[Powerful Pete]

Whoa. Impressive…

[Powerful Pete]

In my experience in order of preference:

1. Pedal faster than the dog and get away (always best);
2. For a persistent and fast dog, wait until it is close, lean in close and then scream NO at the top of your voice (has startled more than one fast pup for a second or two to allow me to make my escape);
3. Squirt of water in the snout (this has always worked… but avoid the area as he/she will be expecting it next time); and
4. Stop, place bike between you and afore-mentioned quadruped and prepare to do battle with your pump (better in the old days when we had frame pumps) or whatever is at hand.

Honestly 95% of my encounters ended with option 1, 4% with option two and one or two encounters with option three. Never had to reach option four thus far…

[Powerful Pete]

Ugh.

208 pounds for 5’7″, equals a BMI of 32.6, which apparently qualifies me as obese. 😮

It would appear that I have quite a bit of work to do this winter.

[Powerful Pete]

I am in for the 9th. No problem.

[Powerful Pete]

Hozn, what is that rear light?

[Powerful Pete]

@dkel, very tempted to write a snarky comment on that thread re: Freezing Saddles, but the holiday season helped me maintain a more sensible and respectful demeanor… 😎

[Powerful Pete]

So excited… I am signed up. Have signed my life away to Bike Arlington on Strava… and hope to get in my first ride of the year tomorrow.

Giddy Powerful…

[Powerful Pete]

@KWL 102639 wrote:

This is where my bike ended up after this evening’s commute. In the detached garage, being wiped down and lubed, to the accompaniment of WETA-FM on the radio, being warmed by two kerosene heaters, with the mechanic being warmed by Bourbon. I expect the next two evenings to end in the same manner.

Awesome. The heaters, the bourbon, the care and maintenance of the bike.

And thanks for making me feel bad – I have a wonderful garage (minus bike tools for the time being) and have not wiped down the bike following last night’s commute.

The ride in this morning was a wee bit… grimy.

[Powerful Pete]

Yes. I believe that this evening will be BAFS training weather… is there still a freezing rain advisory (apparently there was one earlier in Arlington)?

[Powerful Pete]

Congratulations to the OP!

[Powerful Pete]

I have asked for permission and while there are questions regarding my sanity for signing up for Freezing Saddles, I will attend and drink beer. And ride my bike to and from.

[Powerful Pete]

Whoa. I felt chillier this morning than yesterday. Wind is still there… but… Rule #5!

[Powerful Pete]

@jrenaut 101626 wrote:

It’s not like there aren’t railings there. Rule 5, man.

Touche’!

I think I am getting old. I am also, increasingly, a mega-scaredy cat on downhills.

[Powerful Pete]

Windy but pleasant. All good until I had to cross the 14th Street Bridge. That was… exciting.

[Powerful Pete]

Thank you, all useful bits. I think I will go with a helmet mounted light, despite some contraindications, as I think the added passive safety provided by a helmet mounted light outweighs the risks of adding more bits and weight to the head.

Will look into the L&M 360 system…

[Author]

Posts