[Steve]

I’m in.

Also, there is public parking in CC on 20th and 23rd street, like half a block up from Crystal Drive. I believe the lots become free at 4pm, so they are probably good options if you need to drive. There is also public parking elsewhere, just not sure when it all becomes free, and metered parking on the north side of Crystal Drive and on 20th and 23rd then are usually metered until 6.

[Steve]

@Arlingtonrider 45564 wrote:

Wasn’t me – I can only dream of getting myself out riding out that early!

Plus Strava (and therefore Hozn’s rankings) probably wouldn’t recognize that as a HP lap, so what’s the point?

[Steve]

@JorgeGortex 45549 wrote:

Lot of 5am wake-up calls in our sport.QUOTE]

Yea, my old roommate here is the head women’s coach at George Mason. His wake up times were earrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrly.

[Steve]

@Bilsko 45542 wrote:

Meant to post that I saw you just getting on to the 14th St. Bridge – I was on Ohio Dr. below, headed to HP for a lap.
Was going to yell out “STEEEEVE!!!” but thought that would be kind of akward since you’d look around and not see anyone there.

That would have been funny tho. I was too busy being jealous of the cx rider who got to make a hard left and go down the hill thru the grass. Every time I see someone do it I get that much closer to buying a cx or touring bike.

[Steve]

I believe a Consularrider sighting on the ramp out of Rosslyn heading south into the TR parking lot around 5?

[Steve]

Hope you’re feeling better with no real injuries, Liz.

[Steve]

@DaveK 45345 wrote:

That’s the one. Turn westbound (left if you’re headed towards Bethesda) and you can’t miss them.

Any chance we can get a heads up if/when they open? I know that often times the trees around the city blossom at surprisingly different times, and wouldn’t mind riding up there with the wife to enjoy a day when they open up.

[Steve]

@JorgeGortex 45467 wrote:

Much like the increase in cycling in our area, interest in rowing has exploded across every demographic.

I’ll say one of the coolest parts of my ride in today was a seing shell going down the Potomac. The sun wasn’t up yet, but the sky was starting to get a little color. The shell had a headlight on the bow going out over the water (which I’d never seen before). Hands were too cold for picture time, but it looked like a tracking shot in the open of a movie or something.

[Steve]

@cephas 45279 wrote:

Here’s a slightly different version, if you ever want to change things up a bit. It’s based on Steve’s map, but offers you the Roosevelt Bridge instead: http://goo.gl/maps/qFt3w

That’s a cool route! Thanks for the idea.

I also used to cross Arlington Memorial Bridge and then down 23rd/Ohio Drive to meet up with where the 14th Street Bridge drops me off now. It saves you two of the three GWP crossings (though not the worst one). I really liked going that way, and love riding down Ohio Drive. I only stopped because real early, there is no car traffic at the light to go across Independence, and so it seems not to trip the light there. I had to wait for like 5 minutes sometimes, and in the cold at that hour, it freezes me, so I started going down the MVT.

[Steve]

@ksuzudc 45264 wrote:

Thanks Steve and dbb! Question: I don’t quite figure our this part “Arlington Blvd access to Iwo Jima->110 trail->Arlington Memorial Bridge”
Sorry, I am such a beginner! My first time attempt commute by bike.

No need to apologize! Here’s the link of how I went when I worked at Navy Yard: http://goo.gl/3fiwA

They call the road next to Arlington Blvd, Arlington Blvd as well. I don’t know why. It’s not 50, its a smaller road with the same name. Traffic is light, but fast when it’s there. The ride towards Iwo Jima is downhill, so you can go pretty quickly. Like I said, Custis to the MVT is probably a bit safer, and only about a half mile longer. For whatever reason I just like going this way (probably just boredom and to mix it up). Also because the road lights make things a little easier than the Custis in pitch black. Now that the sun is coming up, the Custis would probably bother me less, and it’s how I go home.

[Steve]

@ksuzudc 45259 wrote:

Thanks for your reply, Consularrider! I know, Ft Myer access has been restricted, that’s why I don’t see anyone. I will test ride the Mt Vernon Trail to 14th St Bridge.

That link that Consularrider gave is really good once on the MVT. To get to the trail, the easiest way is Custic to the MVT. I leave pretty early in the morning, when the roads are mostly empty still, and so I go Ballston->Fairfax->Wilson/Clarendon Blvd->15th St. in Courthouse->Queen across 50->Arlington Blvd access to Iwo Jima->110 trail->Arlington Memorial Bridge->MVT south.

It is slightly more direct, despite the crazy look of the above directions, and saves a few minutes. The downside is the GWPkwy crossings. I take MVT to Custis in the evening because of traffic up Wilson, and not wanting to climb it during rush hour.

[Steve]

@mstone 45246 wrote:

The orange cones are hilarious. I assume that the expectation is that someone might not see the enormous, reflective, lighted sign, but will swerve at the last minute due to the cones? (Except for the one that died.)

I like the whole idea that if someone is 10 feet up into the grass, they still have enough control over their car to avoid the orange cones.

[Steve]

@dbb 45212 wrote:

I’d like to propose we take a few moments on our rides to photo-document the use of the GWMP by our fellow travelers.

Rules are simple.

Photograph the fastest speed documented on the GWMP speed sign between the 14th St and Memorial Bridge.

No photo? – It didn’t happen.

No idea what we will do with these photos. I would expect the bloggers might have fun with it however.

I’ll come up with some meaningless prize. How about we close the contest on April Fool’s Day?

My entry below.

Whoa dang, Dana, you were moving!

[Steve]

The wind has GOT to go. But the beautiful skies can stay. Sorry it’s just an iphone pic and the phone didn’t love the darkness, but here is was this morning….

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2477[/ATTACH]

[Steve]

@Subby 45148 wrote:

A friend of mine said its probably better to get the bike with the good carbon frame and less expensive components because you can always upgrade the components down the road.

I’d say it’s more important to get the compelte bike you want. Buying things seperately is usually more expensive. Components really aren’t as easy to upgrade as lots of folks think, in my experience. They are expensive. Surprisingly, I think it’s easier to find a good deal on a quality used frame (or even new frame) than it is to find a good deal on good components.

[Author]

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