Missed connection

[W Odie]

Today’s Pooch Cafe:

[creadinger]

To the lady riding a dark cherry IF going south on Potomac Ave in Potomac Yard this evening – I don’t know if you understood me, but I yelled “I really like your bike!” as I rode by. It was hard to hear anything in that wind though. Anyway, I also have a dark cherry IF and there aren’t too many around, so it was nice to see. The lettering on yours looked old school. Very cool.

I hope the rest of your ride was better than that stretch fighting the wind.

[baiskeli]

Um, young lady passing me going south on the Mt. V trail just as I am passing a jogger? Don’t do that. Or at least call the pass first.

[mstone]

@baiskeli 113003 wrote:

Um, young lady passing me going south on the Mt. V trail just as I am passing a jogger? Don’t do that. Or at least call the pass first.

A couple of people did unsafe passes on me yesterday. Part of the spring wakeup, I assume.

[brendan]

@mstone 113019 wrote:

A couple of people did unsafe passes on me yesterday. Part of the spring wakeup, I assume.

Yup, time to seasonally adjust our trail safety strategies…

B

[bobco85]

Couldn’t help myself with the title

The Good: woman and man biking on the MVT in Belle Haven Park – the woman was biking on the correct side of the trail, the man was riding alongside her on the wrong side of the trail. As I approach from behind them, I hear her correcting him then explaining how to call passes (“On your left!”). As I call my pass (I say “Passing!”) and pass them, I overhear her tell him that he can also do it that way. Many thanks to you, Jane Doe, for supporting safe biking on the MVT!

The Bad: driver on Beulah Rd north of Franconia-Springfield Pkwy; at first, he is in the right lane, then as we approach a light, he drifts over into the bike lane for about 15 feet, then makes a lane change across all 3 lanes (1 bike, 2 vehicle) in order to get in the left turn lane. I think he was looking for the street sign on the pole on the right side of the road while reading directions that said “Turn LEFT on (road).” – Dude, pull over if you don’t know where you are!

The Ugly: man I see riding on the sidewalk along Wilson Blvd with a lit cigarette in his mouth – dude, I think you may be counteracting any benefits of exercise here!

[chris_s]

Dear fellow cyclist on the Route 1 bridge,
I know Four Mile Run is pretty in the morning, but please also glance in front of you once in a while to ensure you are not riding directly into someone coming the other way.

Dear weather,
Thanks for being awesome.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@bobco85 113056 wrote:

Couldn’t help myself with the title

The Ugly: man I see riding on the sidewalk along Wilson Blvd with a lit cigarette in his mouth – dude, I think you may be counteracting any benefits of exercise here!

Not to worry, he was probably smoking Camels.

[dkel]

@ShawnoftheDread 113214 wrote:

Not to worry, he was probably smoking Camels.

Famous cyclists say: ShawnoftheDread is so mild! “ShawnoftheDread’s posts are so mild, they never bother my nerves.” “To my mind that settles it! ShawnoftheDread is the poster with real mildness.”

[ShawnoftheDread]

Watch it, before I get your wind.

[Subby]

Business Girl knows what’s up.

[Subby]

@bobco85 113056 wrote:

The Ugly: man I see riding on the sidewalk along Wilson Blvd with a lit cigarette in his mouth – dude, I think you may be counteracting any benefits of exercise here!

Applies…

[dasgeh]

You: cyclist going a bit slower than my speed through the TR Island parking lot
Me: cyclist who caught up to you just behind the curvy part of the trail leading to the wooden bridge, politely waiting for a clear chance to pass (i.e. once it was clear you weren’t turning on the MVT)

I get that being passed by a pregnant women with streamers on the back of her bike serves as a reminder that you are somehow inadequate. But if you bust your ass up the hill to keep in front of me, only to have to slow down on the bridge, both of us get to work later, and you’re just being a dick.

[Steve O]

@bobco85 113056 wrote:

The Ugly: man I see riding on the sidewalk along Wilson Blvd with a lit cigarette in his mouth – dude, I think you may be counteracting any benefits of exercise here!

Mildly disagree. Although I am not a promoter of smoking, I believe riding a bike is something everyone and anyone can do–including smokers. The more of us on bikes, the better and safer it is for everyone. Also, just his presence helps spread the message that riding a bike isn’t just for MAMILs and the like, but for everyday people doing everyday things. I applaud him for using a convenient, inexpensive and urban-friendly form of transportation.

[hozn]

@Steve O 113265 wrote:

Mildly disagree. Although I am not a promoter of smoking, I believe riding a bike is something everyone and anyone can do–including smokers. The more of us on bikes, the better and safer it is for everyone. Also, just his presence helps spread the message that riding a bike isn’t just for MAMILs and the like, but for everyday people doing everyday things. I applaud him for using a convenient, inexpensive and urban-friendly form of transportation.

+1

I would also add that a sizable percentage (probably the majority, I don’t pay close attention) of the cyclists I encounter on my commute (the W&OD) are not exactly sporting “athletic” builds. (In sharp contrast to runners.) Obviously I value cycling for exercise, but it’s also possible that some people just ride their bikes because it’s a lot of fun [or, as Steve notes, because it’s an often convenient way to get from point A to point B]. And if they want to enjoy a pack of camel straights while doing so, I’d have a hard time judging them for it (other than the rational stupidity of smoking, of course).

[Author]

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