Another morning, another commute in the spitting rain. It wasn't so bad really. The rain stopped after 20 minutes. I rode tense all the way expecting that my chain would break at any moment. It didn't. In a way I was disappointed. I am sure Woody Allen or Eeyore would have some words of wisdom about this.
The only notable thing that happened on the way to word was my second bra sighting of the year. I was just past the Slater's Lane connector on the Mount Vernon Trail when I saw a beige (or do they call it biscuit these days?) bra lying on the trail. I'm no good at sizing but it was substantially smaller than the bra I saw near the airport during the winter. This new bra was dry and clean so it hadn't been there long. I didn't stop to pick it up. I'd have felt like a pervert. Let sleeping bras lie.
I made it up the Rosslyn connector in one piece for a change. A bike rider was walker her bike up the hill. I asked if she was okay and she replied, "Oh, I'm fine. Just resting my bum." I don't know about you but when I want to rest my bum I find a nice easy chair. (This reads like Andy Rooney. We went to the same high school. He got paid to blog on TV. I get bupkiss.) To each his or her own.
During the day, fellow bike blogger Gypsybug sent out a call to the Friday Coffee Club for teammates in the National Bike Challenge.
This is some sort of friendly online competition in which teams log
rides and miles and blow on vuvuzelas. Actually, I don't have a clue
what it is so, true to form, I signed up. Bike shit happens. Que sera
sera. Obladi Oblada. Hakuna Matata.
The ride home felt odd. There was this glowing orange ball in the sky. It seemed to be generating heat. What is this strange orb? It didn't go away. It just stayed there. Looming.
I rode all tensed up, KNOWING that damn chain was going to pop at any second. It held just fine. I even shifted into my big chain ring and everything worked fine.
On the way home I pulled into Spokes Etc. at Belle Haven. I had found a mess of chain in the Rootchopper Institute's vast Bike Parts Warehouse. Chris the mechanic dove into putting four chain links back onto the Tour Easy's chain. Neither he nor I had a clue how to thread the new chain through the tensioner. We consulted photos on the Internet. We thought we had it right but a test ride resulted in the tensioner being upside down.
Another mechanic stepped in to help. During my recent chain escapades, a spring that provided resistance to the tensioner had become dislodged, probably when I disassembled it to free Flor's pant leg. The mechanics figured out how to reset the spring, then they pulled down another photo of the tensioner from the Internet. In just a couple of minutes, Big Nellie was back in action.
The whole repair thing took at least a half an hour and cost me less than $10. Time and money well spent. Having a local bike shop that will do simple (and sometimes not simple) bike repairs while you wait is invaluable to a bike commuter. Spokes at Belle Haven has bailed me out more times than I can remember. My helmet is off to them.
I rode Big Nellie home, grinding all the way up the biggish hill on Fort Hunt Road without the slightest chain problem. Everything seems to be working fine. (Of course, the remaining spare links are staying in my seat bag forever.)
I entered my miles for the month of May: 525 miles over 16 days of riding so far. That's over 800 points. I could win a prize. Maybe some Gojo to get the chain gunk off my hands.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
I Don't Like Mondays
It was a Geldofian day. Rain was coming down with just enough purpose that nothing I could do would keep my face dry. It was like having someone standing in front of me with a spray bottle of water.
My plan today was to ride Big Nellie to work and then stop at my local bike shop to take the kink in my chain that I had installed after yesterday's pants affair. The chain was skipping in the small sprockets but seemed to be operating fine otherwise. Before I left for work, I searched the Rootchopper Institute of Spare Bicycle Parts for some chain links. I knew I had some, but I couldn't find any. Hopefully, my local bike shop would have some when I stopped on the way home.
The ride in was rather moist and all those annoying people were gone so that I could ride on the Mount Vernon Trail in peace. Before I get to the trail I ride down a short steep hill on Park Terrace Drive. Normally this is a 35 mile per hour descent but this morning the recycling truck was doing its thing smack dab in the middle of the street at the bottom of the hill. No jollies for me.
I managed to survive the detour of death near the Wilson Bridge and the dance of the SUVs lining up to take Muffy and Wilfred to Saint Mary's School at the southern edge of Old Town. I managed not to hit any SUVs or fledgling Catholics and should be awarded two gold stars for my efforts.
On the north end of Old Town I rode across the long boardwalk through what had been a drained stretch of wet land. Two workers were in waders mucking about. They looked somewhat unhappy.
I was riding carefully taking care not to put too much pressure on the chain which was skipping every now and then to remind me what an incompetent bike mechanic I am. At the airport I lost another opportunity for high speed riding when a skinny girl passed me on the uphill side of the second flyover bridge. She was no match for Big Nellie's downhill abilities but I wasn't about to pass her on a blind curve on wet pavement. So I rode my brakes and watched her pedal out of the saddle on flat land. She needs to work on her spinning technique.
As I approached the 14th Street Bridge one of my regulars, a middle-aged Asian man wearing a yellow jacket and carry lots of stuff on his bike, came my way. Normally, I see him near the Roosevelt Bridge about a mile closer to my destination in Rosslyn. Babying the chain was really slowing me down.
My last challenge was to climb the connecting bridge up to Rosslyn. I shifted to my middle chain ring and began shifting to my big sprockets to ease the pressure on the chain when the chain snapped.
Not good.
I walked the bike up to a landing and started inspecting the damage. The broken link would have to be removed. As I worked away at taking the link out, commuter after commuter came by asking if I needed help. When they saw it was a broken chain, they owned up to mechanical ineptitude and rode on.
I continued to work on the link, actually two since they are oriented in male/female pairs. For the uninitiated, a chain tool holds a chain link in place while you turn a handle that screws a pin pusher into the pin on the chain link. The idea is that you push the pin through enough to take out the bad chain link. You should never push the pin all the way through, because it is next to impossible to get back into the hole in the chain. Never.
Then Jason stopped to help. He had a sort of British accent (could be from Auckland for all I could tell) and was riding a single speed bike. As it turns out he has some familiarity with using a chain tool. As I turned to say hello, I took my mind off the chain tool for a second and the pin popped out. [Insert F-bomb here].
Jason and I worked for several minutes on getting the pin back in to no avail. He was getting a sore back from squatting and my shorts were soaked through from sitting on the ground. We were not having fun. We dropped the pin and it disappeared somehow. We now had only one choice take two more links out and re-assemble a significantly shorter chain. Jason pulled this off with surgeons precision. The link was a little stiff but he had done a terrific job. Thank you, Jason.
I arrived at work about 1/2 hour late and spent about 20 minutes getting chain lube and assorted black gunk off my hands and legs. Fortunately, my boss is a bike commuter and understands these things.
For the ride home, I decided to leave the chain in the granny gear and ride ever so gently. Pedal, pedal, pedal, repeat. I had no problems and could detect no chain skipping. Jason done good. I registered each passing mile - 10 to go, 9 to go - as I rode.
I approached the boardwalk north of Old Town. The wader guys were gone. I think they may have been damming up the stream because the former wet land was now pretty wet. Better still, several of the small trees in the water were topped with downy egrets. When I see an egret or heron in a tree I think of Dr. Seuss. Then my bird watching was interrupted by a passing cyclist. It was Jason, proud to see that his handiwork was successful.
After once again surviving the detour of death and a walking crossing of the George Washington Parkway, I rolled into my local bike shop. One of the best things about Spokes Etc. is that they will do on the spot minor repairs while you wait. They have saved many a bike commute for me over the years. Unfortunately they didn't have any SRAM 9-speed chain links lying around so I was out of luck on a repair. In the process of looking my bike over they determined that Jason's repair was sound and that the chain was still long enough for me to use all my gears.
I rode up a big hill to test their theory and the chain performed fine. It skipped a couple of times but that may have been the result of my gear shifter being one click off. I got home in good shape and immediately cleaned my chain. It was a mess. Then I looked around for spare chain links. I have a translucent plastic box with spare parts in it. I held it over my head and looked in the bottom. There it was: a red box with the word SRAM on it. I put the box down, reached in and pulled out the box which contained about 2/3rds of a 9-speed chain.
Tomorrow I'll ride Big Nellie again, this time armed with my chain links.
Tuesday's child is full of grace. Let's hope.
My plan today was to ride Big Nellie to work and then stop at my local bike shop to take the kink in my chain that I had installed after yesterday's pants affair. The chain was skipping in the small sprockets but seemed to be operating fine otherwise. Before I left for work, I searched the Rootchopper Institute of Spare Bicycle Parts for some chain links. I knew I had some, but I couldn't find any. Hopefully, my local bike shop would have some when I stopped on the way home.
The ride in was rather moist and all those annoying people were gone so that I could ride on the Mount Vernon Trail in peace. Before I get to the trail I ride down a short steep hill on Park Terrace Drive. Normally this is a 35 mile per hour descent but this morning the recycling truck was doing its thing smack dab in the middle of the street at the bottom of the hill. No jollies for me.
I managed to survive the detour of death near the Wilson Bridge and the dance of the SUVs lining up to take Muffy and Wilfred to Saint Mary's School at the southern edge of Old Town. I managed not to hit any SUVs or fledgling Catholics and should be awarded two gold stars for my efforts.
On the north end of Old Town I rode across the long boardwalk through what had been a drained stretch of wet land. Two workers were in waders mucking about. They looked somewhat unhappy.
I was riding carefully taking care not to put too much pressure on the chain which was skipping every now and then to remind me what an incompetent bike mechanic I am. At the airport I lost another opportunity for high speed riding when a skinny girl passed me on the uphill side of the second flyover bridge. She was no match for Big Nellie's downhill abilities but I wasn't about to pass her on a blind curve on wet pavement. So I rode my brakes and watched her pedal out of the saddle on flat land. She needs to work on her spinning technique.
As I approached the 14th Street Bridge one of my regulars, a middle-aged Asian man wearing a yellow jacket and carry lots of stuff on his bike, came my way. Normally, I see him near the Roosevelt Bridge about a mile closer to my destination in Rosslyn. Babying the chain was really slowing me down.
My last challenge was to climb the connecting bridge up to Rosslyn. I shifted to my middle chain ring and began shifting to my big sprockets to ease the pressure on the chain when the chain snapped.
Not good.
I walked the bike up to a landing and started inspecting the damage. The broken link would have to be removed. As I worked away at taking the link out, commuter after commuter came by asking if I needed help. When they saw it was a broken chain, they owned up to mechanical ineptitude and rode on.
I continued to work on the link, actually two since they are oriented in male/female pairs. For the uninitiated, a chain tool holds a chain link in place while you turn a handle that screws a pin pusher into the pin on the chain link. The idea is that you push the pin through enough to take out the bad chain link. You should never push the pin all the way through, because it is next to impossible to get back into the hole in the chain. Never.
Then Jason stopped to help. He had a sort of British accent (could be from Auckland for all I could tell) and was riding a single speed bike. As it turns out he has some familiarity with using a chain tool. As I turned to say hello, I took my mind off the chain tool for a second and the pin popped out. [Insert F-bomb here].
Jason and I worked for several minutes on getting the pin back in to no avail. He was getting a sore back from squatting and my shorts were soaked through from sitting on the ground. We were not having fun. We dropped the pin and it disappeared somehow. We now had only one choice take two more links out and re-assemble a significantly shorter chain. Jason pulled this off with surgeons precision. The link was a little stiff but he had done a terrific job. Thank you, Jason.
I arrived at work about 1/2 hour late and spent about 20 minutes getting chain lube and assorted black gunk off my hands and legs. Fortunately, my boss is a bike commuter and understands these things.
For the ride home, I decided to leave the chain in the granny gear and ride ever so gently. Pedal, pedal, pedal, repeat. I had no problems and could detect no chain skipping. Jason done good. I registered each passing mile - 10 to go, 9 to go - as I rode.
I approached the boardwalk north of Old Town. The wader guys were gone. I think they may have been damming up the stream because the former wet land was now pretty wet. Better still, several of the small trees in the water were topped with downy egrets. When I see an egret or heron in a tree I think of Dr. Seuss. Then my bird watching was interrupted by a passing cyclist. It was Jason, proud to see that his handiwork was successful.
After once again surviving the detour of death and a walking crossing of the George Washington Parkway, I rolled into my local bike shop. One of the best things about Spokes Etc. is that they will do on the spot minor repairs while you wait. They have saved many a bike commute for me over the years. Unfortunately they didn't have any SRAM 9-speed chain links lying around so I was out of luck on a repair. In the process of looking my bike over they determined that Jason's repair was sound and that the chain was still long enough for me to use all my gears.
I rode up a big hill to test their theory and the chain performed fine. It skipped a couple of times but that may have been the result of my gear shifter being one click off. I got home in good shape and immediately cleaned my chain. It was a mess. Then I looked around for spare chain links. I have a translucent plastic box with spare parts in it. I held it over my head and looked in the bottom. There it was: a red box with the word SRAM on it. I put the box down, reached in and pulled out the box which contained about 2/3rds of a 9-speed chain.
Tomorrow I'll ride Big Nellie again, this time armed with my chain links.
Tuesday's child is full of grace. Let's hope.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Chain, Chain, Chain
Twas a lovely day in Washington town. The temps were in the low 70s. A light cloud cover kept it that way. A pleasant breeze topped it off. You know what I did. I got up at the crack of dawn for a 200 mile bike-a-thon.
NOT.
I spent the start of my day on our new deck finishing The Hunger Games trilogy. I have been carrying around the saga of Katniss Everdeen for weeks and weeks and it was time to lighten the load. For a series aimed at kids, these books are incredibly gory. And fun. After I plow through the pile o'magazines on my nightstand, it's back to grown up books - the latest from David Lodge and Michael Lewis.
Once the reading was done I headed out on Big Nellie, my Tour Easy recumbent. Big Nellie has been lonely. I have been riding The Mule (my Sequoia) ever since I had a new rear wheel built and had the rear hub overhauled. The mechanic said that I should ride it for a couple of weeks and bring it back for re-tensioning. It's been an epic (for me, anyway) couple of weeks. I put over 400 miles on that baby. I think the wheel is fine, but I'm going to bring it in soon for a look over.
Big Nellie and I headed north on the Mount Vernon Trail (MVT). We made our first stop at the Morningside bald eagle nest where one of the two photographers I have been seeing was hanging out. He told me that there are three eaglets in the nest. He showed me some pictures on the screen of his camera. Dang, that zoom he has works very well. We chatted for 10 or 15 minutes and I rolled away.
I stopped at Belle Haven Park to replace some broken zip ties that hold the mesh seat back to the seat frame. The correct size zip tie is no longer made so I use two smaller ties in each mounting point. This works until it doesn't and I start all over again. Soon I will replace the entire seat. The new seat will use parachute chord to secure the mesh. Zip tie sales at my local hardware store will never be the same.
Northward I rode managing to not crash on the dirt and gravel at the new Wilson Bridge underpass detour. I certainly hope the contractor does a better job on the park than he's been doing on the MVT because he's totally incompetent when it comes to bike trails.
I breezed by Saint Mary's School where they were having their spring bazaar. They had one of those rides that you spin around in, get off, and puke. Kids love them. Not me. At St. Mary's Church a few blocks later church was letting out. Catholics, being in a state of grace, were jaywalking like there was no tomorrow. If I were a bus, there wouldn't be.
I glided down King Street to people watch. Many folks were brunching al fresco. Others were window shopping, La di dah.
Back on the trail the traffic was building. I was in no hurry so I took my time behind tourist after tourist on rental bikes. I noticed that my head wind was becoming a side wind. It wasn't very strong but every so often a gust would grab the fairing on the bike and I'd get a little passive assist. Sweet.
Across the 14th Street Bridge and into DC on 15th. I normally take the sidewalk to the cycletrack at 15th and Pennsylvania but not today. First I was stuck behind walking tourist, then I was swallowed up by Segways, then CaBi bikes. I bailed on Constitution Avenue and swam east with the big dogs.
I hung a left on 7th and rode up the Bus and Bike Only lane. There were no buses. There were lots of cars. I don't think this lane works very well. Time for a do-over DDOT. Either that or you should give up and call Honda Accords buses.
After Mount Vernon Square I stopped at BicycleSpace. Everybody I know is talking about this shop and I can see why. They sell Brompton folding bikes (I watched a sales person demonstrate the fold. It's magic, I swear.) They also sell what the British would call proper city bikes with lights and racks and fenders and chainguards. I want one. And they sell Brooks leather saddles. Finally, somebody sells them around here. They're not lightweight or inexpensive. They are, however, a treat to the seat. The Mule and Little Nellie both have Brooks saddles. Finally, BicycleSpace has Paul the best mechanic in town. He fixed the Mule ten years ago when absolutely no one else could. And he did it with a 25 cent part. If your bike is hopeless, take it to Paul.
My next stop was Ben Chili Bowl. This restaurant on U Street is legendary hereabouts. I bought a half smoke with everything on it to go. I put it in my pannier and rode up the 13th Street hill next to Cardozo High School. Spin, spin, spin.
After a few turns I was at Meridian Hill Park, destination for the day. I was there to attend my friend Florencia's goodbye party. She's leaving DC. I was early so I ate my half smoke. Ugh. Half smokes with chili, mustard and onions is not biking food. It may not be non-biking food either.
Although the party was not starting until three I made my way through the park. I spotted some acroyoga and, sure enough, it was Flor doing her Cirque du Soleil thing. From a distance it looks effortless. Up close, you can tell how athletic she and her partner (he's on his back with legs and arms up supporting her) are.
Around this time I checked Twitter and found out that K.C. was nearby and invited her over. She's a fellow bike blogger and we've been crossing paths for a couple of years without meeting. We had a nice chat about her riding, her bike Betty, renting lock houses on the C&O Canal, and her police work. (She's rides a bike on patrol.) She's interested in doing some riding on the GAP trail west of Cumberland MD and riding back on the towpath. My advice: DO IT!
Back at the party things were going along swimmingly when Flor decided to ride Big Nellie. I warned her that her pants which had much loose fabric would get caught in the pulleys of the chain tensioner under the seat. Nothing stops Flor. She tied up her pants and started riding and rolling about. She was having a blast when all of a sudden the tensioner ate her pants. We spent the next 45 minutes trying to free her. We tried breaking the chain but that only succeeded in damaging a link and making my hands black. After much angst Jeff Dahloff, a bike commuter and ride partner on many a ride around these parts, noticed that we could disassemble the tensioner with a screwdriver and a nut driver - both of which were in my seat back bag. In two minutes Flor was free. I hope her pants aren't ruined.
Flor insists that she did not get her pants caught so that she could attract every guy in the park to her aid. If I had caught my pants leg, I'd still be in the park waddling around on the bike. For the record, Flor has nice legs. So do I. Must be the hair.
We put the tensioner back together and, but for a skipping chain, Big Nellie was back in action. It was getting late so I said goodbye to Flor with a big hug. As we came apart my arm hit her camera and it fell to the ground. Ugh. The gods are telling us something, Flor.
Once I realized the bike was operating okay, I had a pleasant ride home. The winds had changed direction and I had my second headwind of the day. No problem. The MVT was jammed with people, many of whom simply wouldn't move out of the way. If it had been a hot and sticky day, I might have lost my temper and used Big Nellie's death ray. Instead I went with the flow. Once past the airport, the crowds ended and I was rolling free again.
I stopped at the Morningside nest. The photographer was still there 6 hours later.
I worked on the chain and I think it might be okay. Tomorrow will tell.
It was a nice ride. Good say hello to so many people. Very sad to say goodbye.
NOT.
I spent the start of my day on our new deck finishing The Hunger Games trilogy. I have been carrying around the saga of Katniss Everdeen for weeks and weeks and it was time to lighten the load. For a series aimed at kids, these books are incredibly gory. And fun. After I plow through the pile o'magazines on my nightstand, it's back to grown up books - the latest from David Lodge and Michael Lewis.
Once the reading was done I headed out on Big Nellie, my Tour Easy recumbent. Big Nellie has been lonely. I have been riding The Mule (my Sequoia) ever since I had a new rear wheel built and had the rear hub overhauled. The mechanic said that I should ride it for a couple of weeks and bring it back for re-tensioning. It's been an epic (for me, anyway) couple of weeks. I put over 400 miles on that baby. I think the wheel is fine, but I'm going to bring it in soon for a look over.
Big Nellie and I headed north on the Mount Vernon Trail (MVT). We made our first stop at the Morningside bald eagle nest where one of the two photographers I have been seeing was hanging out. He told me that there are three eaglets in the nest. He showed me some pictures on the screen of his camera. Dang, that zoom he has works very well. We chatted for 10 or 15 minutes and I rolled away.
I stopped at Belle Haven Park to replace some broken zip ties that hold the mesh seat back to the seat frame. The correct size zip tie is no longer made so I use two smaller ties in each mounting point. This works until it doesn't and I start all over again. Soon I will replace the entire seat. The new seat will use parachute chord to secure the mesh. Zip tie sales at my local hardware store will never be the same.
Northward I rode managing to not crash on the dirt and gravel at the new Wilson Bridge underpass detour. I certainly hope the contractor does a better job on the park than he's been doing on the MVT because he's totally incompetent when it comes to bike trails.
I breezed by Saint Mary's School where they were having their spring bazaar. They had one of those rides that you spin around in, get off, and puke. Kids love them. Not me. At St. Mary's Church a few blocks later church was letting out. Catholics, being in a state of grace, were jaywalking like there was no tomorrow. If I were a bus, there wouldn't be.
I glided down King Street to people watch. Many folks were brunching al fresco. Others were window shopping, La di dah.
Back on the trail the traffic was building. I was in no hurry so I took my time behind tourist after tourist on rental bikes. I noticed that my head wind was becoming a side wind. It wasn't very strong but every so often a gust would grab the fairing on the bike and I'd get a little passive assist. Sweet.
Across the 14th Street Bridge and into DC on 15th. I normally take the sidewalk to the cycletrack at 15th and Pennsylvania but not today. First I was stuck behind walking tourist, then I was swallowed up by Segways, then CaBi bikes. I bailed on Constitution Avenue and swam east with the big dogs.
I hung a left on 7th and rode up the Bus and Bike Only lane. There were no buses. There were lots of cars. I don't think this lane works very well. Time for a do-over DDOT. Either that or you should give up and call Honda Accords buses.
After Mount Vernon Square I stopped at BicycleSpace. Everybody I know is talking about this shop and I can see why. They sell Brompton folding bikes (I watched a sales person demonstrate the fold. It's magic, I swear.) They also sell what the British would call proper city bikes with lights and racks and fenders and chainguards. I want one. And they sell Brooks leather saddles. Finally, somebody sells them around here. They're not lightweight or inexpensive. They are, however, a treat to the seat. The Mule and Little Nellie both have Brooks saddles. Finally, BicycleSpace has Paul the best mechanic in town. He fixed the Mule ten years ago when absolutely no one else could. And he did it with a 25 cent part. If your bike is hopeless, take it to Paul.
My next stop was Ben Chili Bowl. This restaurant on U Street is legendary hereabouts. I bought a half smoke with everything on it to go. I put it in my pannier and rode up the 13th Street hill next to Cardozo High School. Spin, spin, spin.
After a few turns I was at Meridian Hill Park, destination for the day. I was there to attend my friend Florencia's goodbye party. She's leaving DC. I was early so I ate my half smoke. Ugh. Half smokes with chili, mustard and onions is not biking food. It may not be non-biking food either.
 |
| Flor give her acroyoga partner a massage |
 |
| Flor spinning. |
Around this time I checked Twitter and found out that K.C. was nearby and invited her over. She's a fellow bike blogger and we've been crossing paths for a couple of years without meeting. We had a nice chat about her riding, her bike Betty, renting lock houses on the C&O Canal, and her police work. (She's rides a bike on patrol.) She's interested in doing some riding on the GAP trail west of Cumberland MD and riding back on the towpath. My advice: DO IT!
Back at the party things were going along swimmingly when Flor decided to ride Big Nellie. I warned her that her pants which had much loose fabric would get caught in the pulleys of the chain tensioner under the seat. Nothing stops Flor. She tied up her pants and started riding and rolling about. She was having a blast when all of a sudden the tensioner ate her pants. We spent the next 45 minutes trying to free her. We tried breaking the chain but that only succeeded in damaging a link and making my hands black. After much angst Jeff Dahloff, a bike commuter and ride partner on many a ride around these parts, noticed that we could disassemble the tensioner with a screwdriver and a nut driver - both of which were in my seat back bag. In two minutes Flor was free. I hope her pants aren't ruined.
Flor insists that she did not get her pants caught so that she could attract every guy in the park to her aid. If I had caught my pants leg, I'd still be in the park waddling around on the bike. For the record, Flor has nice legs. So do I. Must be the hair.
We put the tensioner back together and, but for a skipping chain, Big Nellie was back in action. It was getting late so I said goodbye to Flor with a big hug. As we came apart my arm hit her camera and it fell to the ground. Ugh. The gods are telling us something, Flor.
Once I realized the bike was operating okay, I had a pleasant ride home. The winds had changed direction and I had my second headwind of the day. No problem. The MVT was jammed with people, many of whom simply wouldn't move out of the way. If it had been a hot and sticky day, I might have lost my temper and used Big Nellie's death ray. Instead I went with the flow. Once past the airport, the crowds ended and I was rolling free again.
I stopped at the Morningside nest. The photographer was still there 6 hours later.
I worked on the chain and I think it might be okay. Tomorrow will tell.
It was a nice ride. Good say hello to so many people. Very sad to say goodbye.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Bike to Work+ Day
I approach Bike to Work Day with some trepidation much like W. C. Fields approached New Years Eve. When asked why he doesn't go out on New Years Eve, he said "I don't like to drink with amateurs." And so I am not thrilled about the prospect of interacting with hundreds of newbie bike commuters. At the same time, I am really thrilled to see so many people out and about, discovering how you can turn your commute from an expensive hassle into an inexpensive fun time.
On Bike to Work Day organizations set up pit stops for bike commuters where there is music, food, and free stuff. I left my house at 6:15, 45 minutes early to allow time for hanging out at the Rosslyn pit stop which is only two blocks from my office. The weather could not have been better.
I was expecting to see bad biking behavior, broken down bikes and other un-fun stuff and I was not disappointed. At 3 miles, just before jumping on the Mount Vernon Trail (MVT) I saw a bike commuter with a thrown chain. I would have stopped to help but I figured he could get chain lube all over himself just as easily as I could so I rolled on.
At the Woodrow Wilson Bridge I encountered a work crew. They are working on the renovation of the adjacent Jones Point Park. They are constantly installing detours in the MVT. Not one of them has been safe for riding. Guess what. These knuckleheads pick Bike to Work Day to install another detour. This one a sharp "S" curve at the base of a hill. To make things even more interesting they used stone and dirt for the surface. I wanted to hit them on the head with my frame pump but the workers are not at fault. The contractor and the City of Alexandria (a certified Bicycle Friendly City, no less) are to blame.
I made it through the detour and rode down South Royal Street.. I stopped at the Alexandria pit stop in front of City Hall. After chatting with some volunteers I rode on. Only hours later did I realize that I could have filled my panniers with free stuff (you can never have enough water bottles, you know).
The MVT was busy but not too crazy. It was, after all, still before 7 a.m. As I approached the airport, I saw a man walking his racing bike with a flat front tire. Dude, bring a tube and a pump. A couple of minutes later, for the second day in a row, I was passing someone when a bike rider came up behind me really fast and yelled "BIKE LEFT!!!" To which I loudly responded, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!" with all the sarcasm I could muster. Note to Lance Armstrong Jr.: it's not a velodrome. I do not care if you kill yourself, but I'll be damned if you are taking me with you. If you want to ride your bike recklessly at 20+ miles per hour get off the path and out on the road with the big dogs. If you ever do that again to me, I will do to you what the Cinzano team did to Dave Stoller. I have an extra frame pump so its no skin off my nose.
End of screed.
I arrived in Rosslyn and did a full sweep of the swag fest scoring a t-shirt (my umpteenth BTWD model), 2 water bottles, a bell, some sun screen, a bike pin, a super nice reflective vest, and a banana and half a bagel. There was no coffee. (I did get a 3-ounce cup an hour later.) Note to organizers: coffee is to bikes as money is to politicians. We need lots and lots or we don't run.
I ran into Ed and Mary who stopped in Rosslyn because they regard it as the best put stop. They live in Southwest DC and work downtown so it's almost comically out of their way. They have a tendency to ride their bikes a lot. Ed was wearing his Paris-Brest-Paris reflective vest which he earned by riding a tandem with Mary over 700 miles in 3 1/2 days. This is what happens when they eliminate funding for nervous hospitals. Seriously, they are very nice people; you'd never know they are cycling and coffee addicts.
Speaking of politicians, they never let a gather of constituents go by without grabbing a microphone and making a speech. Jim Moran, my Congressman, rode to the pit stop and made a speech about how cool it would be if the MVT was widened and extended to Chain Bridge. Sadly, the Tea Party austerity fanatics are cutting all bicycle-related funding from the transportation bill. Better MVT, not bloody likely,
There were all kinds of people milling about. Photographers taking pictures of each other, a guy with a Penny Farthing, three guys dress up as superheroes riding unicycles and a miniature bike through the crowd.
Ed and Mary headed out to Swings coffee to top off their commute with caffeine and conversation, a bike commuter together that they started called Friday Coffee Club. I hung out for a while longer. Laura, another Coffee Club regular rolled into the pit stop and I chatted with her and her entourage of male cyclists. I was beginning to think that the Rosslyn thing was just a ruse for the official BTWD Laura Pit Stop. I admired the mixte Raleigh that she designed and put together. It made the Mule look sadly mule-like and down trodden. As usual I forgot to take a picture of it. The Mule thanked me later.
I waited a while longer because my friend Florencia had told me she was coming to hang out. She's getting ready to leave the country and is very busy so - as I later learned - she overslept.I will see her tomorrow anyway.
After a super slow day at work I left for the second leg of my three legged commute. My daughter's high school spring choral concert was at 7 so I rode up (and I do mean up) Wisconsin Avenue to Cathedral Heights. I love, love, love the National Cathedral. It was extensively damage by an earthquake last August but is now open even as repairs take place. (You can donate to the repairs here.) I stopped there briefly before heading on for some food. After riding another mile I realized that I really wasn't hungry and doubled back for her concert at the Maret School just east of the cathedral..
The concert was excellent (as usual) and the crowd was especially exuberant as this was the final concert of the director of the school's musical department, Jim Erwin. Jim is leaving after 25 years to start a music program at a school for underprivileged kids in New Orleans. What a gutsy thing to do.
After the concert I grabbed a cookie and rode down into Rock Creek Park in the dark. I haven't ridden in the dark in a few months and I haven't ridden the goofy Rock Creek trail in the dark in a long, long time. I took my time and made it through the curves and bumps in one piece.
As I approached the Lincoln Memorial two small lights appeared ahead, a fox hanging out on the trail. He walked off and turned to take another look at me. I think he said, "Dude" but my fox-ese is a little rusty.
On Ohio Drive I had the southbound lane to myself. The northbound lane was filled with in-line skaters gliding along in the dark. They stretched our for about a half-mile. The ability to use all this park land at night is another part of DC that I love, The skaters and I were dodging tourist buses left and right as we passed. These buses are like lumbering prehistoric beasts. I'd swear they were feeding off the trees along the road.
I started my day riding along a busy MVT but my day ended with the MVT nearly all to myself. I passed a few people watching the planes at Gravelley Point. Blinded by headlights as I approached the George Washington Parkway I heard a blast from a whistle. Out of the headlights came two kids on small bikes. No lights but a whole lot of noise and enthusiasm.
I worked my way through the crowds in Old Town Alexandria. It was a beautiful night and the streets were packed.
After making my way through the detour of death at the Wilson Bridge I was back on the MVT for the home stretch. I nearly ran over a couple dressed in dark clothing walking on the trail near Dyke Marsh. I saw another fox dart for the underbrush. Then I stopped to check out the Morningside bald eagle nest. The eaglets were nestled all snug in their nest. I couldn't see any movement so on I rode, spotting a rabbit bounding into the undergrowth along the trail.
A mile from home on the treet I spotted my third fox of the night, this one a kit scampering into a drainage pipe on the side of the road. We've noticed a decline in the local rabbit population; my wife thinks the foxes are eating bunnies.
I arrived home after 38 1/2 miles of commuting at 10:30 pm.
I walked in my door and started talking to my wife and daughter. My daughter was late for her 1st period chemistry test this morning. It took her forever to get through the traffic in Rosslyn because of "all those damned bikers." I had warned her to leave early but did she listen. NO.
Fortunately for her, her chemistry teacher, Mr. Walker, is one of the many Maret teachers and staff who bikes to work. Sometimes those damned bikers are pretty understanding.
On Bike to Work Day organizations set up pit stops for bike commuters where there is music, food, and free stuff. I left my house at 6:15, 45 minutes early to allow time for hanging out at the Rosslyn pit stop which is only two blocks from my office. The weather could not have been better.
I was expecting to see bad biking behavior, broken down bikes and other un-fun stuff and I was not disappointed. At 3 miles, just before jumping on the Mount Vernon Trail (MVT) I saw a bike commuter with a thrown chain. I would have stopped to help but I figured he could get chain lube all over himself just as easily as I could so I rolled on.
 |
| Cyclist Approaches New Wilson Bridge Detour |
At the Woodrow Wilson Bridge I encountered a work crew. They are working on the renovation of the adjacent Jones Point Park. They are constantly installing detours in the MVT. Not one of them has been safe for riding. Guess what. These knuckleheads pick Bike to Work Day to install another detour. This one a sharp "S" curve at the base of a hill. To make things even more interesting they used stone and dirt for the surface. I wanted to hit them on the head with my frame pump but the workers are not at fault. The contractor and the City of Alexandria (a certified Bicycle Friendly City, no less) are to blame.
I made it through the detour and rode down South Royal Street.. I stopped at the Alexandria pit stop in front of City Hall. After chatting with some volunteers I rode on. Only hours later did I realize that I could have filled my panniers with free stuff (you can never have enough water bottles, you know).
 |
| Old Town Pit Stop |
The MVT was busy but not too crazy. It was, after all, still before 7 a.m. As I approached the airport, I saw a man walking his racing bike with a flat front tire. Dude, bring a tube and a pump. A couple of minutes later, for the second day in a row, I was passing someone when a bike rider came up behind me really fast and yelled "BIKE LEFT!!!" To which I loudly responded, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!" with all the sarcasm I could muster. Note to Lance Armstrong Jr.: it's not a velodrome. I do not care if you kill yourself, but I'll be damned if you are taking me with you. If you want to ride your bike recklessly at 20+ miles per hour get off the path and out on the road with the big dogs. If you ever do that again to me, I will do to you what the Cinzano team did to Dave Stoller. I have an extra frame pump so its no skin off my nose.
End of screed.
I arrived in Rosslyn and did a full sweep of the swag fest scoring a t-shirt (my umpteenth BTWD model), 2 water bottles, a bell, some sun screen, a bike pin, a super nice reflective vest, and a banana and half a bagel. There was no coffee. (I did get a 3-ounce cup an hour later.) Note to organizers: coffee is to bikes as money is to politicians. We need lots and lots or we don't run.
 |
| Vuvuzula and Paparazza |
I ran into Ed and Mary who stopped in Rosslyn because they regard it as the best put stop. They live in Southwest DC and work downtown so it's almost comically out of their way. They have a tendency to ride their bikes a lot. Ed was wearing his Paris-Brest-Paris reflective vest which he earned by riding a tandem with Mary over 700 miles in 3 1/2 days. This is what happens when they eliminate funding for nervous hospitals. Seriously, they are very nice people; you'd never know they are cycling and coffee addicts.
 |
| Ed and Mary in Caps from Nervous Hospital |
Speaking of politicians, they never let a gather of constituents go by without grabbing a microphone and making a speech. Jim Moran, my Congressman, rode to the pit stop and made a speech about how cool it would be if the MVT was widened and extended to Chain Bridge. Sadly, the Tea Party austerity fanatics are cutting all bicycle-related funding from the transportation bill. Better MVT, not bloody likely,
 |
| Ed Getting His 1,000 Bicycling T-shirt |
There were all kinds of people milling about. Photographers taking pictures of each other, a guy with a Penny Farthing, three guys dress up as superheroes riding unicycles and a miniature bike through the crowd.
 | |
| Here Mary, bagel in hand, is stalked by paparazzas |
Ed and Mary headed out to Swings coffee to top off their commute with caffeine and conversation, a bike commuter together that they started called Friday Coffee Club. I hung out for a while longer. Laura, another Coffee Club regular rolled into the pit stop and I chatted with her and her entourage of male cyclists. I was beginning to think that the Rosslyn thing was just a ruse for the official BTWD Laura Pit Stop. I admired the mixte Raleigh that she designed and put together. It made the Mule look sadly mule-like and down trodden. As usual I forgot to take a picture of it. The Mule thanked me later.
 |
| BTWD Vuvuzula Wake Up Team |
I waited a while longer because my friend Florencia had told me she was coming to hang out. She's getting ready to leave the country and is very busy so - as I later learned - she overslept.I will see her tomorrow anyway.
 |
| Here Congressman Moran gets my autograph as my stalking paparazza looks on |
 |
| Not content to stalk me with still cameras, this bloke put me in his video |
After a super slow day at work I left for the second leg of my three legged commute. My daughter's high school spring choral concert was at 7 so I rode up (and I do mean up) Wisconsin Avenue to Cathedral Heights. I love, love, love the National Cathedral. It was extensively damage by an earthquake last August but is now open even as repairs take place. (You can donate to the repairs here.) I stopped there briefly before heading on for some food. After riding another mile I realized that I really wasn't hungry and doubled back for her concert at the Maret School just east of the cathedral..
 |
| The Mule and the Cathdral |
The concert was excellent (as usual) and the crowd was especially exuberant as this was the final concert of the director of the school's musical department, Jim Erwin. Jim is leaving after 25 years to start a music program at a school for underprivileged kids in New Orleans. What a gutsy thing to do.
After the concert I grabbed a cookie and rode down into Rock Creek Park in the dark. I haven't ridden in the dark in a few months and I haven't ridden the goofy Rock Creek trail in the dark in a long, long time. I took my time and made it through the curves and bumps in one piece.
As I approached the Lincoln Memorial two small lights appeared ahead, a fox hanging out on the trail. He walked off and turned to take another look at me. I think he said, "Dude" but my fox-ese is a little rusty.
On Ohio Drive I had the southbound lane to myself. The northbound lane was filled with in-line skaters gliding along in the dark. They stretched our for about a half-mile. The ability to use all this park land at night is another part of DC that I love, The skaters and I were dodging tourist buses left and right as we passed. These buses are like lumbering prehistoric beasts. I'd swear they were feeding off the trees along the road.
I started my day riding along a busy MVT but my day ended with the MVT nearly all to myself. I passed a few people watching the planes at Gravelley Point. Blinded by headlights as I approached the George Washington Parkway I heard a blast from a whistle. Out of the headlights came two kids on small bikes. No lights but a whole lot of noise and enthusiasm.
I worked my way through the crowds in Old Town Alexandria. It was a beautiful night and the streets were packed.
After making my way through the detour of death at the Wilson Bridge I was back on the MVT for the home stretch. I nearly ran over a couple dressed in dark clothing walking on the trail near Dyke Marsh. I saw another fox dart for the underbrush. Then I stopped to check out the Morningside bald eagle nest. The eaglets were nestled all snug in their nest. I couldn't see any movement so on I rode, spotting a rabbit bounding into the undergrowth along the trail.
A mile from home on the treet I spotted my third fox of the night, this one a kit scampering into a drainage pipe on the side of the road. We've noticed a decline in the local rabbit population; my wife thinks the foxes are eating bunnies.
I arrived home after 38 1/2 miles of commuting at 10:30 pm.
I walked in my door and started talking to my wife and daughter. My daughter was late for her 1st period chemistry test this morning. It took her forever to get through the traffic in Rosslyn because of "all those damned bikers." I had warned her to leave early but did she listen. NO.
Fortunately for her, her chemistry teacher, Mr. Walker, is one of the many Maret teachers and staff who bikes to work. Sometimes those damned bikers are pretty understanding.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Well, at Least It Was Dry
I set the alarm for 5:30, a half hour earlier than usual. I needed to be in the office by 8 for a seminar. For some reason anytime I change the alarm I have trouble sleeping. I think I managed to get a solid 2 hours in last night - in 15 minute increments. I staggered out of the house at 6:30 yawning all the way down the street on my mule.
The ride was uneventful. My solitude on the Mount Vernon Trail was gone with the rain. I noticed lots of Canada geese and mallards but have yet to see any goslings or ducklings. Baby birds are right behind spring peepers and lilacs as my favorite parts of spring. I love watching them develop morning after morning on my ride to work.
When I reached the intersection with the Slaters Lane off ramp on the trail I was passed by a young woman on a single speed orange bike. It had the colors of the French flag on the tip of the rear of the rear mudguard which was otherwise orange to match the bike. The fender had the word "Public" printed on it. It looked like this:
.
It was a very cool bike and the rider was quite stylish in her smooth white helmet with brim. It looked like this
(As you can see I just discovered the Public Bikes website.)
The girl on the bike was going just about the same speed as I was so I couldn't pass her without putting on an obnoxious burst of speed. Once we passed the two flyover bridges at National Airport I managed to see daylight and I passed her, saying "I love your bike" as I went passed.
About 20 minutes later I arrived at work and rushed into the fitness center locker room. It was a sauna in there. I took a shower and could not get dry. Lovely.
I arrived at my office at 7:50 and checked my Outlook calendar to see what room the seminar was in. Then I discovered that it is two weeks from today. At least I wasn't late.
By the time 4:30 rolled around I was a zombie. I could barely keep my eyes open. Fortunately the weather was nice (if you don't mind humidity). I puttered along into a light headwind the whole way home. As I have been doing for several days, I stopped near the Morningside nest to see if I could spot a bald eagle. Bingo. A big eagle flew into the nest just as I looked up. The leaves on the tree around the nest obscured the bird but there was no mistaking its massive wings flapping as it landed on the nest.
After arriving home, my son fetched an extension ladder for me and I climbed it to clear out a gutter. Having a 20-year old boy around the house sure is convenient. I struggle to carry and orient that ladder but he was whipping it around like it was made of styrofoam. Usually when I mess with the ladder my back hurts for days.
Since last Friday I have logged just under 220 miles. If I am going to put in a five-bike-commute week, I need to get some shut eye.
Zzzzzzzzz.....
The ride was uneventful. My solitude on the Mount Vernon Trail was gone with the rain. I noticed lots of Canada geese and mallards but have yet to see any goslings or ducklings. Baby birds are right behind spring peepers and lilacs as my favorite parts of spring. I love watching them develop morning after morning on my ride to work.
When I reached the intersection with the Slaters Lane off ramp on the trail I was passed by a young woman on a single speed orange bike. It had the colors of the French flag on the tip of the rear of the rear mudguard which was otherwise orange to match the bike. The fender had the word "Public" printed on it. It looked like this:
.
It was a very cool bike and the rider was quite stylish in her smooth white helmet with brim. It looked like this
(As you can see I just discovered the Public Bikes website.)
The girl on the bike was going just about the same speed as I was so I couldn't pass her without putting on an obnoxious burst of speed. Once we passed the two flyover bridges at National Airport I managed to see daylight and I passed her, saying "I love your bike" as I went passed.
About 20 minutes later I arrived at work and rushed into the fitness center locker room. It was a sauna in there. I took a shower and could not get dry. Lovely.
I arrived at my office at 7:50 and checked my Outlook calendar to see what room the seminar was in. Then I discovered that it is two weeks from today. At least I wasn't late.
By the time 4:30 rolled around I was a zombie. I could barely keep my eyes open. Fortunately the weather was nice (if you don't mind humidity). I puttered along into a light headwind the whole way home. As I have been doing for several days, I stopped near the Morningside nest to see if I could spot a bald eagle. Bingo. A big eagle flew into the nest just as I looked up. The leaves on the tree around the nest obscured the bird but there was no mistaking its massive wings flapping as it landed on the nest.
After arriving home, my son fetched an extension ladder for me and I climbed it to clear out a gutter. Having a 20-year old boy around the house sure is convenient. I struggle to carry and orient that ladder but he was whipping it around like it was made of styrofoam. Usually when I mess with the ladder my back hurts for days.
Since last Friday I have logged just under 220 miles. If I am going to put in a five-bike-commute week, I need to get some shut eye.
Zzzzzzzzz.....
Monday, May 14, 2012
What a Saucy Fellow
One of my favorite concerts of all time was seeing Raffi when my kids were little. Raffi is most famous for the song "Baby Beluga", but his real talent is toddler wrangling. He had 1,500 kids in the palm of his hand. "We'll sing another song when you guys go back to your seats." And they all did. Immediately. Raffi is a god.
My youngest child is 17. And this is a bicycling blog. What the hell am I going on about Raffi for?
It rained today. The kind of rain that keeps sane people from moving to Seattle. Small drops by the bajillions. I was soaked before I left my driveway. Robins were bouncing around in the grass hunting for worms. And whenever I see robins in the rain I think of the Raffi song called - wait for it - "Robin in the Rain":
Robin in the rain
What a saucy fellow
Robin in the rain
Mind you socks of yellow
And so I felt quite a saucy fellow today (except my socks were black and wool and smelled like a dead goat when I got to work).
Most of my ride in was alone. This is Bike to Work Week amigos. Do I have to do this all by myself? Okay. That means more bagels and coffee for me at the Rosslyn rest stop for Friday's Bike to Work Day. Go ahead. Drive your cars. Bwahaha. Nom. Nom.
The water gets to you.
I was passed by only two bike riders on the way in today. That could be a record. Normally, it's in the dozens. Those young whippersnappers who get on the trail after Old Town Alexandria with their fresh legs must think they're something leaving me in their wake. Just wait. Time will catch up with you and you'll be slogging along just like me. In 20 years or so.
Riding in the rain is actually quite fun even with the mediocre brakes on the Sequoia. Even if it weren't fun, riding in the rain when the temperatures are moderate is way better than riding in January bundled up like Charlie Brown.
I was expecting a ride home in the same rain but five minutes after I left the office the rain stopped. The Mount Vernon Trail was mine and it was 65 degrees. And I had I light tailwind, to boot. Not too shabby.
I saw the movie The Avengers (the one with Iron Man not Diana Rigg in leather) last night. I loved it. I collected comics as a kid and had the very first Avengers comic. I was a little disappointed that Giant Man and the Wasp were not in the movie, but you can't have everything. Now that I think about it ScarJo in leather was a pretty good replacement.
Egad, another pointless tangent. Not so! In one scene in the movie, The Hulk (do you capitalize the "T"?) tries to pick up Thor's hammer and can't. Thor's hammer can only be lifted by Thor. I am pretty sure The Hulk would have trouble picking up the Sequoia (or is it The Sequoia?). So I had this idea that I would finally give the Sequoia a proper name. I'd name it after Thor's hammer. So I looked it up on Wikipedia. Thor's hammer's name is Mjolnir with two dots over the "o", I think it rhymes with "mule deer". On second thought, I'll just call it the Sequoia. After 30,000+ miles it's too late to change now.
Obviously I have water on the brain. The forecast calls for more rain tomorrow. I may have to switch tunes to "Rubber Ducky" if it doesn't stop soon.
My youngest child is 17. And this is a bicycling blog. What the hell am I going on about Raffi for?
It rained today. The kind of rain that keeps sane people from moving to Seattle. Small drops by the bajillions. I was soaked before I left my driveway. Robins were bouncing around in the grass hunting for worms. And whenever I see robins in the rain I think of the Raffi song called - wait for it - "Robin in the Rain":
Robin in the rain
What a saucy fellow
Robin in the rain
Mind you socks of yellow
And so I felt quite a saucy fellow today (except my socks were black and wool and smelled like a dead goat when I got to work).
Most of my ride in was alone. This is Bike to Work Week amigos. Do I have to do this all by myself? Okay. That means more bagels and coffee for me at the Rosslyn rest stop for Friday's Bike to Work Day. Go ahead. Drive your cars. Bwahaha. Nom. Nom.
The water gets to you.
I was passed by only two bike riders on the way in today. That could be a record. Normally, it's in the dozens. Those young whippersnappers who get on the trail after Old Town Alexandria with their fresh legs must think they're something leaving me in their wake. Just wait. Time will catch up with you and you'll be slogging along just like me. In 20 years or so.
Riding in the rain is actually quite fun even with the mediocre brakes on the Sequoia. Even if it weren't fun, riding in the rain when the temperatures are moderate is way better than riding in January bundled up like Charlie Brown.
I was expecting a ride home in the same rain but five minutes after I left the office the rain stopped. The Mount Vernon Trail was mine and it was 65 degrees. And I had I light tailwind, to boot. Not too shabby.
I saw the movie The Avengers (the one with Iron Man not Diana Rigg in leather) last night. I loved it. I collected comics as a kid and had the very first Avengers comic. I was a little disappointed that Giant Man and the Wasp were not in the movie, but you can't have everything. Now that I think about it ScarJo in leather was a pretty good replacement.
Egad, another pointless tangent. Not so! In one scene in the movie, The Hulk (do you capitalize the "T"?) tries to pick up Thor's hammer and can't. Thor's hammer can only be lifted by Thor. I am pretty sure The Hulk would have trouble picking up the Sequoia (or is it The Sequoia?). So I had this idea that I would finally give the Sequoia a proper name. I'd name it after Thor's hammer. So I looked it up on Wikipedia. Thor's hammer's name is Mjolnir with two dots over the "o", I think it rhymes with "mule deer". On second thought, I'll just call it the Sequoia. After 30,000+ miles it's too late to change now.
Obviously I have water on the brain. The forecast calls for more rain tomorrow. I may have to switch tunes to "Rubber Ducky" if it doesn't stop soon.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
BIke DC on Fumes
Yesterday's 50 mile jaunt took a lot out of me. I spent the night dealing with leg cramps and barely getting any sleep. I got up at 5:30, snarfed a small bowl of Frosted Flakes, grabbed a banana and headed for DC aboard the Sequioa. I stopped briefly at the Morningside bald eagle nest but didn't see any birds. I took my time getting to Old Town and rode with the minimal car traffic up Washington Street. I saw many bikes either on the road ahead of me or on the backs of cars. After picking up the Mount Vernon Trail a cyclists passed me. "Riding Bike DC?" he asked. I said, "Yes" and he let out a yelp and sped ahead.
Near the airport a couple of roadies passed me by so I picked up the rear wheel of the second guy and off we went at 18-19 miles per hour. They dropped me at the 14th Street Bridge but I appreciated the tow. In the city there was hardly any car traffic so making it to the start was a breeze.
The start was chaotic. Nobody was directing people to the registration tables so we all fended for ourselves. I was given a t-shirt ticket (for after the ride), a BikeDC sign to stick to the front of my bike, and a map of the short course even though I asked for a different one. Oh, well. I'll just follow the crowd.
I quickly hooked up with a woman of a certain age who's husband was out of town. I wished her a happy Mothers Day and we chatted our way for the next five miles.
The start began without an announcement and we were off. On Pennsylvania Avenue I spotted fellow blogger K. C. who rode the Police Unity Tour from Richmond to DC the last three days. I yelled "BETTY!" which is the name of her cruiser bike and she waved.
We rode up into Rock Creek Park. It was cooler in the canyon. What a shame the road is not closed to traffic more often. It was a beautiful ride.
Back out of RCP we wound our way through Foggy Bottom to a rest stop. Rest stop? We've only gone a few miles! A volunteer handed me a banana as I rolled by and I left the stop without stopping. Into the E Street tunnel and out onto the Roosevelt Bridge which was a bit of a surprise since I thought we'd be riding over Key Bridge as we had the last time I did this ride.
On the Virginia side of the river we rode north on the GW Parkway. This uphill stretch was quite fun as we climbed to and above the treetops. I stopped at an overlook and enjoyed the view of the river and the DC Palisades. Back on the bike, I noticed that the view over the guardrail was spectacular. Too bad we blast by this in our cars.
We turned around and sped back the way we came. I kept looking for people I knew but saw no one. I was riding alone at this point so I was missing the vibe of chatter that I am used to from these kinds of rides.
We passed Rosslyn and then doubled back on US 50 to take the exit near the Iwo Jima Memorial. A left hand turn took us to the road along side Arlington Memorial Cemetery where we (and I mean at least 200 cyclists) were stopped and turned around. I was told there had been a nasty accident, two cyclists collided head on near the bottom of the hill. So hundreds of cyclists found themselves riding into hundreds of cyclists. Brilliant!
We ended up somehow back on the Roosevelt Bridge salmoning the throngs who had started long after us. On the DC side there were no course marshals to guide us so I followed the lost souls in front of me and we meandered through Foggy Bottom to that first rest stop which turned out to be the finish. (We should have gone into the E Street tunnel instead),
I've done Bike DC several times and I can't remember when it went off without a major snag, It was a beautiful day. The event got me out of bed and on the bike. The Parkway was nice. As was Rock Creek Park. I think I'm done with Bike DC though. I prefer the anarchy of the 50 States Ride or just a long ride in the country.
The ride home was on impulse power. Since it is my commute I was on auto pilot. I ate an early lunch and some ice cream, laid down on the couch, pulled on a snuggie, turned on a basketball game, and fell into a deep sleep.
Off to see The Avengers with my wife and kids. All my wife wants for Mothers Day is Robert Downey, Jr.
We aim to please.
Near the airport a couple of roadies passed me by so I picked up the rear wheel of the second guy and off we went at 18-19 miles per hour. They dropped me at the 14th Street Bridge but I appreciated the tow. In the city there was hardly any car traffic so making it to the start was a breeze.
The start was chaotic. Nobody was directing people to the registration tables so we all fended for ourselves. I was given a t-shirt ticket (for after the ride), a BikeDC sign to stick to the front of my bike, and a map of the short course even though I asked for a different one. Oh, well. I'll just follow the crowd.
I quickly hooked up with a woman of a certain age who's husband was out of town. I wished her a happy Mothers Day and we chatted our way for the next five miles.
The start began without an announcement and we were off. On Pennsylvania Avenue I spotted fellow blogger K. C. who rode the Police Unity Tour from Richmond to DC the last three days. I yelled "BETTY!" which is the name of her cruiser bike and she waved.
We rode up into Rock Creek Park. It was cooler in the canyon. What a shame the road is not closed to traffic more often. It was a beautiful ride.
Back out of RCP we wound our way through Foggy Bottom to a rest stop. Rest stop? We've only gone a few miles! A volunteer handed me a banana as I rolled by and I left the stop without stopping. Into the E Street tunnel and out onto the Roosevelt Bridge which was a bit of a surprise since I thought we'd be riding over Key Bridge as we had the last time I did this ride.
On the Virginia side of the river we rode north on the GW Parkway. This uphill stretch was quite fun as we climbed to and above the treetops. I stopped at an overlook and enjoyed the view of the river and the DC Palisades. Back on the bike, I noticed that the view over the guardrail was spectacular. Too bad we blast by this in our cars.
We turned around and sped back the way we came. I kept looking for people I knew but saw no one. I was riding alone at this point so I was missing the vibe of chatter that I am used to from these kinds of rides.
We passed Rosslyn and then doubled back on US 50 to take the exit near the Iwo Jima Memorial. A left hand turn took us to the road along side Arlington Memorial Cemetery where we (and I mean at least 200 cyclists) were stopped and turned around. I was told there had been a nasty accident, two cyclists collided head on near the bottom of the hill. So hundreds of cyclists found themselves riding into hundreds of cyclists. Brilliant!
We ended up somehow back on the Roosevelt Bridge salmoning the throngs who had started long after us. On the DC side there were no course marshals to guide us so I followed the lost souls in front of me and we meandered through Foggy Bottom to that first rest stop which turned out to be the finish. (We should have gone into the E Street tunnel instead),
I've done Bike DC several times and I can't remember when it went off without a major snag, It was a beautiful day. The event got me out of bed and on the bike. The Parkway was nice. As was Rock Creek Park. I think I'm done with Bike DC though. I prefer the anarchy of the 50 States Ride or just a long ride in the country.
The ride home was on impulse power. Since it is my commute I was on auto pilot. I ate an early lunch and some ice cream, laid down on the couch, pulled on a snuggie, turned on a basketball game, and fell into a deep sleep.
Off to see The Avengers with my wife and kids. All my wife wants for Mothers Day is Robert Downey, Jr.
We aim to please.
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