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@dasgeh 21045 wrote:

There’s a thread for that:

Tires: http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?1201-Commuting-tire-recommendations&highlight=sick+flats

Bags: http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?2277-Junk-in-the-trunk&highlight=backpack

Nice linking!

I don’t think I replied in the tires thread but I’ve commuted mostly on a road bike (with the stock 700x23c tires) this last year. The main thing I don’t like is riding on them when it’s wet – just too easy to slip on slick or unpaved surfaces. The high pressure makes it a bit bone-jarring at times but I’ve only had one flat on those tires the whole time (in the wet when I crashed and broke my arm). I think it’s a huge help to learn where the worst spots (potholes, manhole covers, steel plates, gutters, grooves, gravel, etc.) are in your regular commute so you can avoid them or slow down enough. In my experience it’s as important as having more suitable tires/gear. I think many of the zippier commuters on racing bikes just know how to ride around/through obstacles safely enough that they don’t experience issues any more than those on thicker treads.

I have similar work attire to you – I bring/take home my clothes in batches so once a week I’ll have a backpack stuffed with clean clothes in the morning and dirty ones in the afternoon. I fold + pack them just carefully enough not to get completely creased.

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I quite like the CCT as an option. You can almost forget you’re commuting or riding in a city. I just wish it linked to Chain Bridge better.

@Dirt 21067 wrote:

I use the Capital Croissant

Those ones you had for breakfast looked pretty tasty! I’m still to try all the pastries at that place.

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I did my short commute today and parked in the Woodmont neighbourhood. I figure if I time it right my short commute back will be relatively storm-free.

I love that I can just throw my bike, whole, in the back seat of my car.

@eminva 21034 wrote:

In order to keep my NBC streak alive, I’ll have to think of a lunchtime errand I can run on CaBi. I’m open to suggestions.

free doughnuts @ Krispy Kreme?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/free-doughnuts-to-celebrate-national-donut-day/2012/06/01/gJQAPchU6U_story.html

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@GuyContinental 21028 wrote:

Yup- I think this is one for the “My ride would be better if…” thread. I usually terminate my trail pm ride at that Lee exit and navigating the crazy roots at the top, braking hard through the gravel and then navigating around the bollard, onto Lee and across the I-66 entrance is one of the more interesting sections… Or are you talking about the steep ramp on the CVS side of Lee? If so, the curb cut at the garbage cans (75′ up) is fine and not on a blind corner.

@jrenaut 21037 wrote:

There, I fixed that for you. M St is an abomination.

It’s really not that bad at 7am. Just ask our resident KOM! (americancyclo)

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@jrenaut 21037 wrote:

There, I fixed that for you. M St is an abomination.

It’s really not that bad at 7am. Just ask our resident KOM! (americancyclo)

@GuyContinental 21028 wrote:

Yup- I think this is one for the “My ride would be better if…” thread. I usually terminate my trail pm ride at that Lee exit and navigating the crazy roots at the top, braking hard through the gravel and then navigating around the bollard, onto Lee and across the I-66 entrance is one of the more interesting sections… Or are you talking about the steep ramp on the CVS side of Lee? If so, the curb cut at the garbage cans (75′ up) is fine and not on a blind corner.

@pfunkallstar 21031 wrote:

I think they are talking about that ridiculous ramp on the CVS side next to Giant that requires the Swooping U-Turn to head towards Rosslyn.

I’m so confused! I think I was talking about the slight turn/ramp with the convex mirror on the north side of Lee, coming down from S-curve of death. But I agree with GuyContinental that the ramp on the south side with the bollard, roots and I-66 crossing isn’t great either. The swooping u-Turn ramp on the north side I’ve never had huge issues with (I used it this morning actually), but I do always make sure to actually do a proper stop when using it.

I need to learn some of the backstreet alternatives to the Custis/Lee sometime.

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@Certifried 21020 wrote:

I do have an endomondo account, I just don’t use the app to log my ride (I use runkeeper). I do log my miles manually, however. I have 367 points, not a lot, but if someone is short it might help a little

It doesn’t matter how you log your miles on endomondo for the National Bike Challenge. (Unlike say, Strava, where challenges require GPS data to count towards mileage/elevation/etc.)

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You need an endomondo account, unfortunately. I think the 3 BikeArlington teams are full but the FridayCoffeeClub #2 team has vacancies, last I checked.

@Dirt 20977 wrote:

Aha! So there may be hope for me benefiting from ringer status.

We’ll discuss this at happy hour.

I didn’t see this post until now. Contact the one guy from the latest Kill Bill ride who doesn’t have strava… I’m sure he’ll be happy to have more miles on their team.

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Yeah not to mention the gravel/runoff that’s often there. Someone on the forum here I think broke a bone falling there.

I think I’m going to look into the Lee Highway alternatives mentioned in this thread soon – I have had the same issues with the suddenly appearing, then disappearing bike lane on Lee and drivers not noticing me.

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Good to see everyone and yeah awesome turnout for such short notice. That place had pretty good food (next time I’m ordering 2x wings). It was nice of Arlingtonrider to invite the non-B team riders too

I didn’t quite get enough time to check out all the bikes though. DismalScientist’s was beautiful. And eminva – was that your new Cannondale?

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I think everyone is having this problem. I logged 70 miles today

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I think these guys are looking for two more riders:
http://www.endomondo.com/teams/4471604

One of them invited me to leave BikeArlington to join them! 😮

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@Dirt 20953 wrote:

I’ll be getting dizzy at Hains Point from around 4pm until almost 6 if you want to join in. Others will likely stop by.

Sure, I’ll drop by. I’m trying to get my last 30 miles in to get the 50% on the nuun chaalleenge.

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Sounds like a good turnout for such short notice! Apparently pints will be $2 all night 😮

I might do a loop up Walter Reed on the way in to make it even more worthwhile. On the way home I suspect I’ll be coasting as much as possible.

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I take Lee Hwy downhill around there most commuting days but I wouldn’t say it’s super safe even with the bike lanes. There’s often vehicles stopped in it, and gravel around as well. It’s also too easy/fun to pick up a lot of speed there.

I generally take Old Dominion/309 and then take Lee Hwy from after Old Dominion becomes 29 until Spout Run, then hop on the Custis. If I don’t feel like dealing with Lee Hwy I’ll take Lorcom Ln + sometimes Vacation or even N Monroe/Lincoln backstreets onto the Custis.

I don’t usually take the TR bridge in – I take Key and go through M St, which is probably not a great alternative. I do usually take TR on the way home now though.

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If I ever need to shed some grams on the bike I’ll just shave my head instead.

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