[Rootchopper]

I saw two cyclists on the MVT wearing ski goggles earlier this week. Could be just what you need.

[Rootchopper]

You might want to consider a slightly different route when you get off the 14th St bridge. Instead of salmoning, take a left as the tail hits the road in front of the Jefferson Memorial. Next go left on Ohio Drive along the river. This gets you some cherry blossoms this spring and maybe a rinse off this summer when the Park Service uses river water to irrigate the lawns. Next take a left on Buckeye Drive. Go one block and take a left. When you see the sidewalk on the right get on it. This will take you onto the Case Bridge and over Washington Channel. You will see boats bobbing in the channel and the occassional mega yacht. The Case Bridge trail ends with a switchback and dumps you out at Banneker Circle. Take a right and follow the road down to the traffic light on Maine Avenue. Then left on Mailne and left again on M.

I used the Case Bridge when I work at L’Enfant Plaza. It’s a slightly longer route but has fewer interactions with cars, trucks, buses and witless tourists.

[Rootchopper]

There is a bike commuter who regularly rides Beacon Hill Road straight up. He is superhuman.
There are only a couple of ways around this route. One is take the MVT beyond Belle View Boulevard to Tulane Drive. Cross the GWMP and take an immediate left on Park Terrace Drive. Then a quick right on Westgrove Boulevard. Climb the hill (sorry) and take a right on Fort Hunt Road then a quick left onto Quander Road. Quander runs back to Belle View Boulevard where it becomes Beacon Hill Road at a traffic light.

To avoid the steep part of the hill altogether (and having to cross the GWMP at grade) you really have to ride the MVT down to Alexandria Avenue and the stone bridge. That would probably add a couple miles to your route. Look on the bright side, assuming you ride up Belle Haven or Westgrove, you wil be an awesome climber insde of a month.

[Rootchopper]

Even tho it is close to the shoreline, the SUV must have fallen 15 feet. I can’t imagine how anyone could jump that curb, blast through the side of the bridge, drop 15 feet into frigid water and live to tell about it.

[Rootchopper]

Yes, she was communting east to west in December on MI avenue near North Capitol when she was rear ended by a pick up truck. The pick up got the better of the collision. She is still recovering (broken right arm). Her bike was KIA.

I’ve ridden on MI Ave in that area on the weekends and during the 50 States Ride (held on a Sunday). It’s a pretty hairy place to be on a bike.

[Rootchopper]

I have used a wooden shed for 20 years. No problem with rust on the bikes. You can fit a lot of bike by simply hanging them off the rafters. Just install a board across the frame near the bottom of the shed for the rear wheels to rest on.

[Rootchopper]

An additional feature of the double 90 degree turn at the northwest end of the parking lot is the fact that the trail along the river had a big tree in it. So the trail is about half as wide as it is else where. Let’s put trees at random on tight turns on roads and see how safe that is for motorists.

What’s really needed here is a reconfiguration of the whole mess.

[Rootchopper]

Around 545. I didn’t see any ambulance. I suspect the accident happened around 5

[Rootchopper]

The cones are a pain so thanks for talking to the authorities. This area is a confusing and unsafe for cycling.
Some recommendations for improvement:
1. Cycling wayfaring signs that indicate where city bound traffic is supposed to go when coming off the MVT.
2. A protected counterflow bike lane from where the bridge ramp hits the street to the sidewalk on the right as you face the city.
3. The removal of the ruts where 15th Street hit Maine Ave.
4. Remove the garden of jersey barriers. There is no excuse for them still being there after a decade. They are ugly. They speak volumes on how messed up our government has become.
5. Signs warning motorized traffic of bikes and pedestrians
6. Signs indicating that the sidewalk around the TB to 15th Street is a bike route. Or is it?

[Rootchopper]

My round trip commute is about 29 miles give or take a mile. I vary the route near my home just to add variety. On Friday’s whenever I can I add a mile or so to get to Friday Coffee Club at Swings at 17th and G.

It takes me 1:20 each way because I am old (57) and slow. I ride an 20-year-old Specialized touring bike (The Mule), a 10-year old Tour Easy recumbent (Big Nellie), or a 5-year old Bike Friday New World Tourist (Little Nellie). Like most others I started with a day here and there. I’ve found that it is actually easier if you ride daily. (No frustrated looking for stuff in the morning.) This year I’ve ridden to work 23 out of 27 days. I don’t ride on snow or ice. And I don’t ride if family, work, or other obligations prevail. Most weeks my commuting adds up to 145 to 150 miles. The irony is that I often don’t ride much on the weekends. I’m pooped!

I’ve been at this off and on since the late 1970s. It’s taken me forever to acquire proper bike commuting gear. I recommend in no order of importance: kevlar belted tires, wool clothing, neck gaiters and watch caps, lobster gloves, over boots for cold days, wicking base layers, the Marmot Precip waterproof shell, Light and Motion headlights, Ortlieb roll top panniers, Brooks saddles, any reflective stuff you can get your hands on, and plenty of attitude.

If you want more info on DC commuting, check out #bikedc on Twitter or the many commuter blogs. (Mine is http://rootchopper.wordpress.com )

[Rootchopper]

The beaver dam between Daingerfield Island and Slaters Lane caused exceptionally high water right up to the edge of the trail. NPS has cut the damn down somewhat but it was still surprising to see that much water. The water spilled over on the edge of the soccer fields. Apparently the tide was going out during the morning rush based on water flow at the creek near Porto Vecchio.

[Rootchopper]

Last night’s ride into a 20+ mph headwind from Rosslyn to MV was a serious workout on my Bike Friday. My reward was a ride into a 20+ mph headwind this morning with gusts from DCA to Rosslyn. I rode my faired Tour Easy recumbent. At the humpback bridge a gust grabbed the fairing and turned me sideways. In Rosslyn the wind became a tailwind for a couple of blocks. I barely had to pedal. Looking forward to tonight”s wind aided ride home.

[Rootchopper]

First choice is bike. (I have three; each is set up for bike commuting.) This takes me 75 minutes give or take a headwind.

Second choice is car. (I have free parking.) This takes about 25-30 minutes depending on the traffic in Old Town. I drive when the MVT is icy or I have a commitment after work. This is the only time I get to listen to music.

Third choice is public transport. This takes forever since it’s a 5 mile stop-everywhere bus ride to Huntington. (I’ve done this once since 1989.)

Other options: hop a ride with wife or kid to DCA and take Metro to office. Not bad but the return trip might the dreaded third choice above. Or, simply walk/run home the five miles from Huntington. I’ve done this twice. The downside is that US 1 south of the Beltway is pedestrian hell.

Unless you live near the GW Parkway and can jump on the express bus, the bus system in Mount Vernon leaves a lot to be desired.

Metrorail was once a superb system. I’ve used BART and the T in Boston. Metrorail had them both beat. Now Metrorail is crowded and unreliable. I use it during the work day but try to avoid it at rush hour.

[Rootchopper]

For those of us travelling south, the headwind is going to be 20+ mph. Won’t be a lot of fun, but I am looking forward to it. It’s not just a bike commute; it’s an adventure.

[Rootchopper]

Is this a trick question?

Regardless, the answer is “yes”.

Personally, I can’t remember when I’ve overhauled a headset, but if one of mine was going “CLUNK” I’d do it right away. Actually, I’d use my magic money card and have a mechanic do it for me. It’s not like I’m going to do this again any time soon.

[Author]

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