[Rootchopper]

Just to clarify, I did not mean to mock newbies in the above so no offense meant. BTW, the drive/bike option is about as good as it gets for a bike commute. Flat. Scenic. Varied. If I were you I’d do it every day. As a matter of fact, I do!

[Rootchopper]

I agree that she should ride across US1 at Fairhaven. This becomes Quander. Take Qaunder to Fort Hunt Road. Right on FHR and immediate left on Westgrove. Take Westgrove to a left on Park Terrace and cross GWMP at Tulane. This picks up the MVT at Dyke Marsh. 7 miles south of the Crystal City connector. This route involves back tracking a few miles but it is worth it to avoid Huntington area or Telegraph Road, and the Belle View Boulevard crossing of the GWMP. . Big drawback is Westgrove is a challenging hill in the evening. Also, could hit West Potomac HS traffic if leaving early enough.

If your friend is a total newbie and has a car, she could drive this route to Tulane. park on Tulane and ride from there. (There are already four or five people who park there for bike or bus commuting.) Do not park in the Belle Haven Park lot. You’ll probably get a ticket sooner or later. I did this Tulane parking thing for a few years during the Wilson Bridge construction.

Also the GWMP crossing at Tulane has a center island and is safe regardless of time of day.

[Rootchopper]

Suddenly I am thirsty

[Rootchopper]

I was confused and drank last night.

[Rootchopper]

This would upset the cross country skiers so no go.

[Rootchopper]

Go to Crazyguyonabike.com and search the journals. It will tell you everything you’d ever want to know. Here’s what I know: I confirm that the hills in the east are brutal. The winds on the plains can be equally so. Dogs are a problem in Kentucky. The roads are narrow and hilly in the Ozarks. Consider when tornado season and the thaw in the high mountains will occur and plan accordingly. Eat a healthy diet. By that I mean eat a healthy amount of ice cream, pie, and pancakes. Don’t worry about what can go wrong. Feast on what goes right.

[Rootchopper]

This whole pi thing sounds subversive to me. I may very well have to intercept you at Misha’s to investigate

[Rootchopper]

Me too. I bit the dust twice. Once walking my bike on the bridge you referred to and once riding on the bridge just to the south. Saw plenty of smears in the snow/ice where others had fallen. https://rootchopper.wordpress.com/2015/02/10/i-shoulda-know-better/

[Rootchopper]

It is astounding to me what lengths politicians will go to to avoid a simple solution that might cost them votes. Just raise the gas tax in 5 cent increments every other month for a couple of years, then index it to inflation. Oooh, $3.00 per gallon gas! How will we ever cope? (I know, it won’t raise all the money needed, but taxing vehicles should also be added.)

[Rootchopper]

I disagree. The extra weight at the speeds and the terrain you will be riding is worth the increase in comfort. I have a bad back and my experience with Cannondale road bikes is that they have a very unforgiving ride. (For what it’s worth, I ride the MVT every day.) I recommend trying other company’s bikes. You may end up coming back to the Cannondale. Also, whatever you buy, test ride it first. Take your time. No rush.

[Rootchopper]

I’ve read several times that yelling something completely unexpected at the dog like “Get off the couch!” may confuse the dog momentarilly. Otherwise pedal your butt off. Usually, the dog will pull up when it reaches the limits of its territory.

[Rootchopper]

It’s complicated.

[Rootchopper]

Same to you! (Gagging myself with a spoon.)

[Rootchopper]

I haven’t done the tour but I would recommend the Bon Ton Roulet. That area of New York is beautiful. Other options include a point to point ride on the Erie Canal. (I did Niagara Falls to Albany once. 2 hills in 360 miles!) Another option is look into tours in Vermont. There are several tour operators who have a many years of experience with Inn to Inn touring.

[Rootchopper]

Use your breaks only occasionally particularly if your ER and hospitalilzation insurance is good. If you’re really easy on them, brake pads can last a lifetime.

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