[Sunyata]

@Smitty2k1 196541 wrote:

Crazy – just last night I had a bike commuter tell me my rear blinking light was inappropriate because it was distracting and bright and I should set it to steady/no-blink.

Really, you should, especially if on crowded trails. Blinking lights, even red ones, can cause visual disturbances and make it much harder for others to see. While I may not always have my rear set on steady, I usually have it on a slow fade since half of my commute is on roads.

I can absolutely deal with bright steady lights, but strobes or blinking lights really mess with my eyes and it takes several minutes for them to re-adjust. (Yes, I know I have terrible night vision, yes I have seen several doctors about it, no I am not going to stop riding my bike at night.)

[Sunyata]

@Sunyata 184980 wrote:

My goals for 2019:
Get healthy again.
Get strength and endurance back.
Ride my bike for fun and enjoyment.
Have a kick ass cross season.
Be ready to do some serious gravel endurance racing in 2020.

Well… 2019 was a year. How did I stand up to my goals?

1) Ha. Things got worse in 2019 and I (and my doctors) are still trying to figure out why. Cheers to answers in 2020!
2) Ha. See #1.
3) YES. I accomplished this! I did ride my bike for fun and enjoyment, a lot!
4) Meh. I had a blast. My Cat 3 performances kind of sucked, but I did enjoy a season of single speed racing and ended up being the Super Series Single Speed Champion. So YAY!
5) I am ready-ish. As ready as my body will allow me to be right now. So I think I might have to temper my goals for 2020.

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Goals for 2020:
Work with what I have from a health and fitness standpoint.
Be kind to myself when I am unable to perform how I want.
Pick up some new skills in mountain biking.
Complete a couple multi-day bikepacking races (Trans VA and GRUSK are on the agenda).
Continue to run once a week for cross training.
Ride more with friends.

[Sunyata]

Roads/Trails from EFC to Courthouse this morning were fine with a couple of small exceptions. A bit of sheet ice at the intersection of the W&OD and Custis near Bluemont, I did not have to slow down or change trajectory to make turn onto the Custis. Another bit of ice at the intersection of 15th and Quincy, I actually had to slow down to turn cautiously into the bike lane for that one.

[Sunyata]

@DrP 196132 wrote:

While not heavy snow, by 6:30pm there were pockets of snow and slush on roads and trails. I was on roads in Lyon Park and Clarendon to Ballston, and then the Custis trail. The roads and bits, especially on the bike lanes and Custis has sections of snow, sections of slush and just wet areas. The temperatures may get below freezing tonight, so I half-fear the the Custis will be unpleasant in the morning. Crunchy snow I can handle. Ruts are passable. Icy areas, where puddles were, will be less fun. Are other trails any better? In Arlington, it might get just below freezing, so maybe it won’t be too bad, but sunrise is so late that I expect issues in the morning – especially on the hilly Custis. Maybe it is a W&OD morning?

Wednesdays are my run to work day, and I bailed at EFC metro because of the ice on the roads, sidewalks, and trails. Granted, it was about 6AM and below freezing. Things might be better now that the sun is coming up.

[Sunyata]

bentbike33;196041 wrote:

sunny, 110f with dew point of 90f?

Yep.

[Sunyata]

@drevil 195935 wrote:

Was it that long ago that you, Tania, Jo, and I were practicing getting over logs at the bowl? Looks like we can go play on some more obstacles, but I’d highly recommend a bash guard (always one of my first purchases with my mountain bikes)

Hahaha! Yes, it has been a while. I remember that, since it was the day my brake pads fell out somewhere along the trail. Oops!

And yes, as soon as it stops raining (or we get a hard freeze), I am planning to head up to the ‘Shed and play on some rocks.

[Sunyata]

So, in August of 2018, I broke my full suspension MTB frame. It was under warranty, but because of some manufacturing issues, it never got replaced. So, almost a year and a half later, HAPPY NEW BIKE DAY! 2020 Norco Optic. Unfortunately, it has been raining and the trails are slop, so it might be a bit before I actually get a chance to ride it.

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(Sorry for the odd photo on the back of my car in the dark… The other photos are upside down and I will not subject you to contorting your neck to oogle my beautiful new bike!)

[Sunyata]

@Amelia 195792 wrote:

Just went down on the curve coming northbound this afternoon… probably fractured my ulna, hit my head (in a helmet thankfully), and bruised legs. Still waiting on my x-ray.

Two teenagers had just gone down before me apparently going south. They checked on me. Then a scooter user almost went down going south.

I’m annoyed. I had two miles left on my Arlington loop…

Oh no! Hopefully it is just a bruise and not a break. Heal quickly!

[Sunyata]

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Bull Run Mountain horse snuggles!

[Sunyata]

@bikedavid 195906 wrote:

#2 Brookeville Brew Farm

Went on Eric’s ride to Brookeville Brew Farm. Who knew you could “raise” beer. Got a flight of 4. Particularly liked the “wintry mix”, a blonde ale coated with some cinnamon on the glass.

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

No one should EVER put cinnamon in beer.

[Sunyata]

@obscurerichard 195904 wrote:

Attending.

Is this place 21+ or is it possible to bring a 9 year old and 12 year old there? They are enthusiastic Pointless Kids riders. If so, it might be me +2.

It is not 21+. So bring the kiddos!

[Sunyata]

@Amelia 195670 wrote:

Hello! I’m Amelia. It’s my first freezing saddles as I started commuting to work via bike earlier this year, then an accident/summer of working overnight took me away from my bike for a while.

I am doing freezing saddles in the hopes that peer pressure will help me keep going through the winter. I jumped right into BAFS by joining the Happy Hour committee so I will accept helpful suggestions for future Happy Hour locations that 1. Will accept a group of our size with everyone on different tabs, 2. Don’t charge for the space, 3. May have a speaker system we can use. And for added bonus 4. Have gluten free and veggie options.

Clare & Don’s in Falls Church meets all of those requirements.

[Sunyata]

#1 – 70.2 km on Faquier and Loudoun County gravel roads on 1 Jan 2020. The gravel was mostly hero dirt and fast rolling. Average temperature over the ride was 7C.
#2 – 67.6 km on Faquier and Loudoun County gravel roads on 4 Jan 2020. The gravel was a bit sloppy, but the friends were fantastic!
#3 – 75.6 km on Loudoun and Faquier County gravel roads on 11 Jan 2020. There was mud.
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#4 – 10.9 km at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston on 20 Jan 2020. Trails were finally frozen and I got to ride my new bike! But after a week of dealing with Bronchitis, I was slow and only got a few miles in before we had to call it quits since the trails were thawing.

[Sunyata]

90% chance that I will be there. Team Slackers represent!

[Sunyata]

WTF is a “sweaty taco”?

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