New Hours as an Experiment

For this small business the question of when to be open in the winter has been a challenge. We have always been closed on Wednesdays all year round which is perplexing to many people. The last several winters we have closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Most bicycle businesses open mid to late morning and stay open through the early evening. We have noted for some time that when we open at 10 AM there is a flurry of business. There is another flurry during the lunch time. It goes quiet from 2 PM to after 5 PM and there is a flurry just before we close at 7 PM.

So I've decided to experiment on our hours this winter. We'll close on Tuesday and Wednesday as we have before. On the three weekdays we are open we'll open earlier at 7:30 AM and be open until 1:30 PM. We'll close at 1:30, but we'll reopen from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. No, my one visit to Barcelona hasn't made me aspire to a siesta. I'm trying to gauge if there is a market for being open earlier.

Will people come to the store on their way to work? That's what I'm trying to determine. I'll let you know how it is or is not working.

Here's our hours as of November 1:

Saturday 10-5
Sunday 11-5
Monday 7:30-1:30 5:30-7:30
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 7:30-1:30 5:30-7:30
Friday 7:30-1:30 5:30-7:30

As always, we will be happy to open earlier or stay open by appointment.

Rans HammerTruck has been ordered

hammertruck-s
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna

I have ordered a Rans HammerTruck which fits into the Work Cycles that bikes@vienna is moving into. Here is the description of the bike by the Rans folks:

The HammerTruck is a cargo hauler designed from the ground up incorporating our Crankforward design. As a Crankforward, it is an ideal package, since the lower seat and top tube height allows for easier mounting, controlling the bike at stop signs, and handling when loaded. At InterBike many cyclist instantly recognized the merits of using Crankforward design for a heavy hauler and took the “HammerTruck Challenge”. The bike was loaded 10 one-gallon water jugs, for an 80-pound load. Everyone was able to ride the bike back up the steep hill, and returned with positive comments about the smooth handling, great power transfer, plus the climb ability of the Crankforward position. We never told them there was any issue with standing and riding, and I observed many first time riders of CF taking to it naturally, the B-37 handlebars and curved riser placed forward make for a very inviting space to get off the seat and hammer it.

Based on the Dynamik the 4130 steel cro-moly frame is TIG welded and powder coated in a stunning silver and charcoal finish, all at our Hays Kansas plant. The custom frame features hard points to attach its made to order rack system. The rack consists of 1” and 1.125 aircraft aluminum tube, assembled using special fittings. The frame hard points are welded with tapped inserts, so removing the rack is a matter of 8 bolts and about 3 minutes. By itself the bike is a fun ride, even considering it’s wheelbase of 58.625”. All of our CF’s are longer than typical bikes, but the HammerTruck is another 9.125 inches over the Dynamik. The length makes the bike well suited to transport the loads, offering space to attach the large rack and bags. Being longer also means the design has to be stiffer in torsion. This is accomplished by adding a series of smaller tubes within the rear triangle. At 29.5 pounds, the bike is fairly light, and a very spirited ride, adding the tube rack, runners, sling bags, and runner covers bring it up to 42.5, still light compared to other long haulers. This is good, because a light strong, hauler can offer more net payload and better performance.

I'll let you know when the HammerTruck is here for test rides.

The 50 States and 13 Colonies Rides

Next Saturday, October 11th, WABA will stage the 50 States and 13 Colonies Rides in Washington, DC. What? The 50 States Ride? Yes, the riders will pedal on all of the streets in the District named after the 50 States. This is a 60 plus mile ride that goes through all eight wards of the District.

Registration for the rides begin at 8 AM at Walter Pierce Park on Adams Mill Road NW. The 50 States ride will depart at 8:30 PM. The 13 Colonies Ride which is under 15 miles will depart at 9 AM.

You can learn more at www.waba.org.

Historic View of Recumbents

In the 1930s English long distance cyclist, Evelyn Hamilton was in the news. A photo gallery of Evelyn shows her riding recumbents! Here's the promotional item:

"The latest in bicycles, direct from Paris, as shown at the Lightweight Cycle Show at the Royal Horticultural Cycle Hall, London. What is proclaimed to be the "Bicycle of the Future" is an entirely new conception of the bicycle. On this machine the rider sits as in an armchair and presses forward to the pedals thus being able to employ the leverage of the powerful muscles of the back to assist the pedalling thrust. Great speeds are attainable on this machine and one of the similar type but less advanced design, a continental rider has beaten records which the world's best riders had attacked in vain on normal mounts"

Thanks to Marty Walsh for sharing this information. You can see more photos of Evelyn Hamilton at: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/michael.bannon1/evelynhamilton/

Future bike classes

Our head mechanic Tim Fricker teaches a basic bike maintenance class on the first Wednesday of every month. While it is a popular and useful class, some people have requested a more advanced class or classes on different topics. We'd like to know what you think. We've added a link on our home page to a short survey on possible future bike classes so that we can determine interest in new classes.

Options for future classes include:

• Intermediate Maintenance and Repair
• The Bicycle Wheel
• How to Customize Your Bike to Suit You
• Bicycle Commuting Strategies

Sunday, October 12 - We'll have a Full Moon Ride

Please mark you calendar for a Full Moon Ride on Sunday, October 12th. Yes, that is the Sunday evening of the three day Columbus Day weekend. We will depart the bikes@vienna parking lot at 7 PM. Our destination is Reston Town Center for snacks and then a leisurely ride back to Vienna.

For a rider to participate they must bring their bike or trike, wear a helmet, and have a front and a rear light. We'll have little contest for the most creative cycle lighting scheme. There will be small prizes for lighting on cycle, lighting on clothing, and lighting on helmet.

There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that this ride is an effort on our part to sell more lights. But.....we will be open later that afternoon for riders who wish to purchase and install lights before the ride.

This is a fun, short ride. Why don't you join us?

Bob Meyer's Vienna to Pittsburgh Ride

I don't get to ride my bike as much as I did when I worked downtown and commuted by bike four days a week. So I enjoy the opportunities to learn about the rides my customers are taking. Bob Meyers sent me his photo album from his ride from Vienna to Pittsburgh in early August. I thought you might like to take the trip through Bob's lens.

Here are Bob's photoshttp://picasaweb.google.com/meyers.robert/BicycleTrip2008#

Thoughts on a September Morning

My Monday night channel changing led me to C-Span and Boone Pickens giving a speech at the National Press Club. Boone Pickens is trying to get attention for his plan to reduce reliance on foreign oil. He has met with the Presidential candidates. He is speaking in front of groups of news shapers. He's proposing a shift to natural gas as the fuel for commercial vehicles (trucks). He's leading the way to develop wind power for electrical generation with intent to shift personal vehicles to electricity. He is pressing for this nation to develop and institute a plan to stop "the largest transfer of wealth in the history of the world".

Go, Boone, go. Here is a man in his 80s trying to lead. I suggest you take five minutes and listen to his pitch. Go to www.pickensplan.com and watch his video.

Boone has got me thinking this morning about how I can promote cycling more effectively. Cycling has a role to play in moving us away from dependency on foreign oil.

Looking for Green Opportunities with Work Cycles.

You have seen several posts on this blog about the Batavus Personal Delivery bike with photos of packages and a well known Labrador being transported. This photo shows you another work cycle, the Yuba Mundo, that has the amazing capacity of 440 pounds able to be transported. For our demonstration we placed James on the back to show the capacity.

JamesMundo
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna

If you go to www.yubaride.com you can see a number of photos that show the practicality of the Mundo. bikes@vienna is seeking opportunities to show these work cycles to enterprises such as universities, healthcare facilities, shopping malls, storage facilities ..... anywhere it can be more efficient for a person to cycle instead of walk or where a smaller volume of items can be transported on a bike instead of a truck, Cushman, or gas powered vehicle of any type. .

bikes@vienna Grocery Getter

bikes@vienna Grocery Getter
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna

We submit for your consideration the bikes@vienna "Grocery Getter" This is a Burley Flatbed Trailer with a plastic container that can be sealed and could be locked. It has so many possibilities for use and is affordable at $235.

Just like many products at bikes@vienna it is possible to rent the "Grocery Getter" and if you decide to buy one within 60 days then we will credit what you've paid in rent towards the purchase of the item.

She's a CargoDog!

Yep, that's Java, John's sweet chocolate Labrador, on her way home with John one recent evening.

Just to give you an idea of all the things you never knew you could do with a bicycle!

A RAGBRAI Slide Show

Ces put together a RAGBRAI Slide Show this afternoon.

Ces took nice photos from the stoker seat of the Barcroft Columbia tandem.

Go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/43898776@N00/sets/72157606722645696/show/

A Bear Story from Southwest Virginia

Tom Kehr has been a customer of bikes@vienna for years and years. He and his family moved to southwest Virginia a couple of years ago. Tom stopped in the store this week and shared stories about his new home.

He sent me this email detailing his recent bear encounter...........

RE: That was NOT a Bag Lady…

That was NOT a bag lady getting into our trash cans yesterday morning… It was a bear. While I enjoy living out here in the “sticks” and fancy the wildlife that goes with it, this is a bit much.

I awoke at about 6:30 am to the sound of crashing metal trash cans. I got to the window in time to see Mr. Bear carrying a fully loaded white garbage bag around to the front of the house. He (or she – like I would know the difference), appears to be a young bear that was pushed out from mamma this Spring to fend for himself (said the suburbanite in expert voice).

A bear enjoying our garbage is not exactly want I want hangin’ ‘round the house. But, first things first. “Hey kids, wanna see a bear?” Recall this is at 0630 hours. Nothing normally stirs around this place at that hour during Summer vacation. I couldn’t have gotten a faster response using an air horn. (Kris is in the shower at this time, missing all the events up to this point, is by the way.)

Now that everyone had gotten a good look at the bear not 30 ft. from their bedroom window, it was time to make Mr. Bear’s stay less pleasant. As I have not yet exercised my Second Amendment Rights, I had to resort to more, ah, “primitive means” of discouragement. I opened the window and threw my shoe at him. Startled, but not persuaded to permanently depart, he returned to his treasure. So I threw the other shoe at him. Ah, Mr. Bear apparently really likes our garbage (featuring last night’s chicken as the main course) and isn’t bothered much by this. So, I did what any good coach would do – I threw a baseball at him. (From the front porch and within safe distance of the front door, mind you.) And then another. And a couple of softballs. I believe the final count was five baseballs and two softballs. Each time, while startled, Mr. Bear came back faithfully to enjoy his easy feast. Let’s try a REALLY LARGE wrench. Nope. Same result. Then some 2x4’s about 18 in or so long. No change. By this point, I’m running out of new ideas for projectiles and we decide to let him finish and go about his business.

In cleaning up what Mr. Bear left behind, we find him to be very through. I cleaned up only trash. No leftovers. Unlike my children, Mr. Bear cleans his plate thoroughly.

A call to the local Animal Control Officer about our encounter reveals that he suggests using a paint ball gun to discourage Mr. Bear. Ummm… Let’s paint the bear. I’m going to have to think that one over. Hopefully Mr. Bear doesn’t have a Concealed Carry permit or I’m in trouble.

So…. This morning, Mr. Bear returns at 0600 hours. Again, he announces his presence by the sound of crashing metal trash cans. But this time, something’s different. We’ve used bungee cords to keep the trash can lids on tight. The combination of this low technology approach and his lack of an opposing thumb thwarts his efforts this morning. But do recall from yesterday’s lesson, that Mr. Bear is not easily persuaded to depart. I next find him on our back deck outside our kitchen as well as my office. What do I do this morning? Still unarmed with any real persuasive means, I open my office door and holler REALLY LOUDLY to frighten him. Again, startled but not departing, he wanders around the house, his nose up against various windows. You know how you might bang on a window to try and get something off the other side? Like maybe your dog has his muddy paws on the glass door? Imagine this scene: Mr. Bear is up against the house with his nose pressed up against my living room window. And I’m banging on the window where his nose is. “Bad bear! Now go lie down!” might be your imagery and you would be correct.

You might be interested to know that the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has a video available entitled “Living with Black Bears in Virginia”.

It’s available if you scroll down on this page: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/video/?video=1

How very thoughtful of the Commonwealth.

2008 Believable Hope Conference

2008 Believable Hope Conference
Originally uploaded by Liz Reitz

This photo taken by Liz Reitz at the UCP 2008 Believeable Hope Conference catches me talking about Draisin products. The United Cerebral Palsy Annual Meeting was held in Washington earlier this summer. I just discovered the photo in the annual meeting photo stream.

The interest in cycling products for individuals with special needs continues to grow.

Mira on the Kidz Tandem

MiraKidzTandem
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna

Allow me a little grandparent equal time which must be required somewhere in the grandparent world. Mira is visiting from Seattle this week so we have been out riding the Kidz Tandem. You'll notice that Elmo rides with us in Mira's left hand. Yes, Mira likes to ring the Lady Bug bell.

Mira is almost three. She likes to ride on the Kidz Tandem.

The Beekeeper Statue

Statute
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna

Our digital photography is typically photos of family and bicycles. Ces was taking photos the other day as I looked through my bee hives. She clicked this photo of her geraniums with me in the background looking at a frame as I tried to locate the queen. I look like a statue.

Batavus bike arrives

Earlier John discussed the new Batavus Personal Delivery Bike that he saw at Interbike this year. It arrived yesterday and John promptly assembled in and took the first test ride. That's him with a boxed bike on the front rack, held on by a bungie cord. There is room for a couple of more boxes on the rear rack.

The bike comes with a Shimano Dynamo front hub for the lighting system, a three-speed Shimano Nexus rear hub, and an integrated lock for the rear wheel. It's a very stable, comfortable ride. Why not stop in for a test ride.

Batavus Personal Delivery Bike

Batavus Cargo
Originally uploaded by Hugger Industries

During InterBike I took photos of this Batavus Personal Delivery Bike. They did not come out as nice as this photo from Flickr that was uploaded by Hugger Industries.

Last week we had a conversation in the store about how many people come into the store and comment on how our business must be growing with the escalating cost of gasoline. While we are see some increased interest in baskets, racks and panniers it is still a trickle compared to what people assume is happening.

This Batavus Personal Delivery Bike and sales of similar bikes to this one will be a signal that Americans are moving to the bicycle for transportation. I expect to see growing sales of folding bikes first. The lack of bike routes and safe bike access will lead to people driving to a location, unfolding their folder and doing their errands in that area with their gasoline powered vehicle parked.

I suppose that you can call this intermodal transportation. I expect to see more folding bike to Metro trips. Change is coming and like everyone else I am trying to figure it out.

This coming week we'll have a Batavus Personal Delivery Bike in the store for a test. No it is not a recumbent or trike or folding bike, but it is a niche and you know how I like niches.

The Bromptons are Here!

Okay, I'll send out the word, since I was the big advocate for carrying them... our first shipment of Brompton folding bikes has arrived! These bikes are handbuilt in England, and feature a quick and ingenious folding system that makes for a remarkably compact package. And added feature is that they have rollers that make it possible to roll them around when folded.

We have an assortment of colors and at least one each of the three different handlebar designs... see our home page for an explanation, or go to:

http://www.brompton.co.uk/

To see the fold in action, check out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3tgdlk8xl

So how do they ride? Great! Sure, it won't make you throw out your favorite recumbent or road bike, but you'll be surprised at how "normal" it feels and how fun it is to ride. So come on in and give one a spin.

Now that they're here, boy do I want one!


An interesting feature is that when you tuck the rear wheel under the bike (the first step in folding), the bike ends up free-standing, allowing you to "park" the bike:







And to the left you see the bike fully folded... a very tiny package!

Battle of North Valley Hills Ride

BVNHFlyer2008
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna

bikes@vienna receives interesting information about rides and activities. We try to pass the information on to you. This information is very appealing with its location and the cooler September time frame.

Just click on the poster and you can get a larger version for easier reading.