[LhasaCM]

@Crickey7 164682 wrote:

For the love of all that is good and holy, do not attempt to use East-West Highway as a detour route.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1HEsTsEkInF9kzZhVE69rlqurdo8&ll=38.99008221948121%2C-77.07066889999998&z=15 has the “unofficial” detour shared by Wash Cycle this morning.

[LhasaCM]

I haven’t seen any on the road yet, but do recall seeing positive reviews about them when they launched last year and thought it was fine when I tried it out in store (tires were inflated so I could roll with it).

As far as pricing – if you’re an Ikea Family member (their free loyalty program), it’s $100 cheaper, so only $399. All of the accessories they have to offer are also discounted. One of these days I’ll probably pick up the trailer because I feel like I should have a trailer and that seems like a decent price.

[LhasaCM]

@dhs1963 164305 wrote:

But, person to person, the weight varies a lot.

For example, if I buy a 15 lb road bike, I will be pushing 275 lbs up the hill. On the other hand, a 30 lb bike will have me pushing 290, which is a 7% difference.

On the other hand, someone who weighs 135 will have total weights of 150 and 165, or a 10% difference.

It’s also dependent on what else you may have to carry around with the bike. If I have my daughter and her trailercycle attached (which these days I do more often than not), that’s an extra 80+ lbs. I’m towing up the hill on the MBT to get home (since she rarely pedals and her drivetrain is probably half shot anyway), and when I almost wish I had a motor.

[LhasaCM]

@hozn 164291 wrote:

Science is not SolarBikeCar’s strong suit, despite being a self-proclaimed “engineer” – I guess IT doesn’t require grade-school physics

Or, apparently, experience with bicycle braking systems. The main argument for disc brakes is not stopping distance, but consistent power in wet conditions and better modulation. Pro rim-brake arguments (why?!) often miss this point and start by asserting that even crappy brakes on a bicycle are usually capable of/sufficient for breaking wheel traction. I used to love that feature on my coaster-brake BMX … Sure, disc brakes stop harder with less muscle input, but I’d be surprised to learn that in any sort of typical brake-hard emergency stopping situation disc brakes made for shorter stopping distances. Maybe vs rim brakes (not coaster) in the wet … Someone could do a study … (ugh, science again!).

(I do think that disc brakes give more control, but I think most people — certainly myself included — are not going to be feathering brakes in an emergency stopping situation.)

http://www.killasgarage.bike/uncategorized/how-do-disc-brakes-generate-greater-stopping-power-than-rim-brakes/ is another interesting look at it from a science-y approach.

As noted in that article, I think part of the benefit of disc brakes also is the “greater stopping power for the input provided at the lever” – but that doesn’t mean that there’s actually greater stopping power, period. That’s more of a function of the travel from pad to braking surface than anything else (or, hydraulics!). Besides – a disc brake has to be more powerful because it’s trying to stop a faster moving object (the rim is farther away from the wheel center).

[LhasaCM]

@bobco85 164120 wrote:

I will bring my rain jacket which will surely ward off any storm clouds (that’s how it works, right?) 😎

Yes – that is exactly how it worked for the Purple line ride…

[LhasaCM]

@Dewey 163929 wrote:

Thank you for accepting the need for a safe, legal, Potomac crossing for ebikes, I am dismayed DC DDOT/NPS continue to resist reasonable requests to improve bridge bicycle/ebike infrastructure, this is important for Virginia cyclists commuting into DC.

I think it’s equally important for DC cyclists traveling into Virginia. FWIW, the DC Bicycle Master Plan (Rule 10-A409) does pay lip service to improving bridge access to bicyclists.

[LhasaCM]

@Dewey 163954 wrote:

Except this fact-sheet mis-interprets 18 DCMR §§ 1201.18 by claiming motorized bicycles are not permitted in DC “bike lanes” when that rule applies to “off-street” sidewalk, bikepath, or bicycle routes. Rule 18 DCMR §§ 1201.19 states “a motorized bicycle may be operated on any part of a roadway designated for the use of bicycles” therefore ebikes that meet the CPSC & California Class 1 & 2 ebike definition (<20mph) are allowed in DC on-street bike lanes and PBL's as they are in Virginia and Maryland.

I don’t know if it’s accurate to call it a misinterpretation or just a different interpretation, given how clearly some things are (or aren’t) defined. The fact sheet I linked to was created by DDOT shortly after the Motorized Bicycle Amendment Act of 2012 took effect, so regardless of any discrepancies (and I don’t profess to be an expert), I do think it’s useful to know how an official government body is interpreting the rules.

Digging into the rules a bit more: Per 18.-9900 (the definitions section for Rule 18), a roadway is defined as “that portion of a highway which is improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.” So while one could consider a bike lane part of the roadway designated for the use of bicycles (so falls under the “restricted lane” definition in the same section) and therefore motorized bicycles are allowed, let me suggest an alternative line of thought.

Elsewhere in the definitions, a bicycle is defined as a “device” whereas anything with a motor (even if not in use) makes it a “vehicle.” In other words, under this interpretation, a “bicycle” lane, since it’s meant for bicycles which are not “vehicles” but “devices”, is not part of the roadway since it’s not designed for vehicular travel, and therefore the allowance given to motorized bicycles under 1201.19 does not apply. This train of thought could be seen as consistent with the WABA pocket guide interpretation regarding the legality (not the intelligence) of using a cell phone while cycling where, because bicycles are not vehicles, the DC law banning the use of a cell phone when operating a vehicle doesn’t apply. Not saying that’s correct (and other aspects of the DC rules and the master plan suggest otherwise), but it could be.

(All that being said, I’m not sure what the point of all of this was other than to avoid work or the dishes. But it was a fun thought exercise.)

[LhasaCM]

@americancyclo 163924 wrote:

Here’s the VA Code for those playing along at home:

“Electric power-assisted bicycle” means a vehicle that travels on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and is equipped with
(i) pedals that allow propulsion by human power and
(ii) an electric motor with an input of no more than 1,000 watts that reduces the pedal effort required of the rider.

For the purposes of Chapter 8 (§ 46.2-800 et seq.), an electric power-assisted bicycle shall be a vehicle when operated on a highway.

“Moped” means every vehicle that travels on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground that
(i) has a seat that is no less than 24 inches in height, measured from the middle of the seat perpendicular to the ground;
(ii) has a gasoline, electric, or hybrid motor that
(a) displaces 50 cubic centimeters or less or
(b) has an input of 1500 watts or less;
(iii) is power-driven, with or without pedals that allow propulsion by human power; and
(iv) is not operated at speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour.

For purposes of this title, a moped shall be a motorcycle when operated at speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour.
For purposes of Chapter 8 (§ 46.2-800 et seq.), a moped shall be a vehicle while operated on a highway

And here’s a link to the handy chart DC put together regarding its laws:

https://dmv.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dmv/publication/attachments/May%2017%202013%20Non-traditional%20Motor%20Vehicle%20chart.pdf

[LhasaCM]

@hozn 162521 wrote:

I have the Five Ten Freerider model. The size 13 fits nicely (wide enough; I wear a Specialized 48 [in regular width, which is wider than many shoes]). But I probably would not buy then again since I don’t ride with flats much (bought for unicycle) and the soles are really uncomfortable after awhile. I need to check if insoles can be replaced; that might fix them for me.

Tossing another option out there for flat pedal oriented shoes – I used the Five Ten Freeriders off and on earlier this year. They were better and lasted longer than the various Chrome shoes I’d worn and worn out, but also became bothersome after a while (both in terms of length of ownership and. as others have said, on longer rides). For me, at least, I’ve had better luck/greater comfort with the Giro Jacket “skate-inspired mountain bike” shoes. Got them from Backcountry via Amazon.

[LhasaCM]

@bobco85 162427 wrote:

I’ll be there! I haven’t yet ridden on the Klingle Valley Trail, so I’m looking forward to it.

For those going on the ride (I don’t think I can make it and get up early enough to prepare for my daughter’s b-day party the next morning) – going in that direction, the trail is FAST. New surface plus decent elevation change (it’s a 7% to 10% gradient for the first half or so before flattening out) = wheeeeeee! And mind the bollards at the beginning…

[LhasaCM]

@Judd 162381 wrote:

I’m going to have to upgrade to one of these for the Champion Trees: http://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/chainsaws/3120-xp/965960701/

42 inch bar on this bad boy! That’s 3.5 feet of saw. ::swoon::

Only 42 inches?

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/professional-saws/ms880/ is good for up to 59.

[LhasaCM]

@mstone 162378 wrote:

For people looking for combo flat/spd pedals I’ll put in my usual plug for the Shimano PD-T780. https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-clipless-pedals-Pedal-PD-T780/dp/B00TJ2AVJ0 I find the wider platform more comfortable than the A530s when riding the flat side, they’re built to a higher spec, and all bikes should have reflectors on the pedals if ridden at night.

I was looking at those once upon a time (in case I ever move on from my large platforms with pins). Are those the earlier version of the PD-T8000 pedals?

[LhasaCM]

@jrenaut 162356 wrote:

Another option – ride an Xtracycle with kids on the back all the time. You can borrow mine and my kids any time. Once you do that for a while, riding your regular bike will feel like cheating.

Or, if you’re concerned about riding a different bike/being responsible for someone’s kids – just hook a trailer on with some weight (or groceries if you want to be productive) and call it “resistance training.” I always enjoy that first bit when I’m riding solo and I’ve disconnected the trailercycle.

[LhasaCM]

@jrenaut 162207 wrote:

You: Walking on the right on the MBT
Me: Approaching from behind hauling the kids.
Me: DING!
You, oblivious: wandering left into my lane right in front of me

The best part is this did not at all appear to be someone misinterpreting the bell. I’m pretty sure she didn’t hear it over her headphones and just happened to choose that time to switch lanes without looking. Good thing I wasn’t going all that fast. It takes considerable effort to bring 400 pounds to a complete stop on a dime.

That’s funny(?). I had the opposite experience walking up the MBT this evening. Walking from Florida up to Franklin, 47 bikes passed us. A whopping 2 of them signaled their pass (both with a bell). Of the other 45, about 12 of them passed by way too closely (I had my 5 year old hugging the right hand side, and I was about a person’s width from the center line. Those 12 passed us while still right of the yellow). Another dozen or so just passed us too closely (hugging the yellow line and darting back in front of us without much margin for error).

At least the weather is nice…

[LhasaCM]

@jrenaut 161624 wrote:

It seems yesterday was official Car on a Bike Trail day. Reports of a driver on the MBT in DC too.

I thought it was considerate of the driver to stay in the lane (rather than take up the whole trail). I think I’ve seen 3 other drivers in the past six months at least attempt to turn onto the trail at either R or T streets (where the construction/road crew access gates are), but for someone to get this far down the trail is quite an impressive display of obliviousness.

[Author]

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