OneEighth
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OneEighth
ParticipantA good wipe-down with WD-40 doesn’t hurt. Just avoid using it on surfaces that aren’t meant to be slick such as braking surfaces, seats, and handlebars. Rubbing alcohol cleans braking surfaces very nicely. Also, check to make sure your chain is clean and still properly lubed after lots of wet riding.
ParticipantOver-tighten the bolts holding the cleat in place and you may end up shearing them. Like everything else on a bike (or motorcycle, or car, chainsaw, etc.) you just have to perform regular checks. Things just tend to work themselves loose over time.
ParticipantWhen I finally got back into cycling as a commuter, I dusted off my early 90’s mtb and my mid-80’s road bike and went the minimal gear route—e.g., my old motorcycle messenger bag, cheap pedals and shoes, mtb shorts, and whatever t-shirt and baseball cap were at hand.
Among the first things to go were knobby tires. The rest of the mtb followed shortly on. The 80’s road bike lasted a bit longer, but it, too, inevitably went the way of its cousins, the dinosaurs. (Which is to say it got donated.)
Before long, I was putting together a new bike roughly each year and was buying expensive bib shorts, expensive shoes, and good pedals. I think I still have the baseball cap somewhere, but that got replaced by cycling caps (which I now dutifully cover with a good helmet).
The progression wasn’t lighting fast, but, nonetheless, I wasted a lot of money on half-steps. You have to find your own comfort/performance level—my only advice to you would be to take it slowly or you will end up spending as much for two or three sets of shorts that you will never touch again when you could have bought a nice pair of bib shorts instead (assuming, of course, that the bibs will make you happy).
Good luck.ParticipantIf I’m in a hurry westbound, I just hop onto 29 at Lynn Street and stay on there until cutting left on either Danville or on Kirkwood. Danville to Wilson to Washington. Or just Kirkwood to Washington.
29 has a bike lane once you reach Veitch Street, though it does disappear around Kirkwood.ParticipantJeffC,
If you want to keep the commute short and fast, then I would suggest that you hop off the W&OD around Patrick Street (or hop off the Custis at Westover just where it goes under I-66) and take Washington Blvd. I see lots of other cyclists on Washington Blvd and use it quite a bit myself. From Washington, either go left on Kirkwood and take 29 into Rosslyn to the MVT trail by the Marriott or take Clarendon Blvd to Rosslyn and hop on the MVT from there.
Just bear in mind you will be trading one kind of traffic for another.ParticipantWelcome to the forum.
I’m just down the street from you and ride up or down 15th Street pretty much every commute (unless I’m taking Pennsylvania past the White House and heading through Georgetown).
I have noticed that drivers tend to leave more room between each other than between themselves and the curb. Also, drivers are much more likely to check the mirror on the side where there is another moving lane of traffic. Kinda makes lane-splitting the safest way through on the road until you get past Independence.
Just take it extra easy and keep your eyes open.
Shiny side up!June 14, 2011 at 12:10 pm in reply to: i must stay away from Craigslist… I must stay away from Craigslist… #926986ParticipantI counted nine, but I seem to recall that you have more than that…
Very nice. You’re either going to get some of the rest of us in trouble or you’re going to serve as cover.ParticipantThe good news here is that any fresh asphalt that gets put down will harden really quickly in these temps…
ParticipantThe good news here is that any fresh asphalt that gets put down will harden really quickly in these temps…
ParticipantSometimes…
ParticipantSometimes…
ParticipantBibs. Absolutely.
Aquaphor is very versatile.
Snug, purpose-built clothing is generally a good idea.
Wool socks year-round. Trust me.
Final fragmented thought—kit can be subtle.ParticipantBibs. Absolutely.
Aquaphor is very versatile.
Snug, purpose-built clothing is generally a good idea.
Wool socks year-round. Trust me.
Final fragmented thought—kit can be subtle.ParticipantI’m just going to assume you saw me because you said I looked stylish. That and I was actually on 15NW heading North past PA this morning.
Who knows, depending on spousal/parental obligations, I may even make it to the happy hour this evening. I may even ride the Surly just to prove it exists.ParticipantI’m just going to assume you saw me because you said I looked stylish. That and I was actually on 15NW heading North past PA this morning.
Who knows, depending on spousal/parental obligations, I may even make it to the happy hour this evening. I may even ride the Surly just to prove it exists. -
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