Hello everyone,

This is a modified edit of my earlier email to get this blog started.

We now have 23 people who have expressed interest in the LB Bike Club. I think I've really started a movement here! This blog will give more flexibility than emails to distribute my ramblings, post pictures, possibly set up a calendar of events, get us discounts on bike gear, and list announcements of other interested biking events and activities.

After speaking with some of you, the group seems to be separating into a beginner/novice/shorter distance rider group and a more experienced group. I'd like to accommodate everyone's style so I'll be leading the more experienced on longer rides, including one this Wednesday, June 27, at 830am to Buzz Bakery in Alexandria, not quite 10 miles in each direction, about 45-60 minutes each way.  

It would be good if someone would like to help with that group of riders and plan and lead a novice ride, say 6 miles round trip, to help get those folks going. I can do those shorter rides too but it would be nice to have a couple other group leaders among us.


UPCOMING RIDE

This Wednesday morning, June 27, the weather is supposed to be great: low humidity and nice temperatures, perfect for riding. I am scheduling a ride for the more experienced riders (or others who want to be challenged a bit) of the Lake Barcroft Bike Club and anyone else who'd like to join able to ride not quite 10 miles each way to meet for coffee and snacks at Buzz Bakery on Slater's Lane, in Alexandria,  leaving 8:30am and returning before noon. The ride takes anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour at a nice easy pace.

For this first ride, anyone who would like to join me can meet me at 8:30am at the parking lot at Beach 5 on Waterway. Please wear a helmet and bring water, and be prepared to ride up the hill on Beachway.

Our route will be:

Beach 5/Waterway to Potterton Bridge

Potterton Bridge to right on Beachway

Beachway to left on Mansfield (big hill!)

Mansfield to right on Vista to Glenmore.

Left on Glenmore to right on service road along Leesburg Pike to the light at Glen Carlin at the Rite Aid.

Cross Leesburg Pike on Glen Carlin, which turns into 5th Street, then cross and turn right on Carlin Springs (sidewalk).

Carlin Springs to left at hospital down hill past Long Branch Nature Center to the Four Mile Run and W&OD Trails.

Up short steep hill to W&OD Trail to Four Mile Run Trail to Mount Vernon Trail.

Mount Vernon Trail to Slater's Lane to Buzz Bakery, and return.

Email me with any questions. larrygol@yahoo.com.

BUYING A BIKE

One of you has asked about buying a new bike. This is my advice:

I personally like  Spokes Etc. to shop for a bike. One store is in Vienna, one is on Quaker Lane off Leesburg Pike, and one is  in Belle View south of Old Town.  I think they are great there and they should help you choose a bike. Don't get caught up in the technology. If the salesperson starts talking about carbon fiber or Shimano components or anything you don't know about or don't really want to know about, tell them "I just want to have a safe, comfortable fun bike that fits me and my riding style" and let them know how much you want to spend and what type of riding you think you'll do. 

Another shop to mention is REI in Baileys Crossroads, recommended by Margi and Dave Doherty. REI is a great bike source and fantastic service if you need a repair or tune up – very helpful people there and some very knowledgable ones as well.  They also have all the extra gear that you might want. 

Road bike: note thin tires, geometry that requires more hunched over riding position, racing handle bars..

Hybrid bike: note heavier tires (suitable for road or slightly more rugged terrain), more comfortable, more upright riding position, flat handle bars.

I'd say a hybrid bike is best. It's not a racing bike where you are hunched over too much, it's not a mountain bike which has the knobby tires, it's just something in between that you'll like to ride. You'll need also these items as a minimum to be safe and ready to ride:

1. A well fitted helmet, (get one with a visor--helps keep the sun out of your eyes)

2. Some type of light backpack or even a bag to attach to a rack on the back of your bike for snacks, keys, ID, credit card, money, mobile phone, camera, etc., (I don't like backpacks--they block air circulation on your back, but that's a personal choice)

3. Red blinking light for the back of the bike for safety

4. Bright colored shirt or jacket for safety so you can be seen

5. A bell to warn pedestrians or other riders you are approaching

6. Water bottle cage and water bottle

7. A good, solid bicycle pump to top off the air before any ride (get one with a gauge that you can see easily)

8. Spare bike tube just in case you get a flat. I have been a bike commuter for years and have only suffered one flat it all that time because I learned to use either Specialized Armadillo tires or Contentental Ultra Gators. No flats, period. I'm sure you can get your bike outfitted with them regardless of type or size of bike you have. They are pricier, but well worth it.

You may also like to have padded bike shorts too for comfort, but hybrid bike seats are usually comfortable without them. For longer rides, tho', they are nice to wear. I like cotton bike shorts vs. synthetic shorts myself if you can find them. There are also all kinds of other things to buy but that's up to you and your budget: reflecting stickers, arm and leg bands, gloves, headlight for evening riding (the brighter the better if you want to see what's ahead), a second water bottle cage and second bottle if you tend to get really thirsty, helmet mounted camera to document your ride, the list goes on and on...but getting back to practicality, the list above is all you really need to get started. 

Fellow Lake Barcrofter Ashey offers this on bike buying: "When shopping for a new bike, look at  the previous model year. Just like cars, new model years roll out in fall, instantly devaluing the  brand new bikes that are from the previous model year. Spokes will usually have brand new bikes from the previous model year left over, regardless of time of year. It saved me $500 on my first brand new Specialized Allez Sport."

 

While Ashley bought a road bike, I'm sure the same thing applies to hybrids if that's what you'd like to get.

 

Couple of other notes: An alternative is to buy a used bike. I bought my first adult bike at a yard sale for $75 and used it for nearly 15 years before buying a new bike. It was a Japanese Fuji 10 speed racing bike and I commuted for years on that bike. Just be sure to test ride any bike you buy. If used, there are many articles on the web to help you put a checklist together as to what to look for.

 

Let me know if you have any questions. 

Larry