Commute & Transpo
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Capital Bikeshare’s Christiania Bike
Christiania bike for Capital Bikeshare Originally uploaded by Gersemalina This week I saw one of the Christiania cargo bikes that Capital Bikeshare is using to service its Bikeshare stations. I learned about the Christiania bike through boxcycles, which imports the bikes from Denmark. The bike has internal gearing (7 speed, I think) and has disk… Continue reading
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DAR Constitution Hall, Robert Plant, and Capital Bikeshare
Tonight was so much fun! First, Felkerino and I saw Robert Plant and the Band of Joy (including two of my favorites, Patty Griffin and Buddy Miller) at DAR Constitution Hall! I thought the night couldn’t get any better, but I was wrong! Two blocks from DAR Constitution Hall is a Capital Bikeshare station. I… Continue reading
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Inclement Winter Days and Capital Bikeshare
When I looked out the window this morning, it didn’t look like a good day for bike commuting. Cloudy sky. Slush and snow on the sidewalks. I resigned myself to taking the Metro. En route to my station, however, I noticed that the roads were wet but clear, the rain/sleet/snow was not falling too furiously,… Continue reading
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Capital Bikeshare Makes Life Better
In my efforts to avoid Metro and breathe in the fresh Washington, D.C., air as much as possible, I’ve started riding Capital Bikeshare more frequently. Bikeshare is awesome! I just run over to the station nearest me, plug in my key to get a bike, yank the bike out as hard as I can, and… Continue reading
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Holy High Winds, Batman!
Somehow Washington, D.C., avoided the predicted snow, and we got only winds. Wow! I’m glad we didn’t get the snow, but those winds. WOW! I love commuting during the holidays, though, so I happily hopped on my bike and made for the office. Continue reading
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Santa Hat Helmet Cover = Extra Festive + Extra Nice Drivers?
Chasing Mailboxes readers!! I believe I have hit upon something brilliant and economical that combines the spirit of the holidays and cycling safety. It’s my Santa hat “helmet cover.” Since I began wearing this helmet cover, I’ve noticed drivers and pedestrians being especially nice to me. People have remarked, “Nice hat,” shouted “Ho ho ho,… Continue reading
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What Makes December Cycling Fun
Is it the balaclavas, booties, and lobster gloves? Think again. December is a fun month for commuting in Washington, D.C. because the streets and paths of the city become scarcely populated and the city brings out its holiday lights and decor to celebrate the season. It’s also a great month to be a cyclist for a… Continue reading
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Capital Bikeshare. Crazy Dreams Coming True.
If anyone had ever told me that one day in the future I would be able to walk around Washington, D.C., with a special key, pass by racks of bikes peppered throughout the city, insert my special key, and ride off with a bike underneath me I would have said “No way! That’s just a… Continue reading
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Farmers’ Market and a Rivendell Romulus!
My stop by the White House farmers’ market today proved particularly fruitful, not only in terms of the apples I bought, but also because of the bike I ended up spotting. Continue reading
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Commuter Kryptonite: Wheel Eating Pothole on 15th Street
Hi. Can anyone tell me what purpose this big hole on 15th Street serves? This bad boy, located in front of Old Ebbitt Grill near the corner of 15th and G, is a hazard to cyclists. Continue reading
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Metro? Sometimes, it’s alright.
Before beginning my commute Monday morning, I stepped outside, assessed the cold and wet, and resigned myself to a Metro ride. Bike riding? Eh, not this damp day, thanks. (Extra credit to all of you who rode, ok?) Continue reading
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Perfect Fall Friday!
I wasn’t going to post today, but the weather was so gorgeous in Washington, DC that it demanded some blog lines. Coming on the heels of a rainy and humid week, I’m certain this Friday was appreciated by many commuters. Continue reading
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A Cyclist Hurt my Feelings Today. Boo hoo.
While Alberto Contador was informing the world about his recent bout with food poisoning, I had my feelings hurt by a cyclist. You be the judge about which is worse. I know it’s difficult to believe that a cyclist would hurt another person’s feelings, given that all cyclists are nice people who care about everyone… Continue reading
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I Love Farmers’ Markets
Rain couldn’t keep me away from the famers’ market today. It didn’t daunt a lot of other people, either, and there was a nice assembly of people patronizing the White House farmers’ market after work. Continue reading
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D.C. Commute Scenes: Unicycle Style
Back on the bike, finally! Only for the shortest of rides, though. No matter. I still see cool things, even on the short route. Like this commute scene. Continue reading
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Sustenance in the City
I had a great time hitting the Thursday evening Farmers Market by the White House. I was on foot, of course. Post-1000K walking, remember? Check out these awesome veggies. Continue reading
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Tour Buses and My Commute
One of the things I loved the most about summer commuting was navigating the tour buses. It was great. My commute went from a somewhat sedate ride to one filled with anticipation of the unknown. Now the summertime bus traffic has ebbed somewhat, but there are still plenty out there. Many thoughts run through my brain… Continue reading
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Post-1000K Walking
Since the recent Endless Mountains 1000K, I haven’t pedaled one bit. Residual knee pain and general fatigue are the culprits. Knee pain is the randonneur superhero’s kryptonite, I’ve decided. Continue reading
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Bike and Roll and Pedicabs
Did anybody notice the awesome weather this afternoon? Tons of people were out, taking advantage of the afternoon sun and low humidity. One of the groups that caught my eye was Bike and Roll, a bicycle rental outfit that takes tourists on bicycle tours of the city. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a… Continue reading
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Flip Flop Commuters
There is a lot of controversy around the flip flop. Is there ever a time when it’s ok to wear them at the office? Are they appropriate for the Metro? Is there such a thing as a fancy flip flop? If you shouldn’t wear flip flops with your business clothes, are they acceptable as casual wear?… Continue reading
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No Money Fun: Gravelly Point
Did you know that National Airport is located right off of one of our local bike paths (the Mount Vernon Trail)? Of course you did! Did you also know that you can watch the planes blaze in for a landing right over your head at Gravelly Point, a park adjoining the Mount Vernon Trail? It’s… Continue reading
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The Lincolnometer
Summer is on, people. How do I know? The Lincolnometer tells me so. What’s the Lincolnometer, you ask? It is a gauge of what’s going on with tourism and to some degree, the weather, in Washington, D.C. The Lincolnometer is largely based on the people lurking around the Lincoln Memorial at any given moment. The… Continue reading
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Bikes to Like: The Surly Long Haul Trucker
First of all, way to go, rain commuters! That was quite a rain on the homeward trek, no? Lightning and everything! Now, on with the show. As I’ve mentioned, certain bikes on the commute really catch my eye. One of those is the Surly Long Haul Trucker, which I also use as my primary commute… Continue reading
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Arena Stage: Almost Finished!
For those of you who pass through Southwest via Maine Avenue, something exciting happened on Wednesday. The barricades blocking off one lane of Maine Avenue were removed and now people can actually walk on the new sidewalk by Arena Stage. It’s TRUE! I walked there myself. In addition, it looks like Arena will be back in their… Continue reading
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D.C. Commute Scenes: Spirit of Justice Park
This week, I had to run an errand near Capitol Hill. While in that neck of the woods, I took a couple minutes to pop into the Spirit of Justice Park. The park sits behind the Rayburn House Office Building between C and D Streets, Southwest. I think I’ve been in this park before, but… Continue reading
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D.C. Commute Scenes: Bikes on Cars. Six of them!
While I was en route to the office yesterday, I happened upon this. This car is carrying six bicycles, including a quint. Continue reading
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The Up-Side of Rain
The ho-hum commute became not so ho-hum this evening. A brief shower passed through our humid city and left behind a little present for the Washingtonians. The 14th Street Bridge may not make the most picturesque backdrop, but it made my day to see this colorful arc extending over the Potomac River. Continue reading
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Washington, D.C., Bike Parking Scenes
One of these things is not like the other One of these things just doesn’t belong… Can you figure out what it is? This was the status of the bike rack at my local grocery store Thursday evening. I know it’s not always easy for people to find a place for their dog to hang… Continue reading
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Rain Welcome, but Timing Needs Improvement
Did you know that in the past six days, the Washington, D.C., area has received over 3.77 inches of rain? Capitol Weather Gang told me so! I’m glad the area is getting rain because apparently we are at the beginnings of a drought. However, I do have an issue with the timing of the recent… Continue reading
Chasing MailBoxes 