"McMike" (mcmike)
04/22/2014 at 11:45 • Filed to: earth day
6
22|
"McMike" (mcmike)
04/22/2014 at 11:45 • Filed to: earth day | 6
| 22 |
I have decided to take the subway to work, and leave my car at home.
Idling in the driveway.
Jagvar
> McMike
04/22/2014 at 11:46 |
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Don't you know that subway is a sandwich in the DMV? Metro , son.
JR1
> McMike
04/22/2014 at 11:47 |
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Chris Clarke
> McMike
04/22/2014 at 11:50 |
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McMike
> Jagvar
04/22/2014 at 11:51 |
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Don't you know that subway is a sandwich in the DMV? Metro , son.
Yeah, like I want people to think I took this Metro to work...
FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> McMike
04/22/2014 at 11:51 |
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good one. I despise taking the metro to work. It feels like cattle call especially in the summer.
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McMike
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
04/22/2014 at 11:56 |
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To be honest, I only take the metro when the weather is wet and below 40*. I'm on the motorcycle every other time.
I have never brought a car all the way into the city for work. I can't sit in traffic like that.
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McMike
> Jagvar
04/22/2014 at 11:57 |
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While I'm not on board with this "DMV" acronym yet, I do love sandwiches.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> McMike
04/22/2014 at 12:03 |
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At least take a Suzuki Swift to work, gosh.
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> McMike
04/22/2014 at 12:03 |
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Do you lane split? I've lived in DC for years now and drive every day to work. Very seriously considering getting my first motorcycle this summer though. How do you deal with riding gear vs. work attire (you very well might not have this problem).
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McMike
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
04/22/2014 at 12:13 |
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Lane split? Never in a million years.
The million years is an exaggeration. What I meant to say is 50 years after it's made legal in every state. Only after this time will every driver on the road be aware that it is their responsibility to share, as well. It takes two to share. Without the cars being aware of this, you're asking for trouble. I lane split very often when I was in the UK on a bike trip. There, it's possible because it's country wide, and the teach it. The cars make room for you - it's glorious.
Until we have two generations of drivers who have been taught to lane-share with motorcycles in driver's ed, no thanks.
Even then, my cruiserbike touringcycle is too wide for anything like that.
For dress? I wear chaps to and from work to keep my pants clean. Jacket/heavy shirt to keep the rest of me clean. Sportscoats can fit in a saddlebag.
jariten1781
> McMike
04/22/2014 at 12:14 |
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I refuse to use the 'DMV' acronym.
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> McMike
04/22/2014 at 12:27 |
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I was just asking because you said you avoid traffic. I'm from CA so just wondering what the educate is around here even though it is banned.
As for the clothes that makes sense. I just worry about the heat in the summer and perspiration. I'm thinking about getting a sportster so saddle bags will definitely be an option.
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McMike
> jariten1781
04/22/2014 at 12:29 |
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I've lived in the Metro area for (looks at watch) 37 years.
When I'm traveling I still tell people that I'm from "Washington DC" because if I say "Virginia" they look at me like I should be wearing overalls or something. Or I end up explaining my lack of accent.
"DMV" would make me explain that I 1) don't work at the department of motor vehicles, and 2) what DMV means, then 3) explain that it's relatively new, and only we in the area use it, and 4) why I thought they would know what it means if only we use it.
It's going to have to pick up a lot more steam before I start using it.
The Revengel
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
04/22/2014 at 12:31 |
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Sorry - had to reply to this one.
Context: put 40k miles on my first bike (1986 VF500F Interceptor - name of Charlotte) in under two years. I've ridden in cold, wind, rain . . . I didn't intentionally go out in snow or ice (but got caught in it.) Also, I used my bikes (all have been VFRs) to both pleasure ride and commute . . . and I used to work in downtown DC (one stop up from Farragut North on the Red Line) for the better part of a decade.
Lane splitting is illegal in the area. Yes, some folks do it around here but you can get pulled over for it. Worse, some folks will just up and open a door. Occasionally someone will lane-split on the Clara Barton when it bottlenecks, but that's not terribly common.
A bike ('specially if you live around Adams Morgan which a relative has for like 30 years) in DC is great for gas and traffic. Make sure you have a safe place to park it - but that's true in the 'burbs as well.
Riding gear vs. work attire. This is really why I had to reply.
Always, always, ALLWAYZ wear full gear. It may be hot in the summer but the first time you either a) low-side on sand in the street or b) have some other incident that leaves you on the blacktop, you'll understand why you need full gear. I recomend a full-face helmet (Shoei is my pick) with full gloves, denim pants at least and a pair of riding boots to potect yourself. Also make sure you have at least an armored mesh however jacket leather is better. That may sound bad in the heat, but it's not that bad when you're moving.
If you have an office, keep a top & bottom at work in case you show up smelling like "The Bold One" from the old detergent commercials. Mornings are much cooler than the afternoons so you may not be too bad off for that morning commute. I kept a tie, belt and shoes at work (business casual so I could wear black denim) and kept an extra rain suit in my desk.
And I'll step off my soap box with this last comment. The time you'll be glad you wore full gear is when something happens and you go flying off your bike. That's what happened to me - T-boned to be precise - but I was in full gear. The 30-foot flight sucked, and I did not stick the landing, but I came out of it rather well. My gear did its job. My Geoffrey Bean suit wouldn't have.
/riderrant
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The Revengel
> McMike
04/22/2014 at 12:35 |
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Anyone from around here knows that if you say Metro - it means the subway. Why?
The car above can actually move.
/badumDISH
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jariten1781
> McMike
04/22/2014 at 12:35 |
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I'll use NOVA in the area and DC metro when talking to folks who wouldn't recognize that. Works well enough with no confusion. DMV seems to be the hip thing though.
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McMike
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
04/22/2014 at 12:37 |
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395 HOV has no traffic. Just two lanes barreling along at 75mph+ Motorcycles are allowed to use it.
Believe it or not, the the least stressful part of my commute. No three-at-a-time lane changes to hit an OMGTHERE'SMYEXIT, and very few on-ramps.
It takes me 30 minutes less to get to work, and the lack of using the Metro saves me $10 a day.
That's why my minimum temp is 35-40*
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> The Revengel
04/22/2014 at 12:55 |
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I really appreciate that. I most certainly plan on wearing full gear always. Its crazy how much all this stuff adds up to price wise but when you are gambling with life and limb it makes it totally worth it. I think bringing in my clown suit every day and changing at the office is the ticket. Even though its a bit less efficient.
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> McMike
04/22/2014 at 12:57 |
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Gotcha I didn't know you could use HOV in VA with 2 wheels, good to know.
Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
> jariten1781
04/22/2014 at 12:57 |
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DelMarVa, Son
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McMike
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
04/22/2014 at 12:59 |
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You'd be also eligible to scoot in those HOT lanes they have on 495 (as well as the ones they are currently building on 95 south of the beltway) No EZ pass required.
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> McMike
04/22/2014 at 13:04 |
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haven't used those yet in the car, but I occasionally work in McLean so that could be huge.