[jbailey930]

John V - another vote for Mapmyride despite its frequent reminders to go MVP. Haven't tried Strava yet or the accoutrements for ant, BPM, Pace, etc.

The other danger in Reston area is the 4 wide walkers during lunch

Maybe we should try a Dorki event sometime.

Its about time for motivational pix =

[APKhaos]

Strava does a nice job of storing ride data, summary stats and supports decent analytics. The ability to compare your performance with a other users, including specific demographics like local clubs, age groups weight groups etc is a plus. Its good to track your own performance but more motivating to see that you are improving vs the peeps riding the same routes.

Scary moments, Crazy Ivans, etc are a part of bike life even if you are doing everything right yourself. Worst MUP moment I've had was seeing a father up ahead off the right side of the trail and his 7YO kid riding a kick scooter in the left lane. Father shouted something and the kid immediately veered right into my path. It all turned out OK but I had the shakes for a while after that one.

[Eric S]

Compared to most here, it seems my rides are relatively short and flat. I do occasional fitness rides; but they are serious, purposeful rides. I wear the appropriate gear because of comfort, fit and function, not because I am a TDF wannabe. Reluctant to increase weight, but I should add small lights to increase being seen and a noisemaker of some sort.

From my home in Fair Lakes I typically ride either a 15 mile out and back on the Fairfax County Parkway or a 14 mile loop that includes the Fairfax County Parkway and a variety of other roads. Have been commuting/riding since I was twelve, so I am accustomed to riding with traffic; but I still get annoyed with drivers that don't provide any margin whatsoever, pass with full throttle exhaust, then drift right across the white line to send the message that they disapprove and that I don't belong. Or they honk to startle me and then flip me off as they pass. The other day I was on Franklin Farm road between the Parkway and Centreville Road when a guy in a black Mazda heading towards me actually yelled "Get off the fuching road!"

I've come to accept that most non-biker drivers are clueless when it comes to coexisting. Aside from not thinking bicyclists belong, they just don't understand what bicyclists deal with in terms of holes, drop-offs and debris, and how critical it is to avoid them. When encountering edge drop-offs and jutting curbs, I prefer to stay close to the white so that my track is as straight as possible rather than swerving towards the path of cars coming up from behind.

When I ride the W&OD I start near Rt 28 and either make a 24 or 38 mile ride to the west. So far, I haven't had too many issues with other trail traffic. All of my rides are solo; it would be cool to try a ride with a couple of others, assuming compatible average speed and tolerance for hills. My routes don't include much in the way of elevation change, so I wouldn't be able to keep up with those who do. My typical average speed depending on conditions is from 16 to 18 mph.

[Drscope]

Originally Posted by Mister C

A friend I ride with is "assertive" when riding a MUP. He calls out, rings his bell, etc but when being obstructed by people walking 4 abreast he tends to graze them with his shoulder as he rides by.

That's when my walking stick would accidentally end up in his spokes.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Drscope

That's when my walking stick would accidentally end up in his spokes.

Please don't let this thread end up like every.other.bike.vs.car.vs.walker thread on the internet.ever. ever.

[Vicegrip]

I have not had much in the way of bad experiences with cars....yet. I know of someone that was recently put in the hospital for 21 days and will be out of commission for what looks like 4 months at least. Car was at fault 100%
One thing of note is most if not almost all bike riders are also car drivers but the same cannot be said about car drivers. Agree that we keep this thread about bikes, riding and positive. Work safe too please.

I find Strava to be good for data and trend lines and Map my ride is very good for planning rides. Endomondo is good for showing how much better the other sites are.

[Hunter]

Originally Posted by Eric S

Compared to most here, it seems my rides are relatively short and flat. I do occasional fitness rides; but they are serious, purposeful rides. I wear the appropriate gear because of comfort, fit and function, not because I am a TDF wannabe. Reluctant to increase weight, but I should add small lights to increase being seen and a noisemaker of some sort.

From my home in Fair Lakes I typically ride either a 15 mile out and back on the Fairfax County Parkway or a 14 mile loop that includes the Fairfax County Parkway and a variety of other roads. Have been commuting/riding since I was twelve, so I am accustomed to riding with traffic; but I still get annoyed with drivers that don't provide any margin whatsoever, pass with full throttle exhaust, then drift right across the white line to send the message that they disapprove and that I don't belong. Or they honk to startle me and then flip me off as they pass. The other day I was on Franklin Farm road between the Parkway and Centreville Road when a guy in a black Mazda heading towards me actually yelled "Get off the fuching road!"

I've come to accept that most non-biker drivers are clueless when it comes to coexisting. Aside from not thinking bicyclists belong, they just don't understand what bicyclists deal with in terms of holes, drop-offs and debris, and how critical it is to avoid them. When encountering edge drop-offs and jutting curbs, I prefer to stay close to the white so that my track is as straight as possible rather than swerving towards the path of cars coming up from behind.

When I ride the W&OD I start near Rt 28 and either make a 24 or 38 mile ride to the west. So far, I haven't had too many issues with other trail traffic. All of my rides are solo; it would be cool to try a ride with a couple of others, assuming compatible average speed and tolerance for hills. My routes don't include much in the way of elevation change, so I wouldn't be able to keep up with those who do. My typical average speed depending on conditions is from 16 to 18 mph.

Riding with people is always a plus since someone is always a little stronger or having a better or worse day. Drafting is huge if done with someone you trust and know well. Also using a pace line works well but of course mind the W&OD traffic or other traffic. I have to admit I have not been on my bike much this year but this is certainly make me think about it.

[Potomac-Greg]

Originally Posted by Hunter

Riding with people is always a plus since someone is always a little stronger or having a better or worse day. Drafting is huge if done with someone you trust and know well. Also using a pace line works well but of course mind the W&OD traffic or other traffic. I have to admit I have not been on my bike much this year but this is certainly make me think about it.

I started biking as a substitute to running. It's a much lower impact (excluding massive impacts with the ground and inanimate objects ) and frankly it's just more fun to get an hour of cardio covering 15 miles versus 6. But I've found that to get a workout similar to running, you have to PUSH all of the time. Running is relentlessly taxing. Sucks going uphill, sucks less going downhill. But biking allows respites that can actually undermine the workout. For that reason it's basically impossible to get a good bike workout on a public trail on a weekend.

PS: On Father's Day a couple of friends and I drove out to the Catoctin region and had a fantastic ride. Open roads, minimal traffic, great scenery.

[Hunter]

Greg as you know and my wife tells me all the time, that don't have a real job so I escape onto the W&OD during the week and it is MUCH better. It is a bonus that I can throw a rock and hit the trail from my office in Herndon. Good news is the industry is picking up so I have been busier..... yes that is my excuse for not riding more.

[VaSteve]

I like to ride for both the fitness and the sense of adventure. I try and let the sense of adventure win out but still log my miles and look at my average times. A little downhill does not negate the uphill I climbed to get there. IMHO.