[SilverSpring]

Certifried,

I know you’ve got a monster commute (what, something like 25 miles one-way?) but can’t recall when you started. The Crescent is going to be pretty busy this Summer but will ease up some in the Fall and will be yours (almost) alone come the first big freeze (but do chip out any less hardy commuters–such as me–you see trapped in the ice on the jogging path).

[SilverSpring]

Pannier/bag combination. I’ve got this (http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-MTX-Trunk-Bag-DX/dp/B000FIAU0C/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1337697538&sr=8-9) or something like it from Topeak and I’ve been quite happy the past three years. The middle part holds lots of clothes and the zip-down panniers hold break-down gear and office junk (alternately, it can hold an entire St. Patrick’s Day dinner and four bottles of wine–just sayin’). Best of all, a strap makes the whole kit and kaboodle easy to carry when I get to my destination.

[SilverSpring]

Dreading rain, I cycled off into the mist
(with lopsided panniers, to the left I did list)
I joined a growing biker throng
As I pedaled along
Had this nice ride I’d missed, I’d be…upset

[SilverSpring]

I cycled off into the damp
With grey skies under which I never would camp
My tires they splashed
When downhill I dashed
As if on an aquiferous ramp

[SilverSpring]

My helmet I took into the shower
To gently shampoo and then scour
My helmet now gleams
From soap suds and steam
But my wife watches me looking dour

[SilverSpring]

Bike To Wet Day

I started cycling off into the rain
Some exercise and miles I needed to gain
Then it got wetter
(And wetter’s not better)
But at least I’m not stuck on the train

[SilverSpring]

Matt,

If you haven’t already tried it, the BWI Airport loop is pretty neat. It’s 40 minutes or so from Silver Spring (so a touch longer from where you are, perhaps) with at least a couple of places for parking. The loop itself is 12 miles and runs around runways (so like Gravelly Point), through a sculpture garden (so like Storm King), and by horses (so like Middleburg). It’s a fun ride. Plus, it’s the terminus of the WB&A (or is it W&BA) trail that goes most of the way to Annapolis (although I haven’t been on that yet).

[SilverSpring]

I’m thinking of trying the Civil War Century this Fall, but the website suggested there’s a bit of climbing. While I’m used to going up and down small hills locally (5th/6th street, 14th street, occasionally the Custis Trail), my only Century (the Seagull) was blissfully flat. How hard do you figure the Civil War Century might be?

[SilverSpring]

If I’m relatively calm, I give a nice loud “Oi!,” like Ron Weasley in the movies. If I’m scared, I try to give a throaty cry of alarm which (sadly) comes out sounding like I’m my daughter (age 9) finding a spider in her bed.

[SilverSpring]

My Bride and our friend biked from Rehoboth to Bethany Beach last Fourth of July (so partway of what you’re describing, maybe 20+ miles roundtrip) and it was pretty good. There was a dedicated bikelane the entire way (crowded with people in Dewey Beach), but there was some grit/glass and a few rumble strips here and there. My biggest disappointment was not being able to stop (I was struggling to keep up) as we got to the highpoint on bridge to look out over the water). We all had thicker tires (hybridy, to use the technical term) and I don’t know how it would have been on thinnies.

[SilverSpring]

I find that, in weather like this, wearing longish shorts is best because a) you’ve got some extra fabric to set fire to keep you warm and motivate you and b) the headwind fans the flames nicely. I think I’ve found goosebump sites (on appropriately exposed skin, please get your minds out of the gutter) I didn’t know existed.

[SilverSpring]

CyclingEconomist,

That should be a good ride. I’d join you but a) I have to work, b) I could not hit your speeds even if dropped out of an airplane (with cement galoshes). Are you renting from SilverCycles? Those are nice folks. One thing to consider (depending on your bike) is just sticking to the CCT and crossing over via the Key Bridge skipping the Tow Path altogether. And, although I think you’ve done this already, the Custis Trail can be a sometimes unholy challenge after the fun of bombing (safely, of course) down the CCT, especially the bit just before it crosses the Canal. Have fun!

[SilverSpring]

This evening wind was, I dunno, somewhat more than annoying but less than fully pitiable. Tried as I might going up 5th/6th (in DC), it was like the hand of God saying “Hah! No records for you today.” Sigh.

[SilverSpring]

Mel_SilverSpring,

In addition to the three routes AmericanCyclo recommended, you might also consider:

–5th/6th (just off the MBT in Silver Spring/Takoma Park and a pleasant ride through a neighborhood)
–14th (which you can also get to via the Met and Piney Branch road and which has a fun ride down the hill past Columbia Heights)

The CCT is my preferred way to go on longer commuting days, but I don’t know what car traffic is like on Beach Drive during rush hour.

The Met isn’t as hard to get to as it might seem (really just a turn on Fenton off of Wayne) but has a tough hill (at least for me) both ways.

I don’t know about 16th just because of hills and traffic, but I know others like it a lot.

Happy cycling!

[SilverSpring]

DCAKen et al,

Many thanks! With your notice of the sale and everyone’s recommendations, I’ve just bought one.

Now, thoughts about which jet engines are best for a commuter hybrid?

[Author]

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