This blog is about life from a cyclist’s perspective in and around the Washington, D.C., area.
Originally from Iowa, the District has been home for more than 10 years. My husband, Felkerino, and I are regular commuters and utility cyclists.
We ride brevets (mostly on our Co-Motion tandem) with our local club, the D.C. Randonneurs. We have completed three 1200Ks together (including Paris-Brest-Paris), rode the Endless Mountains 1000K.
From time to time, we escape the city and go bicycle touring.
I see the bicycle as a lifeline. I use it for commuting, transportation, exploration, and recreation. In a year, I average around 8,000 miles of pedaling.
Felkerino and I have several bikes between us, and store them in what we fondly call the Dining Room Bike Shop. You can read more about my bikes on the “Bikes I Ride” tab.
PBP 2011 (c) Greg Conderacci
I am a fan of running, too, and am one of those people you might see sneaking in a quick run on the National Mall during their lunch break. I run-commute and have completed nine marathons.
Run Commute by the Smithsonian
Thanks for reading! Have a comment, but don’t want to post it? Get in touch with me via the “Contact” tab. You’ll also find some of my randonneuring thoughts and experiences over at The Daily Randonneur.
All written content as well as photos (c) MG, unless otherwise specified. Please do not use it without requesting (and receiving) permission.
~MG
I notice you’re quite a collector of bikes. Any views about the best bike for cross-country touring?
Having not toured cross-country, I can’t make a recommendation. My husband do most of our touring on tandem. I have friends who could give you ideas; one I recommend is Nicholas of Gypsy by Trade: http://gypsybytrade.wordpress.com/.
If I were to set out on a solo tour tomorrow, I would take my Surly Long Haul Trucker. It is moderately priced, rides great fully loaded, and fits me well.
Thanks for the feedback. Is the Surly Long Haul
Trucker available at local bike shops, or only via mail order? Thanks for the link to Nicholas…very interesting blog, photos and narrative.
I test rode and purchased mine from a local shop here in D.C. a few years back– City Bikes in Adams Morgan. I believe that BicycleSPACE also carries them.