[Steve]

Essigmw, thanks for the info. I didn’t realize that the payment went to Alta, vice the local DOT’s. Agree though that with smartbenefits, there should be a way to work around this. The example is that now smartbenefits go directly to your smarttrip card, which can also hold funds for your own personal usage. Seems like you could create a CaBi account using your own credit cards, and use smartbenefits to pay the monthy fee, possibly using Commuter Direct to clear it. With the new system as well, MTBP does a much better job of calculating the exact cost of your commute, making you re-verify each month, and takes the unused funds back. A fairly simple worksheet should be able to estimate the monthy commuting costs of CaBi use (distance*an average CaBi speed?). Either way, I think there is a way to figure out the structure.

To your point about if you build the station, people will drive getting it for MTBP, I would normally agree. This situation is a little different however, because CaBi wants to build stations there, the Pentagon (or Washington Headquarter Services, I think) won’t allow it. That’s why I was thinking about all of this in the first place. I thought in this situation, attacking the problem in reverse might be helpful. It seems like CaBi would have an easier time being a qualified MTBP transportation system than it would convincing the Pentagon to build a station. If CaBi was on MTBP, I think the argument to the Pentagon could be strengthened, in that they would be preventing their employees from using their transit benefit. A station at the Pentagon is important for a number of reasons, both on the part of it being a great location for the system, and in helping move forward the posibility of trail connections between Columbia Pike and the MVT along the edge of their property.

Again, I’m not saying I know all the inner details or why this would work/not work. Just trying to look at the problem from a different angle….

[Steve]

I passed Pete this evening (opposite direction, let’s be honest) on the MVT by Arlington Memorial Bridge. Pete, I was the bearded fella that said hello. Good to see you and with the orange top, amazingly easy to see you.

[Steve]

@consularrider 39913 wrote:

A double metric, come on, let’s go! Google Maps Route

That’s 136 freezing saddle points….

[Steve]

@Tim Kelley 39802 wrote:

and then washing my hands. And then washing my hands again. And then washing my hands again. It only takes one time getting in one your hands or under your fingernails and then rubbing your eyes to learn an important lesson.

I made a similar mistake chopping and deseeding fresh jalepenos. You think one wash will do it, until you accidently touch your eye and can’t open it for 10 minutes. As a result, I now wear latex gloves when I chop peppers. You can get about 100 for under $10, and don’t have the worry about the oils staying on your hands.

[Steve]

The last day of the first week on the Freezing Saddles competition, and some nice temps to welcome us! I have to say, the challenge so far has been great in terms of motivating me to get out on the bike more, and increase my commutes per week. Thanks again for all the work in setting this up, and congrats to everyone for logging a lot of rides and a lot of miles over this first week (I know today isn’t done yet).

I can’t wait for the mid-June thru mid-September “Blazing Saddles” challenge. 20+ points for riding a horse. 50+ for pulling one in a trailer.

[Steve]

@OneEighth 39672 wrote:

No earphones.
Speed is relative.

And the two times I’ve seen 1/8 on the trail, he’s been going relatively much faster than me.

[Steve]

@Arlingtonrider 39367 wrote:

Lol – maybe we should just let the ride be as it is – since it will be a fun January social event in any case.

Then do a separate happy hour in February or early March.

I’m obviously cool with people hanging out after the ride at Cap City. That’s kind of why I used it as the start/end. I figured, drinks aside, that people might want to grab a bite to eat after some riding and drinks during the day. I might not be able to stick around myself, but feel free to invite anyone to meet up during of after the ride.

[Steve]

Just hopefully not the 26th! Plenty of beer drinking options that day

http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?3599-Group-Ride-Cap-City-Brewery-to-Port-City-Brewery-1-26-13-12-00pm

[Steve]

@benbhsu 39304 wrote:

It’s interesting to see how the Strava API handles rounding for miles ridden. So far I only have 1 ride logged and my 4.9 mile commute only clocks in at 4 miles on the score page. I guess I need to tack on an extra lap around the block before pulling into work!

I noticed this too. Does anyone (Ron) know if the mileage is the addition of each ride after rounded, or the total mileage to the tenth (the way strava calculates)? To be clear, what i mean is if benbhsu now goes out and rides 5.1 miles, will his total be a) 4.9+5.1=10 or b) 4+5=9?

[Steve]

@ronwalf 39022 wrote:

Team 2, where are youuuuuuuu?

I have the teams for all the rest. Please join up with your team!

At some point in the next week, I’ll post a link to the scoreboard. Right now, I’m supposed to be prepping for my PhD proposal and preliminary exam…

I’m not the Team Captain, I don’t think, but I created a group. We might need to come up with a more fun name than “Team II”, Team two. Twowheels seems to have taken that name already. We’ll think of something…..

http://app.strava.com/clubs/19345

[Steve]

@Arlingtonrider 38691 wrote:

Was anyone able to pull up the route from the link Steve provided? I couldn’t get it and am curious about which one he chose.

It should be working as of midday today. I had accidentally set the map as private before. Let me know if it’s still not working and I’ll try to get it fixed. Thanks!

[Steve]

@Certifried 38684 wrote:

which one?

2012 exposure diablo mk 3. Fingers crossed!

[Steve]

When my mom asked me want I wanted for Christmas, all I said was “DIABLO!!!!!” She was mildly terrified, but then I explained. So with that….

1. Diablo
2. That we all get along….bikes, cars, peds, future streetcars, etc. We’re all trying to do the same thing: get places. Hopefully we can all do it safely.
3. Get to meet some of you out on the trails.

[Steve]

I appreciate all the feedback and comments that I have recieved (both here, Twitter, and FB). I really mean that. It’s made extremely excited for the ride and I hope we have a good crowd and good weather. For those who haven’t been to Port City, as has been said here, its a really fun place, good people, and tasty beers. I also wanted to touch two quick things:

1. SteveTheTech – First of all, great first name! Second, I was thinking along the same lines. Unfortunately this week, I haven’t been able to get ahold of them, as they aren’t open during the day, and my nights have been busy. I am going to ask them if we can line up our bikes somewhere in the back of the warehouse, as they won’t be brewing at this time, and there is a good amount of room. Hopefully they can help out, and thanks for the advice.

2. jrenaut – Saying that their IPA is better than Two Hearted is a good reason to be angry. I understand. But their beers are very good. I especially like the Stout.

Again, thanks all so much for the positive feedback. I can’t wait for the ride!

[Steve]

I have nothing smart to say other than that paint job is beautiful. The two color schemes is just awesome.

[Author]

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