calamari to go

Current events

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:51:31 GMT

Catching up on the ride reports. Still a few to post.

Bike is currently in dry-dock. Last weekend at Bike DC I broke the front brake cable and didn't want to continue in the rain with just the rear brake. Cut the ride short. Stopped by Oasis Bike Works Monday to get a new brake cable and pick up the other parts I had ordered. Started to replace the cable and discovered that I also needed a new connector piece (cantilever brake). Also discovered that the rear brake pads had worn down so much that metal was touching metal. Not enough to damage the rim, but it needs immediate attention.
Wednesday picked up the connector piece and new pads. Finished fixing the front brake last night and will try to put in the new rear pads tonight. Being the old straight-post cantilever style it may take a while to get right. With luck I'll finish and be ready to ride Saturday.

Except Saturday is forecast for rain.....again.
Sunday.....we'll see where we end up.

Decided it was time to upgrade my drive train. Will replace 12-28 cassette with a 11-28, and the 48T big ring with a 50T. That will get me more gears on the high end without affecting the low end. Will also replace the chain and both jockey wheels. Should only cost me parts, which I have in hand, since cassette and chain replacement will be the subject of next months bike maintenance class, with my bike as the test subject. Might take the opportunity to replace the 38T ring, too (while we have everything unbolted).

Already started lubbing everything in sight.

* * * *

Season is running down. Currently at 1551 miles. Should still make the 1800+ mile goal if the weather cooperates, but with the hit I've taken with recent mechanical problems I probably won't make much past that, much less 2000 miles.

The Old Triangle

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:25:44 GMT

originally posted October 22

* * * *

Sunday September 27 , 2009
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Start: Bon Air
Route: Custis Trail, Mount Vernon Trail, Four Mile Run Trail, W&OD
Weather: mid 70's, humid, mostly sunny, light breeze
Distance: 17 miles
YTD: 1447 miles

Saturday was free museum day. Went to the Crime and Punishment museum with the family, then a quick lunch, to the National Gallery for the Spanish armor show, to Dupont Circle to visit Ginza, then to Meskerem in Adams Morgan for dinner. On top of that, it rained almost all day. Needless to say, no bike ride.
Sunday. Lazed around the house in the morning. Made eggs for breakfast. Some yard work and grocery shopping. Also had to make a quick site visit at one of the properties in Arlington. Had no special plans for today's ride, but since I started late and hadn't been to the office, I needed to keep the ride short. Just not as short as it turned out.
After the site visit I decided to start from Bon Air, but still hadn't decided which direction to ride. Almost 1:00 when I actually started. Headed in on the Custis, thinking that I might take the CCT to Bethesda, or down to the Wilson Bridge. About a mile and a couple of hills into the ride I realize that I don't have my gloves on. I had set them aside to put on sunscreen and had forgotten them. Instead of retracing my path, I decided to try the ride without gloves. By the time I got to Rosslynn, I realized that this was going to be a bad decision. My hands were starting to feel the pounding. I decided to ride the Arlington Triangle back to Bon Air, retrieve the gloves, and decide what to do from there.
MVT was not very crowded. Views of the river were very pretty. Easy ride down to 4MR and up the W&OD to Bon Air. I was trying to take good care of my hands, but my palms are feeling tender. Plus I'm very hungry. Got back to the car around 2:30 and packed up. Headed to SFW for salad (and a doughnut) then to the office with the thought of doing a second ride to Merrifield, equipped with pen and paper to write down phone numbers. Drive from Fair City to CT the skies cloud over and I get to my office just as the skies open. Two hours of rain dampen plans for a second ride.

Stops: Custis at Quincy (remove layers), Gravely Point (w,f,t), 4MR (ph)

Flora and fauna: Lots of Woodland Sunflower and rag weed. Still some crepe mrytle. Small white and yellow flowers, and some larger purple ones along 4MR. Petals off the BES.
Usual small birds. Cat birds along the Custis. Squirrels.
Road kills spotted: none

Incidents and accidents: No car incidents, since I was almost entirely on trail. Actually, the cars turning at Lynn were not good at stopping for the bikes in the crosswalk.
A few trail-hog pedestrians. A couple of fast passing bikes who didn't call out. Bike coming the other way near Gravely Point made an unsafe pass a head of me and I had to move to the edge of the trail.

Health: half bottle water, one powerbar.
Started out fine, but without gloves my hands and shoulders were affected. Started riding with more weight on the seat, which hurt my back and butt.

Mechanical: Gear slippage.

Best of: weather
Worst of: riding with sore hands.

Observations:
None. Delayed writing this so long that I forgot what I saw.

Sum up: Too short a ride. Should have started earlier and gone back for my gloves.

Loop, redux.

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:24:15 GMT

originally posted October 22

* * * *

Saturday September 19, 2009
8:30 am to 2:00 pm
Start: Rosslyn
Route: 16th St, Clarendon Blvd, Wilson, Lynn, Key Bridge, M St, Wisconsin Ave, K St, Capital Crescent Trail, Jones Mill, Beach, Dewey, Matthew Henson Trail, Glenallen, Kemp Mill, Arcola, Sligo Creek Trail and Parkway, Northwest Branch, Grape, Allison, Varnum, 19th, South Dakota, 18th, Montana, West Virginia, K St, 6th, Constitution, Mall, River Trail, K St, CCT, C&O, Key Bridge, Nash, Key, Wilson, Rhodes, 16th
Map: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3207876
Weather: mid 70's, sunny, breezy
Distance: 52 miles
YTD: 1430 miles

Wanted some distance today, but didn't want to drive out far. Decided to continue exploring the trail loop to Wheaton Park. PPTC was doing a Beach to Creek ride, and if I had started a little earlier I might have joined them.
Started at the usual place in Rosslyn. Rode up CCT to Bethesda, then Georgetown Branch to Jones Mill and Beach. Henson Trail to the gate of Brookside. Instead of walking through the park like the previous time, I rode around on the roads, trying to find the south entrance. Had a bit of trouble finding it. The map I brought ended at the north side of the park. A police man directed me to a place where I picked up Sligo Creek trail. Rode down the Parkway and trail to the Northwest Branch and Northeast Branch. Took a slightly different route to Allison. Tried 19thinstead of 18th, but the hill is not any easier and crossing South Dakota is messy. Thought about riding down to the Wilson Bridge, but this was Anime Saturday and I needed to get home to help clean up for the guests. I headed more or less straight back, but I wanted to do more than 50 miles. I rode to Fletchers on the CCT and back on the C&O to round up the mileage.

Stops: Fletcher's Cove (t), Winding Creek (t,f,w), Kemp Mill (directions), Sligo Creek (f,t), Fletcher's (f)

Flora and fauna: Lots of Woodland Sunflower and QAL. Most of the BES have dropped their petals. Usual small birds. Mourning doves, gulls, geese, ducks, crows. Greater Blue Heron in the C&O at Fletcher's. Northern Flicker where Sligo meets NW Branch. Grey and black squirrels. Turtles in C&O and ponds along Sligo Creek. Butterflies and grasshoppers. Can still hear cicadas.
Road kills spotted: squirrel

Incidents and accidents: I'm sure there were some, but I'm writing this so long after the ride that I don't recall.

Health: 1 1/2 bottles water, 1 1/2 powerbars (had half left over from last weekend)
Seat a little tender by the end. Legs feeling it by the time I got to the Mall.
Mechanical: Gears slipping.

First time this season: South Dakota
First time ever: Glenallen, Kemp Mill, Arcloa, Grape, 19th St

Best of: Trail riding.
Worst of: nothing bad that I can think of.

Observations: Remember a bit, but not much.
Lower CCT not crowded. Bethesda stretch and especially the Georgetown Branch very crowded.
Followed the route from Henson to Brookside without looking at the map. Looks promising as a loop route.
Got worried when I couldn't find the road on the south side of Wheaton Park. Policeman directing traffic at a synagogue directed me to a shopping center that had a connection to the trail at the back of the parking lot.
Surprised to see the WV Ave gate of Mount Olivet open. Wasn't when I last rode through there and would have liked to have exited that way.

Sum up: I'm liking this loop. With a little tweaking it might make a good PPTC C level ride.

86 is the new 75

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:07:26 GMT

originally posted October 20

* * * *

New York Century

the Big One

Sunday September 13, 2009
5:30 am to 4:00 pm
Start: Riverside Drive at 122nd
Route:
Pre-ride - Riverside, 110th to Central Park at 7th.
Ride -
Post-ride - Central Park twice, 110th, Riverside.
Maps: Main route already put in by NightHawkHat of Bikefroums.net. First page is the same as the 75/86 mile route I took. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?cd=20&geocode=FVDNbwIdw5iY-w&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe= UTF8&msa=0&msid=101133561933783931258.00047392ee07233c577c8&z=11
Last part of 75/86 and post ride.
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iggentleman/sets/72157622501397905/
Weather: mid 60's to mid 80's, partly to mostly sunny, light breeze
Distance: 101.7 miles total
(Pre 2 miles, ride 86 miles, post 14 miles)
YTD: 1378 miles

Yes we can.
Unexpected, but I rode my first century.

I planned to do a century some day, probably at a NY100. Just hadn't planned for this day. My fourth time on this ride and in previous years I had done 40, 84 and 80 miles. My original plan was to ride a modified 75 mile route, like last year, with a side trip to the NY Botanical Garden to see the LEED platinum visitor center. Maybe even a lunch trip to Otofuku. Several things against me - I had not been doing many long rides this year (only 5 over 50 miles up to that point in the season), my gears had been slipping due to a stretched chain and I had a fall on the previous week's ride that left a deep bruise on my butt that interfered with using stairs and chairs. I hadn't ridden since the fall and I wasn't sure if my injury would even allow me to ride. Decided to take it one rest stop at a time.

Got to my parents house late on Friday. Had hoped to ride from Fort Lee to MOMA, or Central Park to East Village for lunch at Otofuku, but continuous rain meant no shake down ride. Mostly rested Saturday, did some shopping. Pizza for dinner. Went to bed early (for me) with the alarm set for 3:45. Woke up a bit before the alarm went off. Breakfast of frozen waffles and juice. Had packed most of what I needed in the car the day before, so I just had to get dressed. Headed out by 4:30. Easy drive in, over the GWB and to my usual spot on Riverside Drive by just after 5:00. Got the bike out and ready and headed over to Central Park.

Had arranged to meet up with a couple of BikeForum members for this ride. I had a multi-colored balloon attached to my pack as an i.d. One of them, J, arrived around 5:35. Another, pg, was stuck in the lines somewhere behind us, so we made tentative plans to meet up at Prospect Park. J and I get into the cue pickup line and find ourselves in the first starting group. Looking over the cue I see that the 75 mile route is actually 86 miles. Trip to the Rockaways added a lot. J and I talk for a while. He is an aspiring architect about to start his license exams. Having gone through the same thing 25 years earlier, I know what he is in for.

Roll-out was almost on time. Route took us straight to Riverside and down to West End Drive and 9th Ave instead of Broadway. Car traffic is light. Through China Town to Lafayette and across the Brooklyn Bridge just in time for a gorgeous sunrise. Followed the route of my first NY100, across the "troll" bridge and up Park Slope to Prospect Park. Arrived at the first rest stop a little after 7:30. Food and toilet break. The rest rooms in the zoo were open this year and the Sea Lion enjoyed the early crowd. J called pg, but he hasn't even made it to Brooklyn Bridge. We decide not to wait. The day is getting warm fast so I strip off my arm and leg warmers. By 8:00 we head out again.

J and I seem to have similar abilities and like to ride at the same pace. I suspect that he is a bit stronger than me (and 25+ years younger) so I set the pace at what is comfortable for me. Ride along the shore path is fast. Clear views across the harbor to Staten Island. Couple of big freighters headed in. Get to see Coney Island waking up. J has a clipped-in fall over at the light in front of Keyspan Park. Knee a little scrapped up, but he is ok. Arrive at Mariners Park rest stop around 9:30. Food and toilets are in one area, water in another. I still don't need to refill, but I wash the sticky orange juice off my hands. J's knee is still bleeding and we don't see a first aide table, so I pull out my mini-kit and he cleans and bandages it up. I'm still feeling good and decide to continue to the Kissena stop. Across the bridge to the Rockaways. My first time there. A little beach town, very different from the rest of the city. We stop at the beach, ostensibly to photograph a huge kite, but really to take off my long sleeve jersey and rest my butt, which is starting to feel the distance. The ride back up the Cross Bay is a long slough, especially with clouds coming in and a stiff breeze from the north. On the other hand, the overcast means that the ride is cooler. By the time we get to Flushing Meadows the sun is back out and the mid-day heat is arriving. Approaching the bridge I look ahead and think "that looks like the set from the MIB movie" then I realize where we are. Ride takes a turn around the Unisphere, then under the bridge and to the Kissena velo-drome. One loop of the track and we head for the third rest stop at Kissena Park. Toilet, more food, and this time I fill up the nearly empty camelback. Butt is sore, toes starting to tingle, palms tender, but my back, arms neck and legs still feel good. I decide to skip my detour and continue with J on the full 75 mile route.

The route east of Kissena is all new to me. It is relatively flat and easy. Much of it is on pleasant greenways. I'm using a lot of techniques to stretch and rest while riding, but a little past Citi-field we stop under a bridge for a butt rest. As we roll up, a rider avoiding a wayward pedestrian goes down. She's a little scraped, but is ok. A marshal stops to help. We continue on to Astoria rest stop, arriving around 2:30, well ahead of last year's time. Still a lot of food available. I top off the Camelback. I've decided to only ride the 75/86 miles route, but J wants to try the full 100/104. We stay together until the split at the bottom of the Tri-boro bridge ramp, the shake hands and go our separate routes. I start making frequent stops to take pictures. Over the foot bridge to Manhattan, then the last couple of miles to Central Park.

The finish line had more things than previous years. They actually had food, probably left overs from Prospect Park. T shirt and water bottle were junk, but they had a waterproof seat cover that should be useful. After resting a bit I was eying my bike computer, which read 88 miles. I was feeling mostly good - butt and toes were the worst, but most of the rest of me is ok. Decided to go for 100 miles by doing a loop or two of Central Park. I had wanted to ride the park anyway, so this was my chance. Made the first loop at a good pace, then stopped at the northern cut-over road for a short rest. Really feeling the long day's ride, but I do one more loop at an easy pace. I watch my odometer, and hit 100 miles as I reach Riverside for the last time. Back to the car around 4:30, the pack up and drive back to Ridgewood for a shower and dinner at the Chinese food buffet in Ramsey. I was a little stiff the next day, but still felt good. Did work around my parents' house, then drove back to Virginia.

I can check off a major goal.

Stops: Central Park (tour start), Prospect Park (rest stop 1) Mariner's Park (rest stop 2), Rockaway Beach (photo, remove covering), Kissena Park (rest stop 3), xxx(f,w), Astoria (rest stop 4), Ward's Island (photos), Central Park (finish line), Central Park (f,w,rest)
Flora and fauna
Road kills spotted: one rat, one pigeon (with wings spread like a winged victory), one cat, two unidentified

Incidents and accidents: A long day's ride, so there were many incidents. A few cars passing close, a car running a stop, cars coming in from side streets, and a guy in a white Caddy who cut across my bike lane to make a turn (I yelled but he just looked at me blankly and went back to talking on his phone.)

J had a clipped in fall. I slipped on the steps of the Tri-boro and jammed my toes. Saw a couple of other falls and near falls, but nothing serious. On one slow speed near-endo happening next to me, I grabbed the guys back tire to keep him from going over.

Saw a bike not on our ride run a stop and almost get hit. Some wrong way cyclists in Queens. Large crowd of kids on the Wards island foot bridge. Worst was after the ride, in Central Park. Too many close calls to mention. Peds in the bike lanes or stepping out suddenly, dogs on long leashes, crazy and unskilled bikers, pedicabs cutting off other park users. At one point there were four pedicabs side-by-side, blocking the entire road. I don't think they intended to make a rolling road block, but it was annoying. I was glad to finish my park loops.

Health: 2+ Camelbaks (140+ oz) water, 28 oz Powerade, 3 oranges, 3 small bags potato chips, several handfuls of pretzels, 2 PBJ, 1/2 pita, 2 Cliff Bar brownies, 1/2 Powerbar
Surprisingly, I felt pretty good. I was worried that the deep bruise injury on my butt would limit my ride, but it felt better when I was cycling and didn't interfere at all. No problems through the second rest stop, but was getting sore by the time I got to Kissena. Palms a little tender
Slight heat rash on thighs.

Mechanical:
First time this season: All but Riverside, 110th, Central Park, and Astoria Park
First time ever: West End Dr and 9th Ave, Mariners' Park to Rockaways to Flushing Meadow, Kissena to Citi-field.

Best of: Finishing my first century
Worst of: Tri-boro bridge walk-a-thon

Observations: Average speed 11.7 mph, maximum speed 42.8 mph (don't know where but before Prospect Park), time on bike 8:40 +/-.
Ridgewood quiet in the morning. Didn't see a single car until I got onto route 17.
Predawn on the GWB very pretty. Would like to do my ride start from Fort Lee one of these days.
A lot of people out on the streets of NYC at 5:30 am. Some shops on Broadway open.
Balloon signal worked with just a binder clip to hold it closed. Will save them for future use.
Meet up sort of worked. J and I, but there were others elsewhere in the crowd who we couldn't find.
Problem with a riding partner is that you can't just stop and take picture any time you want to.
Advantage of a riding partner is that you don't want to cheat and shorten the ride.
Missed seeing Times Square, even though we were just a block away.
Sunrise on the Brooklyn Bridge looked just right. Missed photo op of the Manhattan Bridge.
Route went over the old wooden bridge over the canal, same as my first NY100. A lot of comments later about falls and flat tires there.
Prospect Park busy, as expected. Less than half of the people out were part of the ride.
New PP zoo set up works. More room for the food and bike parking, and using the zoo toilets mean shorter lines.
Sea Lion came up to see what the crowd was up to.
Ride went through two China towns - Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Harbor very clear. A few big ships out there. Good views of the Verrazano and the fort.
Shore path needs some maintenance, especially below the bridge.
Coney Island waking up. J told me that some of the rides are still open and redevelopment had been delayed.
Marine Park stop ok. Lots of space to park, but water station too far away.
Passed the historic airfield,
Rockaway was interesting. Looks more like a small beach town than part of NYC.
Beach was pretty, but looked closed after season. Several people out flying kites on the beach (see photo).
Ride back along the causeway was more work than I expected, given the headwind and changing weather. Road edge had a lot of debris.
Could see part of JFK, but not the Saarinen building. Did see a building up on four towers that looked like a coffee table.
Came up on Flushing Meadow unexpectedly. Spray from the fountain was cooling.
Kissena stop was crowded. Good that they had portajohns to supplement the toilet building, but they placed them at the start end of the food line. The two line crossed badly.
Did my first water refill at Kissena. Had nearly finished my powerade by the time I got there.
Several young boys (10 to 12) at Kissena. Since they were doing at least 75/86 miles, that is pretty impressive.
J looked disappointed that I had previously mentioned I might detour after Kissena. My leg stiffness had mostly worked itself the time we got there, and I had already seen Flushing Meadow, so I decided to continue with the 75/86 miler.
Kissena to Astoria was pretty easy, but my body was starting to feel the distance. I was very slow on the hills near Astoria Park.
Astoria stop very crowded, which was expected since all the route come together there.
As on previous rides, I saw many of the same people at the rest stops and along the route. People of like speed staying together.
I loaded up on food at Astoria, thinking that there wouldn't be much at the finish.
I let J know my intention to do the 75/86. He wants to try the 100.
Hate, hate, hate the steps on the Tirboro, but at least no one was trying to walk their bike all the way across like last year. Feel sorry for the bike trying to ride the other way.
New soccer fields on Wards Island. Good view of the games from above. Missed another photo op.
Said goodbye to J at the bottom of the ramp, where the routes split.
Within a few hundred yards I stopped to take pictures. Did a couple more stops for photos on Wards Island.
Ride back to Central Park uneventful.
Small cheering section at the finish, maybe a dozen.
More food at the finish than I expected. Maybe the leftovers from PP.
The bike and car traffic along the route had not been bad. Few problems. The traffic in Central Park was very bad. Crazy bikers, unskilled bikers, random peds, doggers, piles of horse crap and pedicabs.
Pedicabs and horses stayed mostly to the south end of the park.
As I passed a pedicab I would hear the driver saying ".....Sheep Meadow....", then pass the next and I'd hear ".....Sheep Meadow....". That again and again. Pretty comic, especially on the second loop.
Butt was pretty sore by the end. But I felt like I had done something major.

Sum up: Wooh hooh! Major cycling goal accomplished.

Now that I have done my first century, I have no pressure to do another. I can take them or leave them. Might do one next year, maybe turn the BNY5B into a 100 miler.

Laurel Hill

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:49:17 GMT

originally posted October 19

* * * *

Monday September 7 , 2009
11:30 am to 2:00 pm
Start: University Mall
Route: Ox Road, Burke Lake, Lorton Rd, Giles Meadow, CCCT, Ox Road, Burke Lake, Ox Road
Map: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3170987
Weather: mid 80's, humid, mostly sunny, light breeze
Distance: 26 miles
YTD: 1276 miles

Yesterday's ride was so short (3 miles) I won't even write a report on it. Test of the alterations to the BF jersey. Will test it more on this ride.
Overcast with rain coming in later in the afternoon. Good day for a treeless ride, such as the Manassas triangle. Late-ish start, and the weather is threatening to turn bad sooner instead of later. Start from University Mall and head down Ox Road. Right away I regret not bringing the arm and leg warmers. Breezy and there's a spitting drizzle. Ride down is quick and uneventful. Rest stop at Burke Lake. As I approach Lorton dark clouds are rolling in. I decide stop at the Work House, then decide if I want to complete the triangle and beat the weather. I've never been to Laurel Hill mountain bike park, so I take Lorton Road to look for the entrance. I see some trails in the fields off the road, but no way to get to them. Ride down the hill to where I know there is a park entrance. Sign says Giles Meadow. I ride up the hill into the park, trusting that there is a way into Laurel Hill. At the ball field parking lot I see someone unloading a mountain bike and ask how to get to Laurel Hill. He directs me to the gate at the end of the road, where there is a connector to the CCCT. As I leave, I see an info board with a map of the complete trail system. I study is for a few minutes, then set out. This stretch of the CCCT varies from very good condition to very bad, wide and smooth crushed stone to overgrown and broken asphalt. I find entrances to several different trail areas. I go a little ways into the magenta trail, and a little ways into the central green, but I decide to explore it another day. I go through the old railroad tunnel that I had previously crossed over on Lorton Road. Several interesting old ruins/abandoned buildings that were once part of the prison complex.

I reach a short, steep stretch of broken asphalt near the Work House. I set my gear to ride up the rise. Am climbing fine, but.....trail is covered with may small branches and I hit one that is parallel to my front tire. It acts like a ball bearing. My tire slides out from under me and down I go. Scrape on my left elbow, bump at the base of my left thumb and hard on my left butt. I pick myself up and ride to the Work House to find a bathroom to clean up the wounds. Unfortunately since it is Monday, the arts center is closed. I pull out a tissue and try to clean the elbow. Palm and butt are hurting, and the clouds are getting darker. I head back up the road, stopping at Burke Lake to use their bathrooms and clean my elbow properly. Continue up the road to U Mall to pack up just as the rains begin.

Elbow just needed to stay bandaged to heal. Palm felt better the next day. The butt hurt for tow weeks. Deep bruise took 3 days to surface. Hard to go up and down stairs, to squat or sit. Didn't ride during the week, and was still sore when I got to New York, but more on that in the next report.

Stops: Burke Lake (t,f,w), Giles Meadow (directions) Work House (w, patch up), Burke Lake (t,f,w, patch up)

Flora and fauna: Lots of woodland sunflower, blue aster, thistle, sumac, Joe-Pye. Planting strip along Ox Road not well maintained.
Crows, buzzards, blue jays. Only a few small birds.
Road kills spotted: Possum

Incidents and accidents: Some close passing cars on Lorton Road. Couple of right turners and left turners not paying attention to who is in the cross walks.
Just the one accident.

Health: 1 bottle water, 1 powerbar,
Ok except for the fall. Ride back was a bit painful, but riding was better than walking or sitting.

Mechanical: A few slipped gears, but the lube mostly worked. No damage from the accident other than a scuffed bar end.

First time this season: Ox Road, Burke Lake main road, Lorton Road
First time ever: Giles Meadow, CCT at Laurel Hill, Burke Lake boat ramp entrance and picnic areas.

Best of: Finding Laurel Hill
Worst of: Fall with injury

Observations: Ox road side path was pretty well traveled. More bikes that I had ever seen on it before.
Church fair and picnic at the Catholic Church on Ox Road
Burke Lake crowded. On my first stop the attendant at the gate was letting people in without needing to pay, but on my second stop they were collecting money form the cars.
Lots of rowboats on the lake, and a few kayaks. Several people fishing.
Sign at the lake edge lists the fish stocked in the lake.
Hill into Giles Meadow was a lot of work. Nice views at the top.
Need to remember to bring the camera. Lost of old ruins to photograph at Lorton.
This section of the CCCT is not in good shape. Not as well maintained as the central and northern sections.
Surprised that the Work House was closed on a holiday, but I should have figured that it wouldn't be open on a Monday.
Butt and palm were hurting enough that I rode on the smooth parts of Ox Road rather than the side path. Switched back to the path where the shoulder paving was milled.

Sum up: Ouch

Coming so close to the New York Century ride I'm a bit worried.

East of Aden

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:45:14 GMT

originally posted October 19

* * * *

Saturday September 5, 2009
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Start: Nokesville Park
Route: Aden Rd, Parkgate, Fleetwood, Sowego, Brent Town Rd, Cromwell, Bristersburg Rd, Elk Run, Old Dumphries Rd, Greenwich, Kennedy, Fitzwater, Aden Rd
Map: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3162946
Weather: mid 80's, sunny, breezy
Distance: 36 miles
YTD: 1247 miles

Been a while since I had ridden out of Nokesville. Haven't ridden much in the countryside this year. The Nokesville ride was one of the first PPTC rides I went on years ago, so I thought I go back.
Day started with a bit of a panic. Took the bike out to give the chain some lube, and discovered the front tire was flat. At the last maintenance class we had been using my tire for demonstrating how to change a tire, and I was worried that it hadn't gotten put back on right and had pinched. Luckily I had lots of time. Changed to my spare tube, inflated the flat one but couldn't find any leaks (will give it a water check later), and put the tire back on and did the chain lube I had planned. Still had time to drive the 35 miles to Nokesville in time for the start. Good crowd of about 40 showed up. Ride was C level, but there were a lot of CC's and B's in the group. We rolled out a little late, in groups of 5 or so. Roads were about what a remembered. Few changes. Low traffic. Section near Quantico that I thought might be slated for development are still far fields and pastures.
Thought about following my own route (I had the ADC map of the area west of Quantico), but decided to stick to the official route. Left the rest stop with a lot of people still behind me, but many of them passed me before Catlett and I rode most of the last stretch alone. Most cars gone from the lot by the time I got back. Instead of going to the lunch get together, I head for Brentsville to take pictures of the historic district, then return down Minniville Road to see what has changed (and to see how biekable it is, which is not very.)

Stops: Store (w,f,t), Fitzwater (f, change water bottles)

Incidents and accidents: A few cars passed unnecessarily close or unnecessarily fast, including one sheriff's car.

Mechanical: Some gear slippage. Need to lube. Chain slipped of the big ring a couple of times.
First time this season: All of it

Observations: Writing this too late after the ride, so I don't remember much.
A lot of bikes on the roads which were not part of our ride.

Sum up: Good to see the Nokesville countryside hasn't changed too much.

---

Will try to eliminate the back log of ride reports.

Stuff

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:29:54 GMT

No Ride

August 29/30 - Took a weekend break from riding. On Saturday we went to AirFair100 at the College Park airport, 100th anniversary of the oldest continually operating airport in the world. Lots of planes, helicopters, barnstorm show, the museum, etc. They unveiled a flyable replica of the 1909 Wright A military flyer (which on reflection is bicycle related). Enjoyed seeing the powered parasail flyers (fan strapped to the back), which are like bicycles in the sky.
Worked around the house on Sunday, then went into the office for a while.

Work has gotten a bit busier, so no time for mid week rides this week.

* * * *

Really enjoying the bicycle maintenance classes. Smaller turnout last Thursday, which was nice. Had a chance to really go over my drive train with J. Looks like I'll be replacing the chain, cassette, lower sprocket and large ring (bolted assembly so I can do that separately). Question is, do I wait and do it myself as part of the class, or do I have the shop do it sooner, maybe even before New York? Will try to take the bike by to talk to them about it, and on how I might change the gearing slightly. Having a slightly smaller small gear or a slightly bigger big ring would get me the extra flat/downhill speed I'd like. Climbing is fine, so I probably won't change that.

All Virginia, all the time.

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:07:24 GMT

originally posted September 3. 2009

* * * *

Sunday August 23, 2009
12:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Start: Bon Air
Route: W&OD, Park, route 50, George Mason, 8th St, 7th St, Irving, 2nd St, Arlington County Fair, 2nd St, Filmore, Walter Reed, 12th St, Water Reed, Kenmore, Shirlington Rd, Four Mile Run, Mount Vernon Trail to Belle Haven, MVT, Route 1, MVT, Custis, Bon Air
Weather: low 80's, humid, mostly sunny, breezy
Distance: 31 miles

YTD: 1211 miles

Fair weather (cooler but windy)
Fair ride (not as many miles as I wanted)
Fair Day at Arlington

I wasn't able to join the club ride Saturday. Midday meeting with clients, thunderstorms later. Sunday morning I had to help clean the house, do the dishes, and help with the grocery run. Was 11:45 before I could get out of the house. No special plans for this ride, except that I wanted to stop at the Arlington County Fair. Started from Bon Air and headed to TJ by way of the W&OD and the streets of Barcroft and Alcova. Locked up and went around the Fair. Visited several booths and ran into someone from the county government I'd been trading emails with about invasive plants. Walked around the other displays. Spent a bit longer than I intended. Left to walk through the midway, then back to the bike.
Picked my route by mental coin flips. Headed south, then took Kenmore to Shirlington Rd. Rode by a couple of old projects, but no camera so no pictures. Took 4MR to the river, them south to Belle Haven. Thought about crossing the Wilson Bridge, but decided to wait for cooler weather. Running a bit late for our dinner plans, so I head up the MVT back to Rosslyn and Custis to Bon Air.

Stops: Arlington County Fair (w), Belle Haven (f,w,t). Hunting Creek (birdwatching), Roosevelt Island (f), Custis (w)

Ear worms: "Come on Home" and "Dairy Queen" by Indigo Girls, "Hare Hare Yukai"

Flora and fauna: Summer flowers not much changed. Lots of golden rod, BEX, QAL, blue aster. I had expected that the purple loosestrife had gone to seed, but there were still a few flower heads taunting me. Roses at Bon Air mostly done.
The usual small birds. Lots of crows at Bon Air, along 4MR and around Belle Haven. Lots of birds at the mouth of Hunting Creek- geese, ducks, loons, pipers (of some sort), herons and several dozen great egrets. A few squirrels. One rabbit along 4MR
Road kills spotted: none

Incidents and accidents: Several fast passing bikes that didn't announce, but the one that tried to zip between me and the bike coming the other way was the only real problem. A couple of family groups with stray kids. A few peds hogging the trail. No car incidents, but as I passed the trail to the Memorial Bridge I hear brakes squealing and a horn blaring. Look up at the Parkway to see a car that had stopped for the people in the crosswalk, and the car(s) behind him that nearly hadn't.
Health: 2 ½ bottles water, 1 power bar, 1 granola bar
Very hot day so I was sweating a lot. No heat headache, but I was dragging on the Custis hills near the end. Heat rash again on my thighs, which was annoying, but it was gone after a couple of days. Shoulder a little tight and my legs felt the last few hills, but the rest of me was fine.

Mechanical: Gears slipping several times. Will inspect them at class on Thursday, but I suspect I need a new chain and cassette.

First time this season: From the W&OD through Barcroft and Alcova to TJ
First time ever: Connector to Route 1.

Best of: Birds of Hunting Creek
Worst of: Lack of time to get in a proper ride.

Observations: Average speed 12.3 mph, maximum speed 29.1 mph (on the Custis)
W&OD and 4MR fairly crowded. MVT was mixed, as was the Custis (I think the late heat had driven many people indoors.
Arlington Fair was fun. Park & Rec, police, fire, schools and invasive plant control all had good booths, but I had expected to see something from the green housing program. Extension office was giving out seeds, so I picked up packs of radishes and Romaine. The crafts booths were the usual junk. Lots of community organization booths. Several political booths. I stopped by the Historical Society booth for a while to look over the old maps. The GLBT booth was very lively and busy, while the "gay rescue" booth in the next aisle was manned by one lonely looking guy.
The fair food didn't look too appetizing. Thought about picking up something in Alexandria, but decided to save my self for dinner.
Stopped by the project on 12th street. House is build and looks finished, but is empty and has a for sale sign on it.
Stopped by the house on Kenmore. No new work on the front. Yard still torn up.
Pizza place on Shirlington Road is up and operating. Building across the street looks like it is finished and has for rent signs up.
At my Belle Haven stop a large group rolled up to the water fountain just before I got to it. Had a long wait to fill up. They were on rented bikes and discussing on where to ride next. Distinguishing feature was they all had white handkerchiefs on their heads keeping the sun off the back of their necks.
I got to play tour guide. While waiting to cross to the route 1 connector, a group came up asking about how to get to Mount Vernon. When I informed them they were on the right trail, but it was 8.5 mile south, they decided it was too far to ride and asked for other suggestions. They were from out of town. Told them about the Wilson Bridge and some other trails, then gave them info on where they might get lunch.
Route 1 connector wasn't a bad ride, although a little bleak being treeless and running along the edge of the highway ramp. Route 1 side path was strewn with debris and broken glass. Went to a point where I could see B&J's old apartment building, then turned around. Will try to get over to Telegraph Road sometime to check out the connections south.
Uneventful ride up the MVT. Few boats out on the water, but one of them was the Odyssey.
Gravely Point and Roosevelt Island crowded. Portajohn at RI has been removed.
Tried to do a hard workout on the hills of the Custis, but the heat had me dragging.
Bon Air was crowded when I got back. Lots of random moving objects.

Sum up: Short ride on a hot day. Need to get more long rides in before New York if I'm going to do the 75+ miles.

And with this post I am caught up on all ride reports for the year.

Brookside Ride

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:07:20 GMT

originally posted September 3, 2009

* * * *

Sunday August 16, 2009
10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Start: Rosslyn
Route: Rhodes, Clarendon Blvd, Wilson, Lynn, Key Bridge, M St, Wisconsin, K St, Capital Crescent Trail, Georgetown Branch, Jones Mill, Beach, Rock Creek Trail, Matthew Henson Trail, Rippling Brook, Belle Crest, Dressler, Luts, Briggs, Middlevale, Billman, Heurich, Brookside, Wheaton Park, Nairn, Ventura, Sligo Creek Trail, Sligo Creek Parkway, Sligo Creek Trail, Northwest Branch Trail, 38th Ave, Allison, Varnum, 18th St, Montana, West Virginia, 8thSt, Eastern Market, 7th St, East Capitol, 1st St, Independence, river trail, RCT, C&O, Potomac, Cady Alley, Key Bridge, Fort Meyer, Wilson, Rhodes
Map: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3103066
Weather: low 90's, mostly sunny, light breeze
Distance: 52 miles
YTD: 1180 miles

I had planned to do a Friday ride, but work was too busy. Saturday was Anime Saturday. That left Sunday for riding. I'd been wanting to try a ride to Wheaton Park using the Matthew Henson Trail. Looked very doable on the maps. Also a chance to finish exploring Sligo Creek.
Original plan was to start very early and park in Georgetown, under the Whitehurst. Slept late and started late, so I parked in Rosslyn where I knew there would be spaces. And I was right. Just after 10am, as I rode down K street, there were many cars circling for spaces as they came available.
Headed up the CCT. Trail pretty crowded, but that was expected. Even the Georgetown Branch was crowded. Maybe people are trying to enjoy the trail before it is taken away. Up Jones Mill and Beach Drive, then Rock Creek Trail to Viers Mil Park. Quick stop before heading up the Matthew Henson Trail. Even the MHT had more people than my last visit. Missed my turn off and continued to the trail end. After a map check I found the way into the neighborhoods. Easy route to Brookside. Stopped at the visitor center to find it was busy with a wedding reception. Asked directions on how to get through the gardens to the park. Not hard, but no bike riding in the gardens. Walked to the far side of the ponds and found the park gate. The map I brought proved accurate. Found the trail through with little trouble.
A little confusion at the head of the Sligo Creek Trail, but I worked it out quickly. Montgomery county doesn't believe in signs. Trail was in good shape, but I switched to the Parkway as soon as I could. Small section of it in Takoma Park is closed to cars on Sunday. Continued to the Northwest Branch without getting lost like last time. Then the familiar street in Brentwood and into NE DC. By this time I was getting pretty tired. The little hills on 18th Street seemed bigger than before. Decided to skip the Arboretum this time, and tried out West Virginia Ave. Runs along one side of Trinidad, but from the outside the neighborhood didn't look too bad. No sign of the police checkpoints this weekend. Running low on water, and a bit hungry. Head down 8thStreet to Eastern Market. Did some snacking on samples along the farmer's line, and the sample of ginger gold apple caught my attention. Bought one for lunch, then took it inside to wash if off to eat, filling my water bottle and using the toilet at the same time. Spent some time looking at the display of history of the market. Walked the main hall.
Getting late so I take the most direct way back. Stop at the LOC for pictures of the naked statues. Down Independence to the river. Took the C&O through Georgetown, dodging tourists. Key Bridge to Virginia, but instead of taking Fairfax Drive and ending with a hill, I ride up Wilson to Rhodes and back down to where I was parked.

Stops: Fletcher's (t), Bethesda (w,f), Viers Mill Park (w,t,f), Brookside Gardens, (t,w,f), Sligo Creek (w,f), Great Meadows (t), Eastern Market (t,w,f)

Flora and fauna: A lot of the summer flowers seem ot have gone to seed. Still blue asters, goldenrod and joe-pye weed. Some good flower displays in the wildflower zones and Brookside Gardens.
Usual small birds, especially sparrows, robins, starlings and mourning doves. Saw something red that wasn't a cardinal that might have been a scarlet tanager. Lots of crows. Ducks, geese, many pigeons. A few scattered squirrels. Lots of wild life along the MHT - rabbits, black snake, ground hogs. On the return from the trail end I saw something flick from the edge of the boardwalk and realized it was a deer peeking over the edge. Then I saw three others not more than 20 feet off the trail. Fish in the creeks. Stripped lizard on a bridge on Sligo Creek near the NW Branch. Lots of bugs. Had something fly up my nose. Hit by several big bugs. A cicada thought I was a rapidly moving tree and thumped my head. Hit in the face by a black butterfly.
Several times I saw birds flying strangely only to see they were chasing cicadas.

Road kills spotted: Sparrow, robin, unidentified

Incidents and accidents:
Health: 3 bottles water, 1 bottle powerade, 1 powerbar, 1 granola bar, 1 apple, samples
Hot day, but not a humid. I was ok as long a I was moving, but sweating heavily when I stopped.
Butt and hands a little sore by around 40 miles, but recovered quickly. A little bit of sunburn on my upper lip again. Biggest problem is the heat rash on my thighs.

Mechanical: Chain slipped a few times. Need to check for stretch.

First time this season: 8th Street in NE, part of West Virginia, Wilson to Rhodes.
First time ever: MH to Brookside, upper Sligo Creek, rest of West Virginia,

Best of: Eastern Market
Worst of: Heat

Observations: Average speed 11.6 mph. Maximum speed ???. Computer said 67 but that was a bad reading that happed early. I saw 27 mph on Jones Mill, 25 mph on the MH boardwalk, 29 mph on 18th Street.
CCT, Gerogetown Branch, RCT and MH all had good crowds. Not so much on Sligo Creek and Northwest Branch.
Not as many bikes on Beach Drive as I expected.
Saw several tandems and a few recumbents. Even saw an upright tandem trike.
Soccer and baseball fields busy. Volleyball near the Lincoln Memorial.
Noticed several pastures with horses beyond the woods along the MH, near Connecticut Ave.
Good to visit Brookside again, even if it is out of azalea season. Parking lot as full and visitor center was busy with the wedding reception, but the gardens were largely deserted. Not too many flowers in bloom at the west end, but there may have been more to the east. The butterfly show seemed to be the main draw, although the playground garden was also popular. Sun direction was not right for good pictures of the "Tea house" (which is not really a tea house but instead is a water pavilion.)
If I want to turn this loop into a group ride, I'll probably need to find a route the doesn't involve walking bikes through the gardens.
Wheaton Park was pleasant. Heard the miniature train whistle and saw the tracks, but missed the train itself. Want to explore more of the trails someday.
Signage to Sligo Creek very bad, almost non-existent. If I hadn't had a map I would have missed it. Once on the trail it was harder to get lost on the upper portions. The lower portion had more side trails.
Saw few portajohns along Sligo Creek. Only found one water fountain, on the lower portion near E-W Highway, and that had low pressure. Used my bottle cap to fill the bottle.
H Street NE was bustling. New construction still going on. Didn't see any tempting quick food so I continued on to Eastern Market.
EM was very busy. Market Cafe had no line, but then I found out they had just ended for lunch (3pm). Other stalls seemed to be getting good business. Smell of the meat vendor drove me out quickly. Display on the history of EM was interesting, but it had very little about Quinn-Evans role in the restoration process. One map had other market locations, and about what happened to them. Might ride by what is left of the O Street market to take pictures.
Fewer tourist around the Capitol today.
Did see several segue tour groups. Some were milling clusters, others were following like lines of ducklings. Saw some park police on segues.
The Neptune fountain in front of the LOC was in full spray. Few tourist around so I stopped for pictures. One of those "naked statues" that Robert Hurt was so upset about.
Lot of paving bricks missing from the C&O path. Had to ride carefully around the holes. Canal boat looked operational, but wasn't running when I was there. Lock at the Foundry was closed and the canal below it was mostly empty of water. Frame below the next lock is probably what they drydock the canal boat on.
Not many people eating outside at Dean and Delucca (the old Georgetown Market building).
Several shops at Cady Alley look vacant, but the cafe was busy. Most of the outdoor tables were full.
Lively street life along Wilson. The cafes that were open looked busy, as did the Safeway.

Sum up: Hot day and I paid for it with heat rash. But ride was vigorous and refreshing.

I was thinking that it might be a good idea for someone with a video camera to do a youtube style film of the Georgetown Branch. Would be nice to have a record of what is being lost when the new Purple rail line is built.

Into Loudon

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:16:46 GMT

originally posted September 2, 2009

* * * *

Saturday August 8, 2009
9:00 am to 2:30 pm
Start: Vienna Community Center
Route: W&OD to Purcelville
Weather: upper 80's, humid, partly sunny, light breeze
Distance: 67 miles

YTD: 1128 miles

Didn't ride mid week. Had hoped to do the W&OD ride Friday but got busy at work. Weather forecast for Saturday was hot, but they promised mostly cloudy. With high heat and humidity, I decided to avoid hills and try the W&OD after all.

There were PPTC rides leaving Vienna from 9:00 to 10:00, but they were short ones (up to 38 miles), so I decided to go solo. Tried to park at the train station, but I hadn't realized that there was a farmers' market every Saturday morning. Returned to the community center and parked in the small, shady lot in front, away form the PPTC form up. Saw a few familiar faces among them. Guess I could have started with them, then gone my own way, but if I started with them I'd want to be social and stay with them.
Fairly early start, around 9:00. Good overcast and not too hot.....yet. Glanced at the farmers' market as I passed. Not a big as Falls Church's, but looked ok. Trail pretty crowded, but made good time headed west. First stop was at Smith's Switch, about 15 miles out. Second stop was at the trail-end at Purcelville. Trail not as crowded past Ashburn. Sun starts to pop out of the clouds, and before I get to Leesburg it is more out than in. Day had gotten hot and I'm drinking a lot of water.
Purcelville was busy. Toilets were open, but a large group had arrived just before me and the line was long. I almost ended up in their group photo (my bike did). After a short stop to fill my water bottle, I headed back. Already feeling like I'll be sore by the end of this ride. Seems to be fewer people out in the heat of the day. Stop at the portojohn at Hamilton. Stop at Leesburg to fill water again. Stop at the stone quarry for the portojohn. Stopped at Smith's Switch and noticed that the vending machine had Powerade. Tried to buy some of the fruit punch, but the machine wouldn't take dollar bills and I only had two quarters. Settled for more water. Legs and butt hurting now. Made it to Herndon for a longer stop at the Dairy Queen. While drinking a shake, I walked and stretched to avoid stiffening up. That only worked to a degree. Stiff struggle back to Vienna, especially since a lot of it is up hill. Used several mental games to pass the time - counting power poles, counting strokes, and changing ear-worms. Back about when I had planned, with plenty of time to get home, shower and head off to dinner at Ballston and the HP-HBP movie.

Stops: Smith's Switch (f,t,w), Purcelville (w,f), Hamilton (t), Leesburg (f,w), Luck Stone (t,f), Smith's Switch (w), Herndon (f,w,t)

Ear worms: Themes to Hatsukoi, Pandora Hearts, Cromartie. Later I forced various other anime tune, along with Pogues, the Clash and Midnight Oil. Clampdown makes a good fast-tempo tune.

Flora and fauna: Lots of summer flowers. BES, QAL, BA, clover, golden rod, trumpet vine, daisy, Joe-Pye. Even saw water lilies at the Reston goose pond. Usual small birds, but especially cardinals and mocking birds. Saw several male cardinals fighting. Crows, buzzards, mourning doves, blackbirds, hawks. Saw one my few blue jays of the year. Heard wood thrushes and woodpeckers past Leesburg. Squirrels and chipmunks. One groundhog trail side near Clarks Crossing. In Sterling a rabbit raced me, outran me, the crossed just ahead of my wheel. Could hear cicadas in many places, often competing with the cars on route 7. Lots of butterflies, especially sulphurs, small blacks and swallowtails. Bees, flies and other big bugs. Turtles in Goose Creek and Sycolin. Black snake crossing trail near Hamilton (someone ahead of me stopped to help it across).
Road kills spotted: mouse
Road kills by me: butterfly (yellow swallowtail flew into my front wheel, don't think it survived)
Incidents and accidents: Trails was a crowded, target-rich environment. A few problem pedestrians - three and four acrossers, wrong-way walkers, stray kids and trailhogs. Cyclists were worse today. A lot of announced passes, but a lot of un-announced ones as well. Not having a working mirror is an inconvenience. Got startled several times. The most aggregious was the thug on the TT bike who blew past me while someone was coming the other way, clearing my bar end by a couple of inches. Similar happened on the return (close un-announced pass but no traffic the other way) but this time a caught up to the guy at the next stop and mentioned to him about warning. He apologized, but I'm not sure how sincere he was. At several road crossing I checked the signs for the cars. Some of the crossings with "yield at crosswalk" signs had few cars stopping. Were is the Sheriff office when you need them? Belmont Ridge only has a pictograph of a bicycle, but no sign saying yield.

Health: 4 bottles water, powerbar, granola bar, chocolate shake
Not used to the longer rides this year. Butt and palms sore by the end. Quads screaming. Drank plenty of water so no heat headache this time. Some heat rash along the latex line of my shorts.

Mechanical: Slipped gears a couple of times. Time to tighten cables.

First time this season: Clark's Gap to Purcelville
Goals accomplished: all of W&OD

Best of: More miles
Worst of: Trail thugs

Observations: Average speed 12.5 mph. Maximum speed 29.7 mph (in Sterling)
Trip back a lot slower than trip out. Average was over 14 when I got back to Leesburg, but dropped as I struggled back. The last 3 miles were very slow.
Lots of TdF jerseys spotted. Astana, Columbia, Quickstep, USPS, Discovery (two different designs), Cervelo, even an old T-Mobil. Several PPTC jerseys, several college jerseys, a RABA and some team called Fat Ass. Saw an Arizona jersey coming and going.
Site work being done at Herndon site in morning, but not afternoon. Sign up for Stanley Martin.
Trailside parking lot looked full before 11:00.
Site work for new development just west of Trailside. No work today, but a lot of progress since my last trip out.
Golf course busy.
Partlow's had the Carolina BBQ grille fired up. Olde Mill had a tent and table out selling snacks. Almost stopped there on the return.
As I was passing the skate rink at Ashburn I heard a loud NO. I looked to see two dog owners walking their dogs on the skate rink, and one of the dogs was squatting. Hope the owner got there in time, or at least cleaned up.
New road bridge across trail east side of Leesburg is in place. Probably a few months away from finishing.
Leesburg car wash rebuilding is moving ahead quickly. Steel frame roof structure going up in the morning, but no work on the return.
Saw the police car at Valley View again, but realized that if was just parked and not staking out the trail crossing.
Signs on the trail from Leesburg and west about a run for the next day.
Had to wait at the mp38 crossing of Dry Mill, not for cars but for a double paceline of over 30 bikes.
West of Simpson Circle the trail looks like it's been recently repaved. Nice and smooth. Maybe they will do Leesburg to Clark's Gap next, since it is getting rooty.
Lot of bikes headed out from Purcelville to points beyond, or maybe just to the Family Restaurant for a bite. Bike shop looked like it was doing well.
At Herndon the long bike rack at the caboose was full with only four bikes. Two MTB's were locked up lengthways, and staggered so no one else could use the rack. I locked up at one end, but only because someone else left as I arrived. Several other people who wanted to lock up gave up and left. If the jerks had showed up I would have given they a talking to. As it was, I was tempted to bust some spokes, or maybe remove a seat and leave it on the ground next to the bike. In the end I just finished my shake and left, never spotting the culprits.
VCC parking lot mostly empty as I returned. The PPTC rides had made it back long before me.

Sum up: Long ride, good training for September. Need at least one or two more metric length rides this month.
Still, a Friday ride with better weather and a less crowded trail would have been nice.

Little Loop

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:27:03 GMT

originally posted September 1, 2009

* * * *

Saturday August 1, 2009
8:45 am to 4:00 pm
Start: Bon Air
Route: Custis, Fort Meyer Dr, Dark Star park, Iwo Jima, Cemetery trail, Pentagon trail, Hayes, Eads, Four Mile Run, Mount Vernon Trail to Bell Haven, Wilson Bridge, National Harbor (to red lot), National Harbor entrance road, Oxon Hill Rd, Bald Eagle, Oxon Hill Farm trail, DC Village, Blue Plains, Martin Luther King, Jr Blvd, Good Hope, Welsh Bridge, M St, 8th St to Eastern Market, North Carolina, Lincoln Park, East Capitol, Capitol Hill, Independence, Memorial Bridge, Cemetery trail, Iwo Jima, Arlington Blvd service, Rhodes, Wilson, Fairfax, Nelson, 10th, Quincy, Fairfax, Bluemont Trail, W&OD
Map: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3061018
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iggentleman/sets/72157622208440964/
Weather: low 90's, humid, sunny to partly cloudy, light breezy
Distance: 44 miles

YTD: 1061 miles

Alignment Day - when the shadows of the sculptures at Dark Star park in Rosslyn align with the ground patterns. Aug 1, 9:32 am. The 149th anniversary of the birth of Rosslyn.
Started at Bon Air. Quick ride down to Rosslyn. Couple hundred people at the ceremony. The artist, Nancy Holt, was guest of honor and spoke briefly. I took pictures 10 minutes early, before the crowd gathered, then pictures of the main park after most people had gone across to the ceremony.
Next a stop at the 9/11 Memorial. Deserted except for a couple of maintenance workers, a electrical work crew on the trail, the guards in the kiosk, and me. Good light quality for pictures. Then through the tunnel under the highway, and down to 4MR for some invasive plant removal. I had received permission from Arlington County, so I brought clippers and trash bags. Put a (very) small dent in the purple loosestrife along the river bank.
South along the river for a quick stop at Belle Haven and over the bridge to Maryland. The plant removal work was hot, and it was now the midday, with few clouds in sight. The bridge crossing was very hot. Street market at National Harbor was uninteresting. Tried to find the back gate into the surrounding neighborhood. Found one at the top of the hill, in the Red construction lot, but it was part of a 10 foot iron fence with a sturdy locked gate. Good views from the hill top. Ride down, then a long, hot ride back up to Oxon Hill Road. Stopped at the farm park again, and the Park service people remembered me from my earlier ride. This time I took the paved road down the hill instead of the dirt road, and hit my maximum speed of the day. Quiet along the water, with no one fishing. Crossed the ford and took the paved trail to a playground the end. If I had brought the boundary stone information, I might have tried to find SE8 and SE9. Across the bridge into DC Village. Think I found the lot that SE8 backs up to, but couldn't get into it from the side I was on.
Up to MLK Jr Blvd, across South Capitol, past St E's to Good Hope. No flat this time. Across the Welsh Bridge and up to Eastern Market for lunch. The crepe van was tempting, but the line was very long and it was too hot for crepes. Walked around the market, sampling fruits and humus. Picked up a wrap from one of the outdoor vendors. Walked around the newly reopened market - nice but very crowded. Think I prefer the outdoor markets.
Left the market and headed up North Carolina. No more progress on 9th and NC. Project probably abandoned. Heat starting to get to me, so I ride around Lincoln Park and back to the Capitol for some pictures. Thought about stopping at the Botanical Garden, but it is starting to get late and I have a few hills ahead. Independence Ave to Memorial Bridge, past the Cemetery and Iwo Jima. Took the high road to Rhodes Street and up Wilson. By now I had the start of a heat headache, and I'm running low on water. Stopped at the Central Library for a break - get water, enjoy the AC, browse. Spent about an hour. Headed back to Bon Air by way of the Bluemont trail. Then home for a shower and a salty/greasy/satisfying dinner of pizza at Chi-chi's.

Stops: Dark Star Park (photos), Iwo Jima (t), 9/11 Memorial (photos), 4MR (plant removal,f), Bell Haven (t,w,f), National Harbor (photos,f), Oxon Hill Farm (w,t), Eastern Market (w,f), US Capitol (photos), Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Central Library (w, browse)

Flora and fauna: BES, QAL, blue asters and crepe Myrtle.
Usual small birds, crows, geese ducks. A few squirrels, but they were mostly escaping the heat. Fish in Oxon Creek. Dragonflies and butterflies. Cicada song along the river. Colorful orange and black bug on the loosestrife.
Road kills spotted: none

Incidents and accidents: Wrong way cyclists on MVT. Wrong way pedestrians on the Wilson Bridge and Capitol Hill. Road hogs on NH path. Wannabe pace line near National Airport. At Belle Haven as I was stepping out of the restrooms a teen-jerk on a MTB zipped down the side trail at high speed (about 2 feet from me) instead of using the main trail.
Several close passing cars, mostly on Independence Ave but a few on MLK and North Carolina. Double parked cars in bike lanes south of Eastern Market and around Capitol Hill. Cut off by a right turner at Independence and 14th.
In other words, a normal day.

Health: 3 bottles water, 1 powerbar, snacks at Dark Star and Eastern Market, wrap at EM,
Hot and humid day. Sweated a lot, drank a lot, still got a headache. Used lots of sun screen, but got sunburn on my upper lip. Arms got scratched up by thorns while pulling the plants, and it bothered me for the rest of the ride (still have marks three days later.) Stiff after the long stops at Eastern Market and the library. During last part of ride my butt and hands were a little sore, and my shoulders were stiff.

Mechanical: Mostly ok. Gear slipped a couple of times. This past Thursday at the bicycle maintenance class I pulled my bike out of the car and found my front tire flat. As it happened we had a lot of new people at the class and the instructor decided to do a session on how to change a flat tire, with my bike as the example. I had a spare tube, and have bought another one since. The flat was the tube that CHB had replaced a few weeks ago, but they had warned me that there was a possibility that the 32-38 tube could tear near the stem, which it did. The 35-38 spare should be sturdier.

First time this season: Pentagon tunnel, Hayes, Eastern Market, North Carolina, Lincoln Park, Nelson, 10th St
First time ever: the hill above National Harbor, Oxon Hill trail past bridge to Mohican,

Best of: The resurrection of Eastern Market
Worst of: The heat

Observations: Average speed 10.8 mph. Maximum speed 31.3 mph on MLK
Custis trail very crowded. People getting in an early workout.
The event at Dark Star was well attended. A lot of people arrived by bicycle. If the program and film schedule had looked more interesting I might have come back later.
Lots of tour groups at Iwo Jima. Several busses worth.
With more time at the 9/11 memorial I had time to discover how it was laid out. Noticed that the benches were arranged along lines of paving with a plaque at each end with the year those people were born. A lot in the 1940's, 50's, 60's and 70's. Some earlier and some later. The four near the entrance of the park with birthdays in the late 90's and 00 were the most striking. Its a solemn and subtly memorial, but not an overly sad one.
Tried to find the road route across the highway at the Pentagon, but discovered the road was one way the other way.
Peaceful along 4MR. Lots of loosestrife and other invasives. I was overly optimistic about how much I could accomplish in one session. Next time I'll bring heavier gloves to deal with the thorny vines.
Lots of bikes running the stop signs in Alexandria. I tried to stop at each sign, as I usually do.
Not much activity at National Harbor, apart from the Saturday street market.
New sign on the National Harbor water front telling cyclists to dismount and walk bikes.
At the DC Village police yard I was a wild "vintage" police car. Got photos.
Notice a lot of people waiting at bus stops new St E's. Then I noticed that where many of there were waiting were not bus stops. Not sure what is going on here.
Eastern Market very crowded. Antiques/flea market in parking lot across the street still in business. One vendor was selling bicycles, mostly mountain bikes. Lots of fruit and vegetable vendors at outside stalls. Reconstruction of the inside was well done. Several meat vendors, cheese vendor. Toilet area had a smell. The indoor cafe had a long line and the inside was very crowded. Pottery studio on lower level. F&V stalls had sample, which I took advantage of. Wrap was ok, but a little bland. The extra hot salsa perked it up. I pulled off little bits of the wrap to throw to the sparrows that were hopping about.
Saw a long recumbent on Penn Ave with a blue cloth cowling. Wonder how hot it was in there.
Lots of tourists around the Capitol. Moderate line at the visitor center. While I was taking pictures around the front I was asked a couple of times by tourists to take their pictures with their cameras. Spotted a Seguay tour.
Long stop at the Lincoln Memorial to decide which route to take back. While I was waiting I was passed by a pedicab with four adult passengers. The driver was struggling up a short incline. Couple minutes later two more pedicabs passed, each with two passengers, and moving at a good clip. Wouldn't want that job on a hot day like this one.
Head started to ache. I had been drinking a lot of water, so I suspected it was heat induced.
Clouds had started to move in, so ride up the hills was not as bad as I expected.
Library stop was so I could get into the air conditioning and fill up on water. I hadn't been to
Arlington Central in a long time, so I browsed the stacks. Architecture, construction Japanese art, nihongo, sci-fi, mystery and manga.
W&OD museum open again, but I didn't stop this time.

Sum up: A bit hot, but a nice day's ride. Between the ceremony, the plant removal, the market, I got a lot done.

Something new

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:34:28 GMT

originally posted August 31, 2009

* * * *

Saturday July 25, 2009
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Start: Beach near Connecticut Ave
Route: Beach, RCT to Needwood, Norbeck connector, Matthew Henson Trail, RCT, Dewey, Beach
Weather: upper 80's, humid, sunny, breezy
Distance: 32 miles
YTD: 1017 miles

Watched a bit of the TdJ assault on the Mont Ventoux, so I got a late start. Day was already headed for hot and humid. Wanted a cool, shady ride without too much climbing. Decided on the upper Rock Creek.
Drove to my old ususal parking area on Beach off of Connecticut Ave. Headed north to Needwood. Spent a while at Needwood. On the return I wanted to ride part of the Lake Frank trail system, but I missed the connector, which was unpaved and grassed over. Went up a different connector to Norbeck instead, getting in an extra hill climb. At Winding Creek I tried out the new Matthew Henson Trail, taking it to its east end. Hillier than I expected, but not too bad. Wanted to find the upper reaches of the Sligo Creek trail but I didn't know the neighborhoods, so I returned by way of the MH to the RCT, and headed back on Beach before the heat got too bad.

Stops: Dewey Park (t), Needwood (f,t,w), Norbeck (f,w), Henson east trail head (f,w),

Flora and fauna: Few flowers along Rock Creek. Lots of wild flowers at Winding Creek and along the Henson Trail. BES, QAL, daisy. Also a tall, purple flower stalk that looked like purple loosestrife until I examined it more closely.
Most wildlife was seen on the Henson Trail. Lots of small birds. Hawks, geese, ducks. Flock of a dozen juvenile ducks with, no adults, cruising Lake Needwood. Saw an interesting behavior from Baltimore oriels - they would fly for a few seconds, flapping and chirping, the would fold their wings and shoot upward silently, then would repeat on a 6 to 8 second cycle. Few squirrels. Almost ran over rabbit. Also saw two deer, but not together.
Road kills spotted: none

Incidents and accidents: Couple of cars passed close on Beach, but no real problems. Some trail hogs. Several stray kids. One couple stepped into my path when they turned to see where the bell was coming from.

Health: two bottles water, one bottle powerade, powerbar, granola bar
Still getting used to the new gloves, so hands ended up a little tender. Also butt a little sore by end of the ride. Pulled my right shoulder Friday night, so it as still stiff. Sweating a lot and with the high humidity it was staying around.
Mechanical: A few auto shifts.

First time ever: Norbeck connector, Matthew Henson Trail

Best of: shade
Worst of: the humidity

Observations: Average speed 12.7 mph. Maximum speed 32.5 (on a hill near Viers Mill)
Lots of bikes on Beach, but fewer on the RCT and fewer still on the MH. Lots of walkers near Needwood and Viers Mill.
Most of the ball fields were empty. A few soccer games were just starting when I was on the return.
Parts of the trail have been recently repaved.
Construction ongoing at Viers Mill park. Water fountain is gone. Can see the route of the new trail alignment.
Few people at Lake Needwood. Pavillion open. Noticed that the alcove where the vending machines used to be has been boarded over. Handful of boats on the water. Some people fishing.
Saw the Lake Frank trail on a map at Needwood. Never did find the connector trail, but I think I know which one it is.
Really enjoyed the Henson Trail. More wildlife than I had seen on all the rest of the ride. Not a well used trail yet. Ride down the boardwalks was a thrill, and the climb back up wasn't bad. Couple of places with displays for maps, but no maps yet.
Broke 1000 miles for the year. Probably near Winding Creek.

Sum up: Pleasant ride. Will add the Henson Trail to my regular choice of routes.
Will have to study the maps and find a way to get to Sligo Creek.

Wake-me-up

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:20:32 GMT

originally posted August 31, 2009

* * * *

Friday July 24, 2009
8:00 am to 10:30 am
Start: home.
Route: Fairview Park, Luria connector, Luria Park, Hemlock, Ashton, Trammel, Lafayette Village, LRT, Americana, Wakefield bridge, Wakefield, Braddock, Wakefield Chapel, Braeburn, Olley, Tartan View, Old Creek, Nutwood, Baccarat, Pickett Rd, Fairfax connector trail, Courthouse Rd, W&OD, Fairwood, Hollywood, Meadowbrook
Map: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3040329
Weather: low 70's, humid, sunny
Distance: 25 miles

YTD: 985 miles

Wanted to get at least one weekday ride in. Storms late yesterday and more predicted for today, so I went with a morning ride. Started with the same route as in June. With the heavy rains yesterday the trails were wet and the streams high. Took the roads back to CT instead of the trail, which gave me a chance to check out a new route. Got lost several times. Had the county bike map, but discovered that a lot of the road names are missing. Finally found my way to Pickett, then took the usual way home. Back in time for a shower and to see the end of the TdF stage 19, the lunch and head to the office.

Stops: LRT (checking office building directories), Wakefield (t,w), several map stops

Flora and fauna: Mostly the same flora as last month. More weeds grown along LRT and less along the beltway. Crepe myrtle, blue aster, QAL, mimosa, BES, purple coneflower. Kept an eye out for purple loosestrife, but didn't see any.
Baltimore oriels must be a morning birds, because I saw a lot of them. Also Mourning doves, crows, cardinals, and I think I saw a night heron or a fisher on a branch over Accotink Creek. A few squirrels and rabbits, and a red fox on the W&OD (thought it was a cat until I got closer, before it ran off). Large turtle crossing the Luria connector, and I stopped to move it off the trail.

Road kills spotted: mouse on the W&OD, in the vicinity of the fox.

Incidents and accidents: Couple of close car passes on Fairview Park and Wakefield Chapel, and several on Pickett, but nothing dangerous. School bus blocking the crosswalk on Hummer. Lady in a silver Echo tried to right hook me on Courthouse, but I nimbly escaped. Front end loader full of asphalt pulled out of a parking lot on Hollywood.
At route 50 and Pickett and right-on-redder was blocking the crosswalk. I rang my bell, but as he moved the next car tried to dash right on red without stopping for me. I started a long and angry session of rings at the idiot, who did manage to stop. One of those times I wish I had an Airzound.
Police radar checkpoint on Courthouse, I asked them how fast I was going and he smiled and said 14 mph.
Some technology headaches. At two different intersections I had pushed a walk light button, and the walk lights never worked. At Courthouse and Nutley I positioned myself over two of the sensor lines and the light signal never detected my heavy steel bike.

Health: half bottle water.
Trying out new gloves. Palms a little tender while I break in the pads.
Mechanical: Couple of autoshifts.

First time this season: Wakefield Chapel, Pickett,
First time ever: Braeburn to Pickett

Best of: early morning wildlife
Worst of: traffic signal glitches

Observations: Average speed 12.2 mph, maximum sped 35.4 mph (on Pickett)
Didn't see many people out walking early in the ride, but a lot more out later. Might have been the time slot, or it might have been the neighborhoods. Saw few bikes until I got to the W&OD.
Luria trail still very wet from the previous day's storm. Fairfax connector also wet, but W&OD was dry.
Decided to check the directories of several buildings on Little River Turnpike. Some builders and engineers I used to know have moved. Seemed to be largely medical with some financial, legal and educational.
More work on beltway widening. Concrete columns are up to the sound wall along Americana.
A lot of people coming and going from the Wakefield rec center. No ball games, but the skate park was getting active.
Braeburn was an ok route, but rather hilly with lots of stop signs.
From Braeburn I could hear the national anthem being sung from somewhere on the other side of the houses.
Past Olley Road I got lost. The map didn't help much. Lots of turns, and the road names didn't match. Eventually found Baccarat and the way to Pickett.
Path behind the schools was in terrible shape.. Lots of root damage and the path had degraded to barely a foot wide in many places. If the county is going to put "safe" bike routes on their bike map, then the route should be safe. The several cut-thru paths are probably safer, if I can find where they come out.
Took the lane on Pickett, which was just wide enough for me to share with traffic.
Notice that the tree protection fences are well back from the connector trail. Guess that means the trail might be stripped bare. No additional sign of impending construction.
Groundwork for the development at Cedar and the W&OD looks like it's done. Road and utilities in, lots sodded. Just waiting for the houses to come.

Sum up: The midweek summer morning rides are nice. Weather mild, trails not crowded and some wildlife out and about.

Canal

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 21:30:53 GMT

originally posted July 26

* * * *

Sunday July 19, 2009
11:30 am to 2:00 pm
Start: Bon Air
Route: Custis Trail, Key Bridge, M St, Wisconsin Ave, K St, Capital Crescent Trail, C&O Trail to Great Falls, MacArthur, Nelson, CCT, K St, river trail, 14th St bridge, Mount Vernon Trail, Four Mile Run, W&OD.
No camera so no pictures.
Weather: low 80's, mostly sunny, light breeze
Distance: 47 miles

YTD: 960 miles

Fairly cool summer day. Saturday was the community yard sale, followed by Anime Saturday. Sunday morning I had a meeting about a potential new project. Finished around 11:45. I had my bike shorts on under my pants, so I was ready to roll.
Since it was cool and partly cloudy I had thought about riding up to Lake Artemisa. With the late start and more sun than expected, I decided to come up with an alternate ride. Drove to Bon Air for a start (and to see the gardens), and did my old style riding - making mental coin flips to decide on the route as I go. Options ranged from North Arlington to Bethesda to Wilson Bridge. Rode the Custis to Georgetown, then the CCT. Trail fairly crowded, so I headed out the C&O partly to avoid people. Glad I didn't try to park in Georgetown, there were no spaces to be had.
C&O was very peaceful and relaxing, and except for the section from Old Angler Inn to Great Falls visitor center I saw few people. Great Falls very crowded, and I remembered afterwards that is was a free day for National Parks. The big hill up MacArthur was not a big as I remembered, and the fast downhill is always fun. Stayed on MacArthur back to DC, the switched to the CCT so I could get water and use the toilets. Back in Georgetown I did several more mental coin flips and decided to avoid hills and go for extra miles. South the 4MR and W&OD back. Had though about a stop at Best Buns, but as I passed near Potomac Yards the thought of a salad for lunch appealed to me. Legs very tired after the long stop, but I pushed on against a headwind to Bluemont. I saw that the door of the little W&OD museum was open, so I stopped on in and ended up talking to the curator for nearly half an hour. Finally made it back to Bon Air to pack up and take a last look at the roses.

Stops: Lock 7 (f,w), Widewater (f,w), Great Falls (t,w), Glen Echo (f,w), CCT-Delcarlia (w), Fletchers (t), Potomac Yards (f,w) , Bluemont (museum)

Flora and fauna: Lush, dark green of summer. Not many flowers - BES, QEL, little daisies, and (unfortunately) purple loosestrife. Mimosa in bloom along the C&O and 4MR.
Didn't notice very many small birds or squirrels. Saw several Great Blue Herons along C&O and 4MR. Loons at Widewater. Lots of large turtles and fish in the C&O. Lots of butterflies, dragonflies and other bugs. Heard cicadas several times but only along the canal and MacArthur
Road kills spotted: chipmunk

Incidents and accidents: Another weekend with a lot of stupid on the trail. Lots of trail hogs, bikes passing badly, runners on the wrong side, people moving left as they turn to look in reaction to my bell. Random j walkers on Wisconsin and K street. Got cut off twice by bikes passing and cutting right. And saw a first, a cyclist texting while riding. And drivers weren't innocent either. Several close passes on MacArthur and Ohio. Cars squeezed right on M street, preventing me from filtering to the turn lane. Several door flung open. Double parkers in Georgetown.

Health: 1 ½ bottle water, powerbar, granola bar, salad
The rough C&O was hard on my hands and butt. Legs feeling heavy for the last 10 miles.
Mechanical: No problems. Chainring slipped once, but I was on the wrong gear.

Earworm: current opening theme to Bleach

First time this season: C&O past Chain Bridge, MacArthur, Nelson

Best of: C&O and especially Widewater
Worst of: cars that hug the right edge of the lane.

Observations: Average speed 12.5 mph. Maximum speed 31.1 mph (on MacArthur near Great Falls)
Still a lot of roses in bloom at Bon Air. Not too many cars in the lot at 11:30, but full for the afternoon picnics when I returned.
Custis, CCT and MVT crowded. Even 4MR was crowded. Fewer people on the W&OD than I expected. C&O only crowded at Fletcher's Boathouse and from the bridge to Old Angler Inn to the Great Falls visitor center, but the Great Falls crowd was BIG.
Lots of canoes and kayaks in the Potomac and C&O. Even saw kayaks and fishing flats in Four Mile Run (and I almost never see that). Water level in 4MR was high.
River Center was open, but I didn't stop in.
The pull ferry to the Potomac island didn't seem to be there. Wonder if the island is still occupied.
Detour near Widewater for the breach from a couple of years ago.
Long stop to enjoy Widewater. Watched a heron hunting for a while. Lots of fish jumping.
Canal boat at Great Falls up on blocks. Looks like it needs hull repair.
Music camp at Glen Echo. Stopped at the MacArthur entrance where I could see and hear the carousel.
More trail traffic on MacArthur than I usually see. Car traffic was light to moderate. Several sections of the trail/sidepath looked recently repaved.
Construction at Delcarlia, around the ponds..
Lots of small boats in the Potomac near Little Falls. Saw the Nina turning around off Georgetown.
When I returned to Georgetown, saw a parking enforcement team ticketing all the cars parked illegally under Key Bridge.
Still construction fencing up at the new trail alignment near Thompson boathouse. Both trails open.
Walked up steps from Ohio to get to 14th St bridge.
Gravely Point very crowded. Lots of people watching planes, playing ball, etc. Cars circling parking area to wait for spaces.
Very surprised to see boats on 4MR. Almost never do, even though it's a nice quiet waterway to play in.
As I was passing the wetlands demonstration area at W&OD mile 2.5 I noticed a man standing in one of the ponds. Didn't look like a park worker and I'm not sure what he was doing there, but I didn't stop.
Enjoyed my conversation with the curator at the W&OD rail museum. Turns out he used to be a PPTC member and until a few years ago an avid cyclists. Got some information on where to get more of the history of the W&OD. Told him about my planed boundary stone tour. Exhibits interesting, photographs, letters, timetables, but in desperate need of a better presentation. Maybe actual frames instead of items taped to the wall and new labels instead of the hand-typed ones.

Sum up: Not as many miles as I had hoped for, but the ride along the canal was very relaxing.

It's all happenin' at the Zoo.....

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 19:35:45 GMT

originally posted July 26

* * * *

Saturday July 11, 2009
11:30 am to 2:00 pm
Start: Rosslyn
Route: Rhodes, Clarendon Blvd, Lynn, Key Bridge, M st, Wisconsin, K st, Capital Crescent Trail, Woodmont, Georgetown Branch, Jones Mill, Beach, Rock Creek Trail, National Zoo, Connecticut Ave, P st, 29th, 0 st, 31th, M st, Key Bridge, Fort Meyer, Fairfax
Map: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3039651
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iggentleman/sets/72157621843103698/
Weather: mid 80's, humid, mostly sunny, breezy
Distance: 25 miles

YTD: 913 miles

Decided to do a recovery ride. Weekend section said that there was an art fair in Bethesda. I intended to just do an up-an-back.
Started at a reasonable time. Legs still stiff from day before, so I started in Rosslyn. Across the Key Bridge and up the Capital Crescent to Bethesda. But when I got there I couldn't find any art fair, at least not a street fair. With the extra time on my hands I decided to finish the loop. Continued over to Beach Drive and down to the Zoo. Locked up the bike and wandered around the big cat and primate areas, then walked the bike up to Connecticut Ave. Down hill to Georgetown and back across the Key Bridge.

Stops: Fletcher's (t), Bethesda (w,f), National Zoo (t,f,w)

Flora and fauna: Usual flower for the season.
Usual small birds. Could hear woodpeckers and wood thrushes in Rock Creek park. At the zoo - lions, tigers, bears, sea lions, seals, prairie dogs, giant tortoise, orangutans, gorillas, gibbons.
Road kills spotted: robin, fried chicken leg

Incidents and accidents: Whole lot of baka out there, mostly cyclists. Too many to list them all, but the worst were the two wannabe racers blowing through the crowds on the CCT at Little Falls, and the two stopped and blocking one end of a bridge over Rock Creek who were indignant when I said "bad place to stop." Some dumb peds too, like the 4-across crowd that doesn't know what a bell means. Also the guy with two out of control boxers on long leashes. And stupid drivers in Georgetown. Several close passes, two doors opening without looking, the double parked cab, and I saw three cars run stop signs (two slowed a little, but one was full blow through)

Health: 1 ½ bottle water. 1 power bar. 1 granola bar.
Legs stiff from the day before. Didn't loosen up until I got to Bethesda. Palms still a little tender.

Mechanical: No problem on rings but gears slipped a few times. Might clean sprockets more thoroughly.

First time this season: Zoo, Connecticut Ave

Best of: Swimming tiger
Worst of: condition of the trail on the lower RCT

Observations: Average speed 13.0 mph. Maximum speed 31.3 mph (Jones Mill)
CCT very crowded, especially at Bethesda end. Almost too much for me.
A little disappointed that I didn't find the art fair, but that gave me more riding time.
Saw that there is a notice on the building where Thyme Square used to be for a development plan hearing. Building has been empty for a while and I've been expecting something new to come along.
Made good time on Georgetown Branch and Beach. Average went from 12.9 in Bethesda to 13.7 at Pierce Mill.
Beach Drive and RCT not very crowded.
Skipped stopping at Pierce Mill to do a zoo stop instead.
Rock Creek Trail near the zoo is getting more root-bound. Almost dangerous in places. Looking forward to the trail renovation, but have no idea when it will begin.
Rock Creek entrance to zoo closed for some reason. Not many cars in lot B.
Entered the zoo from the trail side and walked up by the bears and sea lions.
Bike rack almost full. Took the last available space to lock up.
Most animals lazy in the heat. Tiger taking a swim. Only one orangutang active on the overhead lines, but a few more sitting quietly in the shade.
Gibbons were very funny. One was sitting a platform when a long arm appears to the side and a second gibbon pulled itself along the platform to the front to do some people watching.
Several empty exhibits. I had heard that the black rhino had a new home, but one of the small cat enclosures was also empty.
Connecticut Avenue traffic heavy. Used the sidewalk to cross the bridge, but stayed with the streets for the rest.
As an afterthought I tried to find Ginza. Knew it was on Connecticut near Dupont Circle, but I didn't see it. Will have to look up the address and come back another day.

Sum up: OK ride. Nice to get back to the zoo.

K.I.S.S.

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 19:10:02 GMT

Originally posted July 26

* * * *

Friday July 10, 2009
3:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Start: Vienna Community Center
Route: W&OD milepost 11 to mile post 38
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iggentleman/sets/72157621718532965/
Weather: mid 80's, partly sunny, breezy
Distance: 54 miles

YTD: 888 miles

Took off early from work. If I had managed to get out earlier, I would have ridden to Purcellville, but I had a firm target of 5:15 to turn around. Reached milepost 38, just short of Clark's Gap, right on time. On the way back I treated myself to ice cream from the Herndon Dairy Queen.

Stops: Smith's Switch (t,f,w), Luck Stone Quarry (f,photos), milepost 38 (f,photos), Leesburg (photos), Old Mill (f,w), Smith's Switch (t,f,w), Herndon (f)

Flora and fauna: Many of the usual flowers: clover, BES, QAL, daisy, etc. Lots of blackberries and respberries along the trail. First crepe Myrtle of the season, white pink and purple. Trumpet flowers, red, yellow and orange. Lots of BES.
Usual small birds, especially cardinals and mockingbirds. Turkey vultures circling over the stone quarry. Hawk over Goose Creek. Lots of crows. Lots of rabbits on the return trip. Heard first cicadas of the season, but only once. Lots of butterflies and grasshoppers. Hit on helmet a couple of times by big bugs.
Road kills spotted: one pizza crust

Incidents and accidents: At Sunrise Valley a UPS truck stopped at the trail to let me cross. The car in the next lane roared on through, then the car behind the truck did a quick lane change and zipped by. Luckily I don't go unless I see all the lanes have stopped. Took a long time to cross Belmont Ridge, nobody out there bothers to yield at crosswalks. Cars stopped across the trail at Wheile, blocking it throughly. Dog off lease in Ashburn. Lots of skateboarders on the trail in Herndon on the return. Startled a couple of times by bikes passing suddenly (missing my mirror).

Health: two bottles water, power bar, granola bar, ice cream cone
I can tell that I haven't been doing longer distances this year. Seat and palms tender on return trip. Legs stiff the next day. Slight pain in the front of the knee in the last few mile (might need to look at my seat adjustment)

Mechanical: no problems

Earworms: Weather channel background music

First time this season: W&OD past Herndon

Best of: adding extra miles
Worst of: New developments eating up the last bits of open ground.

Observations: Average speed 13.6 mph. Maximum speed 31.1 mph (at Blackthorn)
Not many people out on the trail early, but many more on the return. Commuters and after work. crowd. Passed a couple of bikes fully loaded, probably on a tour.
Grass along the trail side looked to be recently mowed. Vienna portion was shorter than the previous week.
Trees in Sterling have grown tall enough that the wonderful view of the mountains from the route 28 bridge is starting to be blocked.
Trailside parking lot almost empty. Very unlike when I use it on weekends.
Fields west of Trailside look like they are being prepped for development. In a few years it will be suburbs all the way to Belmont Ridge. Oh, well!
New golf course in Ashburn in operation. A few people out playing.
Traffic at Smith's Switch road. Almost never saw that before.
The red "mill" building next to Partlow's had been painted a dull grey.
For lease signs on shopping center at Ashburn Road.
No activity in the stone quarry, but I could hear the steady sound of machines. Figured out it was the conveyor belt, which was running even when there was nothing else happening. I was there around 4:15 and stopped for pictures.
Trail looks like it was repaved near Ashburn and Leesburg.
Traffic very bad at Belmont Ridge. Cars didn't want to stop (despite the signs) and I had a long wait for a gap in traffic. Badly needs a demand light,
Tetra still owns/manages the flex building at Lawson, but there are two new building behind it. Lot across from the kennels full of USPS trucks.
Kennels were quiet on my way out, but very noisey on the return. Might have been dinner time.
New bridge over the trail in place near Leesburg. Don't think it is open to cars yet. Still some signs of construction around.
Still mostly wooded north of Leesburg. Trees thick enough that the new tract houses are not too intrusive.
Trail realignment at the Dry Mill Crossing mostly finished.. Not sure it helps cyclists see better, but it may work for the cars seeing the trail traffic. I stopped at milepost 38 for pictures and a bite to eat. While I was there not a single biker or walker passed. I was halfway back to Leesburg before I saw anyone else on the trail.
Leesburg police car staked out the trail crossing at Valley View. Or maybe they were waiting for speeders. I could see that there was not traffic coming, but I unclipped to put my foot down and did a (almost) full stop. Still rolled a little, but wasn't bothered by them.
Stopped at the auto recycling center to take pictures. The blue car on display was very shiny, like

Fairfax, Long Branch and Accotink

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:52:46 GMT

originally posted July 26

* * * *

Wednesday July 8, 2009
6:00 pm to 8:20 pm
Start: Circle Towers
Route: Fairfax connector, Old Pickett, Old Lee Highway, Main, University, Patriot Circle, Sideburn, Commonwealth, Twinbrook, Braddock, Olley, Long Branch stream valley trail, Wakefiled, Accotink trail, Picket, Fairfax connector.
Weather: low 80's, sunny
Distance: 19 miles
YTD: 834 miles

Firefly time.

First things first. Replaced the broken clamp bolt and reinstalled the seat. Then ride and readjust as required.
Last two mid-week evening rides were north to the W&OD, so this time I went south. Stopped at Oasis Bike Works and talked to the instructor for the Thursday night classes. Small shop focused on repairs. Upstairs was closed with a sign directing people to the repair shop below. Store section is too small to have much - a few bikes and a few accessories. Had a nice chat. Turns out he's from New York and is thinking about riding the BNY5B next year. I told him about the NY100 in September. Nice talk, but I stayed longer than I intended.
Back to the ride around 7:00. Loop the GMU campus, then down Sideburn and into Burke. I'd forgotten about all the stop signs on Commonwealth. Traffic on Braddock was heavy so I took the sidepath instead of the road. Olley was varying width with fast traffic, but I was able to hit the narrow parts between clusters of cars. Almost missed the trail headtucked well in on the right. Long Branch trail was pleasant. Looked much link the Accotink trail, but twistier with houses visible beyond the trees. Trail was in reasonably good shape, with only a few washed out areas. Stayed mostly north of the stream and passed through a couple of different park areas. Eventually got to Braddock, crossed the Accotink and took the trail into the park. Stopped to watch a ball game for a while. Resumed ride when I realized how late it was getting. Plenty of light in the clearings, but in the woods it was dark. So dark that I couldn't read the bike computer. So dark that I had to slow down to pick out hazzards on the trail. So dark that I was riding through groups of fireflies. Took the spur towards Thaiss and rode through a herd for deer. Returned to CT around 8:20 with a little light to spare.

Stops: Oasis Bike Works, Wakefield (t,w,f)
Flora and fauna: Mimosa along the Accotink. BES, QAL and a few other flowers.
Usual small birds. Could hear lots of crows. Deer near Thaiss Park. Got well bit by mosquitoes whenever I stopped (had welts on my legs for most of the ride). Clouds of gnats. Fireflies.
Road kills spotted: none

Incidents and accidents: Close passing cars on University and Sideburn. Right turning car at 50 and Pickett not respecting the cross walk. Dog on long leash on Accotink.
Health: fine
Mechanical: fine

Earworm: Jun (theme to Cromartie High School)

First time this season: Old Pickett, Old Lee Highway, Sideburn Commonwealth, Olley
First time ever: Twinbrook, Long Branch trail

Best of: fireflies
Worst of: biting bugs

Observations: Average speed 11.8 mph. Maximum speed 29.9 mph on Commonwealth.
Traffic heavy enough on Old Lee Highway that I stayed on the side path for much of it.
Don't think I'll buy accessories from Oasis, but I'll probably go there if I need any major service.
Enjoyed Long Branch trail. Will probably use it from time to time.
Saw the Wakefield Community Garden backed up to the power line right-of-way. Don't know if the is a bikeable way through to the trails.
Passed by many ball games in progress. Also soccer and tennis. But some fields were not in use.
Heard fireworks being set off near Long Branch.
Fireworks discards at Oak Hill park, but no game at the ball field.
Some sort of mountain bike race or race practice going on at Wakefield Park. Passed several riders with numbers, then came across taped off areas on the north side of the park.
Construction progressing at LRT bridge. Expect that the trail will close one day to lift bridge segments in place.
Saw more people walking along Long Branch than along the Accotink. Might be the time of day.

Sum up: OK for a mid-week ride. Nice to check out new trails.
Wouldn't hurt to bring a light, just in case.

Still life at Folklife

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:22:59 GMT

Originally posted July 22

* * * *

Sunday July 5, 2009
10:30 am to 4:00 pm

Start: Rosslyn
Route: Fairfax, Lynn, MVT, Roosevelt Bridge, Virginia, Mall to Folklife Festival, Jefferson, 7th, Independence, Lenfant Promenade, DC fish market, Bannecker Bridge, Ohio, River Trail, K St, CCT to Bethesda, C&O, Chain Bridge, Randolf, Glebe, Old Dominion, Quincy, Fairfax, Clarendon Blvd, Rhodes, 14th
Map: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2986204
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iggentleman/sets/72157621652497009/
Weather: upper 70's, humid, overcast, light breeze, light sprinkle
Distance: 29 miles

YTD: 815 miles

Third ride of the holiday weekend, and the third equipment problem.
This year's Smithsonian Folklife Festival themes were Hispanic-American music, African- American oral tradition, and Wales. S and a few others were going for the Welsh exhibits on Sunday. I left a little early and biked there to meet them. But starting late (again) I drove to my usual place in Rosslyn and headed to the Mall by way of the Roosevelt Bridge and Virginia Ave. Walked the festival a bit, met up with the group, then left them to walk the music portion of the festival and visit the Ripley/Sackler/African/Freer gallery. Quick walk through the market place, then start my real ride.
Was hungry so I headed to the fish market for a fish taco. Unfortunately the place that has had fish tacos in the past didn't have them that day, and I didn't want the raw bar fare or a full platter. I head off hungry. Crossed over to the Hains Point side, but headed up Ohio to the River trail and the Capital Crescent Trail. With more time I might have done the full loop, but I just went to Bethesda and back. To add some miles and some hills, and to get some pictures, I crossed the Chain Bridge and down Glebe and Quincy to Ballston. As I was starting on Clarendon Blvd I hear a loud SNAP and my seat falls away. Sure enough, seat clamp bolt sheared. Last time was three years ago, so I guess it was about time. I have a spare bolt with me, but since I am only a couple of downhill miles away from the car I strap the seat to the pack, pick up the pars of the clamp and ride back, standing and seatless. Did get a few amused looks as I passed.

Stops: Folklife Festival (t,f,w, festival, museums), DC fish market, Bethesda (f,w), Fletchers (f,t), Chain Bridge (photos), Clarendon (breakdown)

Links: http://www.festival.si.edu/
http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/current/ShutenDoji.htm
http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/current/TsarsandtheEast.htm
http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/current/MoonlightandClouds.htm

Flora and fauna:
Usual small birds. Heron at Roosevelt Island. Group of six adolescent ducks, with no parent in sight. Many geese along the C&O. Large birds circling the Mather Gorge.
Road kills spotted: one bird, one unidentified

Incidents and accidents:
Health: two bottle water, one powerbar, on granola bar, had a craving for Popeye's spicy chicken so I picked up some on the way home.

Mechanical: No problems with shifting. Seat clamp bolt sheared.

First time this season: Glebe, Old Dominion, Quincy.

Best of: Mather George
Worst of: Broken bolt (arghhhhhh)

Observations: Average speed 11.8 mph. Maximum speed 29.8 mph.
Fun time at FLF. Locked up bike and wandered around the Welsh craftsman area. Then the main area where I found the others. Spent a while talking to the people at the two sustainable houses built on site. Listened to some music and other demonstrations.
The Hispanic music was amped up much louder than the other activities. Too loud to get close to.
Repair work on the Smithsonian Castle meant that he bike racks had been moved. Only half the rack available for use.
Entered museum by way of the Ripley Center. Shows included: Jamestown, Quebec and Santa FE, Shuten Doji, Tsars and the East, Moonlight and Clouds.
Stopped at the FLF marketplace after the museum. Found out afterwards that I passed a little ways away from S and the others, the I didn't hear them calling to me. Nothing interesting in the marketplace, and I wouldn't have been able to carry much anyway. The Wales bag that I had picked up for free at the festival was on sale for $4 in the marketplace.
Fish market was very busy. Disappointed that no one had the light fare I wanted.
Construction of the new trail alignment near Thompson's boathouse nearly finished.
One lane of the Chain Bridge is closed for construction, but it doesn't affect the bike crossing yet. Great views up the gorge, and with the closed lane I might be able to get photos down the river as well...next time.
Walked my bike up the big hill. Too tired to even attempt riding the lower part.
New construction in and around Marymount University. Interesting town homes with a cathedral view, called "Cathedral View." An Albritian development.
http://cathedralviewarlington.com/Arlington_Premier_Homes.php
Bolt break happened across from the Delhi Club, which looked like it was closed. I had a spare bolt with me, but not my good allen wrench (fell out of my pack when I left a zipper open on a ride. Gathered up the clamp pieces, strapped the seat to my pack and rode the easy downhill to Rosslyn.

Sum up: Nice day for a light ride. Not many hills. Festival and museums were fun. Broken bolt was a surprise but not a problem.

Mount Vernon and Oxon Hill

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:58:15 GMT

originally posted July 22, 2009

* * * *

Friday July 3, 2009
10:00 am to 8:15 pm
Start: Rosslyn
Route: Fairfax, Lynn, MVT to Mount Vernon Visitor Center, Wilson Bridge, National Harbor, Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill Farm, DC Village, MLK, Good Hope, Welsh Bridge, M (SE), 8th, M, 7th (SW), Independence, Memorial Bridge, Cemetery Trail, Fort Meyer, Fairfax.
Map: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2985418
Weather: low 80's, humid, partly sunny to overcast, windy, showers mid afternoon
Distance: 48 miles

YTD: 786 miles

Goals completed: Mount Vernon Trail end to end.

Photos (just a few): http://www.flickr.com/photos/iggentleman/sets/72157621776747884/

Big ride planned. Time to tackle the Mount Vernon Trail. Then up thru SE to Artomatic. Hoped for around 60 miles.
But .... the second of three.
First part worked out as planned. Mount Vernon Trail end to end. Rode by the new visitor Center, but didn't stop. Back to the Wilson Bridge using both trail and neighborhood streets, and across to Maryland. Explored a bit more of National Harbor. Still think it feels artificial and contrived. Didn't find anyplace for a quick lunch - everything is middle to high end sit-down restaurants or ice cream shops. Maybe the next phase will have more to make the trip worth while.
As I was leaving NH, the rain started. After a half mile it was heavy enough that I was already soaked and took shelter in the trail connector tunnel. About a dozen of us waited out the storm, about 20 minutes. Continued up the long path to Oxon Hill Road. Road crossing was messy, but traffic was light, so I took the bike lane and sidewalk the wrong way to Bald Eagle, the entrance to Oxon Hill Farm. This time I took the farm road, and took a lot of pictures. Had a long conversation with a man and his sons in the parking lot asking about how to bike to NH. Stopped at the NPS office and chatted with the staff. They said that until the bridge opened they never saw cyclists at the park, but now they have a steady stream visiting. I took the dirt road out, but the rain returned and forced me to shelter under a mulberry tree for a while. Once I was settled in the birds came out as if I wasn't there. Continued down the path and along Oxon Run. The grass looked recently mowed and a lot of the overgrowth cut back. Passed several fisherman along the run. Stopped at the bridge to bird watch and fish watch, and saw a herd of deer at the DC line.
Followed the road back through DC Village, and MLK back to Anacostia. Much easier going north than south, mostly because of the big hill at St. Elizabeth's. The view from MLK and South Capitol was impressive and I almost headed that way. Maybe I should have. I noticed that my front brake was feeling funny, and as I was turning at Good Hope I see that my front tire is mostly flat. Slow leak. Still some air, but not enough to ride on. I stop at Anacostia Park, pull out my spare tire, then realize that I don't have an air pump with me. No chance of fixing it myself. I walk the bike over the Welsh Bridge with the intention of taking the Metro from Eastern Market to Rosslyn and fixing the tire at home. Then I remember Capitol Hill Bikes. I find it and get the tire fixed for $20 (labor and new tube.) The ride is saved. After 4:30 by the time I'm done, and I'm very hungry. Stop at Popeye's for something quick, then phone S and head to Artomatic.
Another Nationals game today, so the area is crowded. Spent two hours there, went through floors 5 to 2, then a few stops for pictures on the other floors. Nearly 7:30 when I left, so I took the shortest route back. Still some daylight, so I stopped at Iwo Jima for a few pictures.

Stops: Belle Haven (t,w,f), Mount Vernon (w,f) Belle Haven (t,w), Wilson Bridge and National Harbor (photos), Oxon Hill trail (rain shelter), Oxon Hill Farm (f,w, rain shelter), Anacostia Park (flat), Capitol Hill (repair,f,w), Artomatic (w,t,f)

Flora and fauna: Usual early summer flowers. BES, QAL, morning glories, etc. More Mimosa and Golden Rain trees.
Usual small birds. Egrets and herons in Belmont Bay, along with geese, gulls and ducks. Hawk hunting in Oxon Hill park, and another heron in the creek. While in Oxon Hill waiting for the rain to stop I saw lots of cardinals, blackbirds, mockingbirds, catbirds. Squirrels (grey and black), chipmunks. Herd of deer on the Oxon Hill side of the DC line, almost against the dividing fence. I saw eight, but there may have been more. I came to 30 feet from one before it ran off. Little fish in Oxon Run.
Road kills spotted: one squirrel, one bird

Incidents and accidents: Several trail hogs on the MVT, mostly walkers. Large group of kids with a few adults near Belle Haven. Fast bike using wrong trail at Belle Haven toilets almost clipped me. Saw a few other bikes doing bad passes. Wobbly trail hogs on way to National Harbor. Lots of baka pedestrians at National Harbor. Two girls sitting on trail at National Cemetery, and a man standing/gawking/blocking the trail-head. Closing passing cars on Independence and M St. Tire flatted by a small, sharp rock on MLK near Good Hope.

Health: Two bottles water. Powerbar, granola bar, two Popeye's chicken biscuits.
Feeling good up until the flat. Legs stiff and feet sore after walking to Capitol Hill, and after long stop at Artomatic. Hands a little tender and shoulder tight by end. Butt ok.

Mechanical: Shifting was good, only a couple of slips. Brakes squeaking after rain. Flat tire on MLK near Good Hope which I had fixed at Capitol Hill Bikes.

First time this season: MVT south Mount Vernon, Welsh Bridge,
First time ever: Roads around the east side of National Harbor, trail to Oxon Hill Rd, MLK to South Capitol,

Best of: The peace of Oxon Hill Farm.
Worst of: Trail hogs.

Observations: Average .... meaningless.
Storm fencing up along GW Parkway in preparation of the fireworks. Fresh portajohns in place, but most are locked.
Lots of small sailboats (sailing class) off Dangerfield Marina.
Area near the trail at Dangerfield roped off and marked as helicopter landing area.
I was extra careful of stop signs and lights in Old Town. The city police are reported to be on a crackdown of cyclists.
Mount Vernon very crowded. Cars trolling for spaces to park.
Water pressure at the MVT trail-head fountain too low to refill bottle. Waited for Bell Haven.
Riding back on the MVT I passed someone walking with a staff. As I passed I noticed that the head of it was a broad-leaf spear point, and I think it was metal. Don't mess with that ped.
Good views up river from the Wilson. Stopped to use the binocular viewers. Wonder how the fireworks would look from the bridge.
Still don't like the new setting for the Awakening. Space is too small and cramped for such a majestic statue. NPS was stupid for not buying it and giving it a permanent home on Hains Point.
Ride up path to Oxon Hill Rd is long and treeless. Oxon Hill Road is not bike friendly.
Enjoyed Oxon Hill Farm. Might like to visit when they are having a special event. Staff there very friendly. Unfortunately I was the only visitor there. Seems to be a neglected park.
DC Village almost deserted. Saw a dog training course, then realized that it was part of the police training academy.
MLK going north worked well.
Noticed something. In the NoVA suburbs the fireworks stands usually are standard metal containers that can be trucked to a site, about 8x50, and are mostly in strip shopping centers. In SE the fireworks stands are site-build, small wooden structures, maybe 8x8 or 8x12, located on isolated street corners and most of them don't look like they have building permits.
Flat tire was a bummer. My Kevlar tires will stop most things but didn't stop that sharp rock. Glad I remembered the bike shop, otherwise I would have limped back with 10 less mile.
Feet feeling it after 1 ½ mile walk.
Went as far as Eastern Market Metro. Need to see the re-opened Eastern Market sometime.
Enjoyed Artomatic again. Wish I had started going there years earlier. Saw AR's work. Took a few pictures. Late enough in the day that there were several performances going on.
Drivers near the Mall and stadium much more aggressive and nasty than drivers in southeast.
Two fast moving police boats headed up the Potomac at the Memorial Bridge.
Light at Iwo Jima was just right. Stopped for pictures.

Sum up: Long ride cut short but first flat in two years. Saved by CHB.
Very varied ride. Other than the walking I had a great time.

Gnats to you

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:33:49 GMT

originally posted July 22

* * * *

Tuesday June 30, 2009
5:10 pm to 7:20 pm
Start: Circle Towers.
Route: Fairfax Connector trail, Courthouse Rd, W&OD to Herndon, return with side trip to Reston Town Center
Weather: low 80's, humid, partly sunny, breezy, light drizzle
Distance: 25 miles
YTD: 730 miles

Still slow at work. Repeated ride from last Thursday, with a stop at "The Bike Lane" in Reston Town Center.

Stops: Vienna (t), Herndon (f), Warner (w), Vienna (t)

Flora and fauna: Mostly the same as last week, with a few changes. No thistle flowers because they are seeding. More trumpet vine, more clumps of BES. Saw first Joe Pye Weed and Minmosa blooms of the season.
Usual small birds and squirrels. Almost hit by a cardinal. Lots of grasshoppers flying. Ran through several clouds of gnats near Nottoway (several flew up my nose).
Road kills spotted: none

Incidents and accidents: One close passing car on Courthouse. Another ran a stop sign on Locust, within sight of the police station. One bike coming the other way passed a jogger and swung too close to me. A mountain bike popped out of a side trail and into my lane of the W&OD and if I hadn't already been all the way right I would have been hit. Watched a bike run the crossing signal at Elden Street and almost get hit. Man walking two very unruly big dogs had to move off the trail to keep them under control. Several times pairs of runners/walkers were hogging the trail.
Health: One bottle water, one granola bar
Too short a ride for anything to hurt
Mechanical: auto-shifted a couple of times.

Best of: extra miles
Worst of: trail hogs

Observations: Average speed 13.0 mph, maximum speed 31.5 mph (hill from Buckthorn)
Weather.com had said wind of 3 mph out of the SW. Wind was a lot stronger than that and mostly out of the NW. Headwind out and tailwind back was ok.
Not as many bikes out as last week.
Saw a home built hand-trike.
Think I recognized a few trail denizens from last Tuesday.
Connector Trail has stakes for construction easement and access easement. I expect they are getting ready to clear the land for the Metro West development. The connector trail may be a mess for the next few years. Spotted a construction trailer in the overflow parking lot, and I'll check to see if it has Pulte on it.
More equipment at the construction site in Herndon. Three pavement breakers.
Forgot to mention last time the yellow arrows pointing off the trail to tubes sticking several feet out of the ground. Utility line of some sort.
Volley ball, baseball, basketball and ultimate frisbee at Nottoway.

Sum up: Relaxing

Class

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:36:32 GMT

originally posted July 8

* * * *

Thursday July 2, 2009
6:40 pm to 7:00 pm
Start: Green Acres Center
Route: Sideburn, Armstrong, University, Sager and other roads around south Fairfax City. Patriot Circle.
Map: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2985148
Weather: mid 80's, sunny, light breeze
Distance: 8 miles
YTD: 738 miles

Short warm up ride before the bicycle maintenance class. I had wanted to do a much longer ride, maybe to Burke Lake, but I got out of the office late. Road 7 miles before class and 1 mile after. First time this season riding around George Mason University.
At the class we had a different teacher, the other owner of the business. Topic was adjusting brakes and replacing brake cables. I had the only bike with cantilever brakes, so after learning on a V brake I replaced my rear cable (front one is still fine). Instructor recommended I replace the brake pads, so I'll probably pick up a pair before the next class.

Stops: class
Flora and fauna: Didn't notice much.
Road kills spotted: None

Incidents and accidents: A few cars passing close, mostly on the new stretch of University.
While I was loading my bike into the car after class it fell over and broke the handlebar mirror. Housing is just a little scratched, but the itself mirror is smashed. I might try to find a replacement mirror and put it in.

Health: no problems

Mechanical: Wiped off the sprockets and chain before riding. Shifting was fine.

First time this season: All that wasn't new.
First time ever: The new road to GMU. Forest, Collier, Addison, Sager.

Best of: GMU is growing.
Worst of: New alignment of University Blvd is not as pleasant.

Observations: New road to GMU (I forget it's name) is narrow with fast traffic, but it goes directly into the campus entrance. That stretch of University is now a backwater. Took me a while to figure out the new road pattern.
Lots of new construction on the GMU campus, mostly on the east and north side of campus. Phys Ed building renovation is finished and is about to open. Aquatic Center is open. Two new academic buildings, three new residential halls, parking garage, all under construction, and three other sites fenced and ready to start. Only designer signs I saw were for Wisnewski-Blair and DCS.
Patriot Circle was in better condition than I had seen it in a few years.
Rode around the neighborhood south and east of the city, but got disoriented and ended up back in downtown on Sager. I was expecting a square pattern and found a triangle.
New construction behind Green Acres. Looks like townhouses, but could be multifamily.

Sum up: OK ride. Miles is miles.
Looking forward to more bike maintenance classes. If I ever do a multi-day solo ride, I want to be ready to handle my own repairs.

And uh three....

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:35:50 GMT

Thursday June 25, 2009
8:30 am to 9:50 am

Start: home
Route: Fairview Park, Luria connector, Luria Park, Hemlock, Ashton, Trammel, Lafayette Village, Americana, Wakefield bridge, Accotink Trail, Fairfax Connector trail, Courthouse Rd, W&OD, Fairwood, Hollywood, Meadowbrook
Map: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2950195
Weather: upper 70's, sunny
Distance: 22 miles

YTD: 705 miles

Last day before the heat and humidity set in. Needed a shower anyway, so I started the day with a ride. Tried some new trails between Fairview Park and Luria, exploring/getting lost several times. Trail narrow and not in great shape, but almost deserted running through quiet woods. Streets to the bridge over to Wakefield. With more time I would have gone around Lake Accotink, but I started lateish. Us the Accotink Trail, past my office and to the W&OD to return home and clean up before heading to work.

Stops: Accotink Park (t)

Flora and fauna: Lots of flowers along the Accotink. Thistle, aster, QAL etc along Beltway construction. Lots of tall asters along LRTP.
Mostly the usual small birds and squirrels. Blue heron and lots of swifts over the Accotink. One chipmunk at the edge of the W&OD, didn't move until I was almost on top of it.
Road kills spotted: none

Incidents and accidents: None
Health: One bottle water
Mechanical: auto-shifted a couple of times.

First time this season: Luria, Hemlock, Ashton, Trammel,
First time ever: Luria connector trails, Lafayette Village, Americana,

Best of: Morning light
Worst of: nada

Observations: Average speed 12.4 mph, maximum speed 32.1 mph (on Americana)
Not a lot of trail traffic this early in the day. Saw a commuter on the Accotink, and a couple more on the W&OD
Network of trail behind Fairview. I had seen joggers headed into the woods, but never realized where the trails went. No signs made it a little confusing. Map helped.
Construction at the "Woodburn school for Fine and Communicative Arts"
Took a long time to cross Gallows Road. No breaks in traffic and no one stops for cross walks.
Beltway construction has cut the tree buffer along Americana to just a few feet. I expect that they will build a sound wall.
Wakefield bridge getting overgrown by vines, but no poison ivy.
New sign at the Connector Trail at Lee Highway for the Pulte Metro development. Interesting to see the plans, with 20 or so office and condo buildings and many townhouses. Unfortunately they used the same sign as they did on the close street, so the sign says that this route (the trail) is closed and to the trail.
Land a the "midget village" has been cleared and prepped for construction. Streets, and presumably utilities, are in and lots look ready to go.
Fairfax County has cut back on road maintenance, letting the grass ane weeds grow. However I noticed that the path up to Fairview had been trimmed, and a three man crew was out cutting vines along the W&OD hill over I-66.
At Hollywood I noticed that the brush under the power lines had been recently cleared down to the dirt. A couple hundred yards further on I pass the team doing it, two trucks and a dozen men.

Sum up: Nice way to start the day. Wish I could do it more often.

Out and about

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:17:52 GMT

Tuesday June 23, 2009
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Start: Circle Towers.
Route: Fairfax Connector trail, Courthouse Rd, W&OD to Herndon, return
Weather: mid 80's, humid, sunny, light breeze
Distance: 24 miles
YTD: 683 miles

Quiet week at work. M out on vacation. Plan was to start early, around 2:00, and ride to Leesburg on the W&OD. But visit to the county to longer than expected, and had a drop-in meeting at 3:30. Final got suite up after 5:00. Kept ride simply, out for an hour and back. Made it to Elden Street. Back before dark.

Stops: Herndon (f), Hunter Mill (f,t)

Flora and fauna: Lots of flowers along the trail. Most unidentified, but did see butterfly bush, trumpet vine, clover, buttercup, sumac, rubeckia, daisy. Lots of green. Much of what was cut down along the power lines has grown back in, but not a nice as before. Acanthus, wild grape, berries, but no much poison ivy.
Usual small birds and squirrels. One fat woodchuck at the side of the trail didn't move as I rode by.
Road kills spotted: none

Incidents and accidents: None
Health: One bottle water, one granola bar
Too short a ride for anything to hurt
Mechanical: auto-shifted a couple of times. Gears chattered a bit, but putting some slack back into the cable made that disappear.

Best of: extra miles
Worst of: nothing particular

Observations: Average speed 13.2 mph, maximum speed 33.4 mph (on Courthouse)
Head wind out was mostly a tailwind back.
Lot of bikes out for a late day ride. Some of them looked like commuters. Fair number of runners and walkers too. Found out the next day that one of the engineers I work with was on the trail running at the same time I was there. I probably passed him.
House on dunnage in Herndon still on dunnage, but the fields in front have been prepped for new construction.
Large parking lot in Herndon has construction fence up and a Hitt trailer, but no construction yet.
Saw a purple box hanging from a tree in Reston. Probably for Gypsy moths of something similar.
Volley ball, baseball and Ultimate Frisbee at Nottaway Park.

Sum up: Relaxing

Sudden change of plans

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:13:11 GMT

originally posted June 25

* * * *

Sunday June 21, 2009
10:45 am to 4:15 pm
Start: Rosslyn, 14th and Fairfax
Route: Fairfax, Iwo Jima, Cemetery Trail, Memorial Bridge, Reflecting Pool, Washington Monument, Jefferson, 4th St, Constitution, Louisiana, 2nd, M St, 1st, S, 4th, Michigan, Monroe, 14th, Newcomb, 15th, Girard, 18th, Montana, S, Arboretum (to Hickey Hill), R, Bladensburg, Mount Olivet, 17th, M...Benning, Anacostia Trail, SE Freeway, 8th, G, 5th, H, 4th, M, 6th, G, 7th, Independence, Memorial Bridge, Cemetery Trail, Marshal, Fort Meyer, Fairfax
Map: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2938019
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iggentleman/sets/72157620369017055/
Weather: mid 80's, less humid, mostly cloudy, breezy and gusty
Distance: 29 miles

YTD: 659 miles

One of the Bikeforums.net members was on a two week bike tour and was riding from Vienna to Anapolis on Sunday. I was going to join him in Falls church and ride with him to Greenbelt. Good chance for me to explore Lake Artemesia and get 60+ miles in. But Saturday night he left a message that he wasn't felling well and was going to get a lift to Anapolis, giving him a second rest day. That left me free to ride as I please.
Decided to try the original plan, but starting in Rosslyn instead of Falls Church, and with a back up plan in mind. Sunday weather was cooler and drier than Saturday, no rain but very windy. Brought my camera this time, intending to stop often for photos. Got off to a late-ish start and the wind was tougher than I expected, so plans changed quickly. Steady wind 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph. Seemed like there was a headwind in any direction I went, and cross winds pushed me into curbs and other objects several times. I went to plan B, a flower and museum ride.
Part of the Mall area was closed to traffic. Turns out there was a triathalon event. Luckily they were where I was not, so I had the closed roads to myself. Went around the east side of Union Station this time, and I like that route better. Over to 1st, through Eckington, up 4th to the Shrine. Instead of taking Michigan Ave I explored the neighborhood using Monroe and found "downtown" Brookland. Almost went by the Monastery, but decide to save it for another day. Main goal was the Arboretum. This time the daylilies were starting to bloom. Took lots of pictures of flowers, but I've reached my Flickr account limit for the month so I can't upload those pictures. Rode up to Hickey Hill and walked through the Asian collection. Stopped at the visitor center for toilet and water break, and a look at the plans for the future Chinese garden.
After the Arboretum I rode across the street to Mount Olivet Cemetery. I had mistakenly thought that the Gaudens statue "Grief" was there (found out later that it is in Rock Creek cemetery). Had a nice time riding around and took many more pictures. Headed over to the Anacostia trail. Wanted to take it as far as possible on the east side, but following a sign to the trail I ended up on the SE Freeway. Stayed on the wide shoulder to the next exit at 8th Street, less than a mile. Left me in a unexpected and unfamiliar neighborhood, but I navigated over to M Street and my other goal, Artomatic.
I had always wanted to visit the Artomatic show, but never had. In an office building shell at the Navy Yard Metro and close to the Nationals stadium. Home game with the Jays, so the area was crowded. Even had a good view of the game from the upper levels of the building. The show was interesting. Some very good, some very bad, most of it just ok. Some of it very inspiring. I picked up lots of business cards from the displays. Only had time to see the 9th through 6th floors, so I'd like to come back before it ends on July 5.
Trip back uneventful. Stopped at the DC war memorial for more pictures, and another stop at the Memorial Bridge.

Stops: Iwo Jima (t), Arboretum (t,w,f), Artomatic (f,w), photos (many stops)

Flora and fauna: Lots of asters, clover, thistle. Still some buttercup. Daylilies starting to bloom. Lots of blooms at the Arboretum ,including water lilies. Golden Rain trees blooming.
Nothing special for birds or animals. Lot of crows at RFK.
Road kills spotted: one squirrel, one starling

Incidents and accidents: couple of cars passing close on Bladensburg, Benning and Independence
Health: 1 ½ bottle water, 1 powerbar, 1 granola bar.
I had pulled my neck earlier in the morning but that didn't seem to affect my ride. Ride was too short to have any physical affects. Legs a little stiff after the long stop at Artomatic.

Mechanical: Chain clean and lube seemed to help, but still autoshifted a couple of times. Think it may be time to replace the cables.

First time this season: Hickey Hill end of Arboretum, SW (M, 6th, 7th)
First time ever: 2nd St, Monroe to 18th, Mount Olivet, M St to Benning, SE Freeway to M St,

Best of: Daylilies
Worst of: Confusing signs to the Anacostia Trail, although riding the highway wasn't too bad

Observations: Average speed 10.8 mph. Maximum speed 39 mph.
Dramatic sky most of the day. Sun did break out a few times, but only for short periods.
Not that many tourists at the Lincoln and Washington. Large tour group clogged the side of the Reflecting Pool. Volleyball tournament instead of soccer in the field to the south.
Tents up for the Folklife Festival which starts Wednesday. Looked like set-up was underway.
Steel drum playing Bach outside the Air and Space. And he was playing it very well.
Pictures a griffins in front of Jones Day Building near Union Station. More pictures of new and renovated buildings along 2nd street, and wall mural in Eckington.
Monroe is a little hillier than Michigan Ave but better for traffic.
Daylilies at Arboretum just starting to bloom, right where they had always been. Got lots of photos.
The proposed Chinese garden looks interesting. Large model on display. Approved by congress and in fund raising stage.
Mount Olivet was interesting. Lots of Irish names, some English and Welsh, a few Italian and German. Some interesting funerary art. Lots of obelisk on the hill top. Lots of visitors for Father's day. I had thought that the "Grief" sculpture was there, but I didn't see it. Checked on line later and discovered I had the wrong cemetery.
Next to Mount Olivet was a Public Storage facility. I got some photos with the sign in the background. Fits my sense of humor.
Traffic on Bladensburg Road still bad. I got off the main road and into the neighborhoods as soon as possible.
Anacostia trail nearly deserted.... again. Only passed two bikes and one jogger.
RFK parking for the Nationals shuttle was crowded. First I knew that there was a home game.
Had intended to take the trail along the east side of the river. Sign indicating how to get to the trail dumped me onto the highway. Once on it, I just continued to the first exit. SE Freeway shoulder was wide and in good shape with little debris, and traffic was light.
8th Street is a lively commercial district. Passed the Marine Barracks. Noticed I was going the wrong way, so I zigzagged over to M Street. Stopped to ask directions of a parking enforcement officer, but this was not her normal beat so she couldn't help.
Lots of traffic and street activity for the Nationals game. Lots of new construction around the stadium.
Artomatic was at 55 M St SE, one block from the stadium. Navy Yard Metro entrance is in the base of the building. The show was interesting. I started at the 9th floor but only did two floors thoroughly and two more quickly. Need to go back. Later found out that some friends had work at the show, but on the lower floors where I didn't go. Also found out another friend was visiting the show at the time I was there, but we missed each other.
EYA townhouse community in SW still under construction. I would have stopped in at the sales office if I had not been running so late.
Since I had the camera I decided to stop at the DC war memorial, the forgotten memorial, and take pictures. More visitors there than I expected, but a lot of them were short-cutting between the Mall and the Tidal Basin.
Sun was glinting off the gold statues at the east end of Memorial Bridge caught my attention. Stopped for pictures.

Sum up: Nice day out. Trading distance for art was good, but I still need to ride some long distances.
Quiet week at work, so I might get some mid week riding in.

Maintenance

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:43:21 GMT

Last Thursday I went to the bicycle maintenance class being sponsored by a local bike shop in Fairfax. My first time there. Class is every other week. About 8 attendees this time. Showed us how to replace shifter cables and adjust the shifting. The bike he used for a demo had downtube friction shifters, so I'd like to see how a twist-style index shifter differs. Might get some cables and try to change it myself next Wednesday night, so if I mess up I can ask for help the next night. In the meantime I want to do a more thorough cleaning of the deraileur components. Just cleaned and lubed the chain last week, but I think I'll re-clean and relube with a lighter lubricant.

Funny thing. The instructor for the class is the bike mechanic that used to work on my bike at HTO. I think my current cables are the ones he installed. After he left HTO I was never quite as happy with the other mechanics. Always wondered where he ended up. Now I know.

I want to learn about general maintenance and handle the little stuff myself, but I think Oasis Bike Works may be getting my business for anything major.