Rider of the Day #8

It has been a couple of days since I was able to photograph a rider of the day. Not for lack of trying mind you, but for lack of riders that I have seen. Today though, while waiting at a stop light on Fenton to cross Colesville Rd in Silver Spring, I caught this strapping young man in my cameras lense making him Rider of the Day #8. Keep Riding.

words and photos by Ray Heinsman   

Walmart Bicycle Vs Bike Shop Bicycle: Why Pay More?

You get what You pay for.

In the bicycle world, when buying bikes that cost less then $1500, this is very true. Over that price, the differences for the average enthusiast are less significant.  Working in bike shops for the last 18 years, there has been a question I have been asked over and over again.

Why should I buy a bike at my local bike shop for $350 instead of a bike from a department store like Wal-mart, Target, or Kmart for $150? Top Photo

In this article I am going to present evidence that the person paying $150 at a department store is going to pay more then $200 to repair the bike over the next 5 years. This person will also ride the bike less and put themselves at a higher risk for serious injury while doing so.  Consumer Reports has a pretty decent article that glances over the some of the pros and cons comparing bicycle shops to department stores. What are your priorities when buying a bike? Most people I talk to want a product that functions and fits properly. They do not know a lot about bikes, so they rely on someone with expertise to help them out.

Spend $350 now or more then that later.

When purchasing a bicycle from a department store, there is no knowledgeable staff on hand to assist you. The bicycles are usually poorly assembled and do not function properly from the moment they are purchased. A bicycle brought to a bicycle shop will cost at least $75 to assemble properly. That is to ensure that your brakes stop, gears shift, parts are properly lubed and bolts are securely tightened. Department store assembly people get paid by the bike. The more bikes they assemble, the more money they make per hour. The store requirements for a proper assembly are minimal: all parts must be attached. I only know of one person who was able to put the bikes together at a Toys "R" Us properly and it was because he happened to be a bike guy who cared. There were exceptions (he doesn't work there now), but those exceptions are rare. I know someone who bought a bike from Target and the rear hub broke in the 3rd month of ownership. He only rode it to get from the paint shop to the wood shop at our local union carpenters millwork facility. During that time it never shifted properly and the brakes always rubbed due to the wheel being out of true. He spent almost $100 to get it repaired. The quality of the parts used on department store bikes are highly inferior to those found on bicycles in a local bike shop. I have seen handlebars droop because they were made of such cheap steel they bent in the 1st year of riding. I have seen frame parts bend because they are thin plate steel instead of the thick machined pieces found on real bikes. Bikes bought at department stores are not able to be brought back to the store for maintenance so the owner has to bring it to a shop. Griffin Cycle has free maintenance for the first 15 months on bikes purchased from them. That is two seasons of lubing the chain and adjusting the mechanisms. That is worth over $150 right there.

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike......but I can't.

Why not? Because its broke, it sucks, its heavy, it doesn't work right. A bicycle is a vehicle. It is used for transportation and for recreation. When the bicycle makes grinding noises, has little air in the tires and is heavy, it can become almost impossible to pedal and the sound is annoying. When riding a bicycle for transportation, you want to get there faster then walking. You want to get there quietly and you want to get there without anything breaking. A local bicycle shop usually gives their customers free air. Parts that break will be covered under a warranty. A bicycle bought at a shop weighs almost 10lbs less on average. Also, a properly fit bicycle is easier to ride. Your legs fully extend giving you the most power, your body is in the proper position to breath easily, and your arms are at a comfortable width. When a bicycle works and fits well, you enjoy riding it, you enjoy looking at it, and you want to ride it again. When it doesn't work and fit well, you ball up into the fetal position at the thought of putting it between your legs, you look at it with disgust, and you never want to ride it again.

Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!

Why are you just laying there? I'm hurt. Why are you hurt? My pedal broke; My chain slipped; My seat broke and the list went on and on and........ These are all reasons why riding a bike with adequately well made parts is important. On a bicycle you can hit speeds in excess of 20mph pedaling on a neighborhood street. Ever hit the pavement at that speed? It sucks. Your skin falls off like a zombie with leprosy. How else can I get hurt riding my bike? An improper fit can do it rather easily. If the bike is too small, your knees are too bent when you ride. This will ruin your knees in no time. You will also hit your foot on the front wheel or bang your knee on the handlebar. Ouch. When your bike is too big, you get all stretched out. Making a quick turn to avoid a car or pothole is almost impossible and bang, you just hit the pavement and lost more skin. Your back will creek and ache and ask you to stop riding before too long. If you slip off the handlebar and smack you face on the stem you can say goodbye to a couple of teeth.

I want a bike. What do I do?

In the DC area, I can suggest a few shops that I have had good experiences with or heard good things about.

Griffin Cycle is in Bethesda MD.  Germantown Cycles is in Germantown, MD.   Spokes etc has several locations in Northern VA.   Silver Cycles is located in Silver Spring, MD. If you are not in the DC area, the websites these shop names link to will have reviews of a local bike shop in your area to try out. GO to one of these shops and ask one of their knowledgeable sales staff to help you determine what kind of bike you need. They will also fit the bike to you. They may have to swap out a stem or change your seat and many times there is little or no charge for this. If you do not have enough money now, waiting a few months to save enough will result in owning a bike that is a joy to ride, safe to ride, and will last a long time.

This is all good, but the department store is still cheaper

Supporting your local bike shop supports your community. Many have group rides bringing people who ride bikes in your community together. The bike shop owner is able to work with you and your concerns as opposed to the department store manager who has to follow some large corporation's rules. A local bike shop spends money in your neighborhood as opposed to sending the profits to some far off distant mother-ship. Local bike shops have people who are experts at a trade as opposed to department stores who are experts at putting blue dot stickers on stuff. Your local shop lets you take the bike for a test ride; so you get to be seen looking beautiful riding a new bike before you even spend any money. The list is endless.

Ride Hard. Ride Safe. Ride with a smile on your face.

words by Ray Heinsman  

NYC - More people on bikes then anywhere in the US

http://www.manhattanstyle.com/news/cycling-rises-by-28-in-new-york-city/
“I think, it’s kind of amazing comparing the number of riders now to 1980s.” ....it would be rightful to refer to bicycling as a mainstream means of travel.........

Rider of the Day #7

Todays rider of the day was one of my favorite photographs so far. Not because of composition or light value, but because the subject looked so pleased with herself peddling across Colesville Rd at Georgia.

words and photos by Ray Heinsman    

Pump It Up P2: Pressure

How much do I pump my tires up? Too often I see people riding with too little air in their tires. This increases drag, instability and flat occurrence. Putting air into a tire creates air pressure. The appropriate quantity of pressure depends on two things: rim construction and tire construction. Different types of bikes employ different types of rims and tires. This second part of the two part series will provide a casual overview of how much air you should put into different types of bikes. Always refer to your bikes owners manuals and note the pressure indicated on the side of your tire before going at it.

Type 1: Hybrid

This is the most common type of bike sold today. Hybrids have a 1 to 1 1/2 inch wide tires and usually require between 70 - 100 pounds per square inch (PSI). 

Type 2: Mountain Bike

The mountain bike is a little trickier as their are two types of tires and rims now used on mountain bikes. The average person is probably still using a tube tire and this tire when used off-road should have between 40 and 50 psi on rough terrain to avoid pinch flats. The more serious enthusiasts and racers are probably using a tubless tire and these can run significantly less pressure, usually between 25 and 35 psi.

Type 3: Road Bike

Road bikes require incredibly high tire pressure. Because the tires are usually around 1"with, put 90 to 120 psi into these tires.

Type 4: BMX Bike

Not to be confused with kids bikes, BMX bikes are used for stunts and their tire pressure can vary greatly depending on the rider and the stunts performed. BMX racers and dirt jumpers usually have around 50 - 70 psi. Park riders and flatland can have tires that are between 60 and 100 psi.

Type 5: Beach Cruiser or Classic Bike

The beach cruiser uses between 30 and 40 psi. 

Type 6: The Three Speed

The three speed is difficult because it uses thin tires, but the steel rims cannot hold that much pressure. I usually put exactly 60psi in my tires for each ride. 

I hope this helps when the question arises concerning pumping it up. Always be safe and follow instructions in your owners manual. 

Have a nice ride.

words and photos by Ray Heinsman   

Pump It Up P1: Valve Types

I get asked all the time about pumping up bicycle tires. This is the first part of two to explain how to pump it up. First, you will need a pump. I recommend purchasing a pump constructed of metal with a gauge similar to this: http://www.topeak.com/products/Floor-Pumps/JoeBlowSport which costs around or below 40 dollars.

There are two types of valves commonly employed in maintaining a proper tire pressure.

Schrader Valve

The Schrader Valve is used for tires that only need to hold up to 40 lbs consistently. Any more pressure then this and it loses air too quickly requiring you to pump it up every time you ride. The first step is to remove the cap by unscrewing it.

This is what the Schrader Valve looks like on my 3 speed bike:

Then you push the pumps nozzle onto the valve and engage the clamp by flipping the lever. All pumps do not use the same nozzle so refer to your pumps owners manual to know how your particular pump operates. Once it is secure, inflate the tire to the recommended pressure on the side of your tire.

After you are done pumping it up, remove the nozzle head, replace the valve cap and go for a ride.

Presta Valves

Presta Valves are used for tires that require more then 40 lbs of pressure as their construction holds higher pressures better. They look a little different and require an extra step to inflate. There are adapters to convert one to the other, and we will address adapters at a different time. 

The first step is to remove your valve cap.

This is what your presta valve looks like:

On the top of the valve is a tiny little thumb screw. You must unscrew this in order to get air into your tire. 

Once it is unscrewed, put your pumps nozzle head onto the valve and engage the clamp. You will notice that this time I am using the opposite side of the nozzle head and flipping the lever again in the upward direction. This particular pump I am using has what is called a flip flop nozzle head. Pump up your tire to the recommended pressure written on the side of the tire.

After you are done pumping it up, remove the nozzle head, TIGHTEN THE VALVES THUMB SCREW, and replace the valve cap.

I hope this helps explain how to pump up the different types of tire valves on your bicycle. Part 2 will explain how much air pressure to put in your tires.

words and photos by Ray Heinsman    

There was no one else

Today it was raining. I saw no one else riding on my ride. I am sure there were others, but they weren't in sight during the times I was out there. So todays rider of the day #6 is me. I took this picture when I was 1/4 mile from home.

words and photos by Ray Heinsman    

Bicycle Rim Table

I made this table for my Best Man and Friend Ryan and his wife Amanda for their wedding in Buffalo on December 31st 2005. For about a decade, when any of my friends got married I made a piece of furniture for them.

Constructed from bicycle rims that I bent while riding with Ryan in the Buffalo Niagara Area, I came up with a very rigid design. Two rims were cut in half and another was left whole. I designed a clamp that connected them all together and had 8 identical cut from a 23 layer, 5/8"tk plywood. Those layers were very thin. Each one used 2: 6-32 thread allen head bolts to clamp them together.

The top is a polished 42"dia X 1/2"tk tempered glass top with polished edges.

words, furniture and photos by Ray Heinsman    

More the 200,000 in NYC transporting by bicycle

Build it and they will ride. That’s the message conveyed in the latest annual estimate of the number of bicyclists in New York City by Transportation Alternatives, which found roughly 236,000 New Yorkers riding each day in 2009, up 28 percent from 185,000 daily riders the year before.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/26/more-than-200000-a-day-now-cycling/

Is Drunk Cycling OK?

Drunk Cycling is quickly becoming the talk of the town. 
This blog has some humorous suggestions:
http://www.blurofinsanity.com/biking.html
The Washington Post is commenting due to a court ruling recently saying bicycles and vehicles are the same thing:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/local-breaking-news/dc/biking-and-drinking-not-in-dc.html
Here is a poll to voice your opinion on the Washington Post:
http://views.washingtonpost.com/post-user-polls/2010/04/is-biking-and-drinking-ok.html
This blog makes some valid comments but I have to say that I do not agree with all of them:
http://www.thewashcycle.com/2010/04/cui-versus-dwi.html


What do you think?
Is it OK?
Should the law for non-motorized vehicles be the same as the law for motorized vehicles?
Have you ever ridden a bicycle after tipping back a few?

words by Ray Heinsman    

Meandering through Downtown SS

Todays Rider of the Day (#5) was an older gentleman with very white hair I rode past on my way into downtown Silver Spring

words and photos by Ray Heinsman    

The Mountain Bike

This is my mountain bike. It is a custom bike that has evolved over a period of years. I built it so I could ride one bike that can handle cross country, downhill, jumps, stunts and free-ride. By changing the seat-post height and the fork travel, it can be ridden with a variety of geometries making it a very versatile machine.

In chronological order of purchase:

1999 Brakes: Hayes Hydraulic

2000 Headset: Chris King; Stem: Azonic Shorty

2003 Front Tire: WTB Motoraptor 2.4 Kevlar Bead

2004 Seat: Vetta TT, Seatpost: Thompson, Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR,

2005 Handlebars: Funn; Grips: Salsa Pepperjacks, Pedals, Odessey Zielinski, Frame: Azonic Steelhead, Fork: Fox Talas, Seatpost Clamp: Salsa Fliplock, Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore

2006 Wheels: My custom build with 36 hole Profile hubs, Tioga Factory Rims, and Wheelsmith XL14 spokes and Aluminum Nipples, Cassette: Shimano XT

2007 Cranks: Profile with profile chainrings and a Race Face Rock Guard, Chain: SRAM

2008 Michelin Hot S 2.2 Kevlar Bead

words and photos by Ray Heinsman    

Discovery Channel Mural In Background

Our Rider of the Day #4 was photographed this morning in front of the discovery channel graffiti mural after I picked up a delicious breakfast burrito from Qdoba. Although my timing was a little slow and I ended up with a pole in front of the front wheel, i still selected this as my favorite image for Rider of the Day.

words and photos by Ray Heinsman    

Top 7 Cycling Videos on You Tube

This is the only one I like

DC = Drunk Cycling.....not anymore

http://wtop.com/?nid=596&sid=1941354

http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2010/04/dc-court-dont-drink-and-bike.html

In DC, we are going to get ticketed if we ride our bicycles while intoxicated. Riding after having a few is a relatively insignificant item for law enforcement to be worried about so I would think you would need to be pretty sloppy for them to take note. This person was an idiot and deserves to be reprimanded for his ridiculous careless, reckless behavior. This type of thing affects us all and we should all ridicule him for endangering our freedom as cyclists.

In the article the cyclist defended himself suggesting that we should reclassify bicycles so they do not have to comply with all vehicular laws. It is imperative that bicycles remain classified as vehicles. If they change this classification we will most likely not be allowed to ride on most streets and we need this access to keep cycling legitimate as a form of transportation.

My friends and I put together an event every year called "Tour de Bars". It takes place in and around Bethesda MD and Friendship Heights DC. We visit 6 bars and by the end we are probably too tipsy to say we are being safe; BUT none of us have ever even come close to being this stupid. When a law enforcement officer (notice I didn't say peace officer) gives you a command to not ride your bike; at least walk your bike around the corner out of site before getting on.......or just walk home....so it takes a little longer.....what is your rush?

Pull yourself together man and don't get caught.

words by Ray Heinsman    

I Got Dropped

Well, not dropped as in they left me to rot. My riding buddies were actually very nice and waited for me at the top of every hill as I huffed and puffed and pedaled my butt up.

I wish I had pictures but there was no energy in me to take any, or time to catch my breath to take any. I will be riding with this group every week though, so there will be photos in the future.

It has been a long time since I went mountain biking with a group of people in such great shape. They were almost all younger then me to....but there were two groups and I went with the beginner group. A couple of the guys were a little older then me and they rocked the 11 miles we rode. It all started out good. I was jumping over the logs, pumping the terrains undulation, and dropping in over all the roots smoothly......just like the old days. Then came the first hill and I climbed it aggressively. That was about 10 minutes in. After that, I was burnt toast. For the next hour and a half, I couldn't get my breath back. This is why riding with others is so important. It pushes you to strive to do more then you think you can. This is how you become a better rider.

Schaffer Farm is a really fun place to ride your bike. There are smooth trails, gnarly trails, stunts, obstacles, shade and sun. We saw deer sprint in front of us. While Bob was telling stories of jumping his three speed as a kid, I asked "That isn't someone moaning off in the distance is it?" Ed replied, "Nope, those are cows". The trees all had leaves and the prickers weren't too invasive yet. There had also been quite a bit of work done making the wet areas nicer to ride employing stones bridges. Probably the good work of MORE. Even though it rained the night before, the trees sucked up all that water and left a nice hard smooth surface for us to enjoy.

Mountain biking has changed radically since I was really into the sport. Back then, full suspension was all the rage. I had a GT XCR with 5" of travel, 24speeds, hydaulic disk brakes and 26" wheels. Now, 75% of people or more had 29"wheels, 1 speed, and if any, a few inches of front suspension. I watched as this new riding style conquered hills confidently and speedily while I downshifted and huffed and puffed some more. When I get into better shape, I have got to try one of these.

Stay tuned for more updates as to my progress as I get back into shape and again enjoy life in the woods on a bike.

words by Ray Heinsman   

Fellow Rain Rider

I caught up with this cyclist in the rain on my way home yesterday and whipped out my camera as I sped by. It was a bad day for riding, but a pretty cool action shot. This incident made this unknown man Rider Of The Day #3.

words and photos by Ray Heinsman      

Griffin Cycle Shop

Griffin Cycle has always been a good shop for me. The first day I walked in there, I had just moved to Bethesda a week before. Having worked in a shop in Buffalo off and on for the past 10 years and really enjoyed my discount.......oh - as well as the camaraderie and friends I had made in the bike community; I decided that I would like to meet fellow cyclists in my new home and stopped in with my girlfriend one Sunday afternoon. I met the Sunday manager and a couple of employees and asked if they needed any more help on Sundays. It was April, a prime time for getting hired at a shop. They said, "Of Course! No one wants

to work on Sundays;" and I soon found out why. It was a mad house. Mostly families coming in with their 4 kids to buy bikes for the oldest ones and have the bikes they owned given a little Griffin love so they could be handed down. I had never worked in a shop like this before. So many people came in and said things like, "I need 3 bikes, can you have them ready by the time we come back from brunch?" I said of course and scurried them off to the back to make sure every bolt was tight and all the adjustments were proper. The owner of the sh op is Nick Griffin. He has worked there since his dad bought the shop in the very early 1970s. He's been through it all. The road bike boom. The mountain bike boom. The best thing that ever happened for casual riders though has been the birth of the hybrid. This shop does hybrids best. They have most sizes for most bikes made by Trek and Gary Fisher in stock in the 300 - 700 dollar range, and they pack them all into a shop that is 25 feet wide by 70 feet long, on display, right there for you to come in and pick out the one you want to take for a test ride. They have a women's specific section, an area with just kids bikes, and the most loyal group of high end road riding enthusiasts you will find anywhere. There are celebrities, or almost celebrities, that stop in there as well. I have sold Eunice Kennedy Shriver 3 bicycles for her grand-kids. I have done repairs to Paul Wolfowitz's bike. Linda Carter is known to frequent the shop as well. One thing I have always hated about most shops I have been to is the way the shop personnel treat the occasional customer. They have a "I'm holier then thou" attitude usually also found in music store employee/ guitar players. You will get none of this at Griffin. They are looking to help anyone who comes in enjoy riding a bicycle. They also enjoy a good brew. One night I was riding with the previous and the current shop manager, just fooling around hoping obstacles in Bethesda, riding balance beams, doing stair drops and practicing wheelies and after we went to the pizza place next door and enjoyed some BBQ Chicken pizza and some Sierra Nevada. Good Times, Good Friends. Nick, and the current manager, Bert also run a shop ride on Wednesday Nights at 7pm. They ride from Bethesda North into Potomac and then back into town. The move at a pace that keeps your interest, but don't drop you showing off their cycling prowess.....although they could if they wanted to. This shop is operated by people who know bicycles, know how to ride them, and know how to help other people enjoy their bicycle. Stop on in and say hi to Nick, Bert, and the Crew on Bethesda Ave Monday - Friday 11-7, Saturday 10-6 or Sunday 12-5. See my link on the right side of the blog to their website for more information.

words and photos by Ray Heinsman   

Great Shadow

Rider Of The Day #2
I saw this rider in Downtown Silver Spring on my walk to work at around 7:45am.
I really liked the way the shadow cast across the street. 

words and photos by Ray Heinsman    

Wheel Truing Basics Part 1

This first part of many providing tips that will eventually teach you how to build your own wheel is about the basic skills necessary to straighten a slightly bent wheel.

To perform this basic skill, you will need a wheel truing stand, a spoke wrench and a little patience. You can use your brake pads instead of a truing stand, but it is much easier to use the stand. All adjustments made to spoke nipples should be made in quarter turn increments. You don't want to turn a spoke too much as each little turn on one spoke affects the tension on all other spokes.

The first step to truing (or straightening) your bent wheel is to release most of the air from the tube. The next step is to put the wheel in the stand and adjust the fingers on the stand so that they are aligned with your braking surface. After they are aligned, tighten them so that they barely rub the rim when you spin the wheel in the stand. At the rims most extreme bend, the fingers will make a scraping sound. This is where you are going to start correcting the bend. Shown in the first picture, you want to loosen the spoke nipple on the side that the rim is rubbing. This will lessen the tension on these spokes and the rim will move away from the finger on that side.

After you have loosened the spokes that pull the rim to rub and that side no longer rubs against the stand, close the fingers on the rim until the fingers again rub against the most bent part of the rim. This time , as shown in the second picture, tighten the spoke opposite that side that is rubbing to pull the rim away from that finger.

Repeat this process of loosening then tightening until your rim spins straight through the truing stands fingers (or brake pads).

Part 2: Making the Wheel Round.

words and photos by Ray Heinsman   

Suited Commuter

Bicycle Commuter riding toward downtown Silver Spring in a 2 piece suit.

It isn't often you see people riding in their work clothes.

Because of this, he has the honor of being my first "commuter of the day"

Mt Vernon Or Bust

Yesterday, I participated in Seamus' casual "Mount Vernon or Bust" ride. He is getting ready to do the 5 borough ride in NYC and started organizing weekend touring rides to prepare. Luckily, I got invited to go.


I had no idea what to expect. When you hear 38 mile ride, you think that the type of people going will be hardcore cyclists and I haven't really ridden more then just commuting 14 miles a day.


I got to Jacks Boat House under the expressway at 12noon. It is where all the rowers congregate to navigate the Potomac. Next Seamus showed up. I was pretty sure it was him as he rode by but I only met him twice before at our annual Tour De Bars ride we do in Bethesda. He rode over and said "Ray?" And then we got to talking. Tracy and Jason came by a few minutes later, found a parking spot and we were on our way. 


To get from the boat house to the bike path you have to make your way up a 5 story climb to the Key Bridge and cross it over into Virginia. The hills are steep but the bikes have gears. Georgetown is a beautiful area with a canal and old buildings everywhere. We crossed the bridge and headed back down the hill toward the Mount Vernon Trail. It is a wide paved path with divider lines and there wasn't many people out as the weather was quite cool and windy.


The trail was scenic with great vistas of downtown DC across the river. We continued south and the first place of note that we came upon was a large field with baseball diamonds. There was a whiffle-ball league playing and we stopped for a few minutes to watch while a couple of us used the extra stinky and overflowing Johnny on the Spots. Then the cops started piling in putting on bulletproof vests and carrying rather large guns. We decided it was time to go. Drill or real, this was not a scene to be hanging around in. 


We then rode past Reagan International Airport. This part of the path is wide open and the wind was howling. The path crosses several large pedestrian bridges over roadways and several exit/entrance ramps. Be careful or you will get creamed.


Once we got over the bridges we got down into a beautiful path through manicured lawns, woods and nicely constructed boardwalks through the wetlands. After the wetlands we came across this really long mural describing all of George Washington's adventures: crossing the Delaware, Valley Forge, Fighting the Redcoats.....those limey bastards....and becoming the first President of the United States.


I love the path. You follow it and just keep ending up places. One of the most pleasant places in all of Virginia is a section of Alexandria called Old Town. Riding along the river through the historic village was one of my favorite parts of the ride. More on that described later on the return trip.


And so the path continues. We stop, We pee. We eat some food. We get to Mount Vernon, don't go into the estate, but instead turn around and head back. Even though going back is against the wind, it is also downhill and seems to go easier and quicker then the ride there. Feeling pretty good about ourselves we are back in Old Town. We stop at O'Connell's. A wonderful little irish pub. http://www.danieloconnells.com/history.jsp 


We ate two different flatbread pizzas, ate some mini burgers, and enjoyed some Smithwicks.
Good times, good conversation and full bellys we head back to the bikes. A few minutes later we are looking for the restrooms and boom - back at the baseball diamonds with the overflowing Johnny on the Spots. Everyone is gone. The sun is going down. We pee and we move along. There was a lot of peeing on this bike trip. 

Everyone was tuckered out at the end. We rode 38 miles with wind, hills, and beer.............going over the Key Bridge back into Georgetown I decided on one last adventure before loading the bikes up onto the car. There was the stair with a ramp that straddled both sides. I was a little buzzed still and very tired and although it was probably a stupid decision, I successfully navigated the ramp down onto the gravel path on the canal. My friends congratulated me on a nice maneuver and I only incurred a slightly skinned knuckle on the stone retaining wall next to the ramp. Its always difficult to do a little thing like this in front of people without some sort of incident.


Great day. Glad I went. Thank you Seamus for organizing the ride. I look forward to the next opportunity to do it again.