[lordofthemark]

There are certainly many places around the region where better pavement would make for a better ride, both in seg infra and for folks taking the lane.

This happens to be a location where the gap in seg infra has long been a barrier to many potential users who are less than comfortable taking the lane on 15th – even some more experienced and fit riders did not like it – and certainly it was more of a barrier to the young, old, newbies, Cabi riders, etc (which resulted in some riding the sidewalk with its many pedestrians, and many not riding at all) The vast number there were not only having fun (and I am pretty sure some were riding to get places) but they were learning about the potential for biking in a city, and showing the public and DC authorities the potential demand for bike riding.

I am not quite sure why 15th SB to Maine vehicular style is impassable, but I didn’t try it, maybe I will soon just to see.

[lordofthemark]

Otis Street NW DC (previously did Otis NE)

My last name game entry of FS 2022.

Kudos to Wheels&Wings, who did so much for Freezing Saddles in previous years, and who organized this new game in a year when she was not even participating.

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[lordofthemark]

Given the history of our area I wanted this one. There are plenty of things here named Fairfax, but not so many named Lord Fairfax

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The word dominion is from the Latin “dominus”, lord. In both religious and secular uses.

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[lordofthemark]

I did not make the earlier ride, and I don’t think I will make Sunday’s ride, but I would like to thank you for pushing my thread, about a proposed ride in Alexandria in March 2020 that was canceled because of you know what, from the top of this subforum.

[lordofthemark]

@consularrider 217023 wrote:

Well, my sister did used to work for “NOTIS,” a library systems provider in Dallas in the 80s.

I like the theory that L’Enfant didn’t like John Jay more than that there was no “J” in the Roman alphabet or that “J” looked too much like “I.” I remembered that last one, but googled the other two. I’ll Have to visit John Jay Park on the UES later this week.

I found out about the library system years ago, when I was looking for relatives online, using pre-google search engines. Also that there is a popular musician in Greece with the name. Sadly, despite my dad’s belief/hope/fantasy that we were descended from Greek Jews who wandered north to Greater Lithuania, in fact the name is a regional patronymic/diminutive form of Nathan/Natan/Nate (and of Yiddish origin) – an equivalent to the more common “Nathanson”. I had hoped this would provide more easy name game opportunities, but so far none locally – why oh why do we not have a “Nathan’s Famous” in greater DC?

[lordofthemark]

@consularrider 216912 wrote:

I finally got my middle name after finding a variant of my surname, but forgot to stop and get my given name.

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My brother’s middle name is “Jay”. Perhaps we are related?

Also since I am sure you know why DC’s grid goes from Eye (I) Street to K Street, here’s this https://jstreet.org/ but also this http://www.jstreetcompanies.com/development

[lordofthemark]

@Steve O 216450 wrote:

All right, funny people – go at it.

(you may still submit for Photo #1 and Photo #2 if you like)

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(photo by Luther Swift)

Not quite getting that fencing does not require an actual fence, but does require a sword.

[lordofthemark]

@komorebi 216436 wrote:

What about Annapolis? It’s a decent ride and a nice destination. Plus, if you can get familial permission to take the MARC train, there’s the option of riding the B&A and BWI trails to BWI, then taking the MARC back to Union Station.

yes, annapolis might be an alternative to Baltimore.

I was thinking if I can ride out, I can ride back. So I can skip MARC for now (though I would like to do it at some point).

[lordofthemark]

@Sunyata 216434 wrote:

If you were willing to camp, I would have lots of suggestions for you. Otherwise, there are several bed and breakfast options in Loudoun County on some quiet country roads (most of which are gravel, but could be ridden on a road bike with wider tires). Unfortunately, I do not have many paved options either.

Thanks. I’m going to save B&Bs for a trip with QOTM. I was thinking something more spartan, like a motel. I’d rather not try riding gravel on my road bike.

[lordofthemark]

@KWL 216397 wrote:

Ken – Bear’s Den Hostel near Snickers Gap is a good place to stay. You could ride to the end of the W&OD and then along some two lane country roads to get there. We made this the first leg of our Alexandria – Skyline Drive – Staunton ride with a return to Alexandria on Amtrak. Bears Den offers camping space as well as a separate cottage. I agree I wouldn’t want to do any communal lodging right now.

The Other Ken.

Thanks. Bear’s Den is what I meant, I somehow thought it was in Round Hill. I guess this could work. I won’t be camping and I don’t think I want to rent a whole cottage to stay by myself (this would be a sort of get away from it all trip) but I think they have smaller private rooms? Only question would be if there is a place to eat near enough? Or I suppose I could eat in Purcellville before going to the hostel (I don’t expect to carry much food).

Other question is the elevatation from Purcellville to Bear’s Den. I will be tired by then, and I don’t want to go painfully slowly on roads with any traffic.

[lordofthemark]

@CaseyKane50 216009 wrote:

The bridge is on the border, with a portion in both jurisdictions. Alexandria and Arlington are both funding the replacement, with Arlington taking the lead on the project.

So, the DES site https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Projects/Project-Types/Transportation-Projects/West-Glebe-Road-Bridge-Reconstruction-Project says 60% design is complete, but I can’t find a link to the design on the site.

It also says the new bridge will have “wider sidewalks and separate bicycle facilities on each side of the bridge” which is good. At some point in summer 2020, when Ms Kiker started an interjurisdiction bridges group, I suggested an ArlCo/Alx task force, among BAC, BPAC, TES and DES with BAC and BPAC coordinating asks first. No one from BAC volunteered, and I am afraid I did not pursue it agressively. It looks like the bridge design itself is going to be okay (but what will the bike facilities actually look like?) That leaves the connection on the Alexandria side as an issue, but obviously we at BPAC will need to take the lead on that, in connection with our larger issues.

Relatedly, the Mt Vernon Ave/Arlington Ridge Road bridge is said to be at 30% design, with “expanded sidewalks and bike lanes in each direction.” https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Projects/Project-Types/Transportation-Projects/Arlington-Ridge-RoadMount-Vernon-Avenue-Bridge

On the ALX side, conditions wil be based on the Arlandria-Chirilagua plan here https://www.alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/planning/info/Attachment%208.1.2_Arlandria%20Chirilagua%20Small%20Area%20Plan_English.pdf

See slides 57, 58, 111, and 112

[lordofthemark]

@CaseyKane50 216382 wrote:

Ken,

If you are willing to drive or ride the train, you might consider the Virginia Capitol Trail. You could begin your trip in Richmond, overnight in Yorktown and ride back to Richmond the next. Stay an extra day in Richmond and take in ride opportunities in the city.

Along the trail

Bridge crossing the James River into downtown Richmond.

Street art in Richmond

Thanks, I am sure that’s a great ride. I have walked some of the part in the City of Richmond.

But I don’t want to deal with getting and using a rack for our car, or trying to deal with fitting the bike inside the car. And while I am eager to ride Amtrak again, I would have to negotiate that with family, so that’s going to be somewhat later, I think. Another option is driving somewhere and renting a bike I suppose.

For now I want to see where I can ride from here. The choices I can see are either Baltimore or Harpers Ferry (even if the latter means riding the hybrid). Just wondering if there is something I have overlooked.

[lordofthemark]

2022 goals.

Exceed my 2021 mileage – should be very doable, as I am up to 360 miles now, and 2021 only rode 1600 miles. My best year was 2019, when I rode over 4400 miles, which will be hard for me to do until I am commuting more regularly.

Make every actual commute to work by bike. I have certainly stuck to that so far.

Get back to more group rides, coffee clubs, and other social stuff. That’s been so helpful in overcoming pandemic isolation, and I need to do more.

Do an overnight bike trip of some kind. At least one.

Get more of the gear that I am missing.

Learn at least a bit more about maintenance.

Some bike advocacy stuff that I won’t go into right now.

[lordofthemark]

On Friday the 11th, I helped person the table at Alexandria Winter Bike to Work Day. I spoke with a couple of people about biking in the area, suggested a bike shop, and plugged BPAC. I exchanged thoughts and ideas with a City employee, with the new WABA Exec director, and with a certain gentleman from BikeArlington.

On Sunday the 13th, I reviewed the proposed charter for the Communications Committee of the Alexandria Industrial Development Authority board. I also reviewed some material for Liveable Alexandria, the pro transit, pro housing group I am involved with – on the 11th I sent an email to Council supporting a new committed affordable housing project in the West End.

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