Category: Bikes to Like

Bikes to Like

Summer Bike Sampler: Part 2 of 2

We’re back with Part 2 of the Summer Bike Sampler. All the bikes that follow were seen out and about in the Washington, D.C., area.

One day this summer I ventured over to Hains Point and encountered #BikeDC’s Brook and Ted out enjoying some laps in the late afternoon sun.
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Ted’s primary commuter is a pretty blue Brompton folding bike. Bromptons, based in England, have become extremely popular in urban areas over the last few years, as they are easily transportable and great for multi-modal commutes.

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Bikes to Like

Summer Bikes Sampler: Part 1 of 2

Summer winds down, Congress filters back into town, and kids return to school. I thought I’d take advantage of this in-between time to share some of the bicycles I had the pleasure of encountering over the past three months or so.

Some were seen on commutes around Washington, D.C., others spied during weekend rides and events, and still others spotted during my wonderful vacation in Boulder, Colorado.

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Since my commute route has changed I sometimes encounter this famous local person on his Surly Cross-Check. I know it’s hard to focus on the bike because of his awesome red Vans.

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Bikes to Like

Love at First Bike at Le Cirque du Cyclisme

Felkerino and I capped off our weekend with a trip to Le Cirque du Cyclisme, a vintage and handbuilt bike show in Leesburg, Virginia. The show featured bikes throughout the decades, from steeds made in the 1940s to modern handmade steel frames.

I perused the frames as though I was at an art exhibit. See bike. Stop. Pause. Absorb. Repeat. A variety of pretty pieces that caught my eye.

One bike, though, stopped me in my tracks as I drifted through the exhibit area. I don’t know how it happened. One minute I was looking at a Stanridge adorned with Swift Industries panniers and the next I found myself standing completely transfixed, in front of this bike. THE bike.

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Bikes to Like, Dining Room Bike Shop

Bikes to Like: Felkerino’s Cannondale T700 Tourer

Some people have inquired about the various steeds that call the Dining Room Bike Shop home. You can check out most of mine on the “My Bikes” page. Over the next few weeks (or however long that actually translates in terms of time I have to blog) I’ll be featuring the bikes Felkerino rides.

These reviews will not be uber technical so if spec description overload is what you seek, best go check out some other blog. Rather, they will be descriptions through my eyes, my eyes being those focused on the practical and other aspects that catch my attention.

First up is Felkerino’s aluminum, made in the USA, Cannondale T700 tourer. This bike, of 1992 vintage, is one of the first road bikes Felkerino ever owned as a grownup, and serves as his primary commuter.

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Bikes to Like, Trek

Bikes to Like: Rick R.’s Trek Elance 300 (650B Conversion!)

It’s all about bikes this week, and today features a guest post from Rick R. about his Trek Elance 300.

A North Carolina rider, Rick completed a full Super Randonneur series with the D.C. Randonneurs. Felkerino and I rode many miles with Rick (and Christian) on this spring’s Warrenton 300K. Felkerino and I joked that we were under attack by the 650B brigade, as both Rick’s Trek and Christian’s Terraferma are set up with 650B Grand Bois Hetre tires.

Riding similar paces allowed me to thoroughly admire Rick’s bike, and I’m so glad he agreed to be a guest contributor for Bikes to Like.

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Bikes to Like, Rivendell

Bikes to Like: Steve H.’s Rivendell, A. Homer Hilsen

It’s been a while, but today’s post features to another great Bikes to Like with Steve H.!

I met Steve on last year’s D.C. Randonneurs Flatbread 200K, and was quite taken with his bike, as well as its setup. I asked him if he would be part of Bikes to Like and, lucky for me, he agreed. Thanks, Steve! Please read on to get an inside look at Steve’s beautiful Rivendell.

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Bikes to Like, Surly

Bikes to Like: John R.’s Surly Long Haul Trucker

If you regularly read this blog, you probably know of my great affection for the Surly Long Haul Trucker. My Surly has proven itself to be a comfortable, reliable companion that doesn’t talk too much and will always offer to help carry my stuff.

This past year I met John R., who writes the thoughtful and engaging Porta-John blog, and is also rides a Surly for around-town riding as well as century rides. His bike has a beautiful setup and is in my favorite color Truckachino. Of course, I had to ask him if he’d guest post for me. As you can see, he said yes. Thanks, John!

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Bikes to Like, Dahon, Folders

Bikes to Like: Lauren K.’s Dahon Speed D7

Welcome to March, my favorite month of the year. What better way to kick it off than with another Bikes to Like? Yippee!

Lauren, a D.C. bike commuter and regular member of the #FridayCoffeeClub, rides around the city on small wheels. I haven’t seen too many small wheeled commuters out and about and when I spied her bike, I thought it would be an excellent addition to the Bikes to Like stable.

Thanks to Lauren for guest posting and sharing your bike with us. Enjoy!

Lauren and the Dahon on the Commute

1. What kind of bike do you have?

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Bikes to Like, Surly

Bikes To Like: Pedro Gringo’s Surly Troll

Avid cyclist and stalwart commuter Pedro Gringo is one of my favorite people from the flickrverse. I regularly check in on his two-wheeled activities, which range from power naps and puppy rescues to mountain biking and gear tests.

When I saw his fat bike (see how hip I am saying fat bike?), I knew it would make a great contribution to Bikes to Like. Thanks, Mr. Gringo!

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Bikes to Like, Trek

Bikes to Like: Dan’s 1987 Trek 330 Elance

I recently met Dan during a lunch stop on a 200K permanent that Felkerino and I were doing. Dan was riding a populaire with some friends out of Frederick, Maryland, and his group had stopped for lunch at the same establishment.

Everyone had placed their bikes wherever space allowed alongside the restaurant. Amid the menagerie of bikes, Dan’s Trek caught my eye. Subtle and elegant, with a thoughtful build. I asked Dan to be a Bikes to Like guest contributor and, as you can see from what follows, he was up for it. Thank you, Dan, for sharing the story of your bike!

Dan and his Trek

1. What kind of bike do you have?

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650B, Bikes to Like, Kogswell

Bikes to Like: Bob W.’s Kogswell Porteur Randonneur

Bob W. is one of the people who regularly organizes longer rides (centuries) up in the Baltimore area. I have not ridden with Bob (yet!), but regularly follow his travels through flickr. One of his randonneur bikes caught my eye, as he had recently put it through its paces on the well-known and challenging Deerfield Dirt Road Randonnee. I asked him if he’d guest post about his bike, and he agreed. Thanks, Bob, for being part of Bikes to Like!

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Bikes to Like, Recumbent

Bikes to Like: Dan B.’s P-38 Recumbent

It’s time for more Bikes to Like, and you know what’s not been getting any love in this series? The recumbent! To remedy that situation, I called on one of my favorite recument riders, Pittsburgh-based randonneur Dan B.

If you’ve ever met Dan, you know that he is one strong bike rider. Not only does he possess excellent endurance, his hill-climbing skills are amazing. Whenever I see him pedaling up a tough grade, I have to remind myself, “Dan is no ordinary recumbent rider.” He’s effortless!

Since he has put his steed through so many randonneuring and other endurance challenges, I asked him to share a little bit about his bicycle with me. He kindly agreed, and here is what he had to share about his bicycle.

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650B, Bikes to Like, Terraferma

Bikes to Like: Christian M.’s Terraferma

This year I had the pleasure of meeting Christian, who completed his first Super Randonneur series in 2011. I came to know Christian through his bicycle. There was something about the creamy orange paint that caught my eye; it looked like a delicious orange pushup. Intrigued by the bike’s careful setup as well as the 650B tires, I asked to feature Christian’s bike and he kindly agreed. Here’s what he had to say about his bike.

1. What kind of bike do you have?

I have a Molteni Orange Terraferma 650B.

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Bikes to Like, Rivendell

Bikes to Like: Kevin T.’s Rivendell Atlantis

Since we’ve been on the subject of randonneurs and coffeeneurs in Alaska, I thought I’d start out the week with a long overdue Bikes to Like, featuring my flickr friend and RBA of the Alaska Randonneurs, Kevin Turinsky. What kind of bike does this Alaska randonneur choose for the varied conditions Alaska offers? Read on and find out!

Kevin and Atlantis on an S240 (c) Kevin Turinsky

1. What kind of bike do you have?

A 2005 Rivendell Atlantis 61cm.

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Bikes to Like, Velo Orange

Velo Orange Mixte and a Meetup with the Severna Park Peloton

This weekend Felkerino and I went for our first bike ride of any significance since PBP; it was a grand total of 15 miles. Hey, not every ride can be epic, ok? Our legs felt good, yet we enjoyed taking it easy and tooling around.

Since holiday weekends also set up well for project bikes, Felkerino put in some time laboring on my Velo Orange  mixte and lo’, it looks fantastic! See for yourself! Continue reading “Velo Orange Mixte and a Meetup with the Severna Park Peloton”

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