[oldbikechick]

So many missed connections this morning..
1) little kid (!) by himself as far as I could tell, riding up the hill from under the W-L parking garage on the Custis this morning. He passed a jogger going up the hill and came very close to wobbling into my path. If there had been one of those piles of pine needles in that particular spot where I slammed on the brakes, we might have both gone down. I think we were both appropriately jolted out of our morning stupor. Another reminder to maintain a safe speed on the downhills, since you just never know.
2) Man with a loincloth in the TR parking lot…? Brrr
3) Four Capitol police officers on bikes riding down the MVT. Made me wonder if something was going on.

[oldbikechick]

I have no idea about the code and whatnot, but for what it’s worth, after reading this thread, I’ve now decided not to cross if it’s blinking. I’ll probably get rear-ended by a cyclist now. This morning I decided not to push through with about 5 seconds left and as it happened, no cars turned right since the drivers apparently thought that I would cross. They waited until I put my foot down.

[oldbikechick]

@dasgeh 64344 wrote:

I really need to find a local bike shop that stocks WeeHoos and get them to sponsor. That’s at least the 2nd sold by KM-A. I’m thinking sponsorship would entail snacks at the start / finish of each ride, more swag and maybe even bike shop discounts…

and Thanks!

We got ours from Big Wheel Bikes by Spout Run. They had at least one in stock

[oldbikechick]

@dasgeh 64235 wrote:

Sorry I didn’t see this on Saturday, but I’m so glad you guys came. My husband (who was the caboose and actually saw you guys riding) said your daughter did great! He meant to say something to you before he left, but got derailed dealing with fussy baby.

Thanks for organizing – a great time was had by all. And, we were inspired to get a wee-hoo. We’re looking forward to the next ride!

[oldbikechick]

We are thinking about joining the harvest ride tomorrow, but wondered about whether or not my 7 year old daughter is experienced enough. She’s been riding without the training wheels since about mid-summer, but hasn’t really been riding on the street, but rather car-less boardwalks and bike paths. I thought a group ride might be a good way for her to learn, but haven’t been on one of these so don’t know quite what to expect. Appreciate any advice.

Thanks!

[oldbikechick]

Having cycled in both the Netherlands and here, I’d say the biggest difference I noticed besides the infrastructure is the enforcement of traffic rules. There is very strict enforcement of cyclist’s rights in the Netherlands and drivers know that if they infringe on those rights they will have the book thrown at them. On the flipside, there is also pretty strict enforcement of cyclists behavior. Scofflaws are not tolerated and you will get a ticket for going the wrong way on a one-way street or (this was my favorite) not have a working light on your bike – at least when I lived there, you could get a ticket for that even during the day. There is also not a lot of tolerance for bikes being where they are not supposed to be, ie. on a busy road where there is a bikepath available or on a sidewalk. There are also some people, namely teenagers riding their bikes to school, who do sometimes bike longer distances. I had a friend who went to a private school who biked something like 24 km each way. Which he did in jeans and sweaters and no helmet. Of course it was not in DC weather and he was not needing to conduct business meetings when he reached his destination. In any case, I think the cycling attire is a cultural thing.

[oldbikechick]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m still thinking about it. Looks like it will be a beautiful day.

[oldbikechick]

Thanks for all the tips. I will definitely check out the weehoo and others and good to know about the sale!

[oldbikechick]

Don’t know if I could swing 50 miles, since I haven’t done one of these before. Is it a real serious race, or can old bike chicks show up on their commuter hybrid just for fun?

[oldbikechick]

revitalizing this thread since I’m thinking about getting one of these as well. I’m wondering which way to go though, my daughter is about to turn 4 so I’m hoping she could get more of a “sitting on the bike” experience than with the Weehoo and she’d be able to grow into it more. Those who have them, up to what age would you use the Weehoo? It seems like it would be good for a short while but she might outgrow it soon. This would not be for real long rides, just back and forth to school and some easy family rides with big sis riding her own bike.

[oldbikechick]

which ride is the team doing? 100, 50 or 33 miles?

[oldbikechick]

Looks like a great place to ride.. a horse! Were there really horse jumps and a dressage ring there like shown on the sign? On google maps satellite it looks empty.

[oldbikechick]

To the cyclist crossing Maine Avenue at evening rush hour: getting impatient waiting for the light, going through the red light, crossing the EB lane during a break in traffic, easing in next to a very large bus going WB and then weaving from there in front of a fast-moving car to head up 15th st? I’m assuming you were on your way to defuse a bomb because why else would you take your life in your hands like that to save about 45 seconds?

[oldbikechick]

@NicDiesel 58269 wrote:

Seriously, if you’re salmoning for a short distance in a stretch where there are few options (i.e. off the 14th Street Bridge by the memorial) no big deal, that’s a pretty quick spot that’s usually clear of automobile and pedestrian traffic.

I see this all the time at that spot and while I don’t think it’s a good idea to salmon anywhere, it doesn’t really harm anyone I suppose. I have really been annoyed however by the people who salmon up East Basin Dr. to the left of the trail, so basically, they are coming up on the left of cyclists coming off the trail over the bridge. I keep having to remind myself to look left there, for the salmoning cyclists, even though it’s a one-way street from the other direction. I had a barely missed connection with a guy there last week when I forgot to look. When I caught up with him to explain that he needs to be aware that people may not see him coming from that direction, his response was (after getting earbuds out of his ears) “don’t worry, I saw you.”

[oldbikechick]

@americancyclo 56971 wrote:

Isn’t that what this is for?

She wasn’t going but 8 or 10 mph and had the umbrella handily tilted forward to deflect the wind.

This is true – I’ve done this many times and it’s all about the angle. I’m a bit mystified by the choice of bike though. I would never bother riding with an umbrella on my hybrid with no fenders since whatever water I saved from landing on my head would be splattered on my back. Riding with an umbrella is a good match for a Dutch-style bike

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