Utilitaire Control No. 8 – Stay Safe

Part 8 of 12 in the 2012 Utilitaire 12 revisited a #coffeeneuring spot from the fall, Pound coffee on Pennsylvania Ave.  But first a digression…

As I write this, I am thinking of the unfortunate collision this morning between a person on a CaBi and a lumber truck at U and 11th NW.  No clear understanding of what exactly happened or how the person is doing has surfaced.  It made me want to write a long post about my perspectives as a cyclist and as a driver, but in the end I gave up, realizing that the issue is just not meant for the screen.  The issues and relationships surrounding bike/car interaction should be occur in person, on the road or off.  That way we can all take a step back and realize that at the heart of the matter there are real people who are riding/driving, just like you and me – and maybe that can add some civility and weight to the conversations.

Another reason that I bring this up is because on my way to this utilitaire stop, Kate and I were taking the lane on Pennsylvania Ave (at about 6th SE).  I was at the left side of the right lane about 1 wheel behind Kate, who was riding in the center of the lane out of the door zone.  Traffic was light, and given the lane widths and on-street parking on Penn, taking the lane is the safest thing to do.

As we approached a light turning from red to green, a cyclist flew by us screaming obscenities.  Seconds later another came through in the same club kit yelling that the car following them (and us) had hit the first cyclist.  A cop car was there, and threw on his blues and pulled over the driver.  The hit cyclist, who was still riding (FAST) may or may not have come back. Her friend I think talked to the cops.  We couldn’t see what had happened, could offer no assistance, and everything appeared under control by the police.  We locked our bikes and ordered coffee, though I was flush with adrenaline and was shaky.  What had just happened? Was anyone really hurt? Could we have done something to cause, or prevent this? Thank god the car hadn’t hit Kate or I.

Cars and bikes can absolutely get along – but damn, its a scary relationship at times.  Cyclists are vulnerable road users, it is a blessing and a curse to be treated the same as cars in the eyes of the law (that’s another blog post though).

We had an espresso and a latte, a nutella scone and an egg/feta/spinach croissant.

Here is my report for Control No. 8

Control Type: Breakfast/Coffeeneuring (first use)

Date: 26 February 2012 (second ride, week four)

Destination: Pound

Distance: 2.13 miles

Who: Kate and I

Observations:

• Saddle adjustment is critical for riding enjoyment – saddle flopped again.  Fixed again and I think it is good.
• Pound breakfast sandwiches would be better if the croissant was switched to wheat bread or bagel.
• Pound has beer!
• Stay Safe

Other Notes:

None.

Photos:

Breakfast

 

Beers

Utilitaire Control No. 7 – Eleven

Part 7 of 12 in the 2012 Utilitaire 12 was multi-modal and multi-purpose – hitting 11 shops or retailers in about 4 hours.

After staying up into the wee hours of the morning on Friday watching Downton Abbey (why is this show so addictive?) I awoke on Saturday with a long list of chores to do, many of them wedding related. Step 1 was to get a hair cut.  While not wedding related, it was needed, and it presented a grand Utilitaire opportunity.  Unfortunately I have not been satisfied with any of the barbers I have visited in DC or Northern Virginia – so a search was necessary. Yelp is my friend.

Armed with the addresses of three well respected institutions I set off, only to find that I couldn’t find the first two, and the third had a line that would take all afternoon to get through.  Dismayed, I was about to set north from Dupont Circle to Mt. Pleasant, to visit a recommended shop from #bikeDC tweep @BicycleBug.  But then, I spied a “salon” that seemed to be filled with happy customers.

Snip Snip Snip.  I was feeling like I found a good shop (VSL Hair Design, how fancy), and was happy with the cut, but I am sure the barber did not appreciate that I promptly covered my head with my helmet and left.

I then rode to the Starbucks at the U Street Metro station (espresso #1), where I parked the bike and began the pedestrian portion of my utilitaire with Kate.  Sandwiches at Taylor Gourmet on 14th Street were followed by browsing vintage stores for some specific gifts for friends.  This included Treasury, Current Boutique, Miss Pixies, Mimilah, Junction Vintage and Good Wood, all via foot power.  Unfortunately the gifts we were seeking were not found, and I was getting grumpy with all this “girl shopping”.

So back on the bike towards Union Station, where my saddle decided to keel over and play dead.  Somehow the binder bolt came loose and my saddle started flopping all around.  Highly uncomfortable and a pain to ride.  I parked near Bike and Roll and fixed it all up, though getting that perfect angle back will be hard.

At Union Station I stopped into Express because I saw a tie that I might like for the wedding, but realized that it pretty much sucked.  Got some socks though.

Espresso #2 came courtesy of Ebenezers Coffeehouse, and provided a little pick-me up to end the shopping day.

Here is my report for Control No. 7

Control Type: To Get My Hair Cut (first use)

Date: 25 February 2012 (first ride, week four)

Destination: VSL Hair Design

Distance: 8.67 miles

Who: Kate joined for a portion of the trip.

Observations:

• Saddle adjustment is critical for riding enjoyment.
• New Bikeshare station at Maryland & D NE!!!
• Weddings take a lot of time.
• All the newspaper boxes downtown were hung over or something.  All laying down on the job (wind?)
• Coffee + Bikes = Great
• Union Station needs to double its bike parking capacity (at least).

Other Notes:

None.

Photos:

New CaBi Station at Maryland & D NE

More Bikeshare goodness

 

Asleep on the job

My hair was cut.

 

Saw this decorated and crusty bike at U Street

 

Not Comfortable.

Utilitaire Control No. 6 – A Punishing Reward

Part 6 of 12 in the 2012 Utilitaire 12 was delicious.

After riding a modified Weenie 100, there was only one food that would be fitting for dinner – hot dogs.  Frankfurters, red hots, half-smokes, tube meat, wiener.  I am a big fan of this cylindrical foodstuff, which I attribute to having grown up in southern Connecticut.  There we had Super Duper Weenie, Rawleys, Swanky Franks, Danny’s Drive In, and Windmill, the best rolls from Chaves Bakery, and the best natural casing dogs from Miller’s Provisions and Hummel Bros.  Suffice to say, I have had a few hot dogs in my time.

Fortunately there is a hot dog joint in DC about a mile from my apartment (1.02 to be exact) on Barracks Row called “DC-3“, after the Douglas airplane. I cleaned up from the century and rode over (with lighting).  Same setup as before.

Here is where the punishment begins.  First of all, after spending a ton of hours in the saddle, hopping back on in blue jeans hurts!  Even if for only 2 miles.

Then I decided I really needed to see how bad this “3 Alarm Cruncher” hot dog was, since it was featured on a new Food Network show “Heat Seekers“.  Again, pain.  But this type of intensely spicy pain can also be pretty nice.  The 3 Alarm Cruncher was a DC style half-smoke, wrapped in bacon, split in two and stuffed with habanero peppers, a large helping of sriracha sauce, jalapeno relish, little green peppers, and jalapeno flavored potato chips mashed up and sprinkled over the damn thing.  WOW.

But also a reward for a tough days work, and I was happy.  Unfortunately the other DC-3 dog that I had was pretty lame, so I don’t think I will be back.  Oh well.

Here is my report for Control No. 6

Control Type: Dinner (first use)

Date:18 February 2012 (second ride, week three, light bonus)

Destination: DC-3

Distance: 2.04 miles

Who: Just me

Observations:

• Getting back in the saddle after a cantury is painful.
• The 3 Alarm Cruncher is painful.
• Hot dogs are a great reward.
• I am thankful that I live so close to so many great spots in DC.

Other Notes:

None.

Photos:

A Saturday Century in Fairfax County

The conditions were perfect on Saturday for an extra-long ride.  A hard work week was over, I had no pressing obligations elsewhere, Kate was in Chicago and the weather was amazing.  I had a few options for distance and location, and stayed at work late to map a route and draft a cue sheet – ultimately I decided to ride a modified version of the annual January 1 “Weenie 100″ found on the DC Century Rides blog.

I got a later start than initially planned, rolling out the door at 9:05 and taking 8th down to M, and eventually to Hains Point, where the original version of the ride starts with a lap.  I took a partial lap, and set off down the Mount Vernon Trail, enjoying the cool morning air.  Once I broke free from the hordes of runners south of Old Town, I was alone and mostly had the roads to myself for the remainder of the day.

Passing through Mount Vernon, a short hop on Route 1 (no shoulder!) and then eventually to Fairfax County Parkway.  I was really happy to see on multiple occasions throughout the day that some of the bigger roads in the county have a decently well maintained multi-use path running along the road.  Though the “instant on” cross walk signals where the path crosses feeder roads created a false sense of security and was pretty dangerous.

I headed towards Mason Neck State park where the Occoquan and Potomac rivers meet – a real gem for hikers it appeared.  Also a bald eagle nesting area – I got to see one (a first for me) and it was amazing.

Leaving Mason Neck I noticed that I had been passing many signs labeled “Washington-Rochambeau Route” This is apparently a 680 mile route along which Washington marched his army, and Rochambeau his French soldiers from Newport, RI to Yorktown, VA during the revolutionary war.  A Rhode Island cyclist appears to be mapping the good biking roads along the route at his webpage here, and is getting some press for doing so, like a local paper from Cranston, RI here.

After climbing a steep hill alongside a landfill (which I think is more neat than stinky because I’ve worked on them before) I looked at the time and distance I had traveled.  I think I had unintentionally been riding a bit slower than normal in preparation for the hillier route, and realized that I would be chasing my shadow back into DC (or worse) if I didn’t make some adjustments.  I unintentionally cut off what may have been the more challenging portion of the ride along the Occoquan, which was disappointing because it also looked to have the nicest scenery as well.  I headed up Route 123 and rejoined the original route near Burke.

Passing through some wonderful back roads and residential areas I made up some time (only 1 wrong turn) and eventually got to the WO&D trail with daylight to spare.  I suppose I could have stayed on the original route and ridden the last bit of the MVT in the dark, but the combination of unknown medium to high speed roads and poorly lit trails had spooked me enough outside of Occoquan, and now I had to live with my decision.

The Custis trail felt flatter than ever, which is a nice feeling with 80 miles into my legs.  Though I did have to ride behind one fellow who had a “too high” shirt, and “too low” pants.  I didn’t know it was a full moon!  I tried to snap a photo, but only managed to get one of him mostly covered and nearly being run down by an SUV as he crossed against the light.

I felt really good after crossing the Potomac, and decided that it would be silly to get home at 95 miles, so 2 rather speedy laps of Hains Point under the nearly set sun were a requirement.  After slogging up the mall on the sidepath of Constitution (where bells have no meaning) I arrive home just a hair under 101 miles.

I felt good, and knew that after I freshened up I would be off for Utiliitaire No.6  – a fitting ride to DC-3 on Barracks Row to get some appropriate food – hot dogs.

Now i know I can do 100 miles on roads that are more challenging than the pancake flat Eastern Shore rides – so I hope to explore more of Virginia and Maryland this spring and summer.

The original Weenie 100 route is here (Ride with GPS) 5800 feet climbing.  My modified version (Ride with GPS) 4700 feet climbing.

Wilson Bridge, ongoing detours.

Potomac River, south of Old Town Alexandria

Bridge, Mount Vernon Trail

Potomac River, Mount Vernon Trail

Mt. Vernon busses

Neat horse park near Mason Neck

Mason Neck State Park

Occoquan River

At first I thought these snails were dog turds.

Need to remember what I look like once the beard returns

Bald Eagle. Very cool!

Relaxing for a quick snack

This park was great. Well worth a return visit.

Didn’t know such a thing existed. Followed for quite a while.

Multi-Use Path. Very convenient and well used

Pedestrian Bridge over 495

This guy not only crossed against the light, but showed A LOT of crack. This wasn’t even close to the worst.

Monumental View

Potomac River

Trains at sunset. Hains Point

Yehuda!

Got this in the mail on Saturday.  Read through 2 volumes on the bus to/from NYC on Sunday.  Great!  Since I signed up for a package a few months back mine came autographed, with sketches on the inside cover, and a Yehuda badge and Kickstand bookmark.   Pick your copies up at the Kickstand Cyclery

Yehuda Overload

Utilitaire Control No. 5 – Almost didn’t happen

Part 5 of 12 in the 2012 Utilitaire 12 was pretty annoying. I wanted to stop at a local store to do one of two things… either find some diet coke and beer, or to get dinner.  I figured it wouldn’t be too hard.  But I guess I didn’t realize that every store in Capitol Hill that isn’t a bar shuts down at ???, earlier than 10:30pm.

After wandering the neighborhood for a while, from H Street, to Massachusetts Ave to Pennsylvania Ave – I eventually found what I needed at Congress Market on the corner of 5th and East Capitol NE.  New Belgium “Dig” beer and diet coke. Hurrah!

Oh yeah, this was a night ride, so I used lights.  Same setup as before.

Here is my report for Control No. 5

Control Type: Grocery Store (second use)

Date:17 February 2012 (first ride, week three, light bonus)

Destination: Congress Market

Distance: 4.15 miles

Who: Just me

Observations:

• Having no beard (and therefore incredibly improved aerodynamics) has not increased my speed.
• Cap Hill is a 9 o’clock town. (like Albuquerque)
• Greater Greater Washington is reading my mind.  H Street definitely needs performance parking, it was packed!  Trolleys will move SLOW on H street given all the double parked cabs.  New zoning laws that allow stores to open, but with limited morning and night hours will fit right into the existing Capitol Hill way of doing things.

Other Notes:

Looking forward to a nice ride tomorrow!

Photos:

Lights, frontal

hurrah!

double hurrah!

How to lose 7 years in 20 minutes

2012

2005

reaction

A Valentines Day reminder…

Make sure that you are nice to your partner today – not just your bike! The best rides are often shared with the person you most care about.  If you must do something nice for your bike, consider wiping it down (especially braking surfaces) to get rid of all that road salt that has been spread over the last few days.

On a somewhat related note… Take a look at this saucy newspaper drawing I found the other day from Nov. 7th, 1893.  It seemed somewhat fitting to share on this day.  Mr. Pedleman – you better watch yourself!

Utilitaire Control No. 4 – Reads, Foods, Gifts, Snows

Part 4 of 12 in the 2012 Utilitaire 12 was a doozy. I suppose it could have counted for multiple types of rides, but I will call this one my first “Library” ride, since I set off with that destination as the top priority.

The ride took me up 8th from home to H Street, then east on H to the bank.  I like this bank because the front entryway is rather large and I can put my bike there without hassle while going about my business.  I then rode down 10th back to Maryland Ave, and followed that until I got to my local library, the Northeast Neighborhood Library.  It is a good thing that I went to the bank, because the library is only about 1/4 mile from home, but with the detour, I arrived after traveling 1.04 miles.

I needed a library card.  The library is great!  DVDs, magazines, interesting books, less interesting books, and completely uninteresting books can all be found here.  And it is free!

Mission accomplished, I headed down to Eastern Market to look for vegetables and Valentines presents for Kate.  She reads this blog once in a while – so… I got some arugula.  Nothing else…

As I was leaving the market (inside) a vendor said he just got a twitter alert from DC saying that a snow squall was headed here and would hit within the hour.  I thanked him and figured I should get home.  The sky was darkening quickly.

I hadn’t made it a block when the wind whipped up and the snow started falling like crazy.  It was fun! And then I was home.

Sunday brought more utilitaire-ing, with a trip to VM Clothiers, where I am getting a suit for my wedding, and to Harris Teeter, where I am getting food for my stomach.

Here is my report for Control No. 4

Control Type: Library (first use)

Date: 11 February 2012 (second ride, week two)

Destination: Northeast Neighborhood Library

Distance: 2.44 miles

Who: Just me

Observations:

• Riding in the snow is FUN
• There were about 8 police cars and a pulled over bus blocking the road near 8th and East Capitol.  Not sure what was going on, and didn’t want to stay to find out.
• Produce selection is pretty weak right now at Eastern Market, can’t wait for spring!

Other Notes:

None.  My upstairs neighbor is singing and (presumably dancing) to “Footloose” right now.

Photos:

Locked up with a friend

Library

New plastic

Skaters at former temporary market location

Snow?

Snow!

4 down, 8 to go.

Utilitaire Control No. 3 – Grocery Gettin

Part 3 of 12 in the 2012 Utilitaire 12 brought me to my local “more than a corner store but less than a real grocery store” grocery store – the Capitol Hill Supermarket at 241 Massachusetts Avenue NE. I hadn’t planned a Utilitiare ride this evening, but I got home and started cooking dinner (Chicken and white bean stew type thing) and noticed that we were completely without three main ingredients (Cilantro, tomatillos and poblano peppers).  In the horrible, terrible snow storm we were having (at least that is what the news people said we should expect) I did not want to go a long distance to a “for real” grocery store, and I knew that Capitol Hill Supermarket has enough of a produce selection that I might get lucky and find what I need.

Ah, but this culinary discovery occurred around 8pm – BONUS – 1 of my “lights required” rides was also completed. What kind of lights did I ride with?  Well, since I am not a super commuter, I do not have an intense light setup.  I do however make sure that the batteries stay relatively fresh, as that directly impacts the light output.  I notice a lot of cyclists with dinky 1 LED lights and a battery with almost no juice left in it, but the light is barely noticeable.  I run the Cateye TL-LD150 models, one front, one rear.  I set them both to flashing mode for this ride, given the road conditions.  I find that with a fresh charge, the 5 LEDs really pump out a good amount of light.  Note, these are classified as “safety lights” not “headlights”  on Cateyes website – and I think it is good that they make the distinction.

Capitol Hill Supermarket is less than 1 mile from home.  I would have to extend the ride a bit to fit within the mileage requirements. Thanks to my Cateye bike computer, I was also able to make this happen (1.06 miles each way).

Here is my report for Control No. 3

Control Type: Grocery store (first use)

Date: 8 February 2012 (first ride, week two, lighting bonus)

Destination: Capitol Hill Supermarket

Distance: 2.12 miles

Who: Just me

Observations:

• Regardless of ride distance, never forget to wear gloves when temperatures are close to freezing, lest thine hands doth freeze.  (did that make any sense?)
• Capitol Hill Supermarket is well stocked, but while they stock a huge variety of refried beans, salsas, Amys Organic canned soups, and dark chocolate, they do not stock tomatillos.
• Drivers seemed very patient (admittedly it was well past rush hour) and did not get aggressive as I took the full lane (just in case there was black ice, I wanted room to make wide and slow turns)

Other Notes:

I ended up finding cilantro, but had to use my stash of home-grown jalapenos (I grew a few pounds this summer, they freeze well) and a mix of green enchilada sauce, and diced green chiles to make the stew work.  It turned out delicious, but a bit salty.

Photos:

Lighting

Trying to hold camera as steady as possible. I need one of those gorilla-pods

The goods

A little less blurry thanks to garbage can tripod