[Rootchopper]

I found this confusing last year. I find it confusing now. Hopelessly confusing.

I have threee questions:

How many cups of coffee would I have to consume?

How do we defend ourselves against pointed sticks?

Why would anyone in his or her right mind want to do this?

Okay, wait a sec. I think I have the answer to the last one, so forget that.

[Rootchopper]

Also, @ultrarunnergirl and @ramblingrider. Distance TBD.

[Rootchopper]

Saw a Cabi northbound of Lynn nearly get right hooked by a BMW turning east on I-66 ramp. Absolutely the driver’s fault. Learned a few minutes ago that a cyclist was struck in front of my office building on Lynn Street. Taken away by ambulance. No idea who he/she was or condition.

[Rootchopper]

I’d like to hear from one of the police officers. Why are they ignoring dangerous infractions? When car traffic backs up do they get an earful when the go back to their station at the end of the shift?

[Rootchopper]

It’s happened to me several times. Center lane drivers going right without stopping on red. Nearly been hit more times than I can remember turning left from trail onto east sidewalk on N. Lynn. On a related note, Tuesday morning I was waiting on the sidewalk where the I-66 EB on-ramp crosses N. Lynn. After the light turned red the driver of a huge black pick up truck floored it and roared through the intersection. I’m certain he’d have killed anyone he would have hit.
I NEVER obey the crossing signals without making sure that cross traffic has come to a stop and I have made eye contact with the driver on this stretch of road.

[Rootchopper]

I’ve had a Morton’s neuroma for several years. Typically these are caused or aggravated by tight shoes. Mine came on after my doctor put me on statins and the nerves in my feet went haywire. (It’s a rare-ish side effect.)

I agree that stretching helps a lot. You can get devices that separate your toes, taking pressure off the nerve with the neuroma. I also have a round pillow that slips over my foot or ankle. Wearing this donut keeps my feet from squishing (a medical term) each other when I sleep.

Finally, I was told by doctors and the old guys at Public Shoe in Clarendon to get wider shoes. Luckily Shimano now makes mountain bike shoes with plenty of room. A better, albeit more expensive, choice would be shoes made by Sidi which seem extremely popular around #bikedc

[Rootchopper]

The contrast between Arlington and Alexandria is remarkable. In Arlington, the police seem utterly incapable of any meaningful traffic enforcement at the Intersection of Doom. Last week, I was taking a left from the MVT onto N. Lynn using the crosswalk. A motorist blew through the red light without stopping as I began my cross. This happens several times a month. An Arlington police officer was positioned across Lynn St and watched the infraction occur. I even pointed at the car! The police officer did nothing. I ride through this intersection 8 or 10 times a week. I’ve seen many people taken away in ambulances in my 3 years of working in Rosslyn, but apparently nothing will convince the authorities to take meaningful action.

On S Union St in Old Town this morning it was business as usual. The street was all but deserted. An Alexandria motorcycle cop was ticketing cyclists for running a stop sign at Wolfe Street. (I was not ticketed.) I ride Union Street 8 or 10 times a week. In the early morning it is deserted but for a dog walker or two and a few commuters in cars and on bikes. Doing an Idaho stop at the stop signs (except for the intersection with King Street) is of absolutely no consequence to anybody’s safety and yet there is heavy handed traffic enforcement.

And you wonder why bicycle commuters like me get upset.

[Rootchopper]

Never heard of it but it certainly sounds like it’s wortj a trip

[Rootchopper]

I only saw a couple of goo packets and much more trash that clearly was flung from cars. Local law enforcement was obnoxious (I saw four couples getting ticketed or talked to). The century course is absolutely fantastic, even for a plodder like me.

Two thoughts come to mind about Clarke County. Does the county get anything out of the ride other than a lot of people getting delayed going to their important Sunday morning business? You’d think the fact that this happens only once a year would make the locals a little more tolerant and welcoming.

The sheriff could have been much more helpful if he directed traffic rather than jumping out and playing “Gotcha!” Was he ever asked if he would be willing to be paid for directing traffic? I was buzzed by countless cars during the event. Clearly the 3 foot law is not enforced in Clarke County. Not to get personal, but the sheriff looked like something out of central casting.

Other than a couple of smiles from kids, everybody I saw not riding a bike in Clarke County looked miserable. This was not true of Jefferson County.

Often communities welcome big cycling events like Seagull or Bike Virginia. Does anybody in Clarke County want this event? If so, why aren’t they speaking up?

[Rootchopper]

You can come. You just have to pay for all the beer.

[Rootchopper]

By not doing anything (in either the car or bike incident) the police officer is sending the message that it is okay run the red light. This is worse than not being there at all.

[Rootchopper]

I thought that big group of cyclists was the last group of lost riders from the 50 States Ride.

[Rootchopper]

Too bad they weren’t in publicity mode yesterday. An ACPD officer stood in clear view on Lynn, just north of the crosswalk and watched an SUV make a right on red with no attempt to stop. Had I not been nearly hit by this at least a dozen times this SUV would have hit me. The ACPD officer did absolutely nothing. And you wonder why the chaos continues? To add to the problem, a driver of a Charger blew through the red light at 19th and Lynn, cutting off pedestrians and 2 cyclists (me included). This was 2 blocks from the publicity stunt. It would be great if ACPD actually enforced the traffic laws on a regular basis instead of when the cameras are rolling.

[Rootchopper]

I’ll be there.

[Rootchopper]

Especially if it’s a hot day!

Let’s be careful not to besmirch Big Nellie’s pristine reputation.

BTW the Gold Rush is aluminum. My identical design Tour Easy is steel (and black). With all the junk I carry, if I rear end you your back wheel will probably be vaporized.

Gold Rushes (and their titanium version the Ti Rush), fully faired with a body sock, can reach very high speeds. My Tour Easy, without fairing or body sock, can do so as well, as long as the cliff I ride off is sufficiently high.

In all seriousness, the Gold Rush guy acted like a complete ass.

[Author]

Posts