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Comparing a Marathon to Randonneuring
Every once in a while, someone asks me how a marathon compares to randonneuring. Running versus randonneuring was also a recent topic on the “randon” list, one of the main randonneuring listservs. Having just completed a marathon as well as a flèche and a 300K within a month’s timeframe, I thought I’d share my own… Continue reading
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Back on My Two Feet: The Potomac River Run Marathon
After doing the Rock and Roll Half-Marathon in mid-March, which I had originally planned to run as a full, I was eager to see if there might be another opportunity for me to try 26.2 miles in one go. Lucky for me, the Potomac River Run Marathon was scheduled for May 5, a weekend of no… Continue reading
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How Do You Move Through the Stoplights?
Have you ever thought about how much traffic lights influence your commute? I bet you have. Traffic lights might have even figured into how you originally laid out your commute route. I bet you know every single stoplight on your route by heart. You know exactly where it is, and precisely how long it takes… Continue reading
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Progress in the Gym and at the Dinner Table
Part 1: The Gym, the Rides, and the Runs Another month has flown by since I made a more earnest commitment to the gym. It’s been three months now. In April, I visited the gym three times per week (identical to March), and primarily focused on the following types of activities: core strengthening, including planks,… Continue reading
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What Are Your Brevet Essentials?
I’m curious about what randonneurs carry on brevets. I’ve noticed over the years of randonneuring with Felkerino that I’ve developed my own little list of rando-essentials that I tend to take along “just in case.” Lots can happen when out riding all day. Weather can change suddenly, your body can start to not feel so… Continue reading
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The River Runner Century
Saturday’s weather was so stellar that Felkerino and I agreed to spend the day together out on the bike. I know that must be shocking news to all of you reading this. This time of year is wonderful for riding. The humidity has not yet settled into the area, overnight temperatures are high enough that… Continue reading
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The Blue Ridge Parkway, Broken Bottom Brackets, and Trail Magic
Lately I’ve been remembering Felkerino’s and my short-lived honeymoon bike tour from four years ago. This adventure happened before I brought this blog to life, but on occasion I like to recall some of these blasts from the past. This story is particularly special to me and not just because it was our honeymoon. It… Continue reading
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What’s Your Advice on City Cycling?
With the influx of riders taking to the streets this spring (oh how I’ve dreamed of using the word influx in a post), I thought I’d feature the advice BikeDC peeps have shared about cycling in the city. The BikeDC Speaks interview series featured eight D.C.-area cyclists– six women and two men– and their perspectives… Continue reading
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Second Chances: The D.C. Randonneurs 300K Brevet
This past Saturday, the D.C. Randonneurs ran their 300K brevet out of Warrenton, Virginia. It was my third time on this particular 300K route (although I did ride it one additional time as a no-credit “fun ride”), and I was determined to make this year a different experience than 2012. Continue reading
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Adios, Spin Classes
This past month I canceled one of my gym memberships. It’s sort of a long story, but I had maintained two gym memberships since switching jobs in October, and a cost-benefit analysis led me to the decision to keep only one. I was surprisingly sad to cancel my membership, but I could not rationalize keeping… Continue reading
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A Case of the Rando-Blearies
Every year around this time, I experience the rando-blearies. Despite commuting and riding centuries-plus year round, when the temperatures rise and the sun lingers longer in the sky, I want to be out there even more. It doesn’t help that I’m married to Felkerino, my partner in all things bicycling and beyond. Oh, you are… Continue reading
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Spring Fever: On the Bike, Off the Clock
This weekend’s spectacular weather made for an invitation to ride that Felkerino and I could not refuse. We ditched the indoors for a weekend of riding with friends. Saturday, we oiled the chain on the Co-Motion tandem and met up with Barry B. and Lane G. for a meander from Poolesville, Maryland, to Shepherdstown, West… Continue reading
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Shake It Off, Let It Go: Running Free
Today I went running for the first time since I finished the fleche. I wanted to give my knees a couple of days to stop feeling wonky. You’re welcome, knees. My weekday route is a fun three-mile stretch that takes me from the foot of the U.S. Capitol to the World War II Memorial and… Continue reading
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Team Definite Maybe: a Quick D.C. Randonneurs Fleche Summary
So much happens on a group ride like the fleche. Teams cover over 225 miles in an intense 24-hour period. It can be overwhelming in retrospect. For me, it’s often easier to focus on the memories that emerge after the event ends and some time has passed. Recollections of a ride can be so distinct… Continue reading
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Pre-Ride Ruminations on the Flèche: A Social, Yet Serious, Bike Ride
This week, 13 teams (65 randonneurs) in the D.C. metropolitan area are in the throes of final preparations for the weekend’s flèche. Felkerino and I are participating as part of Team Definite Maybe, a team of three of our riding buddies and us. In our case, that translates to five people on four bikes. As… Continue reading
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From Fun to Focused: an Update on the Gym
It’s been two months since I shook up my gym routine with a more focused workout plan. Since that time I’ve been trying (mostly successfully) to go to the gym twice a week to do my customized workouts. Outside of the gym, I’ve stayed active on the bike and somewhat active with running. I logged… Continue reading
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Errandonnee Prize Distribution Update!
Greetings readers and errandeurs. This message is to update you on the status of the distribution of the Errandonnee goodies. Continue reading
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How to Make the City a Better Place for Cyclists
As I wrote last week, I’m bringing back the BikeDC Speaks series to highlight some of the questions and issues it raised. This time, I’m also asking you to share your ideas and suggestions. Last week’s post asked about the best advice anyone ever gave you about cycling. This week’s question is: What could the… Continue reading
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Blossomwatch 2013!
On March 20 of last year, the cherry blossoms peaked in Washington, D.C., and by this time of the month only the most stalwart of flowers clung to the trees. That is far from the case this time around, where the tourists have arrived in droves to appreciate the blossoms that have yet to cover… Continue reading
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The New Old Feelings of Randonneuring Rides
Now that spring is here, the longer rides have begun for Felkerino and me. This weekend, we packed in a 155-mile ride on Saturday (Felkerino wrote an excellent post about it here) and a 37-mile recovery ride on Sunday. Saturday’s ride was in preparation for our upcoming 24-hour, 360 kilometer flèche. In order to avoid… Continue reading
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What’s the Best Advice Anyone Gave You about Cycling?
Back in the fall, I put together a series that explored D.C.-area cyclists’ views and experiences about riding in the city. #BikeDC Speaks featured 8 local cyclists– six women and two men. Some contributors began commuting regularly within the last year or two while others have commuted for several years. Thanks again to all the people… Continue reading
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Ride My Age Birthday Ride
This week I celebrated my birthday by riding what has become an annual “Ride My Age Birthday Ride,” where I ride my age in miles. In order to not feel rushed (because every year this ride takes just a little longer) I took the day off and headed out of the city via the C&O… Continue reading
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D.C. Rock & Roll 1/2 Marathon: Sometimes Halfway is Far Enough
This past weekend D.C. hosted the Rock & Roll Marathon and 1/2 Marathon. This event occurs right around St. Patrick’s Day as well as my birthday, and it has an incredibly festive feel. Runners dress in green, wear costumes, put on kilts, and sport an abnormal amount of plaid for a running event. The day… Continue reading
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WABA’s 2013 Vasa Ride: It’s All About the Blueberry Soup
This Sunday, Felkerino and I participated in WABA’s annual Vasa Ride, a bicycling event conceptualized loosely around Sweden’s Vasaloppet cross-country ski race. The ride begins and ends at the House of Sweden and all participants receive a cup of blueberry soup (or Blåbärssoppa, if you’re fancy) at the finish. Our early spring schedule left a hole for… Continue reading
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Errandonnee 2013: Finishers and Honorable Mentions
The time has arrived to announce the 2013 successful Errandonnee finishers and Honorable Mentions. Before I do, though, I just want to say what a fabulous time I’ve had getting to know all the errandeurs and getting to know a little bit of how you make a go of doing errands by bike in your… Continue reading
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Make Your Own Cue Sheet Holder
Someone recently asked me what I use for a cue sheet holder when I ride. There are a variety of ways to affix a cue sheet to your bike, but the method I’ve been quite happy with over the years is one that Felkerino taught me. Felkerino makes cue sheet holders that affix to your… Continue reading
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Sunday Joy Ridin’ on the Rivendell Romulus
Felkerino and I decided to go on a post-200K brevet joy ride today to bask in the recently arrived warm weather and pay a visit to family out in Northern Virginia. Because of all the stop-and-go movement of the urban environment, we left the tandem in the Dining Room Bike Shop and opted for single… Continue reading
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Errandonnee Rewind: Eric P. of BikeDC Becomes a Utility Cyclist
As my blog staff compiles results, I’m taking a few posts to share some Errandonnee participants’ adventures who chose to share their stories, not through Twitter or blogs, but through their control card or narratives. This week features BikeDC friend and errandeur Eric P., who tells a lively story of how the Errandonnee helped foster… Continue reading
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Errandonnee, the Blog Victory Lap
I received so many great blog entries about people’s Errandonnees that I had to do one more blog roundup. Soon I’ll be back to announce the finishers and honorable mentions, but while I homologate results, check out these fine errandeur write-ups. Continue reading
Chasing MailBoxes 