[Tania]

@DCAKen 181780 wrote:

However, the 14th Street Bridge crossing is wide enough where two people can pass safely. And minding his own business does not cover wacking someone in the face.

You’re right, I missed that part in the OP.

[Tania]

What exactly was it about this guy doing that was illegal and would make you want to notify the police? He’s walking across a bridge on a pedestrian path – is that illegal? There are plenty of times where I can’t pass people because of one thing or another so I wait. According to what you wrote, he was just minding his own business and going from point a to point b.

[Tania]

@huskerdont 181560 wrote:

This morning, a big truck suddenly cut across my path in the bike lane on G for a right turn onto 11th. No signal of course; I was at abuot his back bumper when the truck started moving into me. I’ve become so prepared for idiocy and a complete lack of concern for the safety of others that I had held back and was not crushed, so this post doesn’t go into the crashes and incidents thread.

G street is by far the worst part of my commute. I frequently just take the damn lane.

[Tania]

About lost my shit just now on a coworker (who bikes to work!) when he said “well, it’s partially the cyclist’s fault. I mean, he was in the crosswalk!” Dude! The driver ran a red light! “Oh, well, I didn’t know that. Still, you shouldn’t expect cars to see you when you’re in the crosswalk.”

Not kidding.

[Tania]

@dasgeh 181156 wrote:

It seems your situation is more the exception than the rule, and could easily be dealt with by rules that allow bikes when they fit.

Really? I’d say it seems you live in metro fantasy land. I actually have to take the train a stop or two in the OPPOSITE direction in order to get back on a different train heading in my direction. And that’s at 4:30pm before the real rush hour crush.

We can’t even get cyclists to call their passes; there’s no way they’re not going to board crowded trains. And what if the train fills up after they’ve boarded?

I’ll say it again, it’s a TERRIBLE idea. Metro is bad (crowded) enough as it is. Ridership may be down but safety issues or crowded tracks (OSB for example) mean the trains aren’t running as frequently.

[Tania]

This is a terrible idea. I can barely get ME on the train during rush hour.

[Tania]

@dplasters 181071 wrote:

I’m not trying to pile on, but on the southbound gallows road bike lane around the intersection of merry oaks lane, you can literally see where the bike lane stripe/paint is worn out from cars who cut the corner and would kill any cyclist actually using the lane. Cars seem perfectly comfortable doing well over the speed limit. So clearly they could have taken a touch more space and added protection of some kind for the bike lane.

People don’t use the majority of the FFX bike lanes cause they blow.

I live right off gallows and do everything I can (including riding on the sidewalks) to avoid using the gallows bike lanes.

[Tania]

ginacico;180923 wrote:

sigh. By implying that we don’t employ mirrors and similar habits, you’re beating a dead horse and missing the point entirely.

The point is, defensive behavior won’t keep you from a wreck or near miss when people behave like asshats.

Lotm and i are bitching about idiots who don’t follow conventional rules of the road. I’ve concluded there is no productive advice on how to avoid or stop them, which is why this thread sounds like a broken record. A broken record. A broken record.

elite. Elite. Elite. Elite. Elite. Elite.

[Tania]

Wow.

[Tania]

Two trees down but not blocking the path just west of St Ann’s school on the Custis Trail (N Harrison-ish).

That was a fun bike in this am.

[Tania]

@hozn 180791 wrote:

@Tania, let us know how the CCT trail (Purple Trail) was between W&OD and Twin Branches (wet/dry). I’d like to ride it tomorrow up to LFX if it hasn’t started raining, yet, so that might be a good indication on how that’ll go.

I was able to get a ride out there to pick up my car (so that I can attend NICA practice this afternoon). Sorry! It does sound fun and the CCT route is likely the one I’ll use the next time my car needs service.

I’m told Glade is a good road for bikes too.

[Tania]

@mstone 180775 wrote:

Are you familiar with the CCT? If not, I’d definitely do the FFX co parkway trail instead. (CCT is a steep/rocky dirt path, not the W&OD.)

I’ve been on much worse.

[Tania]

OK! I adjusted it a bit to include the CCT over to twin branches and then I’m taking the turquoise trail which is what google maps recommended…which hopefully actually IS a bike path. This cuts down my time on lawyers to 1.5 miles

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28533966

[Tania]

I hope the frost heave at the bottom of the hill before climbing up to the moguls (RIP) is still there. It’s the perfect kicker to launch off and go “wheeeeeee!” as most of the lycra clad dudes avoid it.

[Tania]

Heading into the city, I used to never take Key if I was by myself (figuring two of us were more visible than one), opting for Roosevelt instead. I would occasionally take it in the winter when I come in super early and can cruise through there around 6:15 am when I have the streets almost to myself.

For whatever reason I’ve been taking Key the last two weeks through Georgetown – usually around 8am-ish. It’s not that bad but you do have to be comfortable taking the lane and asserting your right to be there as a cyclist.

Coming off the sidewalk and onto the street at 34th and M can be hairy if you don’t time the light correctly and then there will be cars parked along the side of the street so you’ll have to merge left into the middle lane to get around them. The road is also pretty beat up in spots.

I’m making it sound awful. It’s not great but it’s not dreadful either. I just make sure to signal what I’m about to do and stay predictable. I can bike at traffic speed through there so most drivers are accommodating and accustomed to cyclists in that area. I also try to wave thanks when a driver lets me merge in front of them.

For me, Key is faster. Way more stressful than taking Roosevelt though for sure.

Coming home, I’m not sure you could pay me enough to bike through Georgetown during evening rush hour. Maybe things have changed.

[Author]

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