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The August 2016 prizes are up. Congrats to
–Steven Polansky (Bethesda, MD) …Saris Freedom 2-bike hitch rack
–Trish Newberg (Mount Rainier, MD)…NBC Tech T
–Martin Franke (Rockville, MD)…water bottle
–Allen Howe (Herndon, VA)…NBC T-shirt
–Dawn Loper (Falls Church, VA)…NBC T-shirt

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@dkel 145324 wrote:

I believe the term for this is catcalling. :rolleyes:

Perhaps, but “catcalling” gives guys no credit for saying nice things without ulterior motives. I think some of them just appreciate seeing a person on a bicycle struggling cheerily up a hill. I agree there is a gender component, but there is also a shared recognition that sports are fun and that hills can be steep!

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@Steve O 145317 wrote:

I believe those are contradictory statements.

Na, my QOMs are on the quiet sidestreets where nobody rides.
I am not fast by normal standards.

@Dismal, my ride title was about etiquette, not speed. I look even slower than I am, so sometimes I get shoaled by folks who are barely moving.

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Finally took a look at this thread. I’m not fast, but my attitude is generally, “it is what it is” so I don’t worry about speed.

But I wanted to mention that a simple adjustment increased my pace considerably, just a few months ago: a bigger chain ring. I didn’t even know what a chain ring was, but Edoardo at Phoenix noticed I was doing everything in my highest gear. He swapped out my ring and it made a world of difference. You can push harder on a bigger ring so you go faster. I don’t know what size I have (or what size you have!), but I love the new ring. I think one day I’d like an even bigger one.

In terms of going fast, I’ve noticed that sometimes I get QOMs in construction zones. That’s because the construction workers cheer me up the hill, and it feels good to hear their supportive words and encouragement. This may be different for guys. But the broader point is that positive social situations can be good for your riding.

My other suggestion is the obvious one, to stand on your pedals.

Happy riding. Be safe. w&w

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Surprise, surprise, my mind wandered away from my @#$% work assignment and back to the world of bikes. I was just thinking about how some of you give names to your bikes. So I checked the Forum, and voila!…there’s a whole thread chock-full of interesting bike names…. Sir Fluffy Unicorn…. Orca….Colonel Whiz Kitten….Future Space Sex Machine.
This is from two years ago. Any updates? Name changes? New n+1 names?

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A few reactions (just real quick ‘cause I’m supposed to be working at my, um, job):

–I agree with jrenaut that road design, infrastructure and enforcement are key.

–In my opinion the article downplays too much the value of hi-viz/ brightly colored gear. As a cyclist I think it has merit. And as a driver I can see hi-viz from a range of angles, in various weather conditions, just as it’s easier to see white or yellow cars on the road.

–“Shake your booty” to be seen? I’d recommend ankle reflector bands.

–From what I’ve read, helmets provide at least some protection against gashes and lacerations and other head injuries. But they don’t protect against the most critical ones – the concussions. I am confident the technology will improve, so I feel it’s good to get the kids (and me) in the habit of wearing them.

–The “like a girl” slogan applies well to my girls’ gymnastics, and we have towels and posters plastered with that slogan, e.g. in reference to flipping on a four-inch-wide, four-foot-high beam. But I’m not sure it’s safer to ride like a girl, unless that means sticking to the sidewalk. On the street it’s sometimes better to take the lane, which generally requires a bit more testosterone.

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With much input from the Forum, I experimented with various routes last February when my office moved from Dupont to Van Ness. My starting point is different from yours (I’m out toward East Falls Church), though often I ride via Shirlington and the MVT. Whether approaching from Custis or MVT, I generally take Key Bridge and then get on the Crescent trail up to the staircase immediately north of Chain Bridge. Then I take an immediate right and zig-zag over to Macomb St., then take a right on Glenbrook, left on 49th, and right on Van Ness Street. Aside from a few major crossings (MacArthur, Massachusetts, etc.) and the often-heavy traffic along Van Ness St., it’s a simple and low-stress route. It’s very hilly but my clunky old mountain bike handles it just fine.
I love this commute ‘cause most of it is pretty and peaceful. But it’s a bit out-of-the-way so you might prefer a more direct route.

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@Vicegrip 144367 wrote:

Verbal is variable

Ha, yes, verbal is variable, and – for those who haven’t ridden with me – I’m actually very verbal when passing or crossing. I yell my thank you’s to drivers extremely loud, ‘cause I want the whole world to know how much we appreciate courteous drivers. And I yell even louder when I think I might die.

But there are some situations where a high decibel low-pitched bell would help, like when you’re behind a vehicle rather than in front. Or when you’re trying to penetrate into the earbuds of a jogger who’s not responding to your calls (or three joggers across!). Or when you’re competing with a streamed episode of whatever it is people watch on their phones. I already look and sound like a pip-squeak, so I don’t need a gentle, pretty little bell to do the same … for those situations, talking will do just fine. w&w

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It’s very, very pretty. But I wonder if it’s a bit high-pitched for elder-people to hear, or for those wearing earbuds. Maybe because of my small stature I prefer a deeper sound that gives me presence, e.g. when I am ringing it to alert inattentive drivers, like those who sit through the left turn signal ‘cause they’re too busy on their phones. I’m not sure this bell would do the trick in those instances. Does anyone use more than one bell, selecting the tone that best meets the circumstances?

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Looks like the DC area didn’t have much luck with the NBC prizes for July, aside from someone named “J.J.” in Fairfax, VA who won one of those ripped-off NBC T-shirts.

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Hi Lordofthemark. Don’t believe anything people say about efficiency or using low gears. Indeed, standing is the best way – the only way — to get up those freakin’ hills, ‘cause it aligns your body over your pedals and lets gravity do all the work. No pressure on your joints. It’s just like dancing…upward. And while you’re at it, you might try standing on the flat too. It even works on the descents.
Isn’t this what Ben E King was talking about in Stand by Me? http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/05/ben-e-king-dead-at-76-stand-by-me/392126/

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Eek, I am terrified by grooves. So sorry. I understand your dilemma on the reporting…wish I had an answer. It bugs me that the anti-biking Navy Yard personnel can relinquish responsibility simply by putting up their “no biking” signs. In a completely different context, it brings to mind what the cig companies tried to do with their health warnings (Got cancer? Told you so!)
Erg. Will contemplate….
Heal fast, in any case. Hope you get good news from the ortho!! w&w

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@creadinger 142597 wrote:

What’s Superman hill??

Superman Hill is the climb up Walter Reed from 4MR (up from the WOD intersection where they might one day build a new Phoenix Bikes).

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@KLizotte 142583 wrote:

Thanks for all of the useful info! Unfortunately I was in a bike accident tonight and really messed up my wrist (ortho tomorrow) so won’t be riding for quite a while.

Yikes, sorry to hear! What’s the diagnosis? Hope you can fix it with a splint and hot water bottles rather than more serious interventions. Hugs and healing wishes. w&w

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@mello yello 142200 wrote:

I must be awful at changing tires because it took me about 20 minutes.

Twenty minutes to change a tire? Don’t sweat it, you’re a rock star. My last one took me three hours (sic), sacrificing seven tire levers and a butter knife (not recommended).
Sorry we missed you at CCCC! w&w

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