BAFS NOVA-CBG Malfunction Junction

Had quite an interesting, slow, yet enjoyable ride. The condition of the trails was hit or miss with the W&OD, Bluemont, and CCT (in DC only) looking good but the approaches to the Key Bridge and the CCT right at the Maryland line looking like crap. Had to dismount and walk over snow mounds at several curb cuts and caught some slushy snow just before the Montgomery County line on the CCT and bit it. Luckily, it was quite a soft landing in the snow so no worries. Also had a nice little break at Cycle Life and looked at too many expensive toys but luckily the lock on the wallet held and I didn't spend any money. The ride back to Arlington got quite interesting as we had to climb up and over the C&O Canal since our earlier trip down M Street on the incoming trip brought my average speed down to 5.9 mph as we sat in stop and go traffic. Unfortunately, during the trudge through the snow, I lost one of my cleat covers, which I then I had to backtrack to find and then chip all the packed snow out of my left cleat. And to top it off, as we started the climb up Lee Highway on the way back to Shirlington, Barbara's chain busted clear off the bike. Luckily, Stephanie had a replacement link but we had no chain tool to remove the broken link. The folks at the Marriott loaned us some pliers but they wouldn't remove the last pin, so Steph and Ben rode down to Big Wheel Bikes in Lyon Village to pick up a chain tool and then back so we could fix the chain and finally set off to complete the ride. My average speed was even slower than yesterday, which I thought was impossible, my hands, jacket, and gauntlets were covered in grease, and the sun was setting. But yet, it was fun! I wonder what our next iteration will bring.

BAFS NOVA-CBG Malfunction Junction by kwarkentien at Garmin Connect - Details