[vern]

Cars on the trail are obviously a problem, but it happens rarely. The bigger problem, I think, and one I face daily, is cyclists putzing around with their electronic devices while riding, getting distracted, and veering out of their lane into mine. i think we should put our attention on that issue with a bit more energy.

***and right on cue, this very thing happened again this morning, with the veering cyclist suddenly sliding over right in front of me, maybe 50 feet up that path from me. She had one hand on the handlebar, with the other cradling her electronic device, and needless to say, her eyes were glued to the same.

[vern]

So my legs feel terrible and I have to get up in 6 hrs and 40 minutes to ride to work, and I’m preparing for that by sitting here drinking beer and eating potato chips. I think that’s a good plan.

[vern]

@Steve O 90864 wrote:

As President of RUB (Remove Useless Bollards), I strongly oppose the use of bollards in general. Those of you on this forum know that this is my pet peeve. I do not recommend adding a useless bollard at the Westover entrance. That’s already a pretty odd place to mistake for a road, given the geometry and surface materials there. I highly doubt that was the entrance point, and I don’t think any additional treatment is necessary unless we get evidence that vehicles have actually ever entered at that point. If so, signage would be the first defense.

As Bobco has pointed out, signage is at best poor and more likely lacking altogether at almost all locations. Better signs and possible pavement treatments (paint, words and symbols painted on the trail itself) are much safer options than bollards.

If you are new to the forum and are not familiar with the problems bollards present, I recommend this series of blogs:
http://www.ohiobikeways.net/bikewaysblog.htm#bollards

In 1928 the Republicans campaigned on the slogan of a chicken in every pot. Well, I think I am going to run for elective office with the campaign slogan of “A bollard for every household!”

[vern]

@dasgeh 90716 wrote:

You can try this rack, but I would not recommend using it with panniers, only a trunk bag.

Thanks for the link! Though I don’t mind using a backpack, I miss being able to use my trunk bag, and the weightless feel of not wearing the backpack. This looks like a better option then the more common rack that only attaches to the seatpost.

[vern]

Man, this polar vortex is brutal!

[vern]

@JoeCool 90527 wrote:

Using the Crystal City Title for a slightly different topic, but I’m hoping those in the thread would be interested.

What do you do, on your bike, when you get to the narrow tunnel under the GW Parkway? What do you think the city could do to make it better now?

My thoughts: a few well placed signs warning of a narrow walkway (and maybe “slow to a walking pace”), or maybe some paint on the ground to help keep us bikers from close calls as we approach from opposite directions.

I slow as I approach and defer to on-coming traffic if it’s there, otherwise, I proceed. Obviously others don’t defer and push through, which makes for a tight squeeze when we pass. I haven’t said anything to any of those people yet.

[vern]

I just ordered these: http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10052&catalogId=10551&productId=1098695

My current shoes are some old Shimanos…I swear, they must by 20 years old…I bought them when I bought my first Look pedals, but now the sole on the right shoe is detaching itself in an way that isn’t fixable. I figure 20 years isn’t a bad return on a pair of shoes.

[vern]

I left my office in Crystal City at 4:40, just in time to catch the beginning of the storm. About 3 minutes into it, while on the MVT in front of National Airport, a gust of wind pushed me across the trail, pushing me from the middle of the southbound land to the middle of the northbound lane…basically a straight push to the side of about 3-4 feet. I had a quick wobble as I straightened my front wheel but I didn’t go down. The remainder of the ride was fairly uneventful, as the storm fizzled quickly. I actually missed the rain when it stopped because it kept my body cooled down.

[vern]

@jrenaut 90173 wrote:

The Chipotle Nutrition Calculator is horrifying. 500mg of sodium in their red salsas? And sugar, too.

My favorite is only 565 calories if I leave off the guac (saving 200 calories). Burrito bowl, no meat (substitute safritas), cheese or sour cream, and it’s a pretty healthy meal with a good amount of protein.

[vern]

Calm down, people. The NOAA forecast highs for next Wednesday and Thursday are in the low 80’s…83, with overnight lows 20 degrees cooler. Below normal by about 6 degrees…No big deal for us, but a nice piece of drama by the CWG.

[vern]

Me: headed eastbound on the W&OD about 6:30 this a.m., pulling out to pass another cyclist between Vienna and Cedar.
You: Not in sight
Me: Still in the opposite lane, gaining some clearance after the pass, fading into lala land…
You: whoa…Whoa…WHOA!
Me: Brought back into the present, veering sharply to the right to avoid the head-on collision that would have been my fault, offering a feeble apology.

[vern]

@jrenaut 89871 wrote:

I’ve been hit by a car twice – once on my bike by a completely unapolagetic cab driver on PA Ave, and once on foot by a guy in an F-250 SuperDuty who pulled a “I can turn left really fast when the light turns green before everyone starts to go and this works where there are no pedestrians but not at 16th and P NW” move. He handled it as any decent human being would – he was horrified and eager to make sure I was ok. I had a bruise on my leg and didn’t even end up hitting the ground, thanks to a Lexus SUV parked across the street to break my fall (the one time I’ve ever been happy to see a Lexus SUV).

Anyway, my point is these were relatively low speed and caused by drivers making bad decisions, not drivers trying to run me over on purpose. I was lucky that I only got bruises and a wrecked bike (stupid aluminum…). It’s truly horrifying that, first, a human being could write that doing this on purpose would be “worth it”, and second, that the editorial staff at one of the best known papers in the entire world would sign off on publising it.

I’m glad I get all my news from Twitter.

The first time I got hit by a car I was 14, riding through an intersection where I had the right of way. The driver, after knocking me down, stopped, got out of his car and said, “oh, I’m sorry, I’m in a hurry, taking my daughter to the ER”.

And me too, I suppose?

[vern]

My commute home was awesome. It was one of those days that when I got on the bike I felt like crap, but after I peddled for a mile and began to loosen up, my body and mind came into sync. I felt strong and fast, and kept saying to myself that I should gear down, save some energy for the morning commute. But I felt so good I just kept going, not really pushing, but it felt faster than usual. I actually just cruised during the fastest part of the commute – from the top of Virginia Lane to Hunter Mill, but still ended up with my fastest commute home by 5 minutes, without really trying. It is really an amazing feeling when body and bike come together as one.

[vern]

@Subby 89820 wrote:

WaPo olive branch: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/its-time-to-tone-down-the-tirades-against-bicyclists/2014/07/09/950a98b4-077b-11e4-8a6a-19355c7e870a_story.html?wprss=rss_traffic

It would have more meaning if they printed this in the paper edition, on the same page that Milloy’s column is found in the Metro section.

[vern]

@dkel 89730 wrote:

I’m still in my very first summer as a bike commuter, and I have yet to shower at work (though there’s a shower available in the building next door to mine). I must not sweat much, because a towel and occasional baby wipe seems to work fine, at least in current weather. I do need ten or fifteen minutes to cool off before I change, though. In any case, my coworkers have promised to tell me if I stink up the place.

(No, all you smart alecks, an “occasional baby wipe” doesn’t mean that I occasionally wipe myself with a baby…though that sounds pretty awesome…babies are soft…)

I’m totally soaked when I get to work, and sweat even in the winter time (and no, not over-dressed…I’m just a heat engine). I wouldn’t be able to commute if I didn’t have access to a shower.

[Author]

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