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What time are you going to be out there? I might be up that way on the W&OD Sunday morning.

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This plate is available:
https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/dmvnet/plate_purchase/select_plate.asp?PLT=BIKW&PLTNO=CAT6ER

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@Tim Kelley 23513 wrote:

This one might make it on the schedule this year: http://www.alpineloopgranfondo.com/

I’m signed up for this century now. Anyone have any ideas on how the heck to train for such a ride in the DC area?
http://www.alpineloopgranfondo.com/routes.html

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My son wouldn’t wear the 2nd helmet we bought him (when he sized up from the baby one). It had an airplane on it. We ended up on one of identical size but with yellow skulls all over it which he was fine with. Sigh. My daughter lets you put whatever on her.

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Good to see those that were still there, and actually meet/talk to some of the newer faces (krazygl00 – nice to meet y00!)

Kathy – thanks for the KC bike sticker! That was a cool inner tube wallet you had too.

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DismalScientist spotted going up the Rosslyn hill and then continuing straight on to avoid most of the Custis.

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I “upgraded” from Mavic Aksiums to Neuvations (R28SL). The R28SLs are about 400-500g lighter – I got them as “climbing” wheels (not aero). No idea if it made any difference, but I haven’t had issues with either yet. I’ve commuted 1300mi+ on each sets and I’m not the best bike handler/pothole avoider (although I’m < 150lbs).

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Looks like I’ll be trying this another day. Alarm had me ready to leave at 6:10am – I ate an appropriate breakfast, stepped out the door with the bike, lights, backpack, Garmin on and ready, and then I realized it was pouring rain. 😡

(I don’t mind riding in the rain if prepared but I had the wrong bike, wrong gear and I’m not prepared when the route is new. Phooey.)

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Someone on a red Giant (TCX 3?) in a BikeArlington jersey with a backpack around 8:30am today going E/SE near the beginning the W&OD? Very skinny, tall, Schleckesque and going a good pace.

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Thanks, yeah I saw the Coralberry option with the bike path routes and might try that, and I did Street View that section of Lee’s Corner north of 50 – definitely not riding that! If everything looks less busy/scary then I’ll go the more direct route on Stringfellow => Fillingame.

@mstone 28122 wrote:

Note there is no paved shoulder there, and the gravel mostly disappears also–plan to walk in the grass.

I don’t know how else to cross there – if there’s only a ped light on the east side of 50, what can you do? Cross halfway and then get in the left turn lane (going west) with traffic?

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I was very impressed with the patch kit in that it came with 3 levers!

I actually started commuting to work (as opposed to just the metro station) because of Bike to Work Day. I joined a convoy and realized it wasn’t so hard after all but still only did it 1-3 times/week. What got me doing it every day though was buying a new shiny road bike! And the end of work covering my parking expenses.

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Thanks very much for all the input!

I’m now planning to take FFXCo Pwky to Stringfellow, and try some of the backstreet/bike paths in the neighbourhoods west of Stringfellow/north of 50 (not much Street View around there but Satellite View seems to indicate paved paths), hopefully pop out at 50/Lees Corner Rd, cross at the ped light and use the service road FFX_Hinterlands mentioned to get to Galesbury, then see if I can get through to Waverley Crossing Ln to Walney. (I have recessed MTB style cleats on my road bike.)

mstone – thanks for the tip about the ped crossing on Stringfellow. I might just use the traffic light to get across, and then walk the bike down Stringfellow a bit until I can cross safely.

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Tried something in Chantilly, and got this:

Quote:

Trip is not possible. You might be trying to plan a trip outside the map data boundary.

Boo

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Witnessed an interesting scene on the way home today at Little Falls/W&OD. I’d gone through the intersection a few seconds earlier.

A recreational rider probably didn’t stop at the stop sign (I didn’t actually see), motorist had probably seen him approaching, but used his right-of-way and went straight through, rider didn’t stop until driver used the horn. Rider swore at driver. Driver (was in a neck brace of some kind) and shouted something like “You have a stop sign!”, rider went absolutely ballistic, swearing loudly all over the place, rode off the trail to follow car and challenged the driver to come back and fight, etc. Driver ignored rider and kept going. Various stares from other onlookers. Le Sigh.

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I win the least facial hair award!

[Author]

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