[mello yello]

@DaveK 61410 wrote:

“tamper-resistant”, aka you need the right tool.

Or a dremel and determination.

Oh! My socket extension (less road rash) costs $6. It’s a Duralast 73-803… got the part number right on it. Duralast is an auto-zone branded autoparts mfr, apparently they make (or brand) hand tools as well. This one goes in my drawer, or at least holds out for better beer.

[mello yello]

@DaveK 61403 wrote:

You’ll find the occasional bike component held on with Torx fasteners as well, although I swear you could take apart an entire BMW with one Torx driver.

Aha. Well, as I make it a point to stay as far away from BMW/MB/Audi/VW products as possible, lest my addictive personality become obsessed with them, I should be in the clear, and better off for the beer.

And note, an external torx is different than an internal torx. I have a set of internal Torx screwdrivers, just in case, although you can generally get away with the next size down allen. My NiteRider battery case was put together with internal Torx fasteners with posts in the middle, which hinders access. You also find those holding together bathroom stalls.

[mello yello]

Enjoyed the cool weather and took an easy ride in… even stopped to pick up a 3/8″ drive socket extension off the road.

This is the second tool-related find on my commute since starting. The first was a E-11 external torx driver made by snap-on. I traded it for a beer at the local auto parts store when I went to get an oil filter on Saturday, as I have never encountered an external torx drive fastener, even in school for mechanical engineering. It must be pretty specialty.

Out of town guests and DC restaurant week are going to tie up the rest of the week, so I’m happy to get a good commute in while I can!

[mello yello]

@bobco85 61078 wrote:

I didn’t want to answer because I know it automatically un-ELITEs what I do, but I cannot track stand and must balance with my other foot on the ground

I was gonna chime in that a wobbly track stand usually keeps people from getting too close, either on bike or in car, which might keep shoalers in their proper place. Seeing so few cyclists though, it’s hard to tell for sure.

[mello yello]

Oooh a nice vintage Japanese steel touring bike. My size. Untouched. Granny gear.

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/bik/3987923522.html

But not in the cards.

[mello yello]

@rcannon100 61056 wrote:

And particularly roof top carriers. Should have a sticker from every adventure you have been on.

Agreed. Rooftop carriers are the new travel trunk – slap those destination stickers on there! I still have to put my Mt. Ranier sticker on mine.

[mello yello]

I have two on the flat of my rack:
“One Less Car” – which is only true when I am actually on the bike, and “Fixter” which is true 95% of the time, unless I’m running SS. Because they’re on the load-accepting portion of the rack, they have gotten a bit tattered.

I also have a Maryland Park Bicycles sticker where the head badge should go. John asked if he could put his sticker on it, since he built it up and ordered half the parts, and I offered him the head tube and/or seat tube near the bottom bracket.

Also, I have adhesive reflective tape from an ill-conceived attempt at being “noticeable”. While not exactly a sticker, it has the same deleterious effect (or worse) on the aesthetic value of the bicycle.

I like the bike shop sticker, because we should all support our local brick and mortar stores, but wish the rest of the bike was a clean machine.

[mello yello]

Forgive me father, for I have sinned. It has been 6 days since my last bicycle commute…

… and I forgot to pick up the dry cleaning when I had the car!

This morning was gorgeous. I took the road bike out for the first time in a month, now that I have the shiny new super-tri Profile Designs Aquarack. Going back down to a smaller frame, high pressure tires, and narrower handlebars was interesting – I felt a little scrunched, but the bike felt twitchy and fast. Remembering how to use friction shifters after a month of fixed riding took half the commute!

[mello yello]

@dbb 60643 wrote:

It seems that only the Pentagon doesn’t desire that path. It might be accomplished as part of the future efforts on Boundary Channel Drive.

I hope so, it seems a lot more straightforward than the loopy business around the LBJ memorial to get to the other footbridge. Besides, they’ve got people using it as a path anyway, whether or not it is official.

Thanks for all the replies – now I know!

[mello yello]

@americancyclo 60834 wrote:

I try, but the sidewalks are just too damn narrow for my Honda Odyssey!

Trails, however, are fair game!

[mello yello]

ADVrider forums used a plastic alligator tub toy. As long as it’s a hide-and-seek sort of game, it doesn’t matter what the object is.

Another version of the game is the photo tag, first person to re-create a posted photo gets to post the next photo/location. Photos are obscure, with hints to figure them out.

[mello yello]

@rcannon100 60602 wrote:

Are people hip on this? I can try to make an appropriately decorated cache tonite and we could start the game.

I suggest external package made of tubes and wires and a clock:

Let me know the exact time, location, and what you’ll be wearing when you “hide” said magnetic package.

[mello yello]

no shortage of condos there! Although they aren’t quite the deals they were three years ago. There are a number of older, smaller, quieter condo buildings in the area, up on Arlington Ridge and surrounding Pentagon City… once you start bordering Pentagon Row it’s a little busy for my tastes. Lots of parks in the area though!

[mello yello]

Never been on the city explorer ride, but I went on one of the full moon rides that was a stressful chaotic and slow-moving event, with plenty of red-light running with MPD bike officers helping in the beginning. When MPD changed their minds about the red-light running, the squad cars were on the PA saying “Please Do Not Run the Red Lights” while the ride chaperons were waving us through. Being my first ride, I thought it was just some confusion, and the chaperons were just volunteers who had done this before.

I have to and do ride on 3-lane 40-mph roads (which generally means cars move at 50+) namely Martin Luther King Jr. Highway (MD 704), but never for more than a few blocks. I gotta say – I’d have at least taken MLK Ave all the way down, if not. It’s still 2 lanes each direction, but marginally better with a 30mph speed limit. There are no great options to get down there. I used to commute to the Carslile / “Eisenhower East” area of Alexandria, and while 295/S.Capitol is the straightest shot, bicycling I went through the city and used the MVT/Commonwealth to avoid having to try and make a safe connection down to the new bridge.

While riding alone I’m on the lookout for myself, and law-following is my own prerogative, and I do some of the actions described above. Riding with a group is another story, however. I follow the leader on led rides, or make sure that all of the group can safely and legally stay with the ride if I’m in front.

[mello yello]

Lookin Sharp!
That looks like a wonderful, versatile bike. Canti’s and multiple rack bosses are definitely my style.
However, I shall have to refer you to Rule 46.
Also, your bottle cage appears to be bent in a strange way. Does it still securely hold water bottles?

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