Tag Archives: bike

The Daily Feed
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Sorry for the Re-Stealing

Photo courtesy of
‘Bike Backlit’
courtesy of ‘Amber Wilkie Photography’

Whenever I’m having a bad day, I head over to passiveaggressivenotes.com to find people who are having a much worse day.  I was happy to find a DC-based note yesterday about a bike.  Here’s the text of the note:

“This bike was stolen 2 Fridays ago near 14th and Q.  I am taking it back now.  Sorry for the re-stealing.”

I don’t think this is passive aggressive as much as it is completely awesome.  I’d love to hear the story of the rightful owner of this bike who had it stolen and recovered within 2 weeks.  So mysterious Washingtonian with the yorkie stationery, where are you?

The Daily Feed
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Ready Your Wheels

Photo courtesy of
‘Bike Guys’
courtesy of ‘DrStarbuck’

If you’re participating in Bike to Work Day/Week next week, you’ll want to make sure your bike is in good working order beforehand.  Luckily, Rachel at Ace Hardware let us know about Ready Your Wheels Day at 5th Street Ace Hardware.  Stop in to the store between noon and 4 PM this Saturday for a free wheel adjustment, minor bike fixes, and some tips on how to keep your bike in good shape.  And to sweeten the deal, there will be refreshments and free bike lights and helmets!

Don’t worry if you can’t make it this Saturday, as these bike clinics will be held every two weeks during the summer.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Now, Get There by Bike with Google Maps

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Today at the National Bike Summit going on at the Reagan Building, Google Maps announced it is now giving directions by bike.

The new feature includes step-by-step bicycling directions; bike trails outlined directly on the map; and a new “Bicycling” layer that indicates bike trails, bike lanes, and bike-friendly roads.

Time estimates for routes are based on an algorithm that takes into account variables such as the length of the route, the number of hills, and fatigue over time…maybe doughnuts eaten over the winter, too?

You can find it at http://maps.google.com/biking, or from the “get directions” drop-down menu.

The Daily Feed
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2012 Giro d’Italia To Kick Off In DC?

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_0045’
courtesy of ‘briser50’

We got a phonecall from our friends at WCSA and it seems that Velonation has jumped the gun. Tomorrow’s event is only a rally in support of DC’s bid and not an actual announcement of DC’s formal involvement. We regret the error and hope to post this story again soon.

Tomorrow, according to Velonation, Mayor Fenty, Italian Ambassador Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata and Giro d’Italia organizer Angelo Zomegnan will announce that the first stage of the 2012 race will be held in DC. This will mark the first time a Grand Tour event has ever been staged outside of Europe.

The Italian periodical, Il Sole 24 Ore, reports that the 2012 race will begin on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, by the National Archives, will then pass by the FBI building, Freedom Plaza, the Ellipse, move behind the White House, onwards to the obelisk at the Department of State, Virginia Avenue, Watergate, Rock Creek Park and back. The riders, coaches, press, staff, etc. will then get on a plane, fly to Italy, land the next morning, have the day off and then bike their little biker butts off for the rest of the race. Phew! Better start carbo-loading.

This is great news for the US, as cycling continues to increase in popularity, and for DC, as we’ve got a strong biking community and because we’re obviously a wonderful host city.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Nowhere to Run…or Bike

Good day for a ski

Good day for a ski

Heading out to the towpath this weekend, I didn’t expect to see it plowed. But I was surprised to see it wasn’t packed down. In some areas, like near Fletcher’s Boathouse, there is plenty of loose snow not suitable for running or biking, and not all that easy for walking, either. (Hint: Snowshoes ROCK.)

The Capital Crescent Trail there doesn’t look much better. Nearer Georgetown, so many large trees are across it that people have blazed a winding path. (See recent reports.) Sure, it’s pretty for a weekend hike, but what about training for that upcoming 10K — or more importantly, biking on it to work? Especially when the roads are a mess?

The WashCycle has plenty to say about the matter. Saturday’s The Ice Storm post talks about why the trails aren’t plowed, then requests that people contact trail managers and ask The Post‘s Dr. Gridlock to address the issue in his chat today at noon.

Paul McCray of Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority says in the comments the W&OD trail staff will start clearing snow this week. The upcoming rains also may wash away a lot of it.

Did you hit the trails this weekend? If so, what did you find?

The Daily Feed
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See the Holiday Lights by Bike

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_0392’
courtesy of ‘ubrayj02’

What’s that bright light in the sky? Why it’s a house decked out in holiday lights.

To see a bunch up close, take a spin in the Arlington holiday lights bike ride this Sunday night, Dec. 13, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

BikeArlington and Conte’s Bike Shop are hosts; meet at Conte’s at 3924 Wilson Blvd., and pick up a bike light at a discount before the ride if you need one. Helmets are required. Bring along a $10 gift card from Borders, Target, Best Buy, etc. for the Warriors in Transition program at Walter Reed and be entered in a drawing for a Conte’s gift card.

All speeds are welcome; they’ll wait for everyone. So deck your bike and come see the show.

The Daily Feed
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Bicycle Film Festival This Weekend

Photo courtesy of
‘lonely’
courtesy of ‘m hoek’

If you like riding bikes and watching films, have I got the activity for you this weekend!  The Bicycle Film Festival is visiting 37 cities this year, and this weekend is DC’s turn!  Tonight is the kick-off party at Asylum and film screenings are tomorrow at the Navy Memorial Theater at 5, 7, and 9 PM.  There’s something for everyone– topics range from cyclocross to the world’s longest bike race and bike polo.  Tickets to screenings are $8 and are available online.

As for how to get there?  Um, hello.  Ride your bike.  WABA will be providing free valet bike parking!

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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Another Reason to Play Hooky

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Tomorrow afternoon, more than 100 bicyclists will be arriving in our fair city, fresh off a 300-mile journey that began on Saturday in New York City. They make up the Brita Climate Ride, which supports climate and bicycling advocacy projects.

Slip out of work early tomorrow (you know, when it will be sunny and 67 degrees), and you can join them for their final three miles and the D.C. Climate Ride Rally on the West Lawn of the Capitol to call for action on climate change and renewable energy.

Show up at Thompson Boat Center parking lot at 3:15 sharp to ride, or greet the riders at the rally itself at 3:45. Tell your boss you’ll be right back at that report, just as soon as you save the planet.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
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A Morning Spin

Photo courtesy of
‘morning’
courtesy of ‘placid casual’

If you’re still looking for something fun to do tomorrow (and beat the rain, currently forecast to hold off ’til afternoon), explore an area you might not have seen before on the ‘Round the Anacostia Bike Ride and Historic Tour.

Rides range from 5 to 32 miles, leaving from Bladensburg Waterfront Park and stopping at places like Montpelier Mansion, Riversdale House Museum and Lake Artemisia.

The event is meant to promote the history and natural beauty of the Anacostia River, while highlighting the need to restore the river. In addition to good exercise, you’ll get breakfast, a picnic lunch, a t-shirt, pontoon rides on the river, and more.

The Daily Feed
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Try a Tri

Photo courtesy of
‘Nation’s Triathlon’
courtesy of ‘noahdevereaux’

The Examiner has a great article out today about cheap triathlon opportunities put on in the DC area. Triathlons are notoriously expensive, but the DC Tri Club puts on $5 training triathlons (about the distance of a sprint triathlon) throughout the summer at Hains Point. It’s a great way to try out the sport and see if you want to commit to a USAT-sanctioned triathlon.

I’m a member of the DC Tri Club and a recent graduate of their fantastic New Triathlete Program, and after finishing my first triathlon last month, I’m hooked. I’m gearing up for DC’s own Nation’s Triathlon in just a few weeks, which brings 6,000 triathletes to swim (the Potomac River), bike (Rock Creek Park), and run (Hains Point and the Mall). Apparently DC is becoming a major triathlon city, so why not give it a shot?

The Daily Feed
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Be the First to Bike the Wilson Bridge

Photo courtesy of
‘Wilson Bridge – Point the Way – 12-29-08’
courtesy of ‘mosley.brian’
If you’re all revved up from your morning ride today on Bike to Work Day, you may be glad to know you’ll soon have a new route for commuting–or simply playing outside, carbon free–starting Saturday, June 6. The multi-use Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail, built for two-wheeled and two-footed travel, will open at 1 p.m., on what just happens to be National Trails Day.
Continue reading →

Talkin' Transit, The Daily Feed
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Work Starts on Union Station Bike Center

Union Station Construction

The Union Station driveway by 1st St NE (directly above the Metro station) has been fenced off and is ready to be dug up for the upcoming Union Station Bicycle Center, a futuristic-looking glass-and-steel dome beside the Metro with secure bike racks, changing rooms, and storage lockers for DC bicyclists. DDOT expects to have the Center finished by next spring. Continue reading →