[Steve]

This looks like a total fake felt ad. Might just be phishing of some kind but might be worth asking for pics of the actual bike they are selling:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/bid/4301793923.html

[Steve]

@TwoWheelsDC 75512 wrote:

Only trails I took today were the 110 trail between Marshall and Memorial Dr, and the trails around the mall. 110 trail was bad, but fairly easily passible with knobbies and some caution.

+1 on the 110 trail. It is icey, but with studs was pretty easy. I think that beats snow drifts at least, like I had along South Cap St. Those just make me fishtail around and look silly.

[Steve]

@rcannon100 75469 wrote:

Not totally disagreeing but a few points.

Really fair. I know I broad-brushed how Arlington got what is has, in part because admittedly I wasn’t here for most any of it (only 8 years or so here in Arlington). And I don’t think we are seeing this opposite, I really think we almost entirely agree. The county has done a lot to promote car-lite and high density living. It is clearly active with metro and NPS and others to make it all possible. I think at the highest levels, that County has not fought this fight as a high priority, and so we have to live with state priorities. It is frustrating, I totally agree.

[Steve]

@Tim Kelley 75463 wrote:

Just wanted to point out that all the streets you mention by name are under VDOT jurisdiction. I think you have a really good handle on things and agree that it is going to require taking space away from motor vehicles to step things up.

So what can you? Talk to your elected officials, write them emails, get your neighbors to do so as well, encourage your civic associations to write letters, and personally attend Count Board meetings (there is one this Saturday where the public is given a chance to speak.

Yep, and I am sympathetic to the VDOT issue, as I know that creates a big problem (I left out the intersection of d(eath)(oom) accidentally, which correct me if I’m wrong is VDOT as well). I think that is why I am critical of the County, not of county staff. I think staff (especially DES) has done a lot in their own power to improve things on the roads that they control. I think the County at a higher level (Manager, Board, State Delegates), the people that I would assume really have to take on VDOT, aren’t fighting that battle enough.

I think the snow removal thing really makes people upset because that IS in the county’s control.

I participate in the government in the ways that suit myself, but I’m not actually complaining. I’m just observing what I believe is the reality of cycling in Arlington, which is to say generally good but mostly via trails and easy changes.

[Steve]

I’ve said it before, I don’t think Arlington is prepared to make any HARD decisions with respect to being pro-bike. It benefits from a trail system that is either not owned by the county (WOD, MVT), or developed prior to Arlington being nearly as populated and high density. It also benefits from the metro being there early, and the county growing around the metro line. Bike lanes have gone in on slower roads or roads with clear room, but most all of it appears to be the low hanging fruit. Arlington has not (at least yet, I know some of it iss coming) put in any physically separated bike lanes, done anything close to the cycletracks in DC, or addressed the MASSIVE shortfall of cycling along the major road systems. They are providing a substandard cycling solution along the Pike, 50 is a mess, Glebe is worse, Washington Blvd still hasn’t happened, Route 1 is awful, etc.

It’s a great place to ride, all things considered, but the couty is at a point now where to improve cycling more is going to mean really standing behind it, and it doesn’t appear to be happening.

[Steve]

@guga31bb 75090 wrote:

Yep that was me! I remember a person watching me as I was coming out of the parking lot onto Custis. I was doing a kind of awkward should-I-slow-down so it didn’t seem like I was trying to cut you off as I merged onto Custis, but then I think you slowed down, too.

Love the pic! Yea, I was doing the same thing. It looked to me like you were going to be faster than me, and I was somewhat tired, so I was trying to let you get out in front of me. Otherwise I would have had to work way too hard to not look slow and get blown by. Instead I got to have a painfully slow climb up the hill.

[Steve]

guga31bb sighting (I think) yesterday going thru the Marriott parking lot and onto the Custis. Whoever it was came out a bit in front of me and I immediately thought, “I want to own that bike.” Then I thought I recalled having seen it on the postpicsofyourbike thread and made the connection. If it wasn’t you, then there are two of those beauties riding around. Anyways, I lost you at a light so couldn’t catch up to say hi, but maybe next time.

[Steve]

Went to roll out this morning and realized I had a flat tire. I would have been bummed out, but I got to make my most pro move ever, and instead of changing the tire, I changed the bike.

[Steve]

Saw two foxes a few days ago on the morning commute in Clarendon. They were on Clarendon Blvd at the corner of the Crate and Barrel. I suppose they needed some new furnishings, and didn’t have Dickie’s number….

[Steve]

Tons of dense fog this morning, especially around the rivers (Ohio Drive, Water Street, South Capitol). Ride slow, be safe!

[Steve]

@Tim Kelley 73736 wrote:

Twitter is calling it #PolarVortex and #Freezepocalypse2014.

I was really jealous of my friends in Chicago who are going with #ChiBeria. Just has a nicer ring to it….

[Steve]

I got to try my new studded tires today! It was slow but upright, so that’s a win. I didn’t actually think it was as cold as I expected. I was a bit overdressed on top, but my legs/feet felt good. I wore skiing gloves which kept my hands really warm, much warmer than my winter riding gloves (the benefit of bar-end shifters not really necessitating much dexterity). Things I learned from my first ever snow ride:

1. Powedered snow makes me work harder, my legs are sore (Rt. 110 trail).
2. Footprints and tire tracks are rough. I don’t like them.
3. I love riding my bike.

Stay safe this afternoon all.

[Steve]

For some reason yesterday I was reading some things on 3D printing, and it made me remember this thread. Any traction on the idea? Here is what the DCPL says about the pricing: “Printing cost is $.05 per gram (of object’s weight) plus a $1 charge. Most prints range from $1-$5.”

So….assuming a bike frame weighs ~20lbs, we could print one for about $450.

[Steve]

@TwoWheelsDC 71735 wrote:

Today was the only morning I can remember where, during normal commuting hours, I was the only person in the locker room during my entire change/shower routine. Makes me think that people are put off more by days with lower high temps than days with lower lows but moderate high temps.

I’d agree. Also I think people are still worried about trail conditions. I don’t know that DC has any temps that would keep me in, but today is the first I’ve rode because ice scares me quite a bit. I asked Santa for studded tires, this storm just came a few weeks too early!

[Steve]

@hozn 71171 wrote:

Yeah, that proved wise. I stepped out at 5:40 and was like “this is beautiful! I thought it’d be in the 50s and raining!”.

I rolled out at the same time, but luckily for me, I head east, and so it stayed nice the whole time. Down on the SW Waterfront it was really really foggy, so much so that I had to cover my light because the fog made it blind me. I brought some extra clothes for the ride home, but something tells me it’s not going to be enough. Time will tell…

[Author]

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