The Hungry Triathlete

Bike Commuting Pitfalls October 21, 2013

There are many obvious benefits to commuting by bike in DC.  Fitness, eco-friendliness, and cost saving are just three – each indivdual has his or her own reasons why they feel that cycling adds something positive to their daily routines.  Personally, I enjoy the fresh air and the “me time” factor – I can prepare myself for my day much better on a bike than in a crowded Metro car.

But, for every plus, there must be a minus.  Here are some of my least favorite things about bike commuting in DC.

* Segways – Note that I did not say “all tourists,” as there are plenty of visitors who manage to walk all around the city without getting in the way of my bike.  However, since Segways are, apparently, supposed to ride in the bike lanes and not the sidewalks whenever possible, it is inevitable that I will encounter a huge motorized tour group when I am trying to go downhill on 15th Street (which, on my PM commute, is the only time I really get to generate any speed and give my legs a breather).  I despise Segways as a general principle, but I especially despise them when they keep me from my desired pace.  They don’t signal, they don’t listen when I try to audibly signal, and they go slower than 99% of the cyclists in the city.  Grrrr.

* Kamikaze pedestrians – Again, note that I did not say “all pedestrians.”  I am a pedestrian most of the time, and the majority of walkers are courteous and safe.  However, when I am cycling in the Pennsylvania Avenue bike lanes, there are always a few daredevil pedestrians who decide to jet across the road in traffic, only to realize that they cannot make it the whole way – which means they come to a dead stop right in my lane as I am cranking on through.  Come on, folks – I know my red bikeshare vehicle is not as scary as a SUV, but I promise it will still be messy if we have a collision.

* Asshole drivers – Are you noticing a theme here?  I did not say “all drivers,” as there are many delightful ones who keep their eyes open and follow the rules of the road (as do I, for the record – more on that in a moment).  I only hate the drivers who think they are the only vehicles on the road and who can’t understand why I am angry when they make an illegal U-turn into my supposedly protected bike lane, nearly taking me out in the process.  I don’t know if this is surprising or not, but a lot of these offenders are driving taxi cabs.

* Cyclists who disregard the rules – I know this is an area of great strife within the cycling community, but it’s pretty simple to me.  If you’re on the road with the cars, you need to follow the same rules as the cars.  Ya know, important stuff like stopping at stop lights/signs.  Signaling before you turn.  Not texting/wearing earphones.  It’s really hard to expect other travelers, regardless of their mode of transportation, to respect your rights when you so blatantly disregard the laws and guidelines that are meant to help keep everyone safe.  Tangentially, I get very upset with cyclists who don’t wear helmets.  I know, it’s going to give you less attractive hair, but in a collision, it’s not your hair you should be worried about.  We have so many well-educated, successful people in DC, I just can’t believe so many of them would opt out of the most obvious piece of protective gear.

These pet peeves are nothing new – countless bike commuters have vented similarly, and I certainly won’t be the last.  I just hope that with the expansion of cycling in DC comes an enhanced understanding of how we can all cohabitate on the roads, safely and politely.  A girl can dream, no?

A vicious cycle October 9, 2013

Remember how I said I was going to step up the training after N2S, and that I was going to find a race to enter before the Army 10-Miler to ensure that I wouldn’t slack off?

I am a big stinking liar.

Of course, the fibbing is not intentional – at the time, I really DID want to train in earnest for the Army race, and I really DID think I could find a 5K or something to keep myself on track.  As usual, life just got in the way – it’s as simple as that.  I am still going to run the 10-Miler in about a week and a half, and I’m certain that it won’t be any kind of record-setting event for me.  But, since it is my first race of that distance, it is an automatic PR – and, of course, I will aim to enjoy the scenery on the course since I won’t be so concerned with the pace.  Hopefully, with cooler weather and a renewed sense of my running self, I can break the cycle and truly get back to loving running again.

One kind of cycle I have been perpetuating lately is actual cycling.  Yes, ladies and gentleman, this Hungry Triathlete has actually been on a bike more than she has been running lately (which will shock all of you who know my trials and tribulations with the second leg of the tri).  I joined Capital Bikeshare, which allows me to bike to and/or from work whenever I like, without having to worry about locking my road bike up or making sure I have the right shoes or fretting about my bike getting stolen or rained on.  All I have to do is have a helmet handy (and technically, I don’t even have to do that, as helmets are not legally required for adult cyclists in DC – but you’d better believe I’m always going to wear one), and I can go to any of the hundreds of kiosks to grab a bike and go.  It really is a great system, and I have learned to feel much more comfortable on these city roads – and when the weather is fall-like and gorgeous, there is something so refreshing and zen about ditching my normal crowded commute and getting some me time.

Of course, the down side to commuting by bike is…well…there are a few.  Can you guess what they are?  Do you have some of your own?  Feel free to share – my thoughts will follow in another post.