[wheelswings]

Due to work-related obligations yesterday and today, I had the privilege of riding my bike during office hours and waiting on deliciously sunny street corners between events. Standing there quietly with my bike, I was reminded of the power of silence (I was raised in the Quaker faith) and of finding common ground. So many people came up to me, curious to speak with a bicycling person. Their biggest concern was safety. I acknowledged that there can be scary moments, just as there are on foot, but there is a strong community of fellow bicycle riders who look out for each other and advise on the safest routes. I told them how we have committees that work to make the streets and intersections safer for everyone. And how there’s a huge network of trails and on-street lanes. And how we get through winter… And how we have reliable door-to-door service on our own schedules — and get the best parking spots. And how you can have the worst day at the office and you get on the bike and all the stress just sloughs off, leaving you positively gleeful.

I know these interactions are a drop in the bucket, a tiny swish in the waters when what we really need is a sea-change in how people think about bicycle riding. But they reminded me of the value of humanizing our two-wheeled species and making personal connections with people. I will try to find more opportunities to “hang out” with my bike, especially in such perfect weather.

[wheelswings]

OUCH! That looks highly uncomfortable. It’s always kind of freaky when you find yourself flying over handle bars…

I did something similar one time pre-dawn, with a downed tree in my path following a storm. I ended up in the ER with lots of stitches.
This sort of thing can happen with the leaf-covered busted bollards, as well.

Heal fast. w&w

[wheelswings]

What a horrible story. It just leaves you sick. Drinking–and-driving is so idiotic and so dangerous. Please watch out on the roads, my friends.

[wheelswings]

Sorry to hear, bentbike33, not a good way to start the day… and especially precarious at that intersection. It’s asking for trouble to wear a ninja suit and dart back and forth like a squirrel…
I’ve been shoaled by runners as well. I think sometimes they see my small stature, big ol’ bike and girly attire, and they figure they must be faster.

[wheelswings]

Just a reminder that absentee in-person voting is simple and easy through this Saturday at 2100 Clarendon Blvd on the third floor.
https://vote.arlingtonva.us/absentee/
I voted this morning and it was really quick — no lines. Everyone was helpful and welcoming. So this is a great option if you’re going to be out of town on Tuesday (or otherwise unable to get to the polls). And this thread is a great source of data on the county board candidates – their positions but also how they interact with potential constituents.

[wheelswings]

What an interesting analysis. Thanks for posting.
Knowing that such relatively small adjustments in traffic volume can have such impressive impacts on congestion, it makes you wonder what the roads would be like if we bicycle commuters were to all get in our cars and (God forbid) drive to work on a designated day. I’m not suggesting we try it, but I do wonder if it would help change attitudes. We might actually contribute to a giant DC-area traffic jam. I could imagine that even some of our detractors would be begging us to get back on our bikes.

[wheelswings]

@ian74 126317 wrote:

Fare thee well! We’ll always have FS2014. You were an inspiring teammate!

Being teammates with Phatboing was a blast. Often it seemed that his mileage was inversely correlated with the weather. On balmy warm days, sometimes he’d not bother riding much…that would be too easy. But if there was a gigantic snow-and-ice storm you could be sure he was putting in major miles. And often he had hair-raising and painfully funny tales to tell, following these adventures. The guy has guts of steel.

Warm wishes, Phatboing. Be safe. Your Bi-Polar Bear family will be thinking of you. w&w

[wheelswings]

Lovely morning for a ride/errands, but I saw far fewer bicycles than on other Sundays. Where is everyone? in Richmond? at church? recovering from late night parties that I wasn’t invited to?

[wheelswings]

Well yes, sort of, if you want to be taken for a ride. So to speak.

[wheelswings]

Have a great ride, Steve O. Be safe.

[wheelswings]

Thanks for the tire insights. And thanks for sharing your experiences with the Schwalbe Marathons!

Admittedly a couple of responses caught me off guard, as I was so focused on the technical details. But thank you.

And Dismal, to your question on flats… yes, of course I’ve had them, haven’t you?! Last week. Last month. Admittedly I used to get far more, back when I pulled my girls each day in the double trailer. That was our transportation for 5 or 6 years (I didn’t have a car), and I flatted out quite often… in rainstorms, on trails at night, you name it. Back then I didn’t know there existed different kinds of tires. And I didn’t know any other riders (Bike Arlington and the Forum have turned that around!). About 3.9 years ago I bought my last pair of tires at Spokes in Alexandria and I asked for “the most bullet-proof ones in the shop.” Those lasted me ‘til I wore them down to the liners earlier this month. I was getting only one or two flats per year.

I started researching tires last week when I heard that some can withstand glass shards, metal tacks, etc….holy smokes, that would be amazing!! I’m usually not a brand-conscious person (that is painfully obvious to those who know me ) but I’m determined to make a conscientious choice on these tires.

[wheelswings]

Thank you to the many riders who cheered on my pink-clad ten-year-old on her pink Mongoose bicycle during our various errands up and down the WOD and Glencarlyn trails this weekend. She’s still got her “learner’s permit” on the bike, but she’s getting better each time we’re out there. Thanks for all the encouragement. After my flat tire and the Friday evening lightning storm, I wasn’t sure she’d be up for more rides this weekend, but fortunately the options were in my favor… “Hmm, let’s see, sweetheart. It’s a pretty day out there. We could either do some more homework and housework, or we could go for a bike ride. What do you think?”

[wheelswings]

@Powerful Pete 125769 wrote:

After what seems like an eternity I am back to commuting for two weeks before my next biz trip. I just calculated: two weeks off for Europe trip…

Wait, you STOP riding when you go to Europe? I thought Europe was where it’s at when it comes to riding bicycles! I dream of riding through Holland…or France… or Sweden or….!?

[wheelswings]

Thanks Vicegrip. Let’s talk sometime… Phoenix successfully burned off the old brake (left rear) with the torch, but they say that part is now really weak from all the torque. They’re still working on it. Maybe there’s some way to make it stronger with a bit of extra metal. The good thing is I’m on the light side so it shouldn’t collapse right away. They also gave me new tires ‘cause I had no tread left – apparently I was riding on the liners. Oops. Over a year ago I was urged to replace my tires “within a week,” but I guess I managed to milk them for a few thousand miles extra.

[wheelswings]

Same vintage! Mine is a Mountain Trek 820 from 1994. A spectacular ride, very responsive – aside from the brakes. I have been totally spoiled, thanks to Phoenix. It’s like driving a Subaru, whereas the loaner is like a Nissan or a Dodge…does the job, but that’s about it.

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