[Mark Blacknell]

@elbows 27602 wrote:

Also, I’m curious if an ambulance is called to every ride. Saw a guy being loaded tonight. I wish him the best.

It’s happened before, but it’s not a frequent occurrence.

Tonight’s crash came courtesy of unexpected gravel. First guy heading into corner lost it, which took out the guy on his wheel. A third guy went over the top of both of them. The first guy was the one you saw on the ground. I’m guessing collarbone.

I’m glad that 99% of the riders who came through later were responsive to my directions (slow down, keep moving). The 1% who decided to blow and squeeze through? WTF is wrong with people?

In any event, take tonight as a reminder for a couple of things:

1) If you see a trouble/gravel spot near your house? Consider heading out there with a broom from time to time. It’s super helpful.
2) Always keep some lights on your bike, even if they’re little flashers. It’s getting dark sooner. (I’ll let DaveK explain this one.)

[Mark Blacknell]

Ann asked me to add this photo to the thread:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1492[/ATTACH]

[Mark Blacknell]

Just a reminder to all – this is happening tomorrow (Tuesday). Please RSVP (see first post) if you can.

I look forward to seeing everyone.

[Mark Blacknell]

@KLizotte 26509 wrote:

Someone please, please tell me these outfits were not official racing kit. Oh my god. My eyes have been permanently damaged.

Cycling has entered ice dancing territory. We will never get any respect if this continues….

Kathy, you *must* learn about Mario Cipollini. Click to embiggen:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1405[/ATTACH]

[Mark Blacknell]

Dana, you’ll like this.

[Mark Blacknell]

@jrenaut 26406 wrote:

As someone who rarely bikes in Arlington, I’d prefer a more generic design. Can’t lose my Columbia Heights street cred.

Tho’ to be fair, you’re more likely to lose your bike before your cred, there . . .

[Mark Blacknell]

@KLizotte 26386 wrote:

I’m a little confused as to why we need a new graphic since I’ve always assumed the Bike Arlington logo represented us. What am I missing?

Would a DC, Fairfax, or [shudder] Maryland member like to step in and explain?

[Mark Blacknell]

@Bilsko 26335 wrote:

The wool jerseys from these guys look splendid: http://cimacoppi.ca/ and it looks like they do custom work with no minimum order. I can’t imagine that a custom would be any less than the $120 for their standard designs, but boy are they nice looking jerseys.

They do make good stuff. I know the folks behind it, and have a couple of their things (not the jerseys themselves, though). Huge cycling fans, and lots of pride in their work.

~

Also, what TXGoonie said: 1) Design isn’t free. 2) It should be a dictatorship, not a democracy.

[Mark Blacknell]

Here’s a jersey I like . . .

More seriously, the discussion inspires a couple of points:

1) Managing a custom jersey order is expensive and time consuming. I’ve done it twice, now – never again. I say that mostly in the hope that folks will moderate expectations/demands for what they want (if there is one). $80 is cheap, considering.

2) Pearl Izumi? Primal? Oh, my children, there are so many better things out there in the world . . . As with bikes, you tend to get what you pay for. If you’ve got the dosh, try something from Castelli or Hincapie’s mid-lines. Pactimo’s jerseys are great, too.

[Mark Blacknell]

A successful troll from the ARLnow forum, all the way over here? Oy.

[Mark Blacknell]

Which one rides better? Get that. If that doesn’t work, which one looks better? Get that.

(Really, don’t spend too much time overoptimizing. Get the one that makes you smile the most.)

[Mark Blacknell]

Nobody’s going to touch your monkey, Dave.

[Mark Blacknell]

@DaveK 25920 wrote:

Tim Kelley will be performing an interpretive dance to a Blacknell beatbox performance of Kraftwerk’s “Tour de France”. Once Tim has enough Michelob Ultras, of course.

In case anyone misses it, it’ll end up looking something like this.* That’s me on the bench, ACC dancing, and Tim . . . well.

*NNSFW

[Mark Blacknell]

Increase the gas tax, skip the complications of a VMT.

[Mark Blacknell]

And that, my friend,will be but the first of many many disappointments related to the Olympics. The sporting competitions themselves? I’m foursquare in favor of. The Olympics(TM), as presented by the IOC and other governing bodies? Is absolutely appalling.

[Author]

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