[wheelswings]

@komorebi 120244 wrote:

Ped # 1, man stopped on trail with skateboard and dog just north of the airport long-term parking lot: initially, I wondered why you were taking such a tight grip on your dog’s leash. The answer became clear as I got closer and your dog started lunging at me, even though you were repeatedly telling the dog, “No!” I appreciate that you had your dog under control, but maybe a busy MUP isn’t the best place for a dog who dislikes cyclists?

No kidding… that dog was terrified and terrifying. The owner was wrestling with it on the ground to keep it from lunging at the cyclists as we passed. It was downright spooky to go near. The dog – or perhaps the owner — could have used some training from rcannon100.

[wheelswings]

@pfunkallstar 120222 wrote:

I was too strong for this morning’s commute

Funny, I never feel that way.

[wheelswings]

@DismalScientist 120194 wrote:

(Happy hour ends at 7 I think and I’m sure I’ve paid for some full-priced beers.)

Pay for beers? Hmm….
If memory serves me right, some Forum members have been known to save $$ by consuming leftovers from random glasses found on the bar tables…

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So it appears that Bike Arlington pulled my name out of the hat. Unbelievable good luck for me. I’d entered the raffle just for fun…. never once did I consider I might win. Now I have this fancy new Bontrager Transmitr remote-controlled lighting system for my bicycle… I just picked it up yesterday… I’m still reading the instructions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_Pi8VICw6Y
It’s worth far more than my bicycle (a dinosaur-age mountain trek).
I’m grateful to have extra lights ‘cause I ride every day – often late at night – and also ‘cause I don’t have proper lights for my girls’ bikes. (Thank you Bike Arlington!!)
But my big question is, what’s up with this remote control business? Does anyone on the Forum have experience with remote-controlled headlights and tail-lights? Eager to hear….
Thanks! w&w

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Hi Ian,

-If you stand on your pedals like I do, then gravity will do some of the work for you. And your arms will take over some of the pulling and pushing, so your legs won’t get so tired. It may not be the most efficient, but honestly it makes things easier.
-That’s really interesting about the fitness apps. Toss ‘em. Take the time to soak in the beauty and enjoy ‘the journey’ ‘cause ultimately it’s a heck of a lot better than the destination (well, I guess that depends on your religion).
-I think you’re smart to focus more on the liquids. I need to do the same. Even this evening, barely an hour into my ride, my intense thirst turned to nausea and I could feel the beginnings of heat exhaustion.
Time to start carrying a drink!

Happy riding. w&w

[wheelswings]

It’s an interesting question, why does the US have fewer female riders? The question extends beyond BikeShare or bicycle commuting to a broader range of physical activity. I think there’s merit in the appearance/pressure-to-primp theory, the safety concerns, and also the perceived time-saving advantages of other transportation modes. But I feel like these are only part of the puzzle. I’ve watched female neighbors take up bicycle commuting and not get hooked…. Sometimes I wonder if some females just don’t enjoy these sorts of sweaty sports quite so much. Bicycle commuting is hard work, especially in a hilly town like Arlington.

It’s difficult to generalize, but at least one author seems to suggest that at least some females have different perceptions of exercise. Maybe more guys are hard-wired to love it?
For many men, “working out is a sport, and they do it because it’s fun, it’s competitive, and it’s something that they’ve always done,” says Lori Incledon, author of Strength Training for Women. “For women, fitness is a superficial issue. They do it because it will help them look better.” http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/his-hers-fitness

Hard to know. Some of us with x chromosomes live for sport. It’s a high, as much mental as physical. But maybe there are simply more men on this end of the sweat-loving spectrum. However this would not explain the greater numbers of female riders in Europe. I’m not so familiar with conditions over there… for example whether things are closer together or whether the terrain is flat or hilly.

[wheelswings]

I’ve been riding on the C&O most days, just between Rock Creek Pkwy and Key Bridge, but the mud puddles have been pretty deep in recent weeks so at times you have to fight hard to stay upright. Some muddy sections have dry edges, like “run/bike” mentioned, but those can be pretty narrow against the wall so they’re not really bike friendly. After last night’s deluge, I would stick to N or K or other side streets, at least for that particular stretch of the canal.

[wheelswings]

@Steve O 119792 wrote:

You could be a big winner!

What’s the prize? Or does that depend on who wins?

Like if I win, maybe you’d say the prize is “as much beer as you can drink,” which might be about 40 cents’ worth, but if Boomer wins (okay, not too likely unless he enters!) then you’d offer something else, maybe ponytail holders or other essentials.

[wheelswings]

Four Mile Run River is exquisite tonight. Just beware that you have to take the overland routes ’cause the underpasses are flooded. My face is aching from so much grinning in a single ride. Utterly beautiful out there.

[wheelswings]

This morning I came frightfully close to a head-on-collision with an orange-colored vehicle in Foggy Bottom. I’d waited for my green light and was crossing Pennsylvania Ave. on 25th St. when the driver changed her mind mid-course (realizing she didn’t want to be on Penn Ave after all) and made a sharp left (toward L) without looking. I screamed. Really loud.

Fortunately for me, this happened near Trader Joe’s, so I could slip inside and munch on free-sample apples dipped in almond butter and distract myself by comparing cookie varieties (I chose the Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip ones) until I was ready to get back on the bike.

[wheelswings]

@Steve O 119590 wrote:

UPDATE (with hint)

Saw the man himself this morning at Cafe Kindred. He said movers coming today (or was it tomorrow? well, one or the other).
He still has not purchased his plane ticket, so predictions may still be proffered.

But are they taking away his bicycle????
If so, I shall need to change my vote.

[wheelswings]

28 July 2015 at 5:15 pm EST.

We can also guess when he will come home for a visit. Hopefully soon! :+)

[wheelswings]

When you pay your tab and leave the bar,
Please take a cab and not your car.

Please don’t text, or dig in your purse
Or we’ll be riding home by hearse.

Use caution at the wheel
So you don’t put the children on wheels [insert wheelchair symbol here].

[wheelswings]

I’ve been riding the WOD at night for years and I’ve never had any problems. A couple of times at BAC meetings, I’ve asked the ACPD about crime on the WOD at night, and they’ve never had much to report. Some of the side trails, like those in Glencarlyn Park, put me ill at ease in the midnight hour, but probably they’re still safer than riding amongst drunken texters on the roads.

[wheelswings]

The WOD right now is EXQUISITE. Four Mile Run is fabulously flooded and looks like the raging Colorado River. All the underpasses are completely un-passable. Absolutely gorgeous…not to be missed!!

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