Month: July 2008

Bike Rack at Wolf Trap

I posted a couple days ago about my journey to Wolf Trap and the response I got when I asked about bike racks. Turns out that they do have a bike rack.

I got the following response from Wolf

Good afternoon,

Your message was shared with Foundation staff and Wolf Trap National
Park Service representatives and sub-sequentially it has been brought to
our attention that a bike rack has been made available this entire
summer season for events at The Filene Center. The location is just to
the right (south) of the Main Gate before entering the venue.

We sincerely apologize for the oversight regarding this matter. Wolf
Trap is committed to delivering our programs with the best possible
service. We realize that one bad experience is enough to keep you from
returning. We appreciate your patronage and will continue to do all we
can to create the best possible Wolf Trap experience for our patrons.
Thank you again and we hope you will be back for a more enjoyable
evening under the stars at Wolf Trap!

Best regards.

So it looks like they do have a bike rack, so as promised I have changed the title on the original posting. Please let me know if you use it, I didn’t spot it when went to my last concert.

Bike Stats

Another holy crap moment… I mean shit…. Are they there any minors reading this blog?

On my bike ride home yesterday my odometer turned over 700 miles. This is how many miles I have biked since getting my trek 4300 in May 2008, just before bike to work day.

Currently it stands at
ODOMETER 721.4 miles
Distance to ridden work 12.09 this morning
Time 0:46:32
Avg Speed 15.4 mph
Max 31. mph

This pails in comparison to those crazy guys from the Tour De France who did 2174 miles over 21 days. I am averaging about 130 miles a week which they did in one day, and what more they climbed L’Alpe-d’Huez plus 2 other peaks on the way to the finish.

Biking in DC

There an article in the Washington post, I really like the line

I sometimes think that etiquette for urban bikers needs more emphasis. I am always surprised when another cyclist passes me without saying, “On your left.” With parked cars on my right and traffic on my left, those three words can be crucial; I wouldn’t want to swerve left to avoid a pothole, only to collide with a passing biker.

This is critical for biking, we are on narrow paths and dealing with cars and trucks, the last thing we need is our own being inconsiderate and not giving a simple warning before passing.

Just this morning I watched one of the metro circulator buses swerve in and out of M street, first it swerved right as if to stop to pick up passengers then it changed it’s mind and pulled out left hard into the lane in front of me, then it decided to force it’s way into the left lane forcing a black SUV out of its lane before it stopped at a traffic light. What do you know the driver had a nextel cell phone in his hand which he claimed is allowed because it is a work cell phone.

UPDATED: Cycling not recommended to Wolf Trap

UPDATED

I am attending a concert tonight at the Wolf Trap Center in Virginia, and sent the following to the contact email on their website

Hi,

I am attending a concert tonight at the Filene Center center, Do you haveany bike racks or safe place to lock a bike during a performance. I looked on the website and didn’t see any mention

thanks

I got the following prompt response, which unfortunately is not good news

Thanks for writing. Unfortunately without direct access to and from bike trails or light volume traffic routes into the park it would not generally be considered safe or easy for bicycle riders. No dedicated bike racks are available in the park, although if you choose to arrive by bicycle you could certainly lock it to a fence or other permanent fixture. You may need to consult with Park Police or a Ranger on site to be sure you are not in a restricted area. The good news is Metro service via shuttle bus is available for all Filene Center performances (except the International Children’s Festival).

Filene Center Performances

The Wolf Trap Metro Shuttle Bus Express provides service to all Filene
Center shows (except the International Children’s Festival).

1. Take Metrorail’s Orange line, any of the convenient Metrobus Routes (3B, 28A and 28B), or drive to the West Falls Church Metrorail Station.

2. Hop on the Wolf Trap Metro Shuttle Bus Express, which leaves the West Falls Church Metrorail Station every 20 minutes starting two hours before each performance. The last Shuttle leaves the station at
showtime. Round trip fare is just $3.00 per person (exact change required). The Shuttle Bus is wheelchair accessible.

3. Returning, the Shuttle departs Wolf Trap 20 minutes after the performance ends (no later than 11:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday). The last train for Downtown and New Carrollton leaves the West Falls
Church Station at 11:32 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and at 1:32 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

For more information on Metro’s hours of operation, the Wolf Trap Shuttle Bus, or Metro’s One-Day Pass, please call (202) 637-7000 (TDD: (202) 638-3780). Or, visit Metro’s Web site at www.metroopensdoors.com.

We hope this helps,
best wishes.

On looking at google maps I could bike from Wolf Trap to the W&OD Trail. Taking Trap Rd south then turn right onto Clarks Crossing and follow it to the trail. Am I crazy for even thinking about this?

The Alternative is I leave my bike at West Falls Church and then take the shuttle back after the concert then take the 980 home.

UPDATE: July 29th 2008
I got the following response from Wolf

Good afternoon,

Your message was shared with Foundation staff and Wolf Trap National Park Service representatives and sub-sequentially it has been brought to our attention that a bike rack has been made available this entire summer season for events at The Filene Center. The location is just to the right (south) of the Main Gate before entering the venue.

We sincerely apologize for the oversight regarding this matter. Wolf Trap is committed to delivering our programs with the best possible service. We realize that one bad experience is enough to keep you from
returning. We appreciate your patronage and will continue to do all we can to create the best possible Wolf Trap experience for our patrons. Thank you again and we hope you will be back for a more enjoyable evening under the stars at Wolf Trap!

Best regards.

So it looks like they do have a bike rack, so as promised I have changed the title of this post.

Dyslexia in different languages

HY found this article which talks about interesting research on dyslexia with different languages. Since i am sort of kind of learning Chinese I had wondered if it whether being dyslexic would affect my ability to learn the characters. Turns out reading chinese and english use different parts of the brain. The chinese classes kicked my but on a regular basis so even if dyslexia is not playing a part it is still hard.

Streetfilms wants leading pedestrian interval, but I want dedicated pedestrian crossings

This may sound like a good idea, but it doesn’t add to pedestrian safety, it just means that the pedestrian will be further into the path of traffic before they are hit. What we need is a dedicated UK style signaling that brings all traffic entering the cross walk to a stop before the walk sign is lit. This means pedestrians and motorists don’t get the mixed signal of a green light but still having to watch for cars or pedestrians.

If you watch the video the cross walk gives the pedestrians 17 seconds, enough time to cross the street before traffic is allowed to flow. If you just had a lead of 3 seconds it wouldn’t make any difference the cars would still push there way into the cross walk.

We are programmed to go on green and sometimes we forget that green doesn’t mean go. It means proceed and watch for pedestrians in the cross walk who have right of way.