Biking Part 2: Custis Trail

Or why you should expect to see me get hit by a bike(r).

First off: massive apologies to Mr. Bert & Ernie Jersey (Mr. Bej from now on), I gave you a dirty look this morning while I was crossing the Key Bridge because I didn't realize you were the one telling me that you were on my left.

Now that that's over...

Don't be surprised if I get run over by an angry biker trying to get to work or pedalling along the Custis trail in the Rosslyn area. My recent idea is to weave on the sidewalk so that they can't get past. This could cause accidents, seeing as it's probably not safe for me to meander on both sides of the yellow line. Such is life, bikers watch out you are not so high and mighty. Recently when I was running with my boyfriend a ton of bikes passed us (yeah, I can't run at bike-passing speed yet, but I am working real hard at it) and every time they did I got all angry and would "shout" at them. Usually it was an "I hate you (you sloppy slut)!" Uhm, if you heard me I am quite proud since I am not that loud, but then my boyfriend made me run on the inside so that I wouldn't intentionally hit one of the bikers.

Other recent ideas have involved yelling "On your right" as the bikes pass. As noted above I don't run at bike passing speed, but when I do I will do my best to On your left them.

Another is to carry a bike bell with me, and ring it as they pass. Haha. That one is definitely going to happen.

The third and most effective strategy imho involves the construction at the Air Force Association. I won't even get into the construction and the stupid guys with their backhoes tacking up the whole path, but did you ever notice those cones that keep people to far (highway) side of the path? You might have, there is also a sign posted that says "Dismount bike and walk past construction." Now I don't sit at the bike path all day every day, but I have not seen a single person dismounting the bike. Hmmmm, so my brilliant idea is to clearly not get out of the way and then be like, "Don't you see the sign? Get off your bike and walk!"

I will regain public use of the Custis Trail for non-bikers!!!! (Notice that it is not the Custis Bike Trail, just the Custis trail--we have a bike path at home which does use bike in the name... Hmmm.)

A final anecdote, I was walking to work one morning and 2 businessmen were leaving the Key Bridge Marriott. Lucky for me they were perplexed by the stupid bikers and asked what the protocol/traffic pattern was for walking on the "bike path". I just sort of looked at them and was like "Well, they think they rule the world." The businessmen laughed, probably because I was so angry so early in the morning, but it is a hard way to start your day...