[Mark Blacknell]

Of course, only a tiny fraction of people ride with panniers, and only a slightly larger fraction of people carry the tools they need for roadside repair (based on my many *many* stops to help unprepared cyclists). I think this would be money well spent in a busy cycling corridor like Columbia Rd. or Wilson Blvd.

[Mark Blacknell]

Indeed. Joe/Admin: it’s probably a good idea to update the title on this thread so no one casually passing by gets the idea that it’s still cancelled.

[Mark Blacknell]

Depends very much on the manufacturer and dealer.

(Helpful, I know)

[Mark Blacknell]

He’s probably heading down to the L’Enfant promenade, and taking the ped/bike bridge you see at ~10 o’clock in this picture. http://bit.ly/exs0x7 It runs along the southern side of the bridge until you land in the middle of East Potomac Park, where you have to sort of backtrack a small bit and come up Ohio Dr. If I were walking, or coming from south of L’Enfant Plaza that’s probably the route I’d take. But on a bike from Capitol Hill, I think it’s probably more trouble than your present route.

[Mark Blacknell]

Nothing wrong with used bikes that have been inspected (either by the shop selling, or by a friend who (actually) knows what she’s doing). Phoenix Bikes is a good source of used bikes that have been inspected, and I wouldn’t have any qualms accompanying a friend and selected a bike from one of the used-bike dealers that show up at the Courthouse market.

My personal ideal for a commuter is a steel touring bike. Drop bars, made for comfort & load, etc. A hybrid would drive me nuts. I’ve known a number of people who buy a hybrid because it’s the most immediately comfortable thing in the shop, and then, after a month or so of riding, get frustrated with the upright & slow nature of it. Different strokes.

[Mark Blacknell]

Sounds interesting, Erik, and I’ll definitely jump on some weekend soon. Already have two appts for some self/other inflicted pain this weekend.

[Mark Blacknell]

“Speed table” is a large & flat speed bump that MVT users would traverse lengthwise, yes? Hmm. Possibly good.

The reason I never take the MVT (and always the parking lot) is that kids tend to dart onto the trail from between the cars, and you have zero time to see them, even at low speeds. Compare to the parking lot, where you at least have some time to see and react to kids/people quickly backing out/etc.

In any event, thanks for the add’l info.

[Mark Blacknell]

I’ve heard some good things on twitter about the explorers ride – anyone else been on one of these?

[Mark Blacknell]

I want to pass something along that I got from Ft. Myer. And I want to preface this with pointing out that, while I’ve been known to somehow avoid seeing “Closed” and other similar signs elsewhere, bypassing security to get onto a military installation is a *serious* offense. As in Federal. So folks, go through the right gates the right way (not the Wright way). I supply the emphasis below:

Safety Issue at Wright Gate
Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall’s Wright Gate, located at North Meade Street and Marshall Drive in Arlington will remain closed through about April 18 in order to repair the damage to the gate that occurred during last year’s record snowfall. Since the closure, personnel on foot (both military and civilian) and bicyclists have been seen getting around the gate by illegal means to either leave or gain entry onto the installation. Such actions are extremely unsafe due to the construction and are in violation of the installation’s security policy. Personnel are reminded that the gate is closed not only to vehicles, but to all pedestrian and bicycle traffic as well – both military and civilian.
Military Police have stepped up patrols in the area and send notice that gaining access onto the installation by any means other than the designated gates is prohibited. Violators will be cited with trespassing and prosecuted.
Options to enter and leave Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall while Wright Gate is closed:
•Hatfield Gate at South 2nd Street at Washington Boulevard, Arlington (Fort Myer’s Main Gate, open 24/7)
•Henderson Hall’s Annex Gate near the Navy Annex at Southgate Road, Arlington (open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday)
•Henderson Hall’s Main Gate, off of Southgate Road and Orme Street, Arlington (open 24/7)
•Fort Myer’s Henry Gate, at Arlington Boulevard and Pershing Drive, Arlington, will be open for outbound vehicular traffic from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week during the Wright Gate shutdown. Henry Gate accommodates pedestrian in-and-out traffic as do all open gates.

[Mark Blacknell]

Just wanted to let everyone know that Dirt’s out there today, slogging away at the last portion between Baltimore and DC. I think he did 71 miles yesterday, averaging 19mph. That’s not slow.

[Mark Blacknell]

Three recommendations for three different tastes in pro cycling (which is definitely not the only kind of cycling book):

1) The obligatory Lance book – Lance Armstrong’s War by Daniel Coyle. Written in 2005, it doesn’t condemn, but it doesn’t cover up. Probably the fairest book on him written up until that point. (I’m pretty sure the best Lance book has yet to be written).

2) Any collection of Sam Abt columns. Abt was a columnist/journalist writing about cycling for major papers since the early 70s. It lends *excellent* context to the issues we see in modern pro cycling.

3) The Giro D’Italia: Coppi Vs. Bartali at the 1949 Tour of Italy, by Dino Buzzati. A breathtaking book. You need not necessarily know the details of the story of Coppi (one of the greatest road riders ever) v. Bartali (perennial second to Coppi), but if you’ve some appreciation of the Giro, and *especially* if you can imagine what a devastated country Italy was in 1949, you will really enjoy this. The writing is just beautiful. I cannot recommend this enough to the right audience.

The first two books are in Arlington Central Library’s collection*, and Buzzati’s book can be special ordered. If the special order is backed up, I can lend a copy, but you have to be nice to it.

*I know Arlington has reciprocal privileges with DC. Not sure about other jurisdictions.

[Mark Blacknell]

Glad to see that you’re excited about joining the ranks, Kt, and I’m just as glad to see all of the offers of assistance here. I don’t want to be a wet blanket, but I do want to offer a cautionary note. Given your level of experience with riding on roads (which is just about none, as best I can tell), I’d urge you not to just jump right in on your first commute. The Confident City Cycling classes that WABA offers (pointed out by Greg) would be great for you. If they’re starting later than you want, I’d suggest finding an experienced friend (or someone here) who would be willing to “start small” with you on a weekend attempt, and then work up to busier streets from there. I’m looking forward to you joining our ranks, and I want to make sure that it’s enjoyable and *safe* for you.

[Mark Blacknell]

Paekwon – First, I’m sorry to hear about your crash. That’s an area where I rarely use the bike lanes for fear of getting doored. Please call ACPD back, and politely – but firmly – insist on an officer contacting you so you can file an accident report. What you describe as being told by the ACPD when you called them is incorrect, but not unfamiliar (I had a similar issue last year). I’m going to send your post to the ACPD officer running the reporting unit, and if you don’t mind me passing your contact info along to him (b/c this kind of misinformation *has* to stop), please send me a note with your name/email, etc. I want to make sure you get the service you deserve from ACPD, but I also want to make sure that ACPD is aware of this ongoing issue.

Thanks,

Mark

[Mark Blacknell]

Echelon!

Yesterday’s gusts weren’t much fun for me. Wind I don’t mind (well, unless I’m whinging on lap 5 at Hains Point), but the unexpected gusts in traffic? Not.fun.at.all.

[Mark Blacknell]

The Senate bill made it into the House, and we flipped a previous “no” vote on the House Transportation Subcommittee. That means Virginia is closer than it has ever been to enacting a 3 Feet To Pass statute. *Please* lend your voice and ask your friends to do the same.

[Author]

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