[komorebi]

Staff at downtown Swing’s said that all Swing’s locations will be closed on Monday for the holiday. Want to meet for coffee at St. Elmo’s Café at 2300 Mt Vernon Ave instead? I called St. Elmo’s, and they said they’d be open. I’m also happy to meet elsewhere for coffee if people have another suggestion.

[komorebi]

To the rider who passed me on the 14th Street Bridge around 8:30 a.m. (shorts, red and black kit, black trunk bag): thank you! Seeing your zipper pull flying proudly from your trunk bag made my morning.

[komorebi]

@Dachs6 196268 wrote:

I’ll be in the area in 2 weeks (22/23 Jan), if you have them at coffee, it’s an excuse to make it happen!

Sounds good! I’ll look for you at coffee.

[komorebi]

@Smitty2k1 195943 wrote:

Can you save me an ankle band for purchase at the opening happy hour?

Saved!

[komorebi]

@Jessica Hirschhorn 195941 wrote:

Oh. Green.

Green has been the FS color since 2016, and I didn’t hear a strong consensus for a specific alternative color.

[komorebi]

I’ll be there. Thanks for organizing!

[komorebi]

Me: slowing to a halt in front of my condo building after a dark, wet ride home.

You: driver in a maroon SUV that had been behind me at the last traffic light, now slowing down next to me and rolling down your passenger-side window.

Me: reflexively tensing up, expecting verbal abuse or worse.

You, brightly: “I like the reflectors on your bike! You’re really easy to see on the road!”

Me, caught off guard: “Oh! Um . . . thanks!”

It later occurred to me that I should have asked her to be more specific. Paranoid cyclist that I am, I had nine different illuminating or reflective things on my bike or me: headlight, taillight, hi-viz Ortlieb panniers, reflective stripes on my rain pants, Monkey light on my front wheel, FS zipper pulls, reflective bits on my bar mitts, reflective slap bracelet, and plastic spoke reflectors. Possibly overkill, but at least now I have independent confirmation that *something* is working.

[komorebi]

The zipper-pull fans narrowly edged out the ankle-band fans, so zipper pulls it is. Look for them coming to a happy hour near you in 2020.

[komorebi]

@lordofthemark 194939 wrote:

if someone does something exceptional (but positive) to call attention to themselves while riding on Seminary – an outrageous costume, or an exceptional illustration of transportation riding, I just might give the prize to them instead. It’s all about being visible, yet courteous.

If someone rides on Seminary Road in a Big Bird costume, would that merit a prize? Asking for a friend.

[komorebi]

I floated the idea of neck warmers or buffs some years ago, but the consensus back then was that not enough people would wear them. Personally, I’ve acquired enough buffs, balaclavas, and facemasks at this point that I probably wouldn’t buy another one, either.

Also, I’m hearing a lot of calls to change the color of this year’s identifier. Are there no other traditionalists who want to stick with green?

[komorebi]

Mega kudos to all of the Cranksgiving participants! I was amazed by the turnout and everyone’s generosity. Some photos from yesterday:

A good crowd at registration:

Team DC Bike Party:

Another team after successfully completing the “pitch a tent” challenge at Casual Adventures:

The team that won the “best costume” prize:

More photos on Flickr.

[komorebi]

Sadly, it looks like the opening ceremony has been postponed until further notice. https://www.alexandriava.gov/recreation/info/default.aspx?id=112204.

[komorebi]

Also: there will be pie! Both because pie is delicious and so that we can talk about how to carry pie on a bike. Sign up today!

[komorebi]

Awesome — thanks, lordofthemark!

If anyone wants to put me through a murder board, I plan to be at Swings in Alexandria for Monday morning coffee and will happily take on all comers. (But possibly more happily after I’ve had my coffee.)

[komorebi]

Thanks for creating this thread, lordofthemark. I’m happy to go first.

If you were going to be on a panel to discuss “Complete Streets or War on Cars?” with John Townsend of AAA — yes, that John Townsend — what points would you expect him to raise, and how would you respond to those points?

[Author]

Posts