[Mark Blacknell]

So it turns out that the AFR is *well* on its way to blowing past last year’s #s, and so I’d like to err on the side of caution by recruiting a few more ride marshalls. Any takers? Ride marshalls are best thought of as shepherds – they just apply the occasional light touch in order to keep the herd moving safely, and if things go wrong, they know who to call (me). Interested?

(Everyone who has already signed up to volunteer will be hearing from me later today. Thanks!)

[Mark Blacknell]

@Dkeg 32726 wrote:

Could someone explain to me why someone would put aero bars on a unicycle? I saw this guys Monday at Gravelly Point trying to ride a unicycle with Tri-aero bars. I don’t understand:confused:

Sounds like DKEG doesn’t understand AWESOME.

[Mark Blacknell]

Thanks, Ann, for the original post.

In case anyone is interested, the Arlington Fun Ride has a Facebook page, and there’s an event page on there that you can use to invite your FB friends. You can register for the ride here. And yes, I know the registration page is a big PITA – it’s what we do, given budget and time constraints this year. If the registration is too awkward, you can always register on site (tho’ pre-registered folks will get priority for shirts).

[Mark Blacknell]

Putting aside the flashbacks to 1L Thursday Thursdays this thread just induced, I’m going to suggest a different tack for this thread: please hammer out a right of way law that solves for the ambiguities you’re arguing about above.

(I’m quite serious. How do you resolve the conflicts?)

[Mark Blacknell]

Huh. Sounds like a good alternative to Bike New York.

[Mark Blacknell]

@JorgeGortex 30966 wrote:

As to whether a helmet law affects the success of a bike share program… I could frankly care less. I want to see more people riding and using cars less…

Hopefully you see the possible contradictions here . . .

[Mark Blacknell]

Hi, F4E. I think you’ve probably got all the experience you need to answer your own question. I’ve also had a complete ACL reconstruction (autopatellar graft) and a subsequent scope to deal with extra meniscus stuff. The former was much much tougher than the later to deal with. The scope isn’t nearly as invasive, and I can’t imagine that you wouldn’t be back on the bike within the week.

I sort of echo the pointer towards your physician, above. But realize that some physicians don’t entirely understand (care) about the desires of active people to remain active. So get one that really gets your desire to get back on the bike. And even better, get a PT person that does, too. If you see a lot of older people in the waiting room? Go elsewhere. (I’m sure I’ll get it for that.)

You might find that you have different pedal needs after this. I swapped out to Speedplay Frogs for a good long while after (enormous float, which made it easier on the knees). The fitter recommendation is a very good one (and even better if you can get it covered via insurance!).

Good luck!

[Mark Blacknell]

@Dickie 29747 wrote:

OK, so nothing like the red carpet!

Oh, I dunno. I find carrying a superior sense of self-entitlement does an excellent job of recreating the experience all on its own!

[Mark Blacknell]

@krazygl00 29725 wrote:

This is why I think the most important thing that needs to be done — and something that I think would definitely help the sport — is to institute rules that would allow finality of decision. In other words, championships need to be “certified”: the governing board(s) need to say that, as of a certain point in time we have no evidence (or not enough) and no reason to suspect any foul play, therefore the outcome of the race is final and nothing can ever change that, for better or worse. And preferably, that needs to happen before the race. One of the things that rubs me the wrong way about all of this is that the people coming forward with evidence and accusations were right there at the genesis of it all. There really needs to be 1. a genuine effort to hear and honor all claims and 2. a definite point at which, if claims have not been brought or show no merit, all discussion is closed. A “forever hold your peace” clause.

All of that pretty much exists. http://www.wada-ama.org/

Also, with respect to “Now there’s going to be a serious effort to clean up cycling”, we had that in 98 (Festina). In 2003 (Oil for Drugs). In 2006 (Puerto). In 2007 (Floyd). 2008 (Ricco, the Dumbest (@#@#@# on the Planet). In 2010 (Spanish Beef!). Etc. Look for a list of cycling doping cases, and you’ll see it start in 1890-something and continue unbroken until today. That’s a lot to overcome.

One hopeful difference with the present round is that we’re actually pushing out some of the big/bad actors for life. No more Armstrong, no more Bruyneel, no more Ferrari (a doctor closely associated with doping), etc. So it’s the enablers, and not just the riders, that are getting hit, now. It’s about time. As I was mentioning the other day, there are a couple more that really need to strung up to make this stick – Pat McQuaid (head of UCI, and – in my view – certainly a co-conspirator of Armstrong/Bruyneel) and Hein Verbruggen (think Godfather).

Do that, and I’ll actually think it’s possible that there’s a “new day” coming.

All that said?

I love cycling.

[Mark Blacknell]

Looking forward to checking them out.

A long long time ago, Arlington County did a test on multiple bike lane colors (next to W-L high school). Green, blue, and red, iirc. Only took us 10+ years to act on the results!

Heh.

But seriously, I hope the next location list involves Fairfax Dr. & Wakefield.

[Mark Blacknell]

Arrrrrgggggh.

Must.shut.up.

But can’t.

Short version of my opinion? Lance Armstrong is a low down dirty doper who bullied his way around the peloton and wrapped himself in in the cloak of Livestrong (subsidized by well-intentioned dollars) in order to build his brand and legend.

Like Pete, I’ve followed this waaaay too closely for years. While I’ve (clearly) got my own opinion, I also realize that some folks will never (ever) see what I think are a pretty clear set of facts. So that, I can let go. But it kills me to see so many opinions based on misinformation and outright lies (500+ tests! Never failed a test!). So I’ll just drop this link here and move on (I hope) – http://www.sportsscientists.com/2012/08/the-armstrong-fallout-thoughts-and.html

[Mark Blacknell]

And don’t forget: Number One in Roadside Bulimia!

[Mark Blacknell]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1520[/ATTACH]

[Mark Blacknell]

@chris_s 27855 wrote:

Definitely needs some work. It desperately wants to route me from Bob & Edith’s diner to the Birchmere by way of the Washington Blvd / I-395 ramp and Arlington Ridge Road. Is that even legal?

Actually, I think it is. Washington Boulevard and Arlington Ridge Road are both legal for riding. And while that bit is *also* an access ramp to 395, it’s not 395 (and thus not limited access highway). I’ve seen people ride that bit of Washington Blvd to Crystal City on the mornings of the Crystal Ride.

[Mark Blacknell]

@ShawnoftheDread 27663 wrote:

New forum readers come all the time, so a continuing dialogue is helpful. I wore earbuds my first two months of commuting (though not loudly), until being convinced through this forum that it wasn’t a good idea.

Yeah, I’m as guilty as anyone when it comes to rolling my eyes at yet another helmet/earbuds/passing debate, but my solution is just to mostly stay away from them. There’s always someone to whom it’s new and useful. Cycling advocacy certainly didn’t start the moment I first drew a chair to the table, and I’m very glad that the folks who came before were willing to indulge my questions and grappling with the issues.

/leaves to get back to drinking games with rcannon100

[Author]

Replies