When the 2015 errandonnee was announced the DC-area was
still blanketed in snow and chilled by record-low temperatures. My
usually-intrepid biking spirit had been crushed by winter. I failed to bike
even once in February and, I think, made only two trips in January. The upside of
my near-hibernation was that I started winter swimming (indoors), and I learned
to make a tasty vegetarian Pho.
But life without bike riding is just not the same. My
spirits were sinking and when I looked at the forecast for the beginning of the
errandonnee I thought – I’m gonna have to skip it this year. With more snow
falling and neither snow plow nor salt truck in sight, the roads were a hazard.
But this area being what it was, the weather turned and most
of the accumulation melted the Saturday that the challenge began. By Sunday I
was ready to pump up my deflated tires and hit the road.
March 8, 2015
Leaving at 8:30 on a Sunday morning I knew my back route was
still icy, so I rode on Lee Highway, counting on light traffic. It’s hard to
describe the pure elation of riding after the long winter. Not knowing how long
the good weather would hold, I decided to “trip chain” and get as many errands as possible done in
one day.
#2 Personal Business #1 – Library .5 miles
From yoga, I headed to Arlington Central Library to return
the DVDs I’d checked out in anticipation of the snow. I didn’t end up watching
them, but it’s always nice to have them on hand. The roads were clear, but the
bike lanes often still had icy snow. Either that or cars were parked in them
because there was still icy snow at the curb.
#3 Personal Care #2 – Whole Foods – 1.5 miles
My next stop was to replenish my supply of high-quality
probiotics. Just how much good bacteria does one need? I decided 42
billion per dose should be plenty.
#4 Store #1 – Walgreens – 0 miles
I had parked in the bike corral at Revolution Bikes for
Whole Foods and Walgreens trips. There were lots of people out and about,
celebrating the beautiful afternoon.
#5 You Carried What? #1 – 4.5 miles
On to Trader Joe’s for dog food and a 12-pack of toilet
paper. That pretty much fills the Burley Travoy. Perhaps these aren’t the most
exotic items to carry on a bike – but I couldn’t tote either without the
trailer which, by the way, is where I proudly display all my coffeeneur and errandonneur patches.
#6 Non-store errand #1 – Post Office – 1 mile
After my first set of errands, I took a break to have lunch
and visit with a friend. Thanks to daylight savings time, it was still light –
and warm – so I went back out to check out the roads on my “back route.” It was
pretty clear by 6 p.m.
#7 Non-store errand #2 – ATM – 1 mile
On the way home I stopped to take a photo of my least
favorite curb cut in Arlington – intersection of Lee and Harrison. Seven
errands in one day; 11.5 miles – not bad!
March 9, 2015
#8 Work #1 – 11.5 miles
I wondered whether I’d remember how to get to work on my
bike – it had been so long – but it was, you know, like riding a bike: you don’t
forget. There was still some ice on the Mt. Vernon Trail, but the Custis Trail
was clear – thanks to Arlington County’s commitment to clear the paths…yay! I
was cyclist number 221 on the Rosslyn counter. But on the way home my “back
route” from the metro was impassable: solid ice.
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| Note the pile of grimy snow |
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| No biking here! |
March 10, 2015
#9 Social Call #1 – .5 mile
Went to Pret a Manger for a quick dinner before class. Took
a Capital Bikeshare in the rain. It’s just not that pleasant and the app
indicated that the closest station to class was full, so I had to park 2 blocks
farther away.
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| CaBi not very balanced on a rainy day - one station full and 2 blocks away a station nearly empty |
#10 Wild Card #1 – .5 mile
Took a CaBi – again in the rain – even harder rain this time
– from class to the Metro. My rain boot slipped on the pedal. It was dark and
rainy – not much fun – but not very far. I was glad the two-rides-in-the-dark
rule was eliminated this year – but ended up riding in the dark anyway.
March 12, 2015
#11 Work #2 – 11.5 miles
What a difference a few days make: the rain was over, the
temperatures rose again and the ice was completely gone – even on my back route
from the metro. It felt like spring! Clearly a lot of people agreed – leaving even
earlier than I had on Monday, I was cyclist number 398 on the Rosslyn counter.
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| Sunny on the mall - workers on the reflecting pool |
March 13, 2015
#12 Arts & Entertainment #1 – 5 miles
Biked to Ballston for a movie. Parked at the Metro and was delighted to see that there is a bike pump and tools in the center of the bike parking area. I don't recall seeing that last year. Coming out there was a light
rain. I figured I might as well bike home, because even if I put the bike on
the Metro, I’d still have to ride a mile home anyway. The sign by the bike rack near the mall was less friendly.
The rain stayed light and
the temperature was fine – but almost half the streetlights on George Mason
Drive were out…grrr. And – I had a second dark ride.
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| Great bike repair station |
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| Always such a bummer when they threaten "removal" |
March 15, 2015
#13 Personal Care #2 – 5 miles
Yoga again – the wind, the wind, the wind – especially on
the way home – straight into it all the way! Nevertheless, it was such a
delight to have a full week of frequent bike riding. By the second Sunday I was
starting to feel like my old self again – that is, a younger-feeling version of
my old self.
Total – 45.5 miles and 13 errands: feelings of joy –
immeasurable!
