Java Update

JavaNov
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna.

The little puppy that appeared at bikes@vienna in March has grown. Java has become a "big, brown dog". She has two basic speeds which are on and off. It would be fine if "on" was not so frenetic. "Off" is sweet with her lying down on your feet so she knows when you're moving.

Absent from this photo is a colorful Vienna Dogs handkerchief which Java wears to work. We get questions about the Vienna Dogs attire. It can be found at www.viennadogs.org. Perhaps a holiday gift idea? Proceeds help support the Vienna Dog Park on Old Courthouse Road.

Mary's Ride

Mary'sRide
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna.

This handsome group of riders went out on Saturday morning after Thanksgiving. Mary Buckwalter, shown in the center of the front row, invited friends and family to the Saturday morning ride. Mary is patron of bikes@vienna. She is energetic in promoting cycling, researching new products, and sharing her love of riding. We appreciate her.

This group includes many long time customers, riders on our Full Moon Rides, and riders in the Halloween Parade. They enjoy cycling and they have a good time.

"No Go" for the Guilt Reduction Ride

Happy Thanksgiving,

The Guilt Reduction Ride is a "No Go" for this morning.  Surfaces are wet and there is a mist falling with another weather front coming toward us.

The CHO Food Drive continues for several weeks.  The Holiday Stroll on Church Street which is this coming Monday evening would be a great time to bring by your contributions of foodstuff.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

The Bike Friday Family Tandem for the Holidays

FamilyTandem
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna.

I ordered this Family Tandem for the holiday season. This Bike Friday is very adjustable so it will accommodate a wide range of adults and adults riding with children. It has a basic 8 speed drivetrain which serves the needs of many riders.

You get all this adjustability and because it is a Bike Friday it can be disassembled for packing and transport. This is a bike that you can ride near home or on the other side of the world. It opens doors to so many uses.........that's why it is a perfect holiday gift

Blue Sky Cycling Cart for Austin

Ruby's
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna.

The Ruby family came to visit us last weekend. They were looking at the Blue Sky Cycling Cart for son, Austin. Blue Sky builds a cart with a molded seat that has a five point strap system. The cart will accomodate up to 200 pounds. It has options that allow the individual to be enclosed or (as we did for this test ride) open to the world. The connection to the bike is at the seatpost.

Austin's little sister helped her father, Keith, do a test ride. The Ruby's ordered a cart for Austin. It should provide Austin and the whole family with lots of riding enjoyment.

Come talk to us about a Blue Sky Cycling Cart if you have a family member with special needs that you want to enjoy the experience of cycling.

Tim at UBI

As was mentioned earlier, our head mechanic, Tim Fricker, is attending a two week class at the United Bicycle Institute. The class is entitled Chromoly Brazing Frame Building. Tim is featured on the UBI class photo page. We're anxious to check out his work; with luck he'll return with a completed bike frame.

Guilt Reduction Ride at 8:30 AM on Thanksgiving morning

You are invited to join me for bikes@vienna's Guilt Reduction Ride on Thanksgiving morning. I start serving hot cider and oatmeal/raisin cookies at 8 AM. The ride starts at 8:30 AM going west on the W&OD Trail. The ride will go to the train station in Herndon and return to Vienna. You can go further or ride less depending on your schedule.

The ride is called the Guilt Reduction Ride because many of us will over consume during this day of feasting. If you've ridden twenty miles in the morning then you should be able to feel less guilty. The second reason is that you are asked to bring food stuffs for the Committee Helping Others (CHO) Food Drive. You will have acted to help others during the holiday season and that reduces guilt. Please invite friends and family to join you and bring lots of food stuffs for CHO.

If the weather is questionable you can call the bikes@vienna number (703.938.8900) after 7 AM to learn if we plan to ride.

Adaptive Cycling Equipment in 2007

bikes@vienna is known for recumbents, trikes, tandems, and folding bikes. We relish the opportunity to help people find a way to enjoy cycling.

We're working this fall and winter to identify, test, and then acquire equipment which will allow more people to experience the joy of cycling. This means that we're looking at trailers, trail-a-bikes, trikes, and tandems which meet special needs,

The Greenspeed GTH shown in the photo is an example of a high end trike developed for commuting and touring. The trike is a handcrank model outfitted with 54 speeds, drum brakes, rear fender, and rear view mirror. This model will appeal to an adult who is serious about cycling.

You'll see other examples here for kids and adults in the next couple of weeks. We've found that our customers give us great ideas, feedback. and contacts. Adaptive cycling equipment is expanding into new frontiers for us so we need your help. Please email us with your suggestions. Send your messages to john@bikesatvienna.

Back to school

Tim Fricker, our head mechanic, is attending a frame building class at United Bicycle Institute, affectionately known as “Bike School”. He has a passion for lug-framed steel bikes, and you can read about his current stable of bikes on our articles page. We're anxious to see the results of his classwork; if he is lucky and has the time, he should return with a complete bike frame.

Crash Dummies Ride in Halloween Parade

Romello
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna.

We had a number of creative costumes in our group that rode in the Halloween Parade. In the item below you can see a photo of Geoff and Sandi in their clown costumes. The Romellos came as Crash Dummies which were terrific. There was a bit of a chill in the air and I suspect they were warmer than most of us under those masks.

I was pleased with our turn out to ride in the parade. The crowd response was very positive to our riders.

Monster Mash on Maple

That's the title of the series of photos from the Vienna Halloween Parade in the Vienna Connection. As you know, bikes@vienna cyclists participate in the parade each year and gather at the shop afterwards for refreshments. We had a great time this year and there were some wonderful costumes on display.

Our own Geoff Steele and his wife are featured in their clown costumes, riding their recumbent tandem. For a photo of Al Tyre on his Catrike 700 slapping fives with the enthusiastic crowd, check out the printed version. Plan on joining us next year.