[wheelswings]

Thanks for the creative strategies… everything from unexpected greetings to filming to imaginary blemishes on their cars and teeth. Perhaps I should start carrying eggs. And learning Italian.

I guess really there are several aspects to parse out, including
-how to react (or not) outwardly, from nothing at all, to birdies, to the full range of verbal communications…
-how to truly not care. I have a lot to learn from vicegrip and others.
-or, failing that, how to return more quickly to the uplifting and peaceful exhilaration of the bike ride. Sometimes I’ve given the honkers a good mile of my ride before I’m able to free my brain for better things (thankfully my commutes are on the long side). Sometimes it helps to sing, e.g. last night it was John Lennon’s Imagine (best stay away ) or – like Klizotte – I think about the kind-hearted pedestrians and drivers who far outnumber the jerks. Or I focus on ideas for a project and write things in my head. I agree that our Missed Connections thread can be very therapeutic, both to compose and to read, as we’re all in this boat (bike) together.

Thanks for the helpful and funny replies. w&w

[wheelswings]

I’m very happy with my Light and Motion Urban 500 ($96), with one caveat: it runs out of power fairly quickly on longer commutes, even when using it on low beam. So if you’ve got a lengthy riding itinerary, it’s good to carry a second light just in case. On the plus side, the indicator light works really well so you always have a good sense (green-orange-red-blinking) of how much juice is left.

[wheelswings]

Yesterday I submitted my pothole request concerning the pit on N George Mason that led to my terror-on-wheels last week. Arlington County responded immediately!! I rode by this morning and it’s a beautiful sight… Never in my life has a hole full of asphalt made me grin this much. Thank you Arlington County.

I continue to ride every day… my ribs are on the mend, though things like sneezing are still pretty brutal, and a night-time attack of the hiccups nearly did me in.

[wheelswings]

I did not know Christopher Brewer, but his horrid fate is one more reason to keep fighting for safer streets and intersections, stricter driving laws, and more rigorous enforcement….and to build a culture that better respects and protects the lives of people on bicycles. May he rest in peace.

[wheelswings]

Tomorrow – Friday Nov. 13 – is the grand opening of the new MOMs Organic store on the Custis trail at Lee Highway and N. Veitch St.

From their website:
The Grand Opening of MOM’s Arlington will be November 13-15! Join us for a weekend of local tastings, environmental activities, henna art and more!
http://www.momsorganicmarket.com/content/moms-arlington-coming-soon

Could be a fun place to stop on the ride home…

[wheelswings]

@slowtriguy 127769 wrote:

Can I join the club? I, too, took a tumble last week…

Indeed you qualify, slowtriguy. Sorry to hear, but very pleased to have your company!

I guess one of the benefits of our exclusive club is that we get special training in empathy (I know that Powerful Pete is already a pro ).
Whenever I get hurt in my sports, behind all my complaints about the pain is the realization that we are so darn lucky to be doing those things in the first place.
When I had a nasty ankle injury years back (and had to swim for a year… not my sport. I sink!), I became exceedingly aware of the torture that slanted sidewalks present to older people who have trouble walking. Likewise having smashed my ribs this week, I have at least a glimpse of what it’s like for those whose hearts and lungs are damaged by cigarettes and other unlucky fates.

So while it hurts for now, I am even more grateful for our ability to ride around happy-and-free on our bicycles.

[wheelswings]

@brookeewhite 127757 wrote:

I was worried about getting to my daughter’s day care before it closed (the whole reason I’m biking instead of relying on metro)…. But I digress.
…. Thanks again for all the tips and suggestions, I’m not giving up yet!

To me, this gets right to the heart of the matter. It’s not a digression.

As you’ve figured out, bicycle-riding is the most reliable and predictable way to get to and from the office…and Metro is the opposite. That’s why I started bicycle commuting too…not for the environment or my health or other more virtuous reasons. As a parent (single parent, in my case) there is little leeway in the times for pickups or school buses or kiddie carpools. Once you master your routes (preferably in daylight), you can feel confident that you will be there for the little one(s) on time. And then you don’t have to worry… you just enjoy the ride!

Keep it up. w&w

[wheelswings]

Wow. I am honored to be among such esteemed company! Sending more hugs to KLizotte, Powerful Pete, Steve O, Crickey7, Peter, and of course Pete D. I hope nobody else tries to join our exclusive little club.

If anyone wants to celebrate our shared misery, you can come the Bike & Brew event tomorrow night (Th, Nov 12 starting at 5:30 pm) at 624 T. St. NW in DC.
https://www.facebook.com/events/594946193988201/

Be safe! w&w

[wheelswings]

@ginacico 127739 wrote:

Me too!

The trick in those situations is to stay safe. Bail out to a sidewalk or somewhere you can take a breath and strategize your next move.

Circles as large as Washington Circle are notoriously confusing. I often route around them.

Eek. Sounds like a freaky and upsetting ride, brookeewhite. Sorry to hear, but glad you are safe.

I’m not sure of your starting point, but if I were heading along Penn Ave NW, trying to make my way west to Key Bridge, I’d probably cut up one of the even/northbound streets like 20th or 22nd, just prior to the circle. Then I’d head west on the M cycletrack until Rose Park or 28th, where I’d cut north to N St. Smooth sailing on N all the way to 34th…then pick your way down across M to Key Bridge, either taking the lane or carefully making your way on the left of the cars (if they’re backed up and you’re alert for dooring hazards) which will put you in the left lane as you enter M…you can cross with the full green (which comes after the green arrow) and get on the east walkway of Key.

It’s totally fine if you prefer taking Washington Circle and riding through Georgetown on M. But I just wanted to make sure you know that some of us long-time commuters consistently avoid that route, in favor of slightly longer but more peaceful passages away from traffic.

Be safe. w&w

[wheelswings]

Oh no, Powerful Pete, you crashed too?! That is taking empathy a little too far. You are a dear friend, for sure.

Good to know you are home safe.

I rode a lot today (uncomfortably), but tonight I needed a triple dose of ibuprofen. Sounds like you might want to indulge in the same.

Heal fast! Sending hugs. w&w

[wheelswings]

Tonight was my turn to crash. First I rode through a hole that I’ve long sworn I must never ride into at N George Mason and 15th. It was dark and raining, and I was focused on finding a gap between the cars going north and south. When I got my window, I raced out without looking down…STUPID…and my bike literally jumped like a drunken bunny through the darn hole. Miraculously I stayed upright, but not without huge effort. I was literally shaking and gasping for breath.
Unfortunately, the fun didn’t end there. I was over on 13th St just past Nelson, still shaken from incident #1. I was focused on the Fed Ex truck in my lane and the oncoming car headlights. Well, there’s a trench in the road there… I think they’re working on the pipes…and at that point I went flying over the handle bars. Got a gash in my knee, and my hands and ribs are aching from the impact (I’m now walking around with an icepack in my shirt! ). A guardian angel came out from the shadows and helped me put my twisted up bicycle back in a straight line. He was able to apply the brute force to my multi-tool that I was just not able to muster. And I put my brakes back in order. So all is well, but I’m glad to be home!

[wheelswings]

I love this practice of keeping the giveaway light pairs on our handlebars. It’s so much more efficient than carrying them in my knapsack, as I used to do. Tonight’s recipient was a ninja bicycle rider off Columbia Pike. The gentleman looked as if he had just won a million bucks…he couldn’t believe his good luck. I showed him how to operate them. He made my day.
Thanks, Bike Arlington!

[wheelswings]

@dasgeh 127512 wrote:

Agree with lots of the above. Also for cold weather: buffs.

I’m familiar with “buff” in the sense of, well, eye-candy. But I’ve never heard the term used as a noun…what is it?

[wheelswings]

Hi nroos. What a fun question. :+)

I think many of us have many too many cheap plastic water bottles from events.
Ditto for cheap oversized T-shirts.

Snacks, on the other hand, are always welcome.
And anything that makes us more visible on the roads… arm bands, ankle bands, jingle bells, lights…. those things are totally useful and we use (or lose) them over time, thus grateful for more.

[wheelswings]

I don’t much like “disliking” posts, as somehow they don’t feel warm-hearted. But what a rotten morning for you. Get-well wishes to you and your bicycle! And yes, those $100 ER co-pays kinda suck… as if you didn’t feel bad enough already.
Head injuries bleed a lot, so I expect you are quite the sight. One of my girls lacerated her scalp a couple weeks ago and came home a red-head. She was too early for Halloween, and you are too late.

Feel better! w&w

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