TheWashCycle

James Cromwell hospitalized after cycling accident

Academy Award nominee James Cromwell was injured in a fall from his bicycle over the weekend and was expected to be released from a hospital Monday. Cromwell, 68, suffered a broken collarbone and a partially deflated lung.

Cromwell is a serious cyclist who was training on a Los Angeles-area canyon road Sunday when he fell from the bike.

Keep Biking through the cold

That's the advice from the Baltimore Sun

"You really need to keep your extremities from getting too cold," Trouttner says. "Especially because the wind will be hitting you."

She recommends long-finger gloves made for biking. They'll keep your fingers warm, but you'll still be able to maneuver gears and brakes. In addition to wearing warm socks, you can also buy shoe or toe covers that will help protect feet from wind.

But take care not to bundle up too warmly; your body will produce its own heat while you ride.

I bought some Lake winter biking boots this year. They're pricey, but so far they've been great. I usually wear  a wicking layer as a base, a set of silk long johns over that (if needed) and a windproof/waterproof layer over that. I use a two glove system for my hands. I wear a thin skullcap most of the time, but switch to a balaclava when the weather gets really bad. I have a Bell Metro helmet that has a 'winter kit' (ear flaps and gap fillers). And then over all of that I wear a reflective safety vest.  Some people use those chemical hand warmers, but I haven't tried that yet.

Likewise, Andrew Beaujon calls out cyclists who refuse to ride in the rain.

I couldn’t help noticing this morning that you weren’t whizzing past me on my way to work–the Four Mile Run trail, the Mount Vernon trail, and the Rock Creek trail were absolutely free of guys on $3,000 carbon-fiber Cervelos and Colnagos who don’t signal with bells because those add 25 grams.

Scofflaw Google Streetview Truck

It drove about 100 feet down the NE Branch trail in Riverdale. If you turn the view around, you can see a cyclist coming up from behind.

Armstrong Fears for his safety

Here

The seven-time Tour champion, who is making a comeback after three years in retirement, said in an interview in The Guardian on Tuesday that he is concerned about his safety.

"I don't want to enter an unsafe situation but you see this stuff coming out of France," said the American rider, who has many critics in France. "There're some aggressive, angry emotions. If you believe what you read, my personal safety could be in jeopardy.

Silly Rabbit, Tris are for kids

The Post had a couple of articles about young triathletes.

This one about a 14-year Ironman

"The expressions I get when people ask, 'Are you really13?' 'Are you really14?' make me laugh," he says. "It's cool."

And this one about child triathletes in general

The panel recommended that youth triathlons emphasize "safety, fun and fitness rather than competition." In addition, it called for numerous safety precautions. Among them: that children be given a swim test beforehand to ensure they can swim the required distance; that the swim take place in a pool rather than open water, with lifeguards present; that the bike course be closed to automobile traffic, and helmets be required; and that races be shortened or canceled in extreme weather, given children's heightened risk of hypothermia or heat illness.

What to do with extra parking

Ingrid Specht writes in to the Post

New developments such as the DC USA shopping mall, the Harris Teeter in Adams Morgan, and the Columbia Heights Giant all have huge parking garages with far too many unused spaces.

The District should encourage developers to look at the extra space in these garages and consider some green alternatives, rather than hoping they are someday filled with personal vehicles, promoting pollution. Some spaces should be converted to bicycle parking. The District should be creative: Chicago has "bike stations" for bicycle commuters, complete with showers, lockers and bike repair facilities.

Virtuous Cycle

Rockville Roadies help multiple sclerosis patients

Though some people have a low opinion of cyclists.

We really do have way too many inconsiderate, ill-mannered cyclists who don't know how to cycle in this country

Often they're out there raising money for others

The Rockville Roadies raise money to match $500 grants offered by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The Roadies help a handful of people every year, Bob Valdes said. Grants may be applied toward transportation and mobility equipment, or in-house repairs, such as bathroom modifications or ramp additions.

WABA, MoBike and CCCT weigh in on Purple Line.

Finishthetrail has the details.

WABA endorses the Purple Line Light Rail:

WABA urges all cyclists to speak up in support of the Purple Line light rail option that will likely help complete the Capital Crescent Trail from Bethesda into Silver Spring.

MoBike and CCCT take no formal position on the Purple Line but agree that the Purple Line and CCT can coexist. All three are speaking in favor of trail continuity, 12' minimum width, and for keeping the trail in the tunnel in Bethesda.

Rails with Trails Flickr group.

Photo by Luton

9th Street Bridge Closed for the year.

Probably not a big bike commuter route, but just in case.

The District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) is scheduled to begin the rehabilitation of the 9th Street and 10th Street, SW Bridges over I-395 on Monday, November 17, 2008. This extensive project is expected to take 360 days to complete and will require the closing of the 9th Street Bridge.

Helmet tip.