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These two!!

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@Tim Kelley 139688 wrote:

It’s not exactly a secret, is it?

Well it could’ve been. Show-offs.

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For the record, I like the color combo!

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I made the run (by CAR, the horrors!) this morning to pick up boxes from WABA and goDCgo. NatGeo will have lots of giveaways and some cool raffle prizes…. and now I know what color this year’s t-shirt is!

Nope, I’m not telling.

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@Whoisthefly 139627 wrote:

I’m a MARC commuter with a 2.5 mile stretch from Union Station to around Farragut North.

That was me a year ago, when I still lived in Anne Arundel County. As if it wasn’t long enough on a GOOD day, if any part of that multi-leg commute broke down it was a time-sucking nightmare.

I often rode a Capital Bikeshare bike from Union Station to Farragut North. It took about 20 minutes, I never had a problem getting or re-docking a bike, and I rode in work clothes. The best route I found was along the Pennsylvania Ave cycletrack to 15th Street and through Lafayette Square. I got to enjoy it so much I stopped needing the excuse that metro was delayed, and rode CaBi anytime I could. They’re great for lunchtime and after-hours adventures too.

Many MARC passengers have folding bikes, and are adept at using them. Don’t let us talk you out of one if that’s what makes you happy! But having a CaBi membership saved me the hassle of bringing my own bike. Some companies or government agencies have discounts on bikeshare memberships, but even if yours doesn’t the cost is still less than a new folder.

As a backup, there’s a Circulator bus that leaves from Union Station and runs straight down K Street past Farragut Square.

Oh, and welcome to the community!

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Does your neighborhood have a pool? They hose the deck off every day, and would likely let you do it there.

Otherwise, PM me if you want to stop by consularrider’s house (just off the W&OD near East Falls Church) and use the hose.

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@Sunyata 139446 wrote:

If you want to go bike packing, I highly suggest the Salsa Deadwood.

Or, if you want the option of mounting racks for panniers, check out the Salsa Vaya. It’s capable for road touring (and makes a great commuter), but often gets tossed in the adventure/gravel category.

Vaya is THE most comfortable bike I’ve ever ridden. I think it’s all about the geometry, and somewhat due to the big (40mm) cushy tires. I’m even tempted to choose it over my road bike for long distance rides this year. I’ll strip off the rack and fenders and find skinnier tires to reduce the weight.

It doesn’t make me faster, it just gives me confidence on any terrain and lets me ride all dang day in happiness. More time in the saddle equates to more endurance and speed.

Get the bike you want to ride.

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We walked to Westover for dinner at Lost Dog last night (because, Puppies! and beer!). Have to say, I thought they did a fine job with the pizza. Went well with a 3 Stars Ebony & Ivory Imperial Brown Ale, quite nutty and yummy. The last time I was at Pupatella, the crust was a little soft and disappointing, though I love the place nonetheless.

So let the pizza provocation continue, now I have a baseline for comparison. I’ll try to join tomorrow also, as a walk-up. May there be a break in the rain.

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@Sunyata 139132 wrote:

Not sure if he biked all the way here, but he is in the states and will be back in the DC area for Bike to Work Day. 😎

consularrider spotted at Best Buns this morning, and back in Arlington for about 3 more weeks.

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Good story!

Anyone who’s interested in more of this should read “Fighting Traffic: The Dawn of the Motor Age in the American City” by Peter D. Norton.

The book starts with stories of how people first reacted to the presence of cars in the streets (hint: not well), how we came to accept collisions as “accidents,” and how we ultimately transitioned to being an auto-dominated culture. It’s very well researched and written.

And if you’re inclined to think cycling/pedestrian friendly cities and complete streets are just common sense, it’ll kinda piss you off.

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@Steve O 138864 wrote:

I hear about this place called the “Haynes Point Loop” or something like that. Maybe you could try that for a month?

Well that kinda radically redefines “touring”.

Why don’t we redefine “commuting” while we’re at it. Pack up the panniers or frame bags, camp at one of the C&O Canal hiker-biker sites, then ride into work the next day. Repeat Monday thru Friday. My coworkers would be none the wiser.

What say, KayakCyndi?

If I had a month and was trying to keep it cheap, I’d head for the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and perhaps combine it with some of the Route Vert or even a loop through the Adirondacks and include the Erie Canal if there’s time. You could use Amtrak to get up there and back, and probably camp (at least some of the time) along the tour.

Okay, now I’m totally daydreaming. Sigh.

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Everything Cyndi said and….

1. The Danube River bike trail. We rode from Passau, Germany to Budapest, Hungary in a little under three weeks, and there’s plenty more to do.

2. The Rhine River bike trail from Switzerland to the Netherlands.

3. Recently discovered and want to plan a trip on the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail in Ontario.

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I would talk to folks at one of these two local shops.

College Park Bicycles 301-864-2211

or

Bikes Vienna 703-938-8900

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@Sunyata 138344 wrote:

Also… 28″ wheels…?

Remember when the store first opened here, and sold beds that required special non-standard-size sheets? I’m quite sure you’ll have to go through them to get any replacement parts or attachments. It’s the Ikea way.

This bike looks so….. so….. typically Ikea. The utilitarian cranks and pedals, cheesy kickstand attachment, boring white color. And what’s with that front disk brake and cable?

That said, I kinda want one (with the cargo capacity)!

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@mstone 138052 wrote:

Greenbrier trail is on my to-do this year

Do it! When you get to Cass WV, stay a couple nights in one of the company houses and ride the steam train up the mountain. So much fun!

And way to go RCannon100!

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@consularrider 137975 wrote:

How come they don’t come with helmets?

But they come with custom crafted wooden crates for hauling home a six-pack or a coupla growlers. Priorities!

I couldn’t love this more. All those brewpubs cropping up along the W&OD need to step up their game.

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