Hello!

[KelOnWheels]

Hi all! Been lurking for a few weeks so I thought I’d be brave & post today

Got a new job in DC and I’m thinking about taking up bike commuting, since I’m now sitting at a desk all day turning into a blob instead of being on my feet all day like I’m used to. :p That way I can get exercise without having to get up much earlier, and save the $7 a day I’m currently spending on Metro.
(which of course will all get spent on shiny new bike gear, who am I kidding.)

My bike-fu is pretty non-existent at the moment since I haven’t ridden in way too long, so I’m thinking I could start by catching the bus to the Pentagon and riding in from there (to 3rd & C NW), and eventually build up to riding all the way from Alexandria (Rt. 7 & 395-ish).

Most of my riding in the past has been on trails, so I figured I’d take the Confident Cycling classes to get up to speed before hitting the city streets.

Thing is, I haven’t actually got a working bike at the moment, since the shifters on my ancient MTB have become purely decorative and I’m thinking it’s not worth replacing them on a 19-year old bike that weighs approximately one billion pounds (a large factor in the lack of recent riding – it’s too much of a pain to lug up and down the stairs with my spindly little arms), so I’ve been researching a replacement.

As much as I’d love to cruise serenely along on a cute fat-tired Dutch-style bike, that would put me right back to lugging 40 pounds of bike around, so that doesn’t seem like a good plan. Also a step-through would be hard to carry, methinks.

I’m currently thinking of something like a Jamis Coda – checked out the Coda Comp at CityBikes the other week and it seems pretty nice (although the Coda Sport is more in my $500-ish price range). Other suggestions? I think I want to stick to steel, not aluminum, yes? And I think it will be a while before I have the fortitude for a fixie.

Also, how the heck do you get out of the Pentagon bus station and across the river on a bike? Google Maps has me mystified.

Topic

[KelOnWheels]

You guys are awesome

[AlexBikeCommute]

I’ve been commuting to DC (near Judiciary Square) from an area not far from your location for almost 8 years now, and would be happy to ride in with you sometime. There are some great (and what I consider to be safe) routes from our NOVA area into DC. Welcome to bike commuting!

[dasgeh]

@KLizotte 18694 wrote:

I would love to hang my bikes from the ceiling but I don’t have any joists due to crappy poured concrete construction (it is quiet though).

When we lived in Manhattan (with 3 bikes!), we had one of those tension bars that hung two bikes. It was great. No drilling required.

[dasgeh]

By the way, it looks like you have a neighbor on this thread.

Oh, and I second the recommendation to get good fenders for the commute. Even if you decide that you’re really into racing, and want to get a super slick road bike or tri bike or whatever, you don’t want to have to choose between the Bus/Metro and, um, damp pants in crappy weather.

[KelOnWheels]

Yep, thecyclingeconomist will be one street east of me And I think Arlingtonrider works in my building!

I was wishing for a bike this morning, it’s gorgeous out!

I got my ticket for the bike commuting clinic at the Bike Rack tonight – looks like there are a couple of handy CaBi stations over that way. Maybe I’ll go pick up a cheap helmet somewhere at lunch.

[Mikey]

@kelinva 18681 wrote:

. . .Also, how the heck do you get out of the Pentagon bus station and across the river on a bike? Google Maps has me mystified.

I ride from the Pentagon Transit Center (bus station) to the Navy Yard in SE washington every day, and back across the bridge to the Pentagon every afternoon. If you are interested I can meet you at the PTC one morning and ride with you across to your office. If you want to use CaBi from the PTC it is about a 15 minute walk to Crystal City to get a bike, but I can show you that too. Just send me a PM if you are interested. I usually arrive at the PTC by 7:30-8:00 and try to get to the PTC in the evening by 5pm to catch the bus home.

-Mike

[vvill]

Welcome!

Just wanted to drop the name of a bike shop in the area (Falls Church) – Bikenetic, if you are looking at buying a new bike. They offer lifetime free adjustments on a bike you buy from there which is a great policy if you don’t want to do that stuff yourself. They also have a really good range of different bikes for different riding purposes – unlike stores where they carry 90% racing oriented (road or MTB) bikes. I’ve only been there once but the staff were very friendly as well.

A hybrid like the Jamis Coda is a good choice for a first commuter (not sure of the value for money – I haven’t looked at hybrids much lately). After you’ve been riding awhile you’ll know yourself what your riding style is like and you can upgrade parts or get a new bike. My hybrid has around 2500kms on it – nearly all from commuting in London/DC. (Of course now I have a road bike with 2000mi+ on it in less than a year – I’m hooked.)

Steel vs aluminium *shrug* Steel is supposed to provide a better ride quality and be longer lasting, but I’ve had no issue with aluminium myself. My last 5 bikes have been aluminium.

[KelOnWheels]

Oh cool – yeah, I was staring over at Pentagon City today as the bus sat on 395 going “Well, I COULD just walk over there and get a CaBi…”

[KelOnWheels]

I will check out Bikenetic

I live really close to Spokes but it’s always good to shop around. I’ll try riding some steel & aluminum frames and see what I actually like as opposed to what I THINK I like

[creadinger]

And I suppose you guys like a bit of Lionel Ritchie in your house “Biking on the Ceiling”? Every time you walk under it does the song get into your head? Haha.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdJP4pT6MtY

@jrenaut 18693 wrote:

Bike on the ceiling in the hallway by thetejon, on Flickr

[KLizotte]

@kelinva 18719 wrote:

I will check out Bikenetic

I live really close to Spokes but it’s always good to shop around. I’ll try riding some steel & aluminum frames and see what I actually like as opposed to what I THINK I like

I bought my first bike from Spokes. I would have to say their salespeople are kind of useless but their service people are great.

When you test ride bikes be sure to wear clothing and shoes that you plan on wearing most of the time on the bike; I’ve seen people doing it in jeans and flip-flops, not a good idea unless you’re buying a cruiser. Don’t feel shy about bringing a couple of outfits if necessary; all stores have changing rooms/bathrooms and are used to it. I would also suggest bringing a snack and your own water bottle (filled of course) since the process will probably take a couple of hours at each store. The day I bought my road bike I was there for four hours. And bring your helmet, eyeglasses, ID and credit card (they hold those to be sure you return the bike). If you have any gizmos that you want to attach to any bike you buy, bring those too. I also found that some stores were in better locations than others for trying out bikes; being near a trail or residential area is better than being downtown IMHO.

And be sure to get your hands on the Arlington and DC bike maps. Any bike store should have them in stock and they are free.

[KelOnWheels]

@KLizotte 18721 wrote:

I bought my first bike from Spokes. I would have to say their salespeople are kind of useless but their service people are great.

Good to know They worked on my poor old MTB a couple of years ago and I bought some shoes & pedals there, but that’s been the extent of my experience.

[KLizotte]

P.S. If you can visit the bike stores during a week day you will get much better service at this time of the year because they are swamped on the weekends. The recession certainly doesn’t seem to have affected the bike shops in this area.

[KelOnWheels]

Yup, the guy at CityBikes said the same thing No one can afford to buy gas!

[mstone]

steel is longer lasting in some ways, less so in others. if wet riding is a potential, aluminum might be a better choice…

[Author]

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