Commuter bikes

A radical idea is sweeping the world of American bicycle manufacturing: building bikes that people will use for actual transportation.

The New Business Cycle, Wall Street Journal article, October 6, 2006.

For too long bike manufacturers concentrated on a few markets; recreational riders who wanted fast, lightweight road bikes, or mountain bikers who wanted suspended bikes with fat tires. Hybrid bikes have become popular, but most require additional accessories be added to allow bike commuting. The lightweight road bike and mountain bike frames are built in such a way that it is usually difficult to attached racks and fenders. Commuter bikes on the other hand generally come with integrated racks, fenders, and lights.

We carry the Uptown 8 bicycles made by Breezer Bikes that are mentioned in the article above. They come ready for commuting, with fenders, integrated lighting systems, a rack, puncture-resistant tires, and a chainguard. We also carry other bikes appropriate for commuting.

Many of our customers have already discovered the benefits of commuting to work by bike. Many use folding bikes in combination with Metro, others ride long distances on recumbents or uprights outfitted with racks, fenders, lights, bags, etc. They don't generate pollution or sit in traffic for long periods of time. They have fun, they get exercise, and they save money. They don't worry if their commute will take 20 minutes or an hour; they know how long it takes to cycle to work or to the store or wherever their regular commute trips take them. If you don't already, now is a good time to start commuting by bike.

A small communication problem

Our DSL connection which allows us to roam the internet as well as read and create email is not working. It failed on Friday afternoon during a time of gusting winds and a power outage. We have been working with the service provider and we hope it become active today, but we wanted you to know that if you send us an email today it may not get answered until the evening.

Recumbent blogs

We've added a links to a couple of recumbent blogs on the left side of this window. You'll find some interesting articles on the latest developments in the recumbent world in The Recumbent Blog and in Recumbent Cyclist, Bob Bryant's blog, the publisher of Recumbent Cyclists News. Be careful, blog reading can be habit-forming.

Take a look at this beautiful Tour Easy that was assembled for author of The Recumbent Blog. It has many accessories that you'll usually only see on a traditional lug-framed steel bicycle such as Dura-Ace Bar-end/Paul Thumbies for shifters, Nigel Smythe & Sons bags, Rivendell Cork grips, and Full Wood, Figured Maple fenders. It's a work of art.

Eric and his KMX Kart

Eric
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna.

This is the inspiring story of a determined young person which warmed my heart. Here is the message from Eric's father, Mark:

John,

I thought you might find this interesting--my 8-year old son, Erik, joined the "Opportunity for Success" bicycle ride last Friday, which highlighted the need for employment of people with disabilities as part of disability awareness month. Erik has spina bifida, which limits his mobility and made riding an upright bike very difficult.  He had pretty much given up on biking when I learned about the KMX and ordered one from your shop.  The KMX has worked wonderfully for him after a few modifications, and really improved his self confidence.

The ride started with a core group of riders in New York, and people were invited to join the group as they went through each town along the route. There were supposed to be several hundred people joining the ride in DC, but that portion of the ride ended up being cancelled due to the poor weather (50 degrees and pouring rain) so only the core group rode through DC.

Erik had been "training" for several months for the DC portion of the ride using his KMX trike from Bikes at Vienna, but we were a little concerned about the bad weather. We offered him the option of backing out since it was cold and raining, but his response was "pack my raincoat." I had initially been worried he wouldn't be able to complete the 2-mile long DC portion of the ride.  However, he practiced for several months and we literally had to get him to slow down during the actual ride (despite the weather) because some of the adult riders couldn't keep up.

I was his run-along pit crew in case he needed technical assistance (he didn't), and to take pictures along the way.

Here is a press release with some info:

http://www.defenselink.mil/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=1492

Thanks for your help getting the KMX,


Mark


The photo shows Eric on a much nicer day than he experienced on the ride last week.

2006 Safe Kid Day is Saturday, October 14

2006 Safe Kid Day is Saturday, October 14
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna.

Saturday we will be doing the safety checks on bikes at the Bike Rodeo which is just one aspect of Safe Kid Day & KidsFest. The activities of the day begins at 10 AM and continues to 2 PM. The location is the Faith Baptist Church at 301 Center St., S.

We invite you to bring your family to this free, community event. Please read the adjoining flyer for more information.

Moving the Full Moon Ride to Sunday

The rain and the cool weather have convinced us to move the Full Moon Ride from this evening to tomorrow (Sunday) evening. We hope that Sunday will be drier. The start time will again be 8 PM. Please remember to bring your lights and helmet. You might like to bring a light, windbreaker and perhaps some light weight gloves.

It was almost "Bye, Bye Birdy"

John Hayes has been a long time patron of bikes@vienna. Here is a message I received today about his travels and his Birdy.


John,

    I was searching the Birdy on the WEB and came across your WEB page.  Yesterday (Thurs 10/5) Kathy, Henry (Williams younger brother), and I came back from Florida.  We spent a week down there visiting my mother (near Orlando).  I took my Birdy as we flew (usually I drive with road and recumbent bikes on top).  I notice that you are renting the Birdy-in-a- bag!  Great!!  You remember I took my Birdy-in-a-bag (bought them both from you) to Italy.  What a great trip which was even more enjoyable with my Birdy along.  That BAG with the wheels on one end and the handle on the other was in tow from Florence to Rome (via train) and through the streets of Rome (just to the hotel).  I rode the Birdy daily in Tuscany, all around Florence, and some in Rome.

    I use this "fold up" as an easy take along (just in case I get a chance to ride) all over PA and on frequent visits to VA.  As I mentioned I just took it to Florida and back this past week.  On this trip they lost my Birdy which caused me 24 hrs of consternation and a torn hand strap.  Actually, the tag came off (so they tell me) and the Birdy didn't know what flight it was supposed to board.  I filed a claim describing my "luggage" as a bicycle with the word "BIRDY" on a soft sided large suit case.  This was enough for them to find her and send her on her way (claimed 24 hrs later).  So, late today (Fri) we were re-united and Kathy and I drove up to Laurel Hill (our home in the beautiful Western Pa mountains).

    I have not been riding as much - miss the W&OD Trail.  We have a few more hills up here than No. VA.  I'll also miss the fun at your Halloween parade.  I'll be sure to stop by the next time we are in the area - William is due for a new bike this Christmas.  Keep up the great work and bike shop.  Ride safe!

 

    PS - Any one interested in hearing how great the "fold-ups" are and how I have traveled with my Birdy, well you know me - I'll swap bicycle stories any time (some say "all the time").  And the "GREAT" place to buy one, with great service and instruction is Bikes @ Vienna!

 

            Sharing the road, riding safe,

                                                        John Hayes 

Randy Kling leading by example

Our customer, Randy Kling, approaches life with gusto. His first recumbent was an EZ Sport as he started commuting to work in Washington. After a year he traded up for a Tour Easy Expedition. Then he dressed the Tour Easy up with a body stocking. Now he has one of each of the body stockings available from Easy Racers. He was in to the store last Saturday to pick up a new Stars and Stripes model.

You can see Randy and his Stars and Stripes outfitted Tour Easy at http://www.railstotrails.org/newsandpubs/features/20060921_AlternativeTransportation.html?s_oo=EX2Q9hmjxyVcB_oE5wuYLw. This is a story on the Rails To Trails Conservancy website about bike commuting. There is a terrific photo of Randy with the Potomac River as the backdrop.

From reading the article I learned that Randy has given up his automobile. Randy, you're my hero.

Interbike reports

Bryan Ball of BentRider Online has written a series of articles about the latest developments in the recumbent world presented at Interbike 2006. Rans introduced a titanium version of the Stratus XP, and a new model the V3 titanium. There are several new variations on their crank forward line as well. Easy Racers will soon be selling a carbon fiber highracer with a 700C rear wheel and a 650C front wheel. Two other carbon fiber bikes were introduced as well, the C-Rush and a monotube model the Javelin.

John Schubert of Adventure Cycling has also written about Interbike on the Adventure Cycling Blog.

Interbike 2006

Tim, our head mechanic, will be back soon from his brief visit to Las Vegas to attend Interbike, the massive bicycle industry expo held each year. It's an opportunity for bike shop owners and employees to get to meet the many people with whom they deal with on the phone on a daily basis.

To read about some of the latest advancements in the bike world, visit the Adventure Cycling Interbike blog, or ask Tim about the show the next time you see him.

Oregon Coast tour

As I have mentioned here before, I have a New World Tourist folding bike made by Bike Friday. I've used it on many trips in the past; I love the bike and each time I use it on a trip I fall in love with it again. I don't use it much when at home. I have a Rans V-Rex short wheelbase recumbent that is my commuting and local touring bike.

Last month my wife Kerie and I travelled to Portland, Oregon to ride a Bicycle Adventures tour of the Oregon Coast. The tour we chose this year was their “budget” tour, which meant we stayed in basic accomodations and didn't have dinner at gourmet restaurants. We had a great trip and I took some notes and photos that I've posted on my website under Oregon Coast 2006.

Jim O'Grady Wins Dahon Speed 7

DahonWinner
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna.

We have teamed up with ZipCar in an effort to increase the use of alternative transportation. In July, ZipCar asked its members to write a haiku about a folding bike. Jim O'Grady's entry was selected as the winner and his haiku read:

A foot of empty
space is what my house holds. I
don't care: my bike folds.

The photo records the moment last week when Jim visited the store and picked up his new Dahon Speed 7. I'm shown holding a bunch of ZipCar brochures to make Adam Johnson of ZipCar feel good about the promotion. Jim has just test ridden his Speed 7 which he plans to use for commuting. We've got the bikes@vienna sign centered above our heads. Yep, we've got the bases covered.

bikes@vienna provides ZipCar members with a 15% discount on the purchase of Dahon bicycles. We're serious about fighting "oil addiction" and reducing the number of motor vehicles on the roadways.

Bill Cook Tells of His Cross Country Ride

BillCook
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna.

Bill Cook of Barcroft Cycles was the speaker today at Vienna Rotary. Bill captivated the Rotarians with stories from his ride from Seattle to Washington, DC as part of the 30th Anniversary Adventure Cycling Ride Across America. You can learn about Bill's adventure by clicking on the link to his blog that appears on the bikes@vienna home page.

Burley: Undergoing Change

If you've visited bikes@vienna then you've seen the many Burley products we have in the store. We have enjoyed selling their tandems, recumbents, and trailers. As of last Friday Burley changed ownership and closed down their bicycle lines. They will not be manufacturing tandems, recumbents, commuter bikes, and road bikes any more this year. There is no indication if they will manufacture bicycles in the future (after the 2007 model year). Burley indicates that the focus will be on trailers.

We'll continue to carry Burley trailers. Their trailers are well made. I wish them well in their efforts to keep their business operating. They have initiated change to save the business and now we will have to initiate change to adjust to Burley's shift.

It is rarely dull here at bikes@vienna.

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.

Our Web site is down

The computer hosting our Web site seems to be having a problem today (Thursday, July 27, 2006). Our site has been down for most of the day and we haven't been able to get through to the service provider to determine the cause. We are sorry for the inconvenience. If you have a question about our hours, rental rates, or anything else, please call us at 703-938-8900.