[lordofthemark]

@Judd 225852 wrote:

Looks like they went with a new shirt vendor this year based on the individually wrapped shirts. There was a shirt-tastrophe last year. The shirts didn’t arrive until 2 days before and there was a mad rush to get them sorted for distribution and pretty much every pit stop got shorted on shirts.

This not the place for a discussion of single use plastics, is it

Despite some trepidation, BTWD went well for me this year. I got to emcee at Market Square, the first time I have been an emcee for anything, I believe. (Thanks to the BPAC volunteers at Market Square and also at Carlyle and Del Ray). Got to chat with a lot of people. Never spent so much time at ONE pit stop before.

And I still got to catch up with “the crowd” at New District for the Henry Dunbar retirement party, including some people I hadn’t seen in some time.

[lordofthemark]

@Starduster 225847 wrote:

Good morning. A screenshot from Arlington on the current state of the bridge project and the timeline for the remaining work. We will get the trail underpass back soon enough.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]30792[/ATTACH]

I noted them dismantling the temporary bridge. Rode over on the side path/bike lane on the west side (IE the side further from the Potomac River) did not notice anything that looked like it still needed doing, but I guess I didn’t look closely enough.

Hope this doesn’t take much longer. I’d really like the trail back. I guess it is too late to complain about the beg button.

I assume when the bridge if considered fully open, work will begin on the ArlingtonRidge/Mt Vernon Avenue bridge.

[lordofthemark]

@jrenaut 225838 wrote:

That year, I rode out from DC to the pitstop by the Intersection of Doom before coming back in to “my” pitstop at Freedom Plaza, where they were handing out t-shirts from inside a Circulator bus to keep things dry-ish.

I also object to the relentless passage of time, someone should do something about that

I was fortunate to have done 2013 BTWD, so I had some idea what it was supposed to be like. In 2014 I was the only person to arrive at the Capital Riverfront Pitstop IIRC, and the folks handing out tshirts were huddled under the little walkway near the skating rink.

Tomorrow will be the first time (other than when BTWD was cancelled in 2020?) that since 2012 that I will not be at the Capital Riverfront pitstop.

[lordofthemark]

The first half (disconnected segments, not like the eastern or western half) of the trail opened today. Our own LeslieT attended the ribbon cutting.

Given the controversy, I am eager to see some ride reports. Ideally with some bitter complaints, and some heated disagreement with those.

Have at it.

[lordofthemark]

Not EVERYONE will consider this major good news, but it’s certainly worth noting

https://fabb-bikes.org/i-66-parallel-trail-ribbon-cutting-on-may-17/

Personally, I want to give the new trail a chance (note it will not be complete this week, but I think roughly half the segments will be). IIUC not all segments will be equally bad, and it will certainly a provide a safer alternative compared to current conditions, to some locations for many transportation cyclists. I do hope to ride the trail myself before rendering judgement.

[lordofthemark]

@secstate 225788 wrote:

Thanks — this is helpful. I was confused about the status of the trail and had expected it to open along with the new express lanes. I guess it will continue to be a patchwork for a while.

Of all the bike orgs and blogs in the area, FABB’s website is among the most useful. (Not sure what happened to WashCycle but that has also been a true gem).

WashCycle has an active twitter account.

[lordofthemark]

@consularrider 225787 wrote:

E-mail today from FABB included:

I-66 Parallel Trail Ribbon-Cutting May 17
On Wednesday, May 17 at 11am VDOT will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the I-66 Parallel Trail. Approximately 5 miles of the trail will be open. FABB was a strong advocate for this trail over many years and we’re excited that this first phase will soon be open. Cyclists are encouraged to ride to the ceremony to be held at the Vienna Metro Station N parking lot starting at 11am. After the brief ceremony VDOT staff and FABB will lead a short ride east to Cedar Lane and back. Cyclists can then explore other sections of the trail open at that time.

Eventually 16 miles of trail will be completed by the I-66 contractor and 7 miles by Fairfax County and others. The I-66 contractor portion will be completed in August of this year. Other sections will open over the next couple of years. FABB is advocating that those sections be completed as soon as possible. Please respect any trail closed signs. See more about the trail portion of I-66 project. See the draft trail status map we compiled after our project briefing from VDOT.

I am eager to ride it, given the controversy about it, and the belief by some fellow bike advocates that it will be a huge disappointment with few riders. My understanding from the old debate (not particularly changed by viewing the VDOT presentation to FABB a month ago) is that some parts will be terrible, some will be okay, few walkers or runners or casual riders will use it, it will be quite useful for transportation cyclists, and will be used by some recreational cyclists. But I need to try it myself and explore its utility for particular destinations.

[lordofthemark]

Laurie Ellis reports that Halima has been found and is in good health. That is all I know.

[lordofthemark]

@bikesnick 225773 wrote:

The Eisenhower-Clermont Steps and Ramp in Alexandria
[ATTACH=CONFIG]30774[/ATTACH]

AKA – The Gates of Mordor

[lordofthemark]

@cvcalhoun 225677 wrote:

Unfortunately, plain veggies would be harder to arrange this year, because City-State itself does not have food and the food truck being used doesn’t appear to have any vegetable options other than kale and cabbage. I’ll bring some matzah. (I couldn’t find less than 5 lbs. of it this year, so I bought that. And then my seder got canceled when one member of the family I was inviting got COVID. So I’ve got lots of extra!) People are welcome to bring other Passover-appropriate food, either for themselves or to share.

That’s great. I didn’t mean to kvetch – just waxing nostalgic for past happy hours….

[lordofthemark]

Thanks to you and Rumi for tracking down the info and letting folks know. As I shared with Rumi, this was a question years ago back when final happy hour was at Bier Baron, and the Happy Hour organizing committee at the time graciously made sure there were plain veggies available, etc.

[lordofthemark]

@dbb 225643 wrote:

The contractor got another shot at the ramps and they are much better. Shots are from this afternoon

[ATTACH=CONFIG]30741[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]30742[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]30743[/ATTACH]

Note, it appears that trail users will not get a white crossing signal unless they press the beg button. This is not, IMO, an appropriate signal treatment for a road crossing on such a heavily used trail, which should be automatic. I spoke to Chris Slatt, confirmed that the signal is controlled by Arlington County (not by our fair City) – he told me that he has contacted DES. Given that the trail proper should be reopened in a few months, I am not sure they will get to this, but it would be good if they did so.

[lordofthemark]

@dbb 225655 wrote:

Just got an email from my contact at Dominion regarding the boardwalk at the Glebe substation work.

She asked “I wanted to check in and see if you have any other feedback on the boardwalk since its been in operation for a few weeks now. Anything good or bad you would like to share or have heard from others?”

I told her I would seek input from the forum and share the responses.

Operators are standing by …

I think I have only ridden it once since it officially opened – I have pretty much only riden into DC lately on coffee club days, when I take Eads, and in the evening in I usually avoid the MVT because of the crowds in the nice weather. The pne time I took the MVT and rode the boardwalk I got busy taking pictures, and didn’t really evaluate trail conditions. I will try to remember next time I ride there.

[lordofthemark]

Do you think they would mind if I brought in a box of matzoh, maybe some other things? – it will still be Passover, and I don’t know if there will be anything I can eat.

It appears I will not be able to partake of any alcoholic beverages available there either, but I don’t expect a brewery will want me bringing in cider or mead.

Sorry for not catching this sooner.

[lordofthemark]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]30711[/ATTACH]

Not sure if this fits, but Sarah 🐝 suggested it. The pirate queen seems to be acting with her sword, my emotion is embarrassment, I guess.

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