Super Heroes

GeoffSteele
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna.

Geoff Steele (right) is shown with a super hero wannabee on a street corner on RAGBRAI. Geoff comes to the store on Sundays after church to help people test ride bikes. He rode on RAGBRAI with us this year and shot hundreds of delightful photos that he has generously shared. Geoff is a writer, photographer, bike connoisseur, and much more. He has not found a recumbent built by Dick Ryan that he didn't long to purchase.

Geoff and his wife, Sandy, ride a Ryan Duplex, a Bike Friday Twosday, and individual Bike Fridays. Geoff commutes by bike from their home in Arlington to work in Washington.

You have to like a guy that will mug for a photo with an unknown super hero in front of a line of porta potties. We like him. Come to the store on a Sunday afternoon and we can arrange for you to have your photo taken with Geoff. You'll have to bring your own super hero outfit and line of porta potties.

A New Standard for Riding Apparel

tuxedoman1
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna.

I was moving a bike when out of the corner of my eye I saw Dave Taylor pedaling up the alley across from our parking lot. I looked up just as he went behind a parked car. I stood up to get a better look and I saw the yellow helmet coming up Church Street to our alley.

Then he was coming down the alley and yes he was wearing a tuxedo. He looped the parking lot in front of the store and I noticed a rose placed in the water bottle nestled in the Vision seatpack. Some people can make an entrance......Dave Taylor is one of them.

Dave brought his Vision in for some service. He test rode a Tour Easy and talked about riding across the country ( I did not ask if he planned to wear the tuxedo). He ran some errands in town and I took him to the Metro after we closed the store.

Ces came in the door from work and told me she had just seen a man at the Metro Station wearing a tuxedo and carrying a bike helmet. I said......."Sure, that's Dave Taylor and he gets your attention doesn't he?"

Riding RAGBRAI with family and friends

Day1RAGBRAI, originally uploaded by bikes@vienna.

This photo is from the first morning of RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa). Daughter Sara and I were ready to start riding as the sun came up. We rode on a Barcroft Columbia. The bike performed wonderfully. I appreciated the disc brakes because we were on numerous downhill glides and in crowds you need to be prepared to ride defensively.

This year's route was 444 miles. We had one flat and no other issues in the six and one half day ride. Sara and Ces (my wife) alternated the days that they rode with me. Ces joined me for what was the toughest day with twenty-two substantial hills between Manning and Ida Grove, a head wind, and temperatures in the mid nineties. Sara was with me when Lance Armstrong whizzed past just before we pulled into Ladora.

It was a wonderful week. RAGBRAI is extra fun because Ces and I grew up in Iowa. We get to visit family and friends as we ride across the state. It was especially fun to share the experience with members of the Hopwood extended family, Geoff Steele, and our son-in-law, Drew Holloway.

Geoff Steele took this photo and hundreds more. I'll try to share several more that may give you a flavor of this American classic which will celebrate thirty-five years in 2007.

Full Moon Ride

We had a great turnout for the Full Moon Ride on Tuesday, August 8, 2006. About 20 people showed up, including two visitors from out of town who rented bikes for the ride to the Reston Town Center. There was a long line at the Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, but it was worth the wait. We made for quite a sight, our long line of lighted bikes and trikes riding along the trail.

Suggestions for future moonlight ride destinations are welcome. We will try to do the ride again on Tuesday, September 7, 2006 at 8 p.m. See our Events page for more info.

Web site back up

After a brief meltdown, the server hosting our Web site is now back up. Sorry for the disruption.