[Tania]

It’s VERY tempting to say or do something, I admit, but I try to stay in the “avoid or ignore” camp. I try to avoid anyone who has shown me aggression (such as not getting near them if we’re at a red light together after an incident) and otherwise ignoring them.

I do call them unprintable names under my breath.

[Tania]

Me: taking the lane on Gallows south of where the bike lane ends after being buzzed by a large truck. Gallows is two lanes in each direction so I’m not completely blocking traffic plus it’s rush hour so traffic isn’t even approaching the posted 35 mph speed limit. Also, I only need to take the lane for about a quarter of a mile.

You: showing your displeasure at me taking the lane by repeatedly using your horn for long periods and driving right on my back wheel, making me a little worried that you were going to ram me.

1. I sped up after you passed me. I may have slowed down on purpose while you were acting like a idiot or maybe my legs were just tired and I found a second wind. Hard to say.

2. Bite me. I’m allowed to take the lane.

[Tania]

@consularrider 124799 wrote:

Well, my household effects shipment with the Rove was delivered this morning. It was the first thing I unpacked because I couldn’t wait to put it together and go for a sand/gravel ride on Trukhaniv Island. Big disappointment. Both shifter cable housings on the top of the down tube are seriously bent where they enter the barrel adjuster. The left side barrel adjuster screw is broken off with a portion still in the housing. Looks like I have to look seriously at for n LBS where I can communicate.

Gah!

[Tania]

Hazelnut Nutella Pie at Java Shack.

That is all.

[Tania]

@Raymo853 127805 wrote:

Very few of the bicycle riders here will agree with my low limits, but I support a 15 mph limit within the beltway and 20 mph further out with limits dropping near crossings and typically crowded sections. Same for the Capital Crescent Trail, Mt Vernon, and the C&O. Your average speed of 19 shows you must typically be exceeding 20 mph on long sections of the WO&D.

Bicycle riders that feel the need to exceed those limits, should change their routes to use standard roadways.

I WANT to agree with your proposed speed limit only because I (daily) see cyclists passing other trail users at too fast a speed and in an unsafe manner. But for me, “cruising speed” along the flat parts of the W&OD/4MR is 20mph. Thanks to the hills and other trail users (meaning, I slow down to pass them or ride behind them slowly until it’s safe to pass) means my avg speed is usually only around 14-15.

(Somewhat off-topic – now that it’s dark on my way home, I actually AM thinking about taking the roads the whole way until it gets much colder – too many pedestrian trail ninjas means I crawl along at 10mph).

[Tania]

I have a chain whip, cassette thingy and socket wrench to fit it, all of which I can bring to Kindred tomorrow.

[Tania]

Most of the lights at cross streets along Gallows have a very long response time during rush hour but are on-demand during off hours (I live just off Gallows less than a mile from the W&OD crossing). The big roads (like Prosperity and Idlywood) have slightly shorter wait times but not by much. Lights like the one by me, at the W&OD crossing and at Cottage can feel endless. Adjusting the light at the W&OD will have a big impact north and south all along Gallows so it’s not as simple as changing the behavior of just that light.

Traffic along Gallows – from Route 7 down to the hospital just past Route 50 – seems to fluctuate between full-on madness and almost empty depending on the time of day. It’s really quite lovely at 7am on a Sunday…

[Tania]

@hozn 127567 wrote:

Did the one on that side not work? I guess I never have to push it going westbound at ~6:30.

It works although it’s not immediate. I think it’s programmed to be timed with the light at idylwood (and maybe even cottage) to keep traffic from backing up even more during rush hour. I head south on gallows in the evening and frequently cars are backed up in both directions at the wod crossing.

[Tania]

@wheels&wings 127489 wrote:

And anything that makes us more visible on the roads… arm bands, ankle bands, jingle bells, lights…. those things are totally useful and we use (or lose) them over time, thus grateful for more.

YES!

Yesyesyesyesyesyes.

And socks. I got thick wool socks one year for Snotcycle and I love them. Another year they gave away wool beanies which I still use.

[Tania]

Steep and Cheap has the Sugoi reflective jacket on sale for $65. I saw Chris Watson’s on the last midnight saddles ride and I can attest to its reflective properties! I wanted one, but I could only find it at REI for $150 and I didn’t want it THAT badly. Not sure if they have any men’s sizes and women’s is pink only.

http://www.steepandcheap.com/gear-cache/cold-weather-riding/SUG002V-SUPPK

[Tania]

@Sunyata 127370 wrote:

I gave out all of the lights I grabbed on the way home

Me too – jogging strollers and more than a few unlit bikes. Everyone was super appreciative.

[Tania]

Owwie KLizotte! That’s pretty much my worst fear. Ugh.

Climb On (a beeswax based salve) works GREAT on road rash once it scabs over and starts to get tight and pull. You can find it in the climbing section at REI, it’s in a little tin. (Smells nice too)

[Tania]

I frequently find the spam posts much more entertaining (and useful) than the posts made by many regulars.

[Tania]

Gore Women’s Countdown Gore-Tex Jacket in Nashbar’s clearance bin plus an extra 20% off. Scored it for $44.

Only XS and XXL in stock though.

[Tania]

Mapmyride isn’t playing well with my work’s security settings and I can’t see it clearly on my phone. Is this an out and back? So we’ll ride to Friendship Heights, eat, and then come back into the city? I’m not really sure I want to be biking back to where I parked (metro center) after 2am by myself.

Editing to add: I’m pretty sure this thread is the reason why I’ve had “Up All Night” by The Boomtown Rats in my head all afternoon.

[Author]

Posts