[Mark Blacknell]

Belated answer here: could be that our version is just taking the Super Punk Anarchist approach to organization. Or it’s more likely that this isn’t a particular Critical Mass kind of town. Which is both a bit of a blessing and a shame. I’ve gone to a few, and while I met a lot of cool people and it’s always fun to see bikes on the road, there was some serious douchebag (nevermind unsafe) behavior going on at the front and edges. Every time. Just not the kind of riding I want to promote or associate with, so I bounced. I know at least a few other people who’ve gone through the same experience. That was a couple of years ago, so maybe it’s changed.

[Mark Blacknell]

Yep. I can’t begin to adequately explain how happy I am to see the various local forums come together – lots of credit to everyone who made it happen. And even more credit to those of you who contribute and help folks out regularly. Happy holidays and all that. A round of egg nog on me.

[Mark Blacknell]

@JustinW 1555 wrote:

Ok, interesting point. How much badge engineering exists in the bike marketplace? As common on bikes as with cars?

Far more common than you would believe. I toured a Giant factory in Taiwan in October, and saw Treks rolling off the same assembly line. For comparison, this is like going to a Ford factor and seeing Chevys being made.

The lesson to take, as Dave correctly notes, is that it’s the shop that really makes a difference. I’m very comfortable recommending the Revolution folks, and you might find it worth your while to stop by Papillion (on Columbia Pike, near Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse). Papillion is decidedly lower-market than Rev, but Bailey (the owner, who works there daily) is about as good as it gets when it comes to customer service. No high-end bikes there – just good solid transportation and entry-level road stuff.

And on the triple/double thing – do whatever you like. I rode a triple for years, and was very happy with it. Only in the most extreme of situations (death march up a very steep hill at the end of a long hot century) did I feel like it ever gave me an advantage over my double-riding compatriots (yeah, Dirt, I’m talking about Skymass). I recently switched to a double (for equipment-failure reasons not worth exploring), and I can’t say I regret it. If I ever find myself kitting up for a day in the Alps, I’ll probably go with a compact double. Aside from that, perfectly happy with what I’ve got.

[Mark Blacknell]

Mute Swan, is my guess. Look similar to Trumpeter Swans, and are indigenous to the area.

(And by “guess”, I mean that I’m reading off the “DC Area Bird Identification Card’ I bought the other day b/c I thought I should try to move beyond calling everything smaller than a pigeon a “sparrow.” )

[Mark Blacknell]

Thanks, SQ. Tim, the whole thing was an accident, from beginning to end. I was actually standing in the back of the bus, putting on the camera on the helmet (for the first time) when I looked up and thought “Hey, I wonder how it’ll come out if I tried to film Mark on the way down?” So it’s kind of a mess, but it’s a fun mess. Glad I stuck with it (and that Mark stuck with us).

[Mark Blacknell]

I can’t tell from the picture if you’ve broken it off, or just screwed it out. In either event, it’s not terribly hard to replace. If it’s broken, just find a small enough screwdriver to wedge into the interior of the broken bit and screw it out. Spokes or Conte’s should have a replacement in stock. Pretty straightforward.

[Mark Blacknell]

I quite like both of your ideas, Badassador (tho’ for different reasons ).

[Mark Blacknell]

Not cool in the least. If anyone else here experienced that this morning, I don’t think following up Pete’s call with one of your own would be a bad idea.

[Mark Blacknell]

Joe – A deeluxe bike pit in the ground, now it’s moving on up . . .

~

Good to have you around baiskeli.

[Mark Blacknell]

Laurel Hill and 99% of Wakefield are ridable on your bike, Tim. Funny, I thought you might already know a local MTBer with a few suggestions . . .

(And I want in on this future intro ride. I’ll be bringing the GoPro.)

[Mark Blacknell]

The People’s Department of Transportation strikes?

[Mark Blacknell]

Pete, as usual, has the best response. All I’d add is that anyone can do the vast majority of regular maintenance on their own bikes, with not much required in the way of specialized tools. If you’re at all curious about it, give it a shot. You’re not going to permanently screw anything up, even if you get it wrong. Worst case scenario – you get dirty and have to take it into the shop anyway.

(The Zinn book that Pete referenced above is on the shelf in the Central Library, and the Sheldon Brown site is one of the best things to ever happen to the Internet. Alternatively, lots of shops hold free basic maint clinics throughout the year. Finally, I bet there’d be a volunteer or two on this board that would gladly help an enthusiastic learner out.)

[Mark Blacknell]

With the MagicShine on reserve duty (I’m not too terribly worried about using it, plus I make M. handle it when charging.*) I’m back to the MiNewt. Had to do some (not very good) re-soldering of a broken connection, after a couple of years use. Not as bright as the MagicShine, but definitely useable.

*Kidding, people. Mostly.

[Mark Blacknell]

The Rosslyn Death Zone (I heartily endorse that, tho’ we’ve (thankfully) not had any deaths there in recent memory, I think) has been the subject of many a study. The most recent iteration is here – http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/EnvironmentalServices/cpe/capprojects/page63515.aspx. The lack of implementation is, as you might have guessed, a function of funding. It’s partly funded, but I can’t remember what the shortfall remains.

~

The state of Custis paving is less than ideal, for sure. The only really dangerous spot (and I’ve not checked it out, lately – I’d love to know that it’s been repaired) is near St. Ann’s School/N. Frederick St. Last I saw it, the buckle against the wall was growing, and could do some serious damage to an inattentive cyclist heading east.

A Friends of the Custis would be nice, and I’d certainly support one. But the costs for paving is quite extraordinary, really, and I think a group would find itself tapped out pretty quickly. In any event, I think all Custis trail users should let the County Board know that they should take paving the Custis as seriously as they do Wilson Blvd. Both are heavily used transportation corridors, and should be treated similarly (tho’ proportionally).

[Mark Blacknell]

There is – believe it or not – another very similar bike in Arlington. I’ve seen the guy locking it up once, and really regret not stopping and asking him about it. Never heard it in action, though.

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