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I’ve never ordered from here, but I have browsed around before:
http://www.dontgethit.com/

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There’s enough material in here for several spin off threads!

I bought a rain jacket as my first cycling jacket. Waterproof, windproof, mesh lined, reflective, zippered rear pocket with protective flap, very adjustable. But no ventilation… absolutely unwearable. I still haven’t really solved the cycling jacket dilemma, because wind makes me cold really easily, but then I sweat easily without it. Nor the “bikes acquired with the intention that they would be the last commuter bike I would ever need” conundrum.

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This a most extremely awesome compilation of data. I can relate to a lot of these.

And huge congrats on your eight years!

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@Certifried 33358 wrote:

Thanks for all the suggestions! I kind of figured “intervals” would be a primary reply. I’ve read about riding at the same pace makes you really good at riding at the same pace. I try to push myself harder each time, but my average speed is only barely going up. I know some people say the best way to get better at riding is to ride heh. So, as hard as it is for me to make myself slow down, I’ll do that. There are some nice spots on my commute where I can ride hard, followed by spots where I can transition to a recovery speed. How about ‘recovery days’? Am I at the level where I actually need many recovery days? I know that sometimes (some days) I’m a bit sore, not so much that I can’t walk like when you first start a new workout, but enough that I worry I might need a little recovery time.

I don’t know much about recovery, but I find it’s much easier to push yourself when you’re with others who are also pushing themselves. I can only push myself to go so fast, but with a group it seems so much easier when everyone is killing themselves.

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I was fully expecting you to change the trip line color to pink!

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@rcannon100 33312 wrote:

http://fabb-bikes.blogspot.com/2012/10/falls-church-police-ticketing-w-cyclists.html

Ugh. I guess the sign should read “STOP. May or may not be required by law”.

Another reason for me to enjoy the freewheelin’ Custis, and then hop off the W&OD as soon as I get a chance.

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This is why I like 20″ wheels with fenders. Zero toe overlap.

/smug

There are also reasons I hate 20″ wheels.

@Greenbelt 33309 wrote:

But it spun a little, so I was able to limp at about 5mph up to the gas station at Eastern Ave, where the nice Chinese lady loaned me a pair of pliers through the bulletproof glass opening so I could detach the fender from the fork once and for all. All the folks trying to pay for gas and lottery tickets didn’t seem to mind this weird dude dressed in bright green disassembling a bike in the middle of her quick mart.

Nice! No picture of this scene?

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Agreed that the general way to get faster is to ride faster/higher intensity. Just watch out that you don’t over-exert yourself to the point of increasing your injury risk – I have had a few occasions where my bum knees have started to complain, and one time I did too much random climbing on a home commute and I ended up unclipping my painful knee and riding one legged home.

@dasgeh 33304 wrote:

*HA. I realize I’m completely delusional thinking that a newborn and 2-yo will ever sleep at the same time, and that I will ever have down time with my husband again. But a girl can dream. Besides, typing it out makes it sounds almost like fun, and I’m going to need plenty of motivation to get back into shape…

Our 4-yo and 18 month old are often both asleep by 8pm nowadays, and usually sleep through the night! You may just have a wait a year or two. Chances of us getting on the trainer/elliptical side-by-side are very very low though. I usually sit on the couch, eat chips, etc.

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Nice riding with you too. Yep, I’m definitely not a fan of M St on the later shift (in the earlier shift it’s easy to get into the middle or even right lane for a good amount of time). It’s not too bad though since traffic moves fairly slowly – better than Lee Hwy!

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Joined eminva on her commute from Falls Church to DC this AM. Easy to recognize that Lazer helmet!

I thought I may have spotted rcannon yesterday PM on the Custis but not sure.

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@jabberwocky 33287 wrote:

Really? Shows up for me. :confused: I tried attaching it as well, maybe the forum software doesn’t like inlined images?

Works for me. Mayhaps imageshack.us is blocked on Certifried’s network.

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@Dirt 33272 wrote:

I take a multi vitamin daily.

Oh yeah I do this. And often Vit C on top. Sometimes D as well.

I also have flaxseed stuff I sprinkle on cereal or toast.

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Surprised a thread on all this took so long to appear!

I don’t think anyone who’s been following all this is necessarily surprised though?

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As far as energy bars, etc go I like CLIF Bars and LÄRABARs. ELITE.

Though unless I’m going a decently long ride I’ll just eat granola bars.

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20hrs/week… worth it for a custom beer stein!

That’s a lot of hours though. Good thing I have plenty of lights.

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