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I bought a new set of sturdy wheels AND new studded tires last year, rode 30 light miles on the W&OD on them to break them in, and then went out once, on an icy Saturday morning, just so I could say I used them. I fully expect they’ll get more use this year. I’m up for attempting some snow riding.

Gear wise, I have a few extra things available to me that I’ve bought during the year. I’ll be interested to see how they work out, since I’m only entering my second winter as a commuter.

As for CX, I’m actually already trying to decide what bike to buy (I’ve started looking at specs online). I’d like to have something that’s not as racy as my road bike as a commuter option, and definitely something that can fit much wider tires.

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I just took the folding bike in. If it’s really bad, I can now just jump on metro.

Watch out for my greasy seatpost and oily drivetrain, metro riders! Muahaha.

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It was a tough ride alright. Tim, Mark and culimerc had to drag me home after they waited for me at the top of Reddish Knob. I knew with the elevation it would be challenging but the off-road sections pushed it a bit beyond my abilities (I don’t ride off-road much these days and I’m not the best technical rider/bike handler in the first place). I did have close to the right equipment (carbon fork, 34-28 low gear, sturdy 25s), but with the exposed rocks, gravel, etc on the dirt climbs/descents I just couldn’t keep any momentum. Checked out mentally around 68-70 miles I’d say.

Dirt and skreaminquadz had amazing rides! I briefly caught up to Dirt at the first rest stop and I rode with skreaminquadz most of the way up the first dirt climb, and until the base of the Reddish climb. The first dirt climb was really tough but it was also a lot of fun – I counted 4 riders in front of me who fell over trying to mash up/over gravelly parts. I stopped twice to avoid hitting them, and so I could pick a different line. The paved part of the descent after that climb was really steep and a bit narrow I thought. I was riding the brakes the whole way.

I talked to a guy at the hotel I was staying at the next morning, and he’d asked Jeremiah about all the rocks, etc. after the event – apparently when that second dirt climb was first scouted out it was in much better condition, but heavy rain in August washed it out.

That said, I enjoyed the day immensely and couldn’t fight the urge to go home via the C&O yesterday. Riding that on a road bike seems much easier now! My favourite part was probably the first major climb. Nice long steady paved climb with sunshine and beautiful views. Actually the scenery throughout the ride was great.

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Sew the shorts onto your knickers/pants. Then you’re only washing one thing!

I have a few pairs of padded MTB shorts I use through the colder months. Already started them on rotation last week actually.

Though I’m fine with wearing cycling shorts underneath clothes. One more thing to wash is really nothing when you commute every day.

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No reason why it wouldn’t be. On twitter you can also use #fridaycoffeeclub

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I wear a Buff:

http://www.buffusa.com/wear/ways_to_wear_a_buff

In the summer I usually have something like a sahariane and foulard, in the winter more like a face mask. This morning was the neck gaitor.

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Saw MB this morning snapping away on the Custis.

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@TwoWheelsDC 30773 wrote:

Regarding the blog, I think it erroneously assumes that cyclists are either “mundane” cyclists or ELITE cyclists, and kinda has an “us vs. them” attitude.

Agreed. Nothing wrong with having horses for courses. Part of the fun of cycling I think. One of these days I’ll have enough bikes to ride a different one to work each day.

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I agree. But getting hit by one while looking through your (D)SLR to frame a photo would not!

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@eminva 30575 wrote:

I’ve used several options over the years but my preferred route at the moment is 17th Street south to G Street, west on G Street to Virginia Avenue and then TR Bridge. I only discovered this route because construction was blocking my normal route out of the alley behind our building, and the detour put me out on Connecticut. Like all other westbound routes it has its downsides, but it is a lot better than M Street.Liz

Similar to what I do as well, except I come south on 21st before going onto G St. For a while I was going I St. to Foggy Bottom metro and New Hampshire to Virginia. The great thing about going south if you forget to turn onto G St. it’s only a couple straight miles to Hains Pt.

@Dirt 30577 wrote:

ride back through Georgetown and cross key bridge. It was seriously ugly. I hung out in line and just waited my turn for things. It took for ever.

Sine then I’ve either hopped up to N street (or even further north), down to riding under Whitehurst Freeway or stayed east, headed past the Kennedy Center and across Roosevelt Bridge. The latter is part of my daily route for the most part. I either head up through Rosslyn, or south past National Airport and up 4-mile run and W&OD.

Same. First time I tried M St going home it was chaos, and I’ve never bothered with that way since.

Which way do you go when you go from under the Whitehurst to Key Bridge? Seems like there is no easy connection there.

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Cool!

Kinda reminds me of Tron.

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Both yesterday afternoon and this morning when I crossed the bridge there were photographers (amateur, I guess) standing on the bridge waiting for a clear break in cycle traffic to snap photos.

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I have a bright hi-vis orange hooded jersey (not merino wool) from Performance I bought when I was first commuting more often. It’s extremely distinctive and amazing how well the hood works if you need it.

This doesn’t seem too bad a price for a name brand merino long sleeve jersey:
http://www.rei.com/product/824932/sugoi-wallaroo-290-long-sleeve-bike-jersey-mens-2010-closeout

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I agree Industrial Revolutions is one of his best videos.

Not to be too voyeuristic… but the video of Chris Akrigg falling down a cliff face and his recovery period afterwards was his most interesting for me.

Fall at 4:50
http://vimeo.com/24606775

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Thanks for the DCRainMaker link (I’ve read it a couple times before). The issues I’ve had seemed to indicate a battery life problem, not something with the contacts, because it would work for 10-15 mins and then gradually taper off to giving fewer and fewer readings and then no readings at all. I do wash the strap regularly, mostly because it gets stinky easily.

Strangely, my HRM worked fine on the way home yesterday and this morning. I think it must’ve overheard my threat to trash it. We’ll see how long this lasts…

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