[Mark Blacknell]

Hi, Mike – the present forecast doesn’t suggest anything in the way of snow between now and the ride, so I think you should be fine with your bike. If you’ve got a standard road bike, you probably don’t have a lot in the way of tire options, anyway (the front fork usually limits how wide of a tire you can get). If you’re new(ish) to city riding, the one suggestion I’d have is to make sure you’ve got a patch kit or extra tube on hand, so you won’t be stuck if your glass and hazard avoidance skills aren’t quite up to par

Have fun and enjoy the ride!

[Mark Blacknell]

Nonexistent. So practice those quick-turns

Somewhat more seriously – I view jaywalkers the way I wish cars would view less-than-safe cyclists: in the wrong and unlikely to change, but still not worth hitting or abusing.

[Mark Blacknell]

House bills dead, Senate bill passes, and it looks like we’ve got some *new* help in getting the Senate bill through the House. See Washcycle’s summary (and please leave Del. Oder alone now ).

[Mark Blacknell]

There’s lazy, and then there’s laaaaazy. (Refresh would have worked as well )

[Mark Blacknell]

Doh. At least you now have more evidence of what you already knew: Danny Snyder is an idiot child.

(Well, that and I’m not very good at paying attention to my own links.)

[Mark Blacknell]

Posted a column about the three feet to pass law (House bills are dead, only hope is that Senate bill passes and succeeds in the House after crossover). Immediate reaction from commenter telling cyclists to get off the road. It’s like clockwork.

[Mark Blacknell]

I loaded up my adventurous spirit and studded tires and went to test Dirt’s recommendation this afternoon. Amazingly, he’s right!

Interestingly, it appears that a plow has made its way along the Custis from Key Bridge to (at least) Quincy. Unfortunately, I don’t think it had any positive effect at all (tho’ I suppose the iced tire ruts did give me an easier place to ride a couple of times). Can anyone help me pinpoint when it was done? Definitely after last Thurs.

[Mark Blacknell]

Best way to get from Rosslyn to Ballston remains Wilson Blvd/Fairfax Dr. (which are both entirely clear, and I don’t think will even pose an ice problem, tonight). As of 2:30p, don’t bother with the Custis between the two.

[Mark Blacknell]

Twitter sez that the W&OD’s getting plowed, but I’d stick to the roads to get to it. Just checked out the Custis, and it’s snow & ice from Lee Highway (at least) past Fairfax Drive (at least). Won’t melt enough today, and the overnight refreezing’s going to make it unrideable (and unplowable) well through tomorrow AM.

[Mark Blacknell]

Huh. Just when I thought that there was little more depressing than the simple act of using a trainer, ACC introduces me to the concept of listening to Celine Dion while on a trainer. I think I’d want to just end it right there.

(ACC – there are loads of hardly-used trainers out there – lots of people buy with high ambition, and then realize that it’s just taking up space. Save money through their mistakes.)

[Mark Blacknell]

Locations aren’t set yet, but we can expect the first to show up in Rosslyn. I’m less certain about timing, though I think early spring is a good bet.

[Mark Blacknell]

We shouldn’t have to make requests to have the bike lanes on the streets properly cleared. *Especially* along a corridor route like Fairfax Drive. So, Tim, can you ask whether Arlington County’s snow clearance position is that they don’t do bike lanes unless asked? Thanks.

[Mark Blacknell]

I have a picture I feel almost compelled to post . . .

~

Brendan, I’ve never done the Total 200 (but have contemplated it) and I’m certain that drafting/working in a group is key to finishing it. I think anyone can willpower their way through a century, but a double? That’s gonna require some help (esp. if you don’t want end up rolling in well after dark all by your exhausted lonesome). To that end, I think Tim’s point about your brake access is important (to both you and the group you’d be riding in). Maybe check out Phoenix Bike’s inventory of road bikes? Finally, if you do end up going with the conversion, check out touring handlebars.

[Mark Blacknell]

Oh, just look at the excitement I’ve missed. Or not.

All I think I should really contribute to this thread is a small correction: PINE was never cool.

[Mark Blacknell]

@Mykeru 1833 wrote:

Where’d that come from?

I want to find the person spreading slanderous rumors like that and slap them with a cease and desist.

Some dude driving a late model sedan near the corner of 17th & Constitution. Go get ‘im.

[Author]

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