[SilverSpring]

@Certifried 28903 wrote:

you’re just winging it.

I’m just plane sick of this line of humor.

[SilverSpring]

Gravelly Point to watch the planes (equipped with earmuffs, of course) and then fries at National?

The Canadian Embassy to stick hands in the flat wall fountain and then the Chinatown Five Guys?

Picking up fries and then eating them at the cool Caboose at Bluemont Park off the Custis/W&OD?

[SilverSpring]

JDBrown,

I recommend a Fuji Supreme hybrid (recognizing that the term “hybrid” causes concern). Not only is it sturdy and reliable, it can hold a lot with the right rack (Topeak integrated rack and trunk bag), but–should the world economy collapse and steel become the new currency–you’d be rich.

[SilverSpring]

“Hurrah!” I thought as I pedaled up the ramp at about 4:15 headed for home, “NWS was wrong about the storms.”

“Splendid!” I thought, pedaling along up 5th and 6th street in DC, “All of those lightning strikes up ahead will be wonderful for recharging my flux capacitor.”

“Yikes”* I thought, realizing I don’t have a flux capacitor and have been feeling very mortal of late.

“Darn”** I thought, looking desperately for something under which to hide from the looming armageddon.

“What joy!” I thought, finding the Michigan Avenue underpass by Children’s Hospital under which to take refuge.

“I’m glad you’re home safe”*** said my wife, as I rolled in almost an hour late.

*Not, in fact, the precise word that formed when I saw I was about to die
**Appropriately edited for a family-friendly forum
***I didn’t know my Bride could, in fact, swear like a sailor

[SilverSpring]

TwoWheelsDC,

Neat idea. As with WAGBRAD, if I can get spousal permission, I’m in.

[SilverSpring]

Rsewell19

Sorry to hear about your (mis)adventure. I’da been sitting by the road crying and calling my Bride after perhaps the second of your misfortunes. Good on you for sticking it out!

I went to bed early Friday so I could get up for a self-imposed Metric century on the W&OD, but I heard the rain at stupid o’clock and went back to sleep. I got up again on Sunday to try it again an discovered how much I hate (but can never remember the pain of) the Custis Trail (the quickest for getting to the W&OD from my starting point in Silver Spring). Once I got the onW&OD proper, it was pretty lovely and I got further than ever before (around mile marker 26) and saw throngs of polite and happy cyclists (including, I think, Dirt). Turning around, though, I found that a) I’m not actually as fast as I thought (there was indeed a tailwind), b) just because it was dark when I started didn’t mean Mr. Sun had decided to take the day off, c) my limit right now is about 50-60 miles (but I was riding 70), and d) things just weren’t as flat as I thought. Arriving home, I discovered the bliss of a shower and a nap (dozing to the sounds of my boys killing Nazi zombies in Call of Duty).

[SilverSpring]

Dirt,

Was that you and another gent (couldn’t make out who) on the W&OD today (Sunday) at about milemarker 13 at about 9am? Nice tires!

[SilverSpring]

@creadinger 24993 wrote:

I got really tired of dealing with all the mud, ice, downtrees, etc… on the Georgetown Branch trail after a couple of years commuting on it, so I figured out my own road route between downtowns. I also figured that IF they ever decide to build the Purple line, the GB trail would likely be closed for a while anyway.

Anyway, my route was a mile farther and hillier but it was more fun in the end.

Creadinger,

What was your route? I know a couple of folks have developed Silver Spring-Bethesda alternates, but I can’t quite visualize them.

[SilverSpring]

I rode from Silver Spring to downtown DC on the Crescent today and the first bit was not easy going. There are big trees, debris, and a few wires across the Georgetown Branch from the Silver Spring trailhead until just past the Country Club. I almost knocked myself out on low-lying tree (and then remembered just how short I am) and had heart palpitations on seeing the downed wires (which are marked with pink ribbons, presumably to warn trail users and add a cheerful bit of color). The oddest part was past Jones Bridge Road where the chain link fence on both sides was collapsed onto the trail for about 50 meters or so…like a Marsden mat covering a lot of shattered wood on top of gravel). The whole bit was passable, but did require some dismounting and I could not go my usual zephyr-like (i.e., 12+ mph) speed. From Bethesda on, the folks who did the clean up did a wonderful job…users of all modes were out and about.

[SilverSpring]

The trees looked like God gave them a pretty good lopping
Crowned heights of the oaks no longer were topping
It was easy to see
The surfeit of debris
And those who knew not dark traffic lights were for stopping

[SilverSpring]

“At least the trails won’t be crowded this afternoon. “

Littered with the bodies of parched cyclists, more like it….

[SilverSpring]

Lenny,

I enjoyed both articles. You touched on a lot of the things that bedeviled me when I started bike commuting a few years back (albeit I have a much shorter commute). Just like Greenbelt noted, I think you’ll get hooked on the addictive (but in a good way) nature of cycling to work.

[SilverSpring]

KLD,

You might also consider cutting over on Piney Branch to 14th (which has a bike lane most of the way) down to F (G?) and then cut over a couple of blocks. Or, you could take 5th/6th down to G (F?) at the Verizon Center and cut over (that’s also got some bike lane and is the least trafficky of the routes).

[SilverSpring]

I try to ring and call out every pass with at least a few seconds warning (usually a ring then a cheery “on your left” then a “good morning” or “hi”). I get pretty good feedback (although my Bride notes that this is supremely annoying when she’s following me…she simply not Midwestern enough).

For those that pass me without notice, I’ve taken to calling (still cheerily) “on your right!” as they zip by.

[SilverSpring]

Certifried,

You’re a zephyr, man. The fastest I can do (starting from Silver Spring over on the Georgetown Branch to around 12th and Penn) is maybe 1:05, and for the last part of that I’m questioning my decision-making skills. What you describe in terms of swapping out bikerides and driving makes a lot of sense, especially as you’re starting out and getting the feel for the riding and your arthritis. The CCT riders are a friendly lot and bikers/joggers/pedetrians seem to get along (most of the time) with an abundance of cheery “On your lefts!” (although on a ride today I was driving my Bride bonkers doing this…she’s not a Midwesterner). In addition to congestion, my biggest concern is the construction of the new building right at Bethesda Avenue and the Bethesda Trailhead. I don’t know how long it will be in the making, but I think it’s gonna displace the trail before adding a lot of cars in a little space.

[Author]

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