting there minding your own business then you must look tired, beaten up, ready to collapse, or just plain WEIRD. Or maybe you remind them of Santa Claus, their uncle Joe, or Jesus Christ (you do have a beard after all). Or maybe you are just too darn sexy for your own good.

Bring a puppy along and you will be the most popular guy in town. Ohhhh….. maybe you exude puppy vibes!

Now if I had that many men asking me if I need help on a daily basis I’d be a happy singleton!

Just be happy we are still both employed by the good ol’ USA federal govt.

[KLizotte]

I dunno. An acquaintance of mine in his early 40s had a heart attack while biking that took him completely by surprise. He could have used some help then.

Personally I think so many people trying to be helpful is great, esp in our current political climate. You never know; you may just need it some day. I could have used such help when I broke my wrist on the trail since my arm had suddenly become largely unusable and very painful.

As someone who is single and doesn’t have any family in the area, I greatly appreciate the kindness of strangers.

Perhaps it is ageism that is causing more people to offer you help; or maybe you are just paranoid. Perhaps you really do look like you are having a hard time. Regardless, it’s a pretty nice “problem” to have in my book.

[KLizotte]

I had to come into work earlier than normal today and was reminded once again why I usually start my commute at 9:00. Morning drivers are *crazy*. I also took a Cabi instead of my own bike.

While at the crosswalk next to the NPS parking lot on Hain’s Pt heading towards the Case Bridge I waited for an obviously speeding car to pass (he clearly had no intention of stopping for me); I was only about one foot into the crosswalk with my foot down in the other lane. He yelled out something unintelligible and it definitely wasn’t friendly. Dude, you are doing way over 25 mph and didn’t stop for a ped/cyclist in the crosswalk.

While riding around the fountain at the end of L’Enfant Plaza after coming off Case Bridge a woman in a sedan pulls up behind me. I go left around the circle while she continues straight towards 9th Street. As she is passing me she yells very angrily at me to get out of the street. Ummmm…..where am I supposed to go lady? The sidewalk? Never mind the fact that she had to slow down for all of two seconds for me to get out of her way.

Wow, morning commuters are an entitled angry bunch. Drivers, if you are in that much of a hurry, please leave the house earlier!!!!

Fortunately leaving 30-45 minutes later is much less stressful.

[KLizotte]

I agree. Anyone not familiar with the trail could be easily taken out by the moguls in that area. Definitely a hazard. Sigh.

[KLizotte]

Some people feel queasy or lightheaded when they donate but you may be fine. I’ve tried to donate twice and didn’t even make it through the paperwork phase. I looked at the other people with needles in their arms and almost passed out just from the thought of it. I routinely feel lightheaded when giving blood samples for testing. Yeah, I’m a wuss when it comes to some things. I wonder if half of the doc’s advice is due to people having psychological issues with donating as opposed to physical.

Can you bikeshare there and metro back? Demand extra cookies because you’re biking?

[KLizotte]

^yeah, I once tried to map some routes around SE just to do some sightseeing and found it very frustrating. A lot of the residential streets are hemmed in by scary roads, railroad tracks, highways, etc. making them into “islands”. 395/95 really cut off that part of town from the rest of the city.

If you bike around some of the more working class neighborhoods in VA you will see a ton of bikes parked outside apartment buildings (usually of Target quality) that are used by immigrants to get to work/school. Also, you will usually see bikes parked behind fast food restaurants because that is how the workers commute.

Bike counts always miss out on the “second wave” of commuters; that is, folks commuting from cleaning and restaurant jobs around the midnight-2:00 am time slot. These folks usually have minimal safety equipment and have to travel on less desirable roads to get home. True income inequality.

[KLizotte]

If the glass is being swept into the grass isn’t that a problem for dogs, grass walkers/runners, and a potential issue when the lawn mowers go over it? I know I came very close to incurring a serious injury one time when a NPS lawnmower shot out a bolt at me. Also a potential issue for cars if the glass is being swept on to the roadway below as well.

I presume the criminal(s) is targeting the bridges since you can’t skirt the glass by heading into the grass.

Amazing how some people are jerks.

[KLizotte]

@Tania 161006 wrote:

I’ve said this to men and received almost growling negative responses. “Got everything you need?” works better for both genders.

I prefer “do you need help” because it implies the person is willing to offer tools, advice, and even hands-on assistance. “Do you have everything you need” implies they are only willing to offer a spare tube or use of a tool and that I know what I’m doing. I’m much more inclined to ask the former over than the latter especially if I have all the needed stuff to make a repair. Asking obvious newbies if they need help usually illicits an expression of relief and a big “yes”.

Then again, I only care about inconveniencing someone else, not whether they think I’m an idiot or not.

[KLizotte]

@Steve O 160960 wrote:

This thread was top of mind today when I encountered a rider who had stopped on the Rosslyn hill and was staring at her bike. No, I didn’t yell at her, but I stopped to see if I could help. It was a simple fix (she had overshifted her derailleur and the chain had gotten stuck). I was as respectful and kind as I’m capable of (shut up, everyone), but I just don’t know if the fact that I waited until she was up and riding along might be considered demeaning or not. She told me I could go ahead (she had to walk up the hill a bit to get to a flatter spot), but I waited anyway. I’m not sure if I would have with a man.

It seems like a tricky line to tread: did I unintentionally make her feel like a stupid, helpless woman? Or not?

Is just the fact that I was a man helping out a woman create a sexist dynamic a priori?

Speaking as a woman with almost zero bike mechanic skills (I’m really good at home repairs though) I’ve been helped out by more random guys than I can count and was always very, very grateful even when they explained things I already knew since I see them being offered in good faith and they have no idea what I do or do not know. Fortunately none of the guys were creepy. And if a guy hangs back to make sure that I’m truly A-OK then I consider that being a true gentleman. She probably told you to go ahead because she didn’t want to hold you up any longer and may have been a bit embarrassed having to walk. I would have told you it was okay to move on as well in most cases. But overall I’ve been super impressed by how helpful guys have been on the trails. Thank you!

I’ve also helped a bunch of guys and gals with flat tires over the years and no one has ever acted annoyed or embarrassed, including the guys.

I suspect some women have had creepy men approach them and are a bit leery after a bad episode or else just aren’t aware of the “pay it forward” mentality of the cycling community. I admit that I’m beyond the age that most men would want to harass so perhaps it’s a different experience for the younger, skinny ones.

But please don’t hesitate to offer help.

[KLizotte]

@JQCyclist 160942 wrote:

So did you end up doing this ride? Inquiring minds want to know. Well, ok, I’m curious because I did the ride.

I wimped out due to the rain, yucky weather plus I was experiencing severe sleep debt. Hangs head in shame.

How was the ride? Well supported? Good cookies?

[KLizotte]

@TwoWheelsDC 160909 wrote:

Worst case: The gizmos would get wet and I would probably swear a lot. Also, the GFCI would trip because our electrical system is up to code.

BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have become a dyed in the wool suburbanite.

[KLizotte]

Oh sure, electrical gizmos right next to the pool. What could go wrong???? :rolleyes:

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