[ronwalf]

Hi, I’m Ron.

I’m a researcher over at the Naval Research Lab. I’ll be competing for the spot of Team Boat Anchor, as my ~45 mile round-trip commute from Greenbelt takes about 3 1/2 hours, limiting the number of days I can bike to work. I started biking as an adult while I was a grad student at UMD. My riding is still mostly transportational, although I love getting the whole family out for weekend rides when the weather permits.

[ronwalf]

@Powerful Pete 104773 wrote:

Hains Point this afternoon, looking towards the 14th Street Bridge and Rosslyn.

Another week of this weather and you won’t need a bridge to cross the Potomac.

[ronwalf]

@sarahybillington 104146 wrote:

Stay clear of the Anacostia tributary trails. Solid sheets of ice. Metropolitan branch trail is in great shape except for the switchback at Noma. Safe riding everyone!

Looking at the forecast, I guess we’re waiting until Monday or Tuesday for it to clear.

[ronwalf]

@ShawnoftheDread 103701 wrote:

I could use some help there. Whatchoo got for me?

Never strap your child to the roof of the car. It ruins the gas mileage.

[ronwalf]

@dasgeh 103689 wrote:

Clearly, your dog has jumped your fence. If your dog does so and causes injury to injures a person, you should bear the entire responsibility for that injury because you know that you need either a bigger fence or a chain.

Did you read what you quoted?

[ronwalf]

@Greenbelt 103455 wrote:

It’s OK to double chamois, you know — keep your man parts warm…

Heh – those were my only warm parts last night. Less time outside will help to. Between being out of shape and JBAB closing the Firth-Sterling exit, I was in the saddle for 2 1/2 hours. You started an hour later and still beat me home!

[ronwalf]

@ronwalf 103385 wrote:

First commute of the year, and first ride ever in ‘kit’ (bib tights, jersey and jacket, but clunky boots since my cycling shoes are too vented for this weather). Ride was good, clothing was… OK? It both kept me warm and from being arrested for indecent exposure, so I guess it did its job.

Brrr. Kit failed to do its job on the way home (by which I mean it didn’t keep me warm, not that I was arrested for flashing). Aggravating factors: 12 degrees cooler, a lack of sunlight, and a bit of tiredness. Bulking up on my core layers will probably fix it.

[ronwalf]

@dcv 103400 wrote:

Steve’s wrist, Kathleen’s wrist, Cyndi’s hand

It’s a dangerous hobby.

[ronwalf]

@Harry Meatmotor 103372 wrote:

1/1/2015 – 5’10” 155lbs 22.2BMI

hoping to get below 150 by the time race season starts.

Woot, almost the same as me. 5’11” 155lbs, 21.5BMI. Aiming for ~145lbs (max college weight), or 20.2BMI.

[ronwalf]

First commute of the year, and first ride ever in ‘kit’ (bib tights, jersey and jacket, but clunky boots since my cycling shoes are too vented for this weather). Ride was good, clothing was… OK? It both kept me warm and from being arrested for indecent exposure, so I guess it did its job.

[ronwalf]

@peterw_diy 101686 wrote:

Try to keep your pads & rims clean. Normal braking friction is hard enough on pads without adding abrasive materials to the mix.

I wore through half a rim and several sets of pads before learning this. I started cleaning my rims every time I oil the chain (with different rags, of course). That tends to be every 200 miles or after a ride in the rain.

[ronwalf]

@Drewdane 101086 wrote:

WTF?!? That weather wasn’t supposed to start for another two hours! I dressed for low sixties and dry!

I’ve been betting against the rain whenever the forecast called for <30% chance of precipitation, so I shouldn't have been all that surprised when the skies called my bluff last night.

[ronwalf]

Starting off at 6pm, it rained on and off for the first 12 miles before becoming blustery and cold. A hot bath, warm clothes, and mug cakes make the world a better place.

Coincidentally, I named by bike “Large Metal Turkey” for the way the disc brakes gobble when they’re dry. After hearing them in the rain, I should have named it the “Drowned Vuvuzela.”

[ronwalf]

It’s not unexpected that the passing person slows down – suddenly they just (up to) doubled their wind resistance. Conversely, you just lost half your wind resistance, and so maintaining your pace will be much easier.

[ronwalf]

@jnva 99607 wrote:

I had a confusing situation happen to me on my commute home. On the WOD crossing Shreve rd, I almost always come to a stop. But there was a car there stopped waving me on. A fairfax police car. Should I stop even though he was waving me on or keep going and break the law in front of him? I kept going. Man these laws are cornfusing.

Since you’re obliged to follow police traffic direction, I think this is the one case where it’s actually legal to roll on through.

[Author]

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