How Was Your Commute Today?

[kmehrzad]

I decided to bike in today because it's supposed to snow later and tomorrow morning so I most likely won't be on the bike tomorrow. Because I knew that the trail is still covered with snow, I had to make a decision last night on which route I would take. I have many options to get to work but all of them are on major roads. I decided to take Wisconsin Avenue down to Georgetown and I think it was the best choice. For most of the way, there are 3 lanes heading to DC so I grabbed a lane for myself. Traffic is so light that early in the morning so there were stretches that I actually had the whole road to myself. And no one was beeping their horn at me or telling me to get out of the way. Now I just have to figure out which way I'm going to go home.

P - Stay safe out there tonight going home.

[pfunk12]

K - thanks...I made it home safe and sound. Although with slightly higher blood pressure than this morning! I decided to do 14th street - straight through the heart of DC. Between the metro buses, crazy drivers, jaywalking pedestrians, construction and all the noise...wow...I miss the bikepath!!! My regular commute is 15 miles and this was only 8.68 but...I would rather do the distance and enjoy the peace and quiet.

P - Stay safe out there tonight going home.

[kmehrzad]

P - Glad you made it home safely. Sounds like a hellish commute through the city.

If only it'd stop snowing so the paths could clear again. We've got the white stuff falling down rather fast right now. I suppose we're looking at 4-6 inches.

[pfunk12]

P - Glad you made it home safely. Sounds like a hellish commute through the city.

If only it'd stop snowing so the paths could clear again. We've got the white stuff falling down rather fast right now. I suppose we're looking at 4-6 inches.

I realize that they are a different breed and much more experienced than I, but I don't know how couriers do it every single day!

Tired of the snow... And more show showers on Friday and Saturday...

[kmehrzad]

P - I'm escaping the DC area on Thursday and going to Naples, FL for a long weekend to visit my daughter who's completing a one yr. residency there. Hope to do some riding, beach walking, fine dining, and of course a little shopping. Cannot wait. Looks like my trip will be between snow storms, thank God.

[pfunk12]

Sounds like you have a great (timely) weekend planned! Enjoy! And hopefully the snow will all be melted when you come back.

P - I'm escaping the DC area on Thursday and going to Naples, FL for a long weekend to visit my daughter who's completing a one yr. residency there. Hope to do some riding, beach walking, fine dining, and of course a little shopping. Cannot wait. Looks like my trip will be between snow storms, thank God.

[pfunk12]

I decided to ride in today since it may be the last time I commute for a while since we might get 2 feet of snow over the weekend . Commuting on major roads to get into D.C. is a little stressful but also very invigorating. I feel like the city is waking up before my eyes. I did Wisconsin Avenue again but decided to go through the city instead of getting on the snow packed sidewalks near the Kennedy Center. I took M Street to 23rd Street. At times I had no idea where I was. It was dark and I was feeling a little confused on the bike. But then I saw the Lincoln Memorial! And the Washington Monument! And I knew that all was well and I would eventually be able to find my building . I stopped at the Lincoln Memorial and took some photos because there was another beautiful sunrise. So not looking forward to this next storm...

[divingbiker]

K - thanks...I made it home safe and sound. Although with slightly higher blood pressure than this morning! I decided to do 14th street - straight through the heart of DC. Between the metro buses, crazy drivers, jaywalking pedestrians, construction and all the noise...wow...I miss the bikepath!!! My regular commute is 15 miles and this was only 8.68 but...I would rather do the distance and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Wow, you're brave, pfunk! 14th St. around the Target/Best Buy is crazy!

A more sane option is 13th, if that works for where you're headed.

The ride in today was nice, but colder than I thought it would be. But it was nice being back on the bike after quite a few days off.

[pfunk12]

Wow, you're brave, pfunk! 14th St. around the Target/Best Buy is crazy!

A more sane option is 13th, if that works for where you're headed.

The ride in today was nice, but colder than I thought it would be. But it was nice being back on the bike after quite a few days off.

DB - You're right. That section of 14th street was crazy on Tuesday afternoon. Even in a car, it would have been insane! There is a lot of construction going on so there was a lane that was closed. I have to admit though, the drivers were nice to me. I may take your suggestion and try 13th street.

[Tri Girl]

Today was the first commute since the snow last week. Woo hoo!!! It was raining to and from work- but who cares when you have rain gear and full fenders. It was so great listening to the rain falling and hearing it rushing in the drains under the streets. What a great day to be riding!
Now I'm off to clean my bike- who thinks it wasn't quite as much fun as I did.

[pfunk12]

Today was the first commute since the snow last week. Woo hoo!!! It was raining to and from work- but who cares when you have rain gear and full fenders. It was so great listening to the rain falling and hearing it rushing in the drains under the streets. What a great day to be riding!
Now I'm off to clean my bike- who thinks it wasn't quite as much fun as I did.

Good for you, Tri Girl! Always great when you think positively!

Oh, DB...you didn't tell me about that one hill on 13th street. And that was how my face looked most of the commute home . I took 14th all the way up until a few blocks before the crazy section with the Target and construction. I took a right to get to 13th. Pushed my way up the hill and only stayed on 13th for a short time until I went back to 14th. It's a trade off. There's not as much insanity on 13th but there's also no bike lane and it's only a 2 lane road. But wow...14th street is sensory overload. And once I got to Walter Reed Hospital, I had to ride on 16th street for a short time before I could cut through the neighborhoods to head home. Very aggressive drivers on 16th. I could have reached out and touched at least 5 cars that came very, very close to me. And based on the weather forecast, that may be my last commute until spring.

[pfunk12]

Here are the photos I took this morning on my way to work. As I said earlier, a little disappointing. They don't show how beautiful it actually was but still...I'm not complaining!

[divingbiker]

Good for you, Tri Girl! Always great when you think positively!

Oh, DB...you didn't tell me about that one hill on 13th street. And that was how my face looked most of the commute home . I took 14th all the way up until a few blocks before the crazy section with the Target and construction. I took a right to get to 13th. Pushed my way up the hill and only stayed on 13th for a short time until I went back to 14th. It's a trade off. There's not as much insanity on 13th but there's also no bike lane and it's only a 2 lane road. But wow...14th street is sensory overload. And once I got to Walter Reed Hospital, I had to ride on 16th street for a short time before I could cut through the neighborhoods to head home. Very aggressive drivers on 16th. I could have reached out and touched at least 5 cars that came very, very close to me. And based on the weather forecast, that may be my last commute until spring.

You didn't go up the hill right after Florida Ave did you? That's a tough one!

I usually am on 11th at that point and cut back over to 13th at Kansas.

[Melalvai]

Yesterday I biked through the snow storm to Avis Rental. I decided to nominate them for the PedNet Business of the Month. Because of them, I don't have to own a 2nd car, and I can still make the 180 mile round trip business trips once a month. It costs me $40 plus gas, which is a lot cheaper than I could own a car.

The ride was good because although it was snowing heavily, it was warm and the roads were just wet. Well, wet and slushy. (When I got out on the highway with the car, it was a little different. The right lane was fine, but I didn't like the left lane, so I just didn't pass anyone.)

The only bad part was when a bus passed me and pelted me with gobs of slush. It hit my goretex -thwack-thwack-thwack. I had just pulled my balaclava up to my goggles on the descent because the snow stung my face. The balaclava helped but it was soaking after that.

The manager at Avis also informed me that they'd give me a ride if I needed! He was a little scared about me biking in the storm. He's been really nice about letting me keep my bike in the back room. I also like Avis because they don't require credit cards. And I've never had to wait.

[bikerHen]

I've been kind of bummed my last two evening commutes. It's not dark any more! I use my lights more for being seen now, not to see. I look forward to daylight savings as much as anyone but I'm going to miss my rides in the dark. I know, I'm weird, but there you go! All part of my plan to be a crazy bike lady. bikerHen