Spring is Near for Biking

Our "Snowquester" quickly became a "noquester," according to US News and World Report and other media outlets. That's good for us bicyclists because roads are clear and spring is on its way.

Info on our first group ride will be coming soon, so now is the time to get your bikes in shape. Papillon Bikes on Columbia Pike is my go-to place for great service and gear, or try any Spokes' locations (closest in on N. Quaker Lane, just down Leesburg Pike). Performance is ok too with its large inventory of biking products. For true enthusiasts, there is Tri360, a triathlon specialty shop.

For you biking enthusiasts out there, if you are not aware of this, I urge you to look at and join the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, "WABA."  From their website:

"The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) is the national capital region's nonprofit bicycle advocacy and education membership association. We have been serving the District of Columbia (DC), City of Alexandria, and the counties of Arlington (VA), Fairfax (VA), Montgomery (MD), and Prince George's (MD) since 1972 with the mission of creating a healthy, more livable region by promoting bicycling for fun, fitness, and affordable transportation; advocating for better bicycling conditions and transportation choices for a healthier environment; and educating children and adults about safe bicycling. We invite you to explore our website, we hope that you will join us as a member and most importantly that you will ride your bike!"

They sponsor a variety of bike events, including Bike to Work Day and BikeDC, both of which I've participated in many times. Their website is full of useful information and news about biking. Here's their most recent posting:

http://www.waba.org/blog/2013/03/this-week-in-bike-reads-9/?fb_source=pubv1

Looking forward to seeing you out there soon.

Add your comments and suggestions in the Comments box below or email me if you have any suggestions about rides, questions about biking, or just want to chat. Also, it would be very helpful if you'd include your email address in the box on the right so you'll automatically be informed of new posts (This will make it more efficient for me in that I wouldn't need to create email alerts every time I post something new. Nevertheless, I will still send out these alerts for the immediate future and especially announcements about rides coming up.)

And of course, anyone who wants to be in the club is welcome to join. This is an open club to residents and others who love biking and who would enjoy group rides and socializing with fellow biking enthusiasts. Just drop me an email and I'll include you on our mailing list.

Happy biking!

Larry

J. Larry Golfer Photography

3428 Stoneybrae Drive, Falls Church, VA 22044

Email: larrygol@yahoo.com
Mobile: 703-626-0801

Photo blog: jlarrygolferphotography.blogspot.com

Web: jlarrygolferphotography.com

Solo Ride to Cure the Winter Blahs

Two months since my last post and not much to say regarding biking in January and February thus far. I do have the trainer set up inside to not totally lose my biking legs, but it's never the same as riding outdoors with the wind in your hair.... in my case, on my face (for those who don't know me personally, no hair to catch the wind,).

This is my trainer setup: A Jamis Aragon hybrid I picked up for a cool $200; replaced the fat cushion seat with a tapered saddle; replaced the front suspension fork with a road bike fork for stability; replaced the back tire with a Continental Ultra Sport Hometrainer Tire, which provides much more durability and tire life than a regular road tire; all siting on a Travel Trac Century V Fluid + trainer.

My trainer setup

This week, Wednesday's prediction for mid-50's temperatures spurred me to hit the road, but that forecast proved to be a bit of a bust with the clouds and breezes. It may have barely hit the mid 50's, but I was glad I had my layers, gloves and helmet liner. Those temps standing still feel pleasant, but it gets chilly at even 12 miles an hour.

No one accepted the invitation for the lake ride,  so your intrepid blogger set out alone, my trusty but new Canon 7D DSLR with a 70-200mm lens securely stowed in my sling bag for ready access, and took off for a ride around the lake, 

Starting from Stoneybrae down to the Potterton Bridge, I stopped at Beach 4 to breathe in the cool afternoon lake air. Many of you have already seen my series of photos, "Energetic Bathing by Canada Goose," but for those who havent, here they are. I came across two geese at the water's edge, and suddenly saw this hilarious scene, which repeated several times. This was a first for me to observe, so I had to capture it on camera.

The sky was richly textured with thick grey and white clouds and the sun peeking out occasionally, so I decided to use the panorama feature of my iPhone to capture the scene. 

That thought led to the idea of taking panoramas of all the beaches and the view from the Women's Garden as well. 

Here are the results, presented in the order taken, as I rode around the lake. First, Beach 4:

Be sure to click on the image to get a larger view:

 

Lake Barcroft, Beach 4

Then up Beachway to Blair, across Columbia Pike and down and up the path to the light at Aqua Terrace. Left across Columbia Pike and down to Beach 1.

Lake Barcroft, Beach 1

Then left down and up and down and and around on Lakeview to Beach 2.

Lake Barcroft, Beach 2

Staying on Lakeview to right on Rauth to across the footbridge to the Women's Garden and a view from there over the lake.

View from the Women's Garden, Lake Barcroft

Onward from there up and down Dearborn/Waterway to Beach 3.

Lake Barcroft, Beach 3

And finally up and down and up and around Waterway, to Beach 5.

Lake Barcroft, Beach 5

Photography complete, all beaches hit, I headed up the long, slow incline of Stoneybrae to home. Normally the ride around the lake takes anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. With all the stops and photography, it took two hours, but it made for a very satisfying ride.

I hope you all enjoy the photos. 

Wishing for warmer weather, I'll let you know when we do our first ride of the spring.

Larry