[Tania]

Agree on saddle height. I got a new bike a few weeks ago and started getting right knee pain (directly on top of my knee cap) on any hilly ride over an hour. I raised my saddle MAYBE 1/4″ if that and it abated. It might have been saddle height, it might have been just being on a different bike. Or both.

Also agree on saving up for a proper fit. I’m waiting for my other new bike to get here and then going to have them fit at the same time.

[Tania]

I think this thread relates to the same area?

http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?9130-More-Custis-Work-in-a-Different-Location!

In which case, it sounds like it was planned…

[Tania]

Some of the comments in this thread are really shameful.

[Tania]

@dasgeh 126755 wrote:

Here’s how I look at the TR-Bridge v. Key-to-Georgetown choice:

TR-Bridge route: beautiful, calm trail -> super narrow bridge path where you have to pay attention and slow way down when passing (for the love of God, don’t get off your bike- that makes you wider!) -> calm city streets

Key-to-Georgetown: super wide bridge path with lots of other people walking and biking and a couple of bad ramp crossings where you have to make sure cars won’t run you down -> busy city streets that are generally ok as long as you keep an eye out for cabs randomly pulling over -> medium busy city streets

Personally, TR Bridge wins that head-to-head . [/quote]

Totally agree with the comparison. My bike commute is the best part of my day, I’d rather be able to relax and enjoy it. And def. don’t dismount. Signal with your hand (in case there’s someone behind you, they’ll never hear you over the traffic) that you’re slowing down and then I usually unclip one foot and get down off the saddle and coast along slowly (with that unclipped foot ready!) until the other bike/pedestrian has passed me. It’s rare that I’ll keep riding normally to pass an oncoming cyclist although I have and it’s been fine (but…why risk it? Slowing down means maybe an additional five seconds – NBD). The oncoming person almost always thanks me for slowing down and giving way.

Just always assume there is someone behind you on that bridge and communicate with them. I signal that there’s someone coming from the other direction and that I’m slowing down.

Quote:

I find that H street is a better experience than the L Street cycletrack, but YMMV. Westbound, there’s a cycletrack on M (the southern/cycletrack-avoiding route for most cyclists is to take G westbound, though the retiming of the lights is PAINFUL. This is no longer my daily commute, so I don’t know whether it’s better to head up to H at 20th. I suspect so).

The lights are awful but I don’t mind since I’d have to stop ANYWAY even if the lights are green since all the GW students can’t be bothered to look up from their phones to notice they’re crossing against the light. I don’t pick up the pace until I’m through the circle, to avoid any incident.

I’ve gone Penna to 19th to H (reverse of my incoming route) and it might be a little less stop and go but more car traffic.

[Tania]

@Subby 126745 wrote:

I guess it depends what time you come over Key Bridge in the morning, but M Street is pretty fantastic for bikes. Three lanes and the far right is almost always available. Take it until it splits and stay right on Pennsylvania, stay on Penn around Washington Circle. Bear left on H, left on 14th. Easy!

I have to disagree. I take this route on Fridays with the caravan and only with the caravan. They’ve ditched me a few times and I hated every minute of it. Actually, I hate every minute of it even when I’m with the group (mostly because I’m biking way too fast for my comfort level for the level of traffic and potential hazards through there).

I think I’m a fairly confident cyclist but I won’t go this way voluntarily. Too much traffic, too many cabs and buses, too many potholes and just general craziness. I call Wash Circle the Circle of Death. Granted, on Fridays we come through there around 8am so height of rush hour.

Still…nope nope nope nope and…Nope.

But then I’ll also go the long way to avoid turning left if there’s no left turn signal at a light when driving. I’d rather take the low stress route than the direct route.

[Tania]

I’m at metro center and I take the Roosevelt bridge – it’s not nearly as bad as people make it sound. If you’re worried about oncoming bikers (infrequent), just move over as best you can and put a foot down until they pass. I’ve only had one jerk in the year I’ve been taking it, most bikers and runners are polite.

Roosevelt bridge past the Kennedy Center and then straight through the Virginia Avenue circle. Make a right on H and then when H tee’s at 20th(construction), you can either turn left and then make a right on Pennsylvania or continue straight along the sidewalk there to get on Pennsylvania (you’ll see other bikers doing this, which is how I figured it out). Cross 17th Street to the White House and then up the 15th Street Cycletrack.

It’s a pretty stress-free route. I’m not a fan of the bustle in Georgetown.

[Tania]

@83(b) 126635 wrote:

They can’t turn these worthless neighbors into condos fast enough.

Really?

[Tania]

I can help on Wednesday from 4:30-5:15.

[Tania]

@notlost 126453 wrote:

Amazon has some decent pricing on the Velo Transit Freemont 30 pack…these are usually $180-200, some colors currently going for under $50. I have a 40 liter pack of theirs and it has held up well over the last year. Definitely waterproof on the inside…outside pocket not so much.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y7QFQT8

I clicked on this to find out more info (always looking for a new pack) and Amazon remembered that I was looking at windproof vests and showed me a Gore windstopper vest for super cheap (I got the last one in my size). Cheers!

[Tania]

Low to mid thirties this am and frost on the cars. We, naturally, went for a bike ride.

[Tania]

@AFHokie 126239 wrote:

I just ordered a set of Schwalbe Marathon Mondial’s. Anxious to see how they compare to the stock Bontrager’s that came with the bike.

Holy heavy tire! 580 grams. Eesh.

[Tania]

@Raymo853 126230 wrote:

I confirm Conti Gatorskin tires simply ride awfully harsh. Plus Conti sizing is way off, their 28s are as narrow as others’ 23s.

Depends on your rim. On my Pacentis the gator 28’s were almost as fat at my schwalbe 35’s on my DT Swiss rims.

[Tania]

@Powerful Pete 126225 wrote:

Don’t go with the Gators. Cycling is meant to be fun. Honestly, a less enjoyable riding tire is yet to be invented.

Another vote for fatty Schwalbes. I am impressed with the regular 32 Duranos. Not great, but not half bad either.

I would put in a vote for the tubeless set that hozn mentioned, if your wheels are tubeless ready.

I’ve ridden gators before and truly didn’t notice any downside! May be due lack of saddle time compared to most of you.

My rims are tubeless ready (DT Swiss R24s) but I’m NOT – I don’t have any workspace at home where I could deal with the potential mess. Plus, I weigh 115-120lb: I can run a pretty low pressure on gravel with no issues. My two main concerns are puncture resistance (like Wheels and Wings) and plushiness so I can bomb stuff and not get tossed around and wanting to death grip. The Sammies were nice and cushy, but don’t seem like they’d stand up to city street detritus.

The ride home last night (pavement only) on the Pro4’s was fast, sure…but not FUN. Or not as much fun as it could have been. Fun > speed for me.

[Tania]

I just don’t like the feel of 23’s on the new bike. The new bike is supposed to be plush and comfy, making me feel like I can roll over and through anything. And the 23’s make it too rough for my taste.

I also realized I had two flats with two different sets of Sammy Slicks – one was a pinch flat (pot hole) but the other was a puncture from piece of glass; this was on my current folding set which are soft and pliant. Great ride feel but potentially bad for commuting.

So I’ll probably initially go with fatter gators for every day rides. Or always carry a few tubes and stick with the Sammy Slicks. I do like how they ride.

[Tania]

@jabberwocky 126146 wrote:

I’ve ridden the C&O many times on the road bike with 23mm slicks. Its fine. I probably wouldn’t want to ride for hours like that, but georgetown to 41st is no problem whatsoever.

If I get a flat tonight on my ride home we’re gonna have words. Especially if I’m late for chili.

[Author]

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