[Rootchopper]

Ooh, trailside colonoscopies!!!!

[Rootchopper]

Last night, I gave unsolicited advice to a non-cycling woman at Gravelley Point. She was there with four kids who were about 4 or 5 years old. They came to watch the planes. She was pointing up at the planes with three of the kids around her. They were all off the trail on the broad dirt section. They were looking up. The fourth kid was unattended on the thin grass section on the opposite (airport) side of the trail. He looked up and tracked a plane as it passed over his head. He followed the plane and stepped onto the trail.

I was approaching from the river side. I saw a cyclist going at a reasonable speed approaching from the parking lot side. I pointed at the kid as he was about to step on the trail. But the cyclists didn’t see me.

He missed wiping the kid out by inches.

The caregiver never saw any of it. She likes planes too apparently. As I rolled past I said (pointing at the near victim) “He almost got hit.” She looked at me as if to say “Moi?”

My voice was level. I wasn’t mansplaining. As my wife and I learned from our day care provider, never ever turn your back on a toddler.

Just another evening on the MVT.

[Rootchopper]

It is an unwritten rule of bike commuting and bike touring: if you see someone who appears to be having mechanical, physical, or other problems, ask them if they need help. This is simple human kindness. If they say “Yes” stop and help them. Help them change their tire, give them a tube if necessary. Fix their chain. Give them directions. Or water. Or a ride home (happened to me after a crash). Making sure they get underway safely ensures that you didn’t screw up the tire installation or the chain fix or they took a wrong turn.

If in the course of doing any of this, you act like an asshat, this could be a one-time social glitch. Stuff happens. Alternatively, you could just be an asshat. (This is all for purposes of discussion, Steve. You are not an asshat.) If you are an asshat, you are probably unaware of this. Thus, the WABA article is intended for you.

I hope that the WABA article doesn’t get misconstrued. We all need help now and then. Just be nice. Odds are, you’re going to need help someday.

[Rootchopper]

I thought the same thing when Nelle Pierson used the statistic a few times. Then on my 15 mile ride home I counted. I did this three days in a row. Until I saw 100 cyclists each day. 24, 25, 24. Hard for me to argue with that.

[Rootchopper]

Thanks Steve. I’ll do my best to be there.

[Rootchopper]

The city has done nothing to provide safe accommodation to MVT users during construction at Canal Plaza. Add in the garbage trucks blocking the trail at the nearby hotel and you have to wonder how clueless the city is. My vote is to put any Bikeshare station in front of the house of the cranky dude in Old Town who harasses the city to ticket cyclists. Or in front of 420 N Union where the occupant blocks the trail on a regular basis.

I look forward to bike share expansion, but in a sensible, safe location.

[Rootchopper]

I also wiped out on this bridge years ago. Tore my left arm to the bone and dislocated my left knee. As bad as this section of the trail is, it used to be much worse with an additional switchback bridge closer to the start/end of the trail. Rumor is that a Sen. Howard Metzenbaum’s wife crashed on this bridge and funds were earmarked to re-design the trail. I agree that this bridge needs to be replaced. The chicane should be removed as well.

[Rootchopper]

Just wait until you get a load of the snapping turtles. They lay their eggs around this time of year.

[Rootchopper]

There is a man that I call the Trash Walker. He picks up trash every morning on his walks north of Old Town. So the news isn’t all bad.

[Rootchopper]

You were lucky. Same thing happened to me a couple of weeks ago. I got hit but lived to tell the tale.

https://rootchopper.wordpress.com/2017/03/31/making-nelles-hit-list-errandonnee-no-11/

[Rootchopper]

See you there.

[Rootchopper]

I have another:

Wherever you bike, there you are.

[Rootchopper]

I have a similar problem mounting tires on my Bike Friday. The worst is mounting Schwalbe tires. There is a trick. Once you get part of the tire on, pinch the “on” part down into the well of the rim. Work around the tire. Use straps from toe clips to hold the tire in place as you continue to work your way around.

There are videos on YouTube that show how this is done.

Of course, I try this. It doesn’t work. Then I swear a whole bunch and push the rim with my thumbs until the skin comes off. This is why I don’t ride my Bike Friday when it’s cold outside. Nothing says misery like freezing your butt off and removing the skin from you thumbs.

FWIW I am going to slip a small bar of soap into my saddle bag.

Also, if all else fails, use your cell phone to get a ride home.

[Rootchopper]

Really. Can they seat us inside?

[Rootchopper]

High impact is not necessary. Weight bearing is what you are looking for. Go for a hike from time to time.

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