[Powerful Pete]

Pressed for time this AM. Commuted across Key Bridge, then on to M and then Penn.

Honestly was very pleasantly surprised – 10 km (~6 miles) without real troublesome traffic.

Another good option. The lack of sun and obscene humidity levels also helped.:cool:

Thank you Forum Wise Ones for your advice on routes.

[Powerful Pete]

@americancyclo 90989 wrote:

there are a lot of hardcore racers and commuters of all genders out on the trails around here. Some are in super stealth mode, too. Let them be an inspiration!

Absolutely, my statement was about her hard core stealthiness. As the father of two daughters, I am all for dainty [or not so dainty] lasses kicking men in the rear!

@ Steve. Ok, I will be more honest in the future.

[Powerful Pete]

Evening commute: nothing to report, beyond the fact that my distances were off for some reason.

Without losing my way (I double-checked on Strava), my commute home taking the 14th street bridge is 14.5 km (~9 ish miles). That is good. May try a shorter version tomorrow… or may not.

Thoroughly enjoyed myself riding home, although a hot humid wind is not my preferred riding companion.

Mental note numero uno: need full water bottle even for the commute, apparently the heat and humidity are on par, if not worse, than the Little Rock area (something I thought impossible short of riding in a tropical rain forest during a monsoon). Was rather dehydrated and unhappy by the time I rolled home.

Mental note numero due: a dainty young lass on a Cannondale happily passed me as if I was moving backwards on a slight uphill on the trail. Much work to be done to lose weight and regain riding fitness. Eat better, drink less beer, ride more.

Mental note numero tre: a bad moment on a ride is better than a good moment in the office! It is great to be on the bike twice a day.

[Powerful Pete]

Not the greatest picture, but here is the commuting machine in its current form.

[Powerful Pete]

I am a Sidi and Giro man when it comes to road shoes, but all those that I own are less than practical for anything more than ordering your espresso midway through your ride.

I picked up a pair of Specialized “recreation” shoes for my commuting – they look like a discontinued version of what is now the Tahoe – and are perfectly adequate for commuting – I use them with SPDs and am able to walk relatively well.

Would not want to use them on a Saturday AM fast ride, but for city/commuting they are an excellent choice.

[Powerful Pete]

Excellent commute this AM thanks to the eminently useful advice provided by forum members.

Took the longish route and proceeded to get lost (all my own doing). So instead of a ~10 km commute it turned into ~ 16.5 km. All well.

Rode to the 14th street bridge and past the Jefferson Memorial. Somehow got my bearings mixed up and turned right on Jefferson Drive instead of heading north on to 15th :o. Resulted in a pleasant detour and the chance to experience the central bike lane on Pennsylvania Avenue.

All good. Now at work and already excited about the ride home this afternoon. 😎

[Powerful Pete]

Most excellent. Very curious how the alu frame rides… sounds like it is making you happy.

Curious as to your thoughts on the November wheel set…

Also, while I am certain it is financially painful, I am sure it is far less painful than a CF frame, no?

As my daughter would say, That Is Totally Plobnerd (apparently, that is what a 9 y.o. says when she means something is very, very cool).

[Powerful Pete]

Now that is important bike-related research.

[Powerful Pete]

@Harry Meatmotor 90681 wrote:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6226[/ATTACH]

Gentlemen, BEHOLD:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6233[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]6232[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]6231[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]6234[/ATTACH]

That, kind sir, is a gorgeous ride. Can you tell us more about it?

[Powerful Pete]

@Steve O, I actually work a couple of blocks from the tunnel… but not certain that I would face crazed cabbies in the tunnel. As you stated, may wait a while until I have a good feel for DC traffic before attempting that.

@ Dickie, excellent, we foreigners (of the non-singing variety) need to do our best to stick together. Strength in [minimal] numbers, you know.

@ dasgeh, thanks for the options. Tomorrow after work may try to figure out the return route on the TR. I like the idea of less space and less “traffic”. It would also make the ride a bit longer (closer to 7 miles/10 km) always a good thing!

@ TwoWheelsDC, thank you! Very helpful and informative. The Lorcom entry point to the path does not look that… inviting now.

You guys are both friendly and useful. Two very good things…

[Powerful Pete]

@ AMTwoWheelsDC Ok, yes that is an option for me.

May I ask why the entry off Lorcom/Thrifton Hills is problematic?

@ AMKLizotte

Indeed. Merry band of misfits. Sounds like I will fit right in. Not currently serious. Very hairy legs and nice and fat (life gets in the way of my riding) but count on becoming my lean, fast, shaved me soon enough… :rolleyes:

Need some last minute adjustments on the bikes, so will try to make a coffee stop tomorrow – I take it they are all active? I may actually try to go to the one in DC.

I have moved to DC from Little Rock, AR (fantastic cycling area, by the way). Previously Rome, Italy.

[Powerful Pete]

Doubt I can make it tonight… contractors at the house and the Minister of Finances and the Interior would certainly not look positively on my disappearance when it comes time to reviewing work done and nod approvingly.

I seem to have read about Friday morning coffee locations?

[Author]

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