[BigAgnes]

Another suggested response is: “Are you all right?” If you feel compelled to respond. The best response is no response.

This area is over crowded and it’s just getting worse. Makes people unhappy, angry, frustrated, etc. No excuse, however, for what she did to you (must have been raised by wolves….but I digress). She belongs in the pokey, away from decent people.

People like that wish that my bike was equipped with a super soaker with which I could blast the offensive, dangerous person. I’d fill it with red, permanent ink. Or a stop strip that I could launch from my bike, James Bond style, and flatten her big SUV’s tires. But that would be stooping to her level, and all of us here are too good for being vengeful.

Karma will get her, if it hasn’t already.

[BigAgnes]

Thanks for the update!

[BigAgnes]

PrintError is a legend. He is a Florida transplant who has commuted through the worst winter weather (hasn’t missed a day in, what? two years?). Yes, he bike commuted through last winter’s blizzards. He is an inspiration to many of us and his commuting tales have inspired a lot of people at work to take up cycling.

He used to be faster when he had a pony tail, though. 😎

[BigAgnes]

Snot rocket. Just make sure to check that there is no one in striking distance behind you before you launch ‘er…..

[BigAgnes]

Dirt, you are my hero for starting this thread. My Bar Mitts arrived yesterday and I tested them out this morning (in the 30s w/a windchill). I did a 43 mile ride and my hands were sweating (wrong choice of glove—should have worn something more lightweight). The mitts kept out the cold/wind and kept in the warmth. Even though my hands/gloves were soaked, they stayed warm, which I will take any day over getting cold/numb/painful. The bike I rode had a shimano gruppo, so the mitts have zippers to accommodate the cables. The zipper stayed put. Very easy to install. Took awhile to adjust to the mitts, they are snug. That said, I had no problems shifting, braking, steering, handling the bike. Despite having a narrow handlebar, the mitts didn’t interfere with my primary and back up headlights. Took some practice getting my hands in and out of the mitts while in motion (like I said, they are snug), but I was increasingly comfortable with it as the ride progressed.

Went ahead and ordered a set for my ‘cross bike (campy gruppo).

The Moose Mitts look nice, too.

[BigAgnes]

Thanks for the review and the links, Dirt. I’ve contemplated getting bar mitts for a couple of years. Went ahead and ordered a pair. Hopefully, I’ll be able to retire the Lobster gloves and chemical hand warmers!

[BigAgnes]

Dirt, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they cleaned it up right away. In the summer, it was taking weeks for them to clear up the mud/sand…..guess they had higher priorities (budget cuts, can only do so much). All that said, it beats the snow/ice.

[BigAgnes]

The aftermath is sometimes worse. Piles of mud that dries into slippery sand. Seems like it takes awhile for the county/park officials to clean it up.

[BigAgnes]

You need the right equipment—good quality headlight and tail light, at minimum. Also, decent, wicking, insulating clothing. Reflective top layers (jacket, tights/leg warmers, etc). The biggest challenge for me is keeping my hands and feet comfortable—I resort to chemical hand/toe warmers on the coldest days. Since I try to ride all winter, so long as the pavement is dry/clear, I’ve invested in winter bike shoes (Lake MTB). Once you acclimate to the cold (takes a couple rides), it’s not too bad. One benefit is that the trails are less crowded.

[BigAgnes]

Just a head’s up that the detour is set up at this location already. It’s well marked and not a significant diversion.

[BigAgnes]

I wonder why they just don’t put up the detour again? The barrels and signs are still along the trail.

Tim, thanks for the head’s up on these construction projects!

[BigAgnes]

I used the detour this morning, and found it pretty well marked/decently lit. Not too much of a diversion from the normal route. The construction crew had the underpass glowing w/klieg lights—surreal! From the pedestrian overpass (detour) above 66, you could see them working on the top of the bridge.

[BigAgnes]

If it doesn’t rain and I can get out to ride, I’ll post a head’s up as to the exact locations of the closing(s) and any detours. From the map/link Tim provided, it does indeed look like that section will be shut down beneath 66 and everyone will be re-routed to a well-lit, very easy to navigate detour via the pedestrian overpass.

[BigAgnes]

Tim, Thanks!

[BigAgnes]

Actually, I think the work is planned for further west on the trail (the underpass beneath 66, not far from the where the Custis meets the W&OD). Probably can use the same detour that was set up a few years ago when that section was closed before.

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