Del Ray Bike Swap this Saturday

Hey @Arlingtonva ACPD - should we ALSO NOT walk or drive at night as well?? Come on!!

ACPD, which was obviously just doing its job and trying to do its best... sent the following message to Arlco civic associations.

Greetings,
Dates to remember:
· May 8 is bike/walk to school day.
· May 17 is Bike to work day. We recommend biking during daylight hours. Make sure you obey the laws. I have attached a couple safety brochures for you to review and share. Be safe and have fun!

WHAT?!?  Wait wait.  Why exactly does ACPD recommend that we bike during daylight hours?  Is it safety?  Cause driving a car or being a pedestrian is also more dangerous at night.  Dont see ACPD recommending against driving at night or walking at night.  So why the hell should we not bike at night?

Once again, Arlco - "Bike Friendly Community" - master of the mixed message (we want you to bicycle but not really).

Here's a better idea.  Every year Bike Arlington (another part of the Arlington County government.... obviously another part) has a light up the night event where they hand out lights, reflectors, and reflective vests... encouraging cyclists, joggers, dog walkers, and even the occasional members of the ACPD to be more visible at night. (Bike Arlington does some really amazing work).

 
Here's a better recommendation:  We recommend that when you bike at light, you take care to make yourself highly visible: Front lights, rear lights, side reflectors, and reflective gear.  Lights that outline your body and move (leg bands) catch a driver's attention. That's a positive bike to work day message.

Bike Madison

Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority is hip on the recommendation.  Recently they announced that the WOD will be open for cyclists until 9 pm. ("Previously, the trail was considered off limits once the sun set.")  And what's NVPRA's recommendation?

All bicycles must be equipped with at least one white headlight light that is visible in clear weather from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and a red reflector visible from 600 feet to the rear.  Additionally bicycles must be equipped with a taillight visible from a distance of at least 500 feet.  This taillight may be affixed to the bicycle or rider and may be steady or blinking.  Pedestrians,  are required to wear reflective clothing that can be easily seen from the front and rear and must carry a light or wear a flashing light.

We recommend that you go for a bike ride!

Question Authority

Source: Colin

Helmet Fins R Stupid

Wikipedia

A common mistake I see people make is buying spiffy aerodynamic helmets, the one's with the fins on the back, because... somehow... this is... I guess... going to make them go faster? This is like buying a 1950s Cadillac with fins thinking that the fins are going to make that whale go faster. It aint... and if your lucky you can hurt someone with the fins.

If there comes a time that you need to actually use your helmet for something more than a style accessory - you dont want anything on the helmet that will cause the helmet to torque when it hits the ground. You want a rounded helmet that will hit the asphalt and bounce, not twist. If you have those cool pointy fins coming out of the back of your head - serving no real purpose because you dont bike nearly fast enough for that to make a smidgen of difference - you risk your helmet hitting the ground, fin first, torquing the helmet, twisting your head, and twisting your neck.

This is what is known as a bad idea.

Dont believe me? One of the great local unknown secrets is that the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute is a WABA project. Here is what they say:

We recommend smooth helmets that do not have points to snag when you crash 

Simple.

The goal of the helmet if used is to absorb as much of an impact as possible, resulting in the least amount of damage to your nut as possible. Any accessories on your helmet (fins, lights, cameras) increase your risk of neck and head injury. Forget the fins - they arent doing nothing. Get a nice rounded helmet.

Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute

My Favorite Rides: Visiting George on the MVT (Part III)

The last ride I will tell you about is the Mount Vernon Trail.  This trail starts at Roosevelt Island, near the base of Rosslyn, and follows the George Washington Parkway south to Mt. Vernon.  It is a very popular, relatively flat trail with many delightful features.  It can be crowded and a little narrow, and is frequented by visitors who do not necessarily know trail etiquette, so prudence and caution is called for (as always).  The trail follows along the Potomac in Washington where you can see kids on their crew boats, cranes standing near the river shore, and the occasional bald eagle.  The trail then winds south around the airport, where many folk like to sit in Graverly Point and watch the planes take off.  South of the river, the trail goes through the Washington Sailing Marina, where portions of the trail become boardwalks winding through wetlands.  From here the trail enters Old Town Alexandria, a marvelous destination for lunch (be careful that stop signs are strongly enforced along the bicycle route).  South of Alexandria, the trial goes under the Wilson Bridge and into Jones Point Park.  From here you get the feeling of leaving the city, as the trail winds through nature, wandering through the Belle Haven Sailing Marina, the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve, and Fort Hunt.  In time, off in the distance, you will see your destination, the home of our First President, Mt. Vernon.  In total, the distance from Roosevelt Island to Mt. Vernon is approximately 17.5 miles.  The more adventuresome can continue along a series of bike lanes and paths to scenic Mason Neck State Park.  Bike Washington has an excellent guide to cycling on the Mt. Vernon Trail.

WABA has a collection of trail maps and guides.  Three local touring clubs are Potomac Pedalers, DC Randonneurs, and the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club.

My Favorite Rides: The WOD (Part II)

In Northern Virginia, a treasure of recreational and commuting cyclists is the Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park trail.  A splendid example of a successful rails-to-trails project, the trail follows the path of the old Washington & Old Dominion Railroad, also known as the W&OD (or "WOD" to cyclists).  Construction on the WOD started in 1855 with the goal of connecting Alexandria to Harper's Ferry. Railroad companies rose and fell as they struggled to make a successful venture. One branch line took D.C. residents to far off destinations such as Great Falls.  In 1968, bowing to economic realities, the railroad company collapsed and sold the land to Dominion Power (which runs high power lines along the right of way).  Six years later, the City of Falls Church formed an agreement with Dominion Power and opened up the first portion of the W&OD trail.  By 1982, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority had purchased the W&OD from the power company.   The trail was completed in 1988, running from Shirlington in Arlington, out west through Falls Church, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, Ashburn, Leesburg, and finally to Purcellville, 45 miles away.

The WOD is a very popular path that offers broad trails, wonderful destinations, and scenic vistas.  In Arlington, the WOD forms a bike beltway, connecting with the Custis Trail, and the Mount Vernon Trail, making it a tremendous resource for commuters. Over the years, I have spent a lot of time on the WOD walking dogs, geocaching, roller blading, and cycling.  But I had never made it to Purcellville!  Last Fall, my son's high school had a championship football game out in Ashburn and I grabbed my chance.  After driving him to the game, a traversed over to the trail, venturing on the final leg of the WOD that I had not ridden.  This was the end of the football season, which means it was late Fall.  The colors were tremendous.  In Ashburn along the WOD is one of cyclist's favorite destinations, the Carolina Brothers Pit Barbeque. Not far west of Ashburn you are treated with an amazing view of the Lucky Stone Quarry, and then cross the bridge at Goose Creek.  The trail is largely straight and level as you head west, permitting you to glide through the country-side. I reached Leesburg in short order and recognized portions of the trail from my previous C&O trip.  You continue past Leesburg, with the WOD following near the Harry Byrd Highway.   I reached Purcellville, and acquired my trophy: a picture of my bicycle next to the Purcellville sign.  Purcellville is a delightful town with, of course, an excellent bike shop at the end of the trail, great restaurants, and a number of

antique shops.  I returned down the WOD to Leesburg where I stopped in the historic district for the best cup of coffee I think I ever had.  Then back to Ashburn and to the kid whose football game was just coming to a close. 

Excellent information about the WOD can be found at the Friends of WOD website.

Yeah.... dont ever let me catch you doing this.....