[Sunyata]

When I first started bike commuting, it was before I moved to the DC area. I was in a rural city that had zero bike infrastructure. All I had was my road bike (and a couple of mountain bikes, but those are terrible on pavement). So I rode my carbon road bike with a messenger bag. It worked okay for my 13 mile back road commute, but I was pretty sweaty by the time I got to work, even if it was 30 degrees outside. I also rode my bike to the bar, the restaurants, to the bank, and to stores (when I only needed a few things). For these errands, I rarely ever took anything larger than a small messenger bag. It was still utilitarian, but did not require a rack or larger bags.

When I moved to the DC area, I knew that I wanted to use bicycling as my main form of transportation. It was a transition, but I am happy to say that after being here for about six months that I am pretty much there. I use my bike for 90% of my transportation means. I bought a “commuter specific” bike. I started out with my old messenger bag, but realized I needed something a bit more weather proof if I was going to be an every day commuter. I got a bigger more weather proof messenger bag. But I hated having the weight on my back and arriving at work with a super sweaty back (and bag!). So I bought a rack and a basket for the rear. The basket ended up being really bulky and not really that great for every day commuting, but works AMAZINGLY well for grabbing groceries. So I ended up researching and purchasing an Ortlieb Downtown pannier and never looked back. I LOVE it. It surprisingly changed the handling of the bike a lot less than the basket did. And I have not noticed that much of a difference in riding the bike, it has not really changed cornering, acceleration, or stopping. However, it does add quite a bit of extra weight to the rear of the bike that I only notice when I try to move the bike when I am not riding. Walking up three flights of stairs with the pannier still on the bike is kind of a pain, but nothing that would stop me from using it.

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I guess the point of this is to a) rave on the Ortlieb pannier and b) reiterate the point that no matter how you ride your bike, just ride your bike. Just because someone is riding a racy road bike to and from work (or wherever) does not mean that they are not a serious commuter. And just because someone is riding a racy road bike (or whatever) for pleasure does not mean it should be designated as a “toy”. Bicycling is a way of life for some of us and for others, it is a hobby. But no matter how you bike, we are still all in this together.

[Sunyata]

Ooh! I have done this a couple of times. It is loads of fun!

I highly suggest starting your brew tour at Adroit Theory as they have some very high octane beers (nothing under 8% ABV).

If you guys do it, I may be in, as long as there is not a MTB or CX race the same day! 😎

[Sunyata]

Well, my streak of drama-free commutes has ended…

Me: The cyclist (riding in the right lane on George Mason and not in the bike lane just before Route 50) that is more concerned about her safety than causing a 2.5 second delay if someone needed to change lanes to pass me.

You: The woman who felt it incredibly imperative to scream at me while pointing to the bike lane, “This is YOUR lane”.

Me: Had I not been running a couple of minutes behind, I would have stopped and chatted with you about safety and why I was in the lane of travel and not the bike lane. I would have loved to point out to you that the vehicle you were getting out of had two wheels and an open door IN “my” lane. I would love to be able to safely ride in the bike lane, but I would need everyone else to understand that the bike lane is for bike travel and not to park in, stand in, stop in, or open doors in… :confused:

[Sunyata]

I would LOVE to see some bike share stations in Park Fairfax, especially near the 395 pedestrian bridge. In case anyone that matters reads…

[Sunyata]

I am just shocked at that video. The guy was too impatient to safely get over which caused other riders to go down and he failed to stop?! WTF?

I really hope this guy can be ID’ed and held liable for the injuries (and bike damage) to those he caused to go down.

😡

[Sunyata]

TJ Uno (Single Speed Mountain Bike)
Synsi (Road Bike)
Nyx (Hard Tail Mountain Bike)
Skaði (Full Suspension Mountain Bike)
Jupiter (Commuter)

Otherwise they would all (with the exception of the road bike) be called Sir Trusty Warlock… The road bike would be Professor Trusty Warlock. 😎

[Sunyata]

So I am glad I did not read all of the angry bee stories until this morning. On my ride home yesterday, a hornet flew into my jersey and got me five times on the back (the jersey is a little bigger than it should be and he apparently made his way around to the back before he got annoyed). Luckily, I am not allergic, but man oh man did it hurt like crazy!

Lesson learned: Do not ride with jersey half unzipped, no matter how humid it is. 😮

[Sunyata]

Done. 😎

Thanks for posting this!

[Sunyata]

Since I am tall and normal jerseys are usually WAY too short in the torso, I ordered a medium-tall. Hopefully it will not to be too big (most of my jerseys are a medium, even though they are a bit too big, just for the extra inch or two of fabric length for the torso). If not, I can find someone to take it in a bit.

[Sunyata]

You: The female cyclist on George Mason Drive headed north this morning.

Me: The female cyclist about half a block behind you that watched you not only give cyclists a bad name (especially female cyclists), but you almost caused an accident!

The issue: This particular cyclist not only ran the first red light at the intersection of George Mason and Route 50, only to have to stop at the second red light, but attempted multiple times to run the second red light having to emergency stop as a car came through. The last time she tried to run it, she succeeded, but nearly caused an accident as a car coming off Route 50 had to slam on brakes to avoid hitting her, causing the car behind it to come about 2 inches from rear ending it.

Irony: The light changed to green about 15 seconds later and I caught up to her at the next light. :confused:

[Sunyata]

Right now, Strava says I average about 70 miles per week…

Granted, that is the last four weeks and I have been nursing injuries from mountain biking and not being able to commute by bike due to some crazy work stuff. So, based on someone’s comment a few pages back, I am going to do a 20 mile per day challenge for August. (And by putting it in writing here and on Facebook, I am obligated to do it, right? Haha.) About 10 of those miles per day (5 days per week) will be done commuting, the others will be adding to the commute on the way home or mountain biking.

So, cheers to upping my mileage and maybe not coming in last in my mountain bike races this month! 😎

[Sunyata]

@dkel 90345 wrote:

Mine were pretty damp when I got home, and I put them in front of a fan on the floor. They were totally dry by the time an hour had passed. The materials are billed as waterproof, but obviously the sandal lets water in (and back out). If you aren’t wearing socks with them, it doesn’t really matter whether they’re wet or dry, though, does it?

I hate putting on wet shoes… Even wet flip flops. I guess I am a bit odd in that respect, but it sounds like they dry pretty quickly. I may have to go ahead and pick up a pair. Thanks for the info!

[Sunyata]

You: The two large trash containers blocking the entire sidewalk at the corner of the Shirlington pedestrian bridge and Quincy Street.

Me: The cyclist that came around the corner from the bridge at a semi-cautious pace that still had to brake ridiculously hard to maneuver around you.

Thanks for the brake check which was good because I needed my brakes to work during my next encounter…

You: The jerkface driver of a gold pickup truck at the corner of Shirlington Road and 4 Mile Run Road that was in too much of a hurry to care that your light was red and the pedestrian signal was green.

Me: The cyclist in a bright green shirt with super bright front and rear blinkies that was already in the crosswalk when you attempted to plow through.

Thank you for hearing my shout (“HEY!!!”) and actually stopping before you hit me! 😡
Luckily, the rest of my morning commute was uneventful and the weather made up for the earlier transgressions!

[Sunyata]

@dkel 90296 wrote:

One of the things I like about the Keens sandals is that they fit fine with or without socks. This afternoon’s rain ride was without socks.

Out of curiosity, how fast do the sandals dry out after a torrential downpour? I have been contemplating getting a pair of these, but want to make sure that they dry out quickly without assistance (i.e. throwing them in the dryer).

[Sunyata]

Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend. Maybe next month!

[Author]

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