[WillStewart]

I went from high pressure skinny tires to Schwalbe “Big Apples”. I couldn’t be happier! The rolling resistance seems about the same but what a difference in reduced jarring.

http://schwalbe.com/gbl/en/produkte/tour_city/produkt/?ID_Produktgruppe=37&ID_Produkt=140

However, Big Apples don’t come in 700, so you’d need to see if any other tire manufacturer has addressed this size with an efficient balloon tire.

Here are some opinions about using balloon tires;

http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-628466.html

[WillStewart]

@vvill 5860 wrote:

I wear a Respro Techno mask on orange days, for as long as I can. It is hard to get enough oxygen with this on. (link: http://www.respro.com/products/industrial/urban-environment/techno_mask/ )
This mask is supposed to filter out both

They’re a UK company which seems reputable to me (they were carried in many stores in UK) but do have some limited distribution over here.

On orange days I also drive most of my commute and just ride 3.5 mi (each way).[/quote]

Thanks for sharing this. When I went to the site and drilled down for more detail, it seems to focus on particulate matter down to 0.3 microns, which is far below the level of the 2.5 micron standard, so the PM protection looks outstanding.

I didn’t see anything about ozone control, did I miss something?

Thanks again for running down a number of masks, btw.

[WillStewart]

@WillStewart 5840 wrote:

Some localities in Northern Virginia may impose restrictions on the operation of mopeds. Localities can require additional safety equipment for moped operation.

This is an important qualifier – I’m not sure what other measures Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, etc have imposed, if any. Anyone know?

[WillStewart]

Virginia law states that mopeds are allowed on bike lanes:
http://www.virginiadot.org/programs/bk-laws.asp#Electric%20Power-assisted%20Bicycles

– A bike lane is defined as that portion of a roadway designated by signs and/or pavement markings for the preferential use of bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds.

– A shared use path is defined as a bikeway that is physically separated from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space or barrier and is located either within the highway right-of-way or within a separate right-of way. Shared use paths may also be used by pedestrians, skaters, users of wheel chair conveyances, joggers, and other nonmotorized users.

“Moped” means every vehicle that travels on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground that has (i) a seat that is no less than 24 inches in height, measured from the middle of the seat perpendicular to the ground and (ii) gasoline, electric, or hybrid motor that displaces less than 50 cubic centimeters. Moped operators must be at least 16 years old and must carry some form of identification that includes name, address, and date of birth. A moped is considered a vehicle while operated on a highway. Mopeds can not be ridden on sidewalks or bike paths. Some localities in Northern Virginia may impose restrictions on the operation of mopeds. Localities can require additional safety equipment for moped operation.

[WillStewart]

@StopMeansStop 5730 wrote:

Everything you need to know about locking your bike.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

Great article, especially;

If you use both the U-lock and the cable lock at work, you are more than twice as safe as you would be with either of them alone. Either type of lock can be defeated, but each requires a different large, bulky tool which is useless against the other.

I also found this enlightening;

The best U-locks are the smallest. My favorite is the Kryptonite Mini, which not all bike shops stock. The Mini is much smaller and lighter than the more popular models, but just as secure. It may be even more secure, because of the limited room to put a jack inside it. It also gives less purchase for leverage-based attacks.

People tend to buy the big clunky U-locks because they don’t know how to use them properly. A U-lock should go around the rear rim and tire, somewhere inside the rear triangle of the frame. There is no need to loop it around the seat tube as well, because the wheel cannot be pulled through the rear triangle.

I bought the big clunky U-lock (ostensibly to remove and lock the front wheel in addition to the frame and rear wheel). Now I have a better perspective.

[WillStewart]

Will keep an eye out.

Any idea how they broke the lock?

[WillStewart]

@Dirt 5737 wrote:

I was NOT run over at the Lynn Street intersection wtih the Custis Trail this morning .

A good thing!

[WillStewart]

@jrenaut 5706 wrote:

You don’t need my permission or approval to make your own decisions.

No problem, I didn’t ask. I admire your tenacity at bike commuting, though.

Dirt wrote:

The damage done to me by not riding isn’t always visible. I feel it though.

Good point. I am shooting for at least 5 hours per week on two wheels, though am typically over 7. No doubt others are higher.

[WillStewart]

@jrenaut 5702 wrote:

I’d rather have lung damage than live my life based on a weather report.

On bad ozone days, I’m switching over to bus/metrorail, so it’s not clear how you extrapolate this to “live my life based on a weather report”. I personally would prefer not to damage my lungs by ignoring such conditions, but that’s just me. I bike commute for improved health and reducing dependence on foreign oil, and continue to meet those objectives with this approach.

[WillStewart]

From http://www.deq.virginia.gov/air/air-quality-data/current-year.html

Arlington County Eight-hour ozone exceedences (2011 recorded ozone concentrations greater than 75 parts per billion);

May 31, 2011: 93 PPB
June 8, 2011: 82 PPB
June 9, 2011: 79 PPB
June 10, 2011: 100 PPB
July 2, 2011: 87 PPB
July 5, 2011: 78 PPB
July 7, 2011: 89 PPB

[WillStewart]

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=air-pollution-triggers-cyclists-heart-risks

Sheer proximity to tailpipes is one reason why cyclists have a high exposure to the tiny particle pollutants, which are emitted by vehicles along with thousands of other chemicals. Diesel buses and trucks are among the worst offenders.

“The closer you are to the source of the fresh exhaust, the worse it is,” said Patrick Ryan, an environmental epidemiologist at the University of Cincinnati, who studies the health effects of traffic-related pollution.

Near the tailpipe, these particles are small enough to lodge deep in the lungs, triggering heart attacks and hospitalizations from lung diseases such as asthma. Tiny particles can also cross the blood-brain barrier, potentially harming the nervous system. Farther away from the tailpipe, these particles clump together, growing too large to lodge deeply, Ryan said.

[WillStewart]

On other orange alert days when I hadn’t paid any attention to them, I noticed that I seemed to have less lung capacity, though at that time I chalked it up to early summer pollen or humidity. Now I am going to structure my ride schedule around the projected level of ozone.

I did not ride today due to the forecast, but the rest of the week is looking good.

[WillStewart]

From the American Lung Association;

Washington, D.C. (January 7, 2011)— According to the study, conducted by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, ozone, the major component of smog, damaged the lung tissues of healthy young adults exposed in a laboratory setting despite being at levels well below what is currently considered safe. This new information provides a strong warning that people with asthma or other lung diseases, including children and older adults, face even greater health threats from this most common air pollutant.

Ozone is an invisible gas made of three oxygen atoms (O3). Ozone reacts chemically with internal body tissues, such as those in the lung, irritating and inflaming the respiratory system. Ozone causes shortness of breath, chest pain inflammation of the lung lining, wheezing and coughing, and increased risk of asthma attacks, need for medical treatment and for hospitalization for people with lung diseases. Ozone also increases the risk of early death. People most at risk include children, senior citizens, those with lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as those who work or exercise outdoors.

[WillStewart]

@OneEighth 4927 wrote:

I’m okay with someone like Dirt cruising along the trail at 20+ mph because he’s competent. You generally don’t have the ability to hit and hold higher speeds unless you’ve spent a good bit of time in the saddle and have, consequently, developed a skill level commensurate with your strength and endurance. I think it’s also fairly safe to assume a certain level of commitment to cycling and good cycling practices/manners when you are spending that kind of time on it.

That’s simply not the case with e-bikes.

This is an excellent summary of the situation (similar to what others have discussed).

On one hand, allowing ebikes officially could boost bike commuting tremendously, getting many people out of their cars and adding them to the voices advocating for continuing to improve bike networks and facilities.

On the other hand, out-of-control spoiled teens could run down small children and/or a number of other undesirable outcomes. Perhaps a minimum age (e.g. 17? 18?) or an ebike pass might be the way to approach this, similar to other motorized transportation. Liability on a trail is potentially another tricky aspect this issue.

Virginia law states that ebikes are allowed on bike lanes, though does not list them among the activities that are allowed on shared use paths:
http://www.virginiadot.org/programs/bk-laws.asp#Electric%20Power-assisted%20Bicycles

– A bike lane is defined as that portion of a roadway designated by signs and/or pavement markings for the preferential use of bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds.

– A shared use path is defined as a bikeway that is physically separated from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space or barrier and is located either within the highway right-of-way or within a separate right-of way. Shared use paths may also be used by pedestrians, skaters, users of wheel chair conveyances, joggers, and other nonmotorized users. (note: no mention of electric power-assisted bicycles allowed)

So any change to the W&OD policy might require a change to the Code of Virginia.

[WillStewart]

@CCrew 5571 wrote:

Note to self. Do not feed the trolls. Just for you Will (link)

Physician, heal thyself…

[Author]

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