How Would You Fix the Intersection of Doom? Updated @voteforvihstadt @alanhowze #bikedc #arlingtonva

When last these two candidates met in an election, we asked them a series of questions about cycling in Arlington.  You can read their responses, linked below.

This election, we have asked them a simple question:  How would you fix the intersection of doom?

Here are their response tweets so far:

Photo by Alyson Hurt (cc Flikr)

Alan Howze || Previous Response

long-term reroute. Short-term implement adopted changes + signal changes (NPS/VDOT) so cars not turning right into bike/ped +

+ enhanced enforcement + detailed data collection on incidents across Arlington tinyurl.com/nv5s86t

+ safe streets across all of Arlington - not just trails - safe routes to school, work, etc - much more we need to do!

as a bike commuter I am very familiar with the intersection and its dangers for cyclists, pedestrians and runners. 

 John Vihstadt || Previous Response

Thanks for writing. @ArlingtonVA staff working to improve @RosslynVA #IntersectionOfDoom. Asked for update. Will report back.

The Intersection of Doom has been a problem for decades.  1000s of cyclists and pedestrians go across this intersection daily.  Because the infrastructure is terrible, they get forced out into the street, they get hit, and then they get ticketed by a callous NPS cop who cant figure out that its not a pedestrians fault when the infrastructure is terrible. In other major urban environments, a dangerous or congested intersection would have a traffic officer assigned to facilitate traffic flow. For as long as I have lived in Arlington, the County has promised that solutions are on the horizon.  Meanwhile, crossing the Intersection of Doom is a form of Russian Roulette.  Arlington County claims to be going for the gold certification for a Bike Friendly Community - they even - almost ironically - constructed a cycling totem pole at the Intersection of Doom spending piles of money on a counter instead of spending piles of money on risk mitigation and safety.

We are Arlington cyclists.  We are frustrated.  We want to know: How will you fix the Intersection of Doom.

Candidates, we will be glad to post any updated responses. 

Riding the GAP

The C&O Trail many of us know. The C&O Trail is the towpath to the C&O canal, running 184 miles from Georgetown through Harpers Ferry west to Cumberland. It is simultaneously a wondrous experience to explore the nature along C&O and Potomac river, and near death-by-vibration. The C&O trail surface is hard pack dirt, clay, rocks, roots and whatever else might be available that, while relatively flat, can come very close to a mountain biking experience.

Photo by Jason Pratt (cc Flickr)

The C&O canal made it as far west as Cumberland, and that is where the Western Maryland Railroad picked up, serving the iron, steel, and coal industries. As those industries closed, and the costs of the railroad became unsustainable, the Western Maryland Railroad merged with CSX, and the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) line was abandoned. The first section of this rail line to be converted to a trail was a 9 mile section near Ohiopyle (a recreation mecca and near Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water). The entire trail was completed in 2006, with the last 9 miles opening at Cumberland. In total,GAP trail takes willing wheelmen 150 miles to Pittsburgh with approximately 1300 feet of elevation change.

I started my short journey along the GAP from Cumberland. This is a town that understands and has benefited from bicycle and recreational tourism. At the center is the old trail station and a nice park with a bike shop, many good restaurants, and hotels. Departing Cumberland, the trail is in far better condition than the C&O. I rode comfortably on 28c tires at 100 psi over the surface of crushed limestone and asphalt.

The trail out of Cumberland involves climbing a steady steady less than 2% grade climb for 23 miles. The grade is optically deceiving; you cant necessarily tell that you are climbing other than you feel like you are dragging a sack of concrete behind your bike. I actually got off of my bike to make sure my brakes were not rubbing. As much as the climb up the hill can be a grind, the ride back down is a throw-back to childhood (its like flying down the neighborhood hill on a Big Wheel only the ride is 30 minutes long).

This is a journey into a wondrous land of imagination. After mile 5 you will come upon the Brush Tunnel, and further along you will pass the Cumberland Bone Cave where bones from 41 genre of mammals were uncovered. The Great Western Railroad will follow you up the mountain until Frostburg (if you want to cheat, you can take the railroad up to Frostburg, get off, and start your ride). After Frostburg comes the Borden Tunnel and the Big Savage Tunnel, which is the longest tunnel along your journal at 3294’. At about mile 23 you will cross over the Eastern Continental Divide. You will wind through the mountains, bridges and along farms. Your companions will be many other through-cyclists and hikers, and cows.

There are plenty of services along the trail and businesses that cater to recreational tourism. The trail meanders through small towns about every ten miles where lodging may be available, or cyclists can pack and camp along the trail.

Sources: 

• Bike Washington: C&O Canal Bicycle Guide, 
• The Great Allegheny Passage  
• Scenic Western Maryland Railroad  
• Cycling the Great Allegheny Passage 

Arlington Bd Candidates: How Would You Fix the Intersection of Doom?

Once again it is election time in Arlington for the Board. In the past I circulated to candidates an interview of questions on how they support cycling.  But these candidates have already answered that survey.

So this time, I asked both candidates one simple question:  how they would fix the Intersection of Doom. (and dont be like other poseur candidates who did not even know what the Intersection of Doom is)

Initially only John Vihstadt responded.  His response was to punt and say county staff were studying the issue.

Today I asked both candidates again. 

Howze just answered "Upgrades adopted this year for 2015 completion - infrastructure and signaling. Open to your suggestions?"  He too attempts to punt by flipping the question, indicating that he does not have a clue.

Candidates.... we await your answer.

Arlington BAC Happy Hour Sept 23rd

Sez the Arlington BAC

Since we didn't have a regular September meeting, the Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee decided to hold a Happy Hour event. 
We'd love you to stop by and chat all things Arlington biking! Bring friends...bring family...bring your bike!
Chevy's Pentagon City6:30pm - 8:30pm
Fiesta platters courtesy of Bike Arlington. Bueno!Happy Hour specials courtesy of Chevy's who will be extending them into our event space.
Since it's only a short ride away be sure to check out Arlington's first protected bike lane on S Hayes St between 15th St S and S Fern.
More details on the Facebook event page.

Who/What is the BAC?
The Bicycle Advisory Committee, with roots in the community, helps focus continuing attention and resources on the role of bicycles and bicycling for transportation, health, and the enjoyment of parks and other public facilities in Arlington County, a national leader in urban planning and livable community design.
The BAC advises the County Manager on issues that affect cycling in Arlington County, including, but not limited to: safety, education, community involvement, awareness and promotion, and the development, operation and maintenance of on- and off-street bicycle transportation and recreation facilities.
Regular BAC meetings occur the first Monday of the month from 7:00 - 9:00pm at 2100 Clarendon Boulevard.
Learn more: http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/b...ory-committee/

Arlington Family Fun Ride ~ Oct. 4

The Arlington Fun Ride is Saturday October 4, starting at Crystal City.  The full bike route follows the 16 mile Arlington Loop. There is also a kids route in conjunction with Arlington Kidical Mass.

Time: Adult & Youth Ride Starts at 8am.  Kids Ride starts at 10am.

Where: Crystal City: 18th Street and Crystal Drive

Cost: $10 for individuals, $25 for families (up to 4 individuals) and includes a technical t-shirt for each individual. Additional shirts are available at $10 each (supplies are limited)

The Arlington Fun Ride is a scenic, family-friendly 16-mile ride taking you on the paved multi-use trails that make up the Arlington Loop. There will be multiple pit stops with snacks along the ride and at the start/finish there will be health and fitness information and activities for all ages, including music, games, a kids bike rodeo and a short family ride for parents with small children.

How the Sun Sees You

Cyclists spend long hours baking their epidermis in the sun.  Skimpy kit makes for exposed arms, neck, and legs. One of the great forgotten bits of cycling equipment is sunscreen.

Back in the day when I was younger, I played ultimate frisbee.  A doctor friend always showed up to play with a brimmed hat, long sleeves, and plenty of sunscreen.  It was one of those moments when it occurs to you, "If he ~ who is infinitely wiser than I in the ways of medical health ~ is taking these precautions ~ perhaps prudence dictates I follow a similar course."

Of course there is something to being middle aged and no longer giving a damn about how you look.  I bought myself a fine large brim beach hat and some nice high-viz long sleeve shirts.  I also bought several tubs of sun screen.  One sits on my desk at work ready for the ride home and the other sits by the door at home.

Another doc said we should always apply sunscreen twice.  Why?  Because most of us do such a lousy job the first time that it requires two coats of paint.

Oh yeah, and remember, even the "sports" sunscreen only lasts like two hours.  Buy some small tubes and throw them in your saddle bag for use in Purceville.

Experimenting with Disc Brakes

When I bought my Cannondale years ago, it came with V (rubber pad) brakes but was upgradable to disc brakes.  As a 100% bicycle commuter, 12 months a year, I found that V brakes were a bit of a problem.  As a large guy, going up and down the Arlington hill, in all types of bad weather, I was wearing through brakes like Chiclets. And if I was wearing through brake pads, I was also wearing through wheel rims!

At the hounding of a cycling friend, I caved.  I bought Avid BB7 disc brakes for front and back.  I have replaced rubber brake pads before, but I have never installed new brakes and I have never installed disc brakes.  It presented a certain level of anxiety as you have to align the whirling disc inside of the brake, without it hitting as it goes flying by.  This certainly cant be easy.

But in fact it was.  It's a bit hard to describe: first you get the wheel relatively in line, which should make the disc relatively in line. Then you squeeze the brake so that it clamps onto the disc, and tighten the brake bolts so that the brake lines up with the disc.  After this, there are some adjusters to make minor fine adjustments. It didn't take long before I could adjust the brakes on the fly as needed.

Disc brakes offer clear advantages over V brakes.  First there is the "not wearing out your expensive wheel's rims" thing.  The disc brakes give me better feel; there is a greater difference between lightly applying the brakes and a full squeeze emergency stop. In addition, disc brakes are less affected by water, dirt, and mud ~ all those wonderful conditions that come with off-road cycling and which will chew up a rim if you use V brakes.

Disc brakes started on mountain bikes.  They have moved into the Cross Bike category and you are now even seeing them show up on road bikes (even though they do add extra weight).

So what's the take away?  After several months of riding with discs, I love the responsiveness and I love the fact that I am no longer destroying my rims or replacing my pads near as often.

Sources: 

• John Allen, Disc Brakes, Sheldon Browns Bicycle Information 
• Kevin Tisue, Should I Get RimBrakes or Disc Brakes, About.com Mountain Biking 
• Buyer's Guide to Mountain DiscBrakes, Bike Radar