[Mark Blacknell]

I love reading a thread, starting to compile an answer, and then seeing that Dirt has saved me the trouble.

All I would add is:

1) if you bought your bikes this spring, your chain is fine.
2) In my view, about 95% of imaginable bike maintenance/fixes can be accomplished with a relatively cheap set of tools. At this point, the only reason I need a shop is to chase/face my BB, remove a fork’s crown race, or straighten a hanger. (And I think I’m about to address that last one). I doubt I’ve got more than a couple/few hundred dollars worth of tools. And you can manage about 75% of expected issues with less than $50 worth of tools, I’d bet.

[Mark Blacknell]

There’s a decent used bike market at the Courthouse Metro stop on Saturday/Sunday’s. There’s another one at Eastern Market, too (but can’t recall their hours). There’s also Phoenix Bikes in Arlington (but not terribly Metro accessible, unless you like buses). They operate on Thurs, Sat & Sun, iirc.

Also, check with Revolution Cycles’ City Hub in Crystal City and see what they might be willing to work out. Definitely cheaper than CaBi, for your purposes.

[Mark Blacknell]

Things that all riders who decide they want to go more than 20 miles (or 20mph, regularly) eventually come to realize:

1) The upright position of a hybrid works against you. It can be overcome, but it will always be more work.
2) Padded saddles are no good. Soft padding squishing soft bits = no blood flow. Find a hard saddle that fits, and you’ll end up more comfortable (and efficient). This is perhaps the hardest thing for new/advancing riders to accept. But it’s true.
3) There’s a point to closely fitting cycling clothing – and no, it’s not to look like a 20lb sausage in a 5lb casing. Rather, it’s more efficient (sense the theme, here) as you have less flapping in the wind, better transfer of heat/sweat, and an easy way to carry the basics in back pockets.

Some take longer than others to come around to this. Also, bib shorts. Trust me.

[Mark Blacknell]

My guess is that this was an MTB’er doing a poor job of translating trail rules to the street. (And he wouldn’t be the first one.)

Slower traffic should stay to the right whether in a car, on a bicycle, or on foot.

Given the reaction I witnessed by some of the folks during Bike DC, this isn’t exactly common courtesy. In fact, some got downright indignant that someone would expect them not to dawdle along at 6mph on the left.

[Mark Blacknell]

Just pop your collar, DaveK. You’ll look like one of the lost souls from Clarendon Ballroom. (But should keep your helmet with you, lest you get understandably shunned.)

[Mark Blacknell]

Ah, FFX, I’m sure we can cobble together a scholarship beer program for the disadvantaged . . .

[Mark Blacknell]

Jay’s is a total dive. And I’ve loved it for years. It helps balance out what Clarendon has turned into. Food and beer are cheap, people are cool. It is bike-friendly, dog-friendly, and kid-friendly (well, they won’t kick them out). However, one of the things I am proudest of it for is that it allowed me to witness a bar fight over . . . the Electoral College.

~

Okay, do we want to set this up for 6pm on Wednesday, June 8th, at Jay’s Saloon & Grille?

And obviously ACC is paying for the first round. Unless she shows up on Spartacus in 4″ heels. Then we’ll just consider that her in-kind donation of entertainment.

[Mark Blacknell]

Nope, Jay’s is friendly to everyone.

[Mark Blacknell]

My generous take (which I don’t think is deserved, in light of this) is that they’re trying to slow down traffic as it approaches what they think to be the crossing point of the MVT.

[Mark Blacknell]

Maybe *someone* could bait them . . .

[Mark Blacknell]

Do you just mount that with the head-strap that came with it, when diving? I was thinking of taking mine out on the next dive trip, but can’t really think of anything better than putting in on a strap and manually handling it.

[Mark Blacknell]

@DaveK 3751 wrote:

Also it is very important – biking must never, ever be immediately preceded by a swim or followed by a run. These are the rules (see Rule 42) and must be obeyed without question.

This place makes me proud, sometimes.

[Mark Blacknell]

Winlock, I want to offer a belated thanks to you for coming to the aid of your fellow man. A lot of people find that sort of thing too much to deal with, and find reasons to pass on by. I haven’t heard any additional information about the result of the crash, but I do know that Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling are aware of the incident, and trying to find out more. I do think it’s great that this is inspiring you to get more involved with bike advocacy, and suggest getting in touch with the folks at FABB.

[Mark Blacknell]

@OneEighth 3710 wrote:

You realize that acquiring a bamboo bike puts you at risk for endless panda-inflicted purgatory beginning very early on Sunday…

That and a splinter in the @ss . . .

~

If anyone reading this would like to sell me a 58cm Traveler’s Check for cheap . . .

[Mark Blacknell]

Regret missing this. Don’t regret missing you riding with some seriously questionable aero bars.

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