tnkr111

Hmm, I am a US Army Officer in graduate school for 18 months, and living in Northern Virginia. I have always had an interest in cycling, but mostly it was just a hobby, something to break up the monotony of running all the time. I was starting to get more into riding in Germany before we moved here- and the copious numbers of paved trails certainly made it enticing. Then I moved here and decided to start riding more avidly due to a series of trails within easy reach from my front door. Now I am completely hooked.

I consider myself a novice rider, but I learn quick and I just can't seem to get enough of it now. I am absolutely in love with cycling now. I can't think of a better way to waste 1 to 1.5 hours each morning (early) and 2-3 on a Saturday! It is so fun....no riding in the rain yet, I am sure that is bound to happen eventually. I am in decent shape, and I don't generally fear hills- better workout, right?- but since I just bought a computer today, I have no idea how fast I am riding or anything technical with that respect....soon enough.

Advice, encouragement, invites to ride are all welcome! Oh, and yes I still run regularly (at night).


**edited for spelling**

tnkr111

I forgot to add (since it was really late when I banged out the intro)- I HATE SUVs, drive a wagon (of course), and dream of something hybrid (very soon). I never named my bike- but if I did, it would probably be a bad name....

I also snowboard, and waste inordinate amounts of time playing computer games. I am definitely a beer snob, so now that I live back in the states, don't bother drinking much of it- of course anytime you'd like, I'll throw back a Pint or 2 of Guinness.

That's all, I'll see everyone in the forum

mjw16

Welcome to the forums and to Alexandria as well. We have a lot of nice trails that offer easy access to much of nova and dc. I've been cycle commuting into dc for about 3 years now along the Mount Vernon Trail and love the exercise, convenience, savings, etc (the g.f. has been doing it for 9 years). In addition, we have some good mountain bike trails within a short drive and there's a good road riding scene too (not my thing as much, but I'll join the roadies on laps around Haine's Point on Saturday mornings when I feel like having my @$$ handed to me on a platter).

If the generic American beers are dissapointing, check out the micro brews or do what I do; brew it yourself-it's fun and much better quality.

Again, welcome.

tulip

Welcome to the neighborhood. Are you a commuter or recreational rider only?

tnkr111

Thanks! I sort of commute- bike to metro to bike. My school is located in Vienna, and the ride (while not very long- about 14 miles I guess) would leave me in no shape to sit in class with my peers. I am not opposed to it, and will probably explore it more in the future (when my work location includes a shower). So for now recreational is my gig.

Thanks for the heads up on brewing my own, my neighbor is into that, and he told me about a place somewhere off of Duke Street where you can do that. I may make a trip out there soon.

Relaxer

Hi, I've been to a Make-Your-Own-Beer brewery in Alexandria, though damned if I can remember what it's called. It was sort of enjoyable. It's kind of a painting by numbers thing, since 80% of the job is done for you and most of what you're doing is stirring and pouring. I say just go to the Brickskeller off of Dupont Circle, where they have hundreds and hundreds of beers, including my beloved Stiegl from Austria.

There are trails a-plenty out there, so I'm told, though I've not done any of them. There are better sources of info for that than me. I can tell you, however, that biking through DC is a HOOT. I have a 20+ mile loop that I do, from my house on Capitol Hill to downtown, through Dupont Circle, up Connecticut, left on East/West Hwy, left on Wisconsin in Bethesda, and straight down to Georgetown, before heading through town back to Union Station and home. I've been doing this loop for more than 10 years and it still never gets old.

dpara

There's a great semi-new (opened this spring) restaurant called Rustico in Alexandria that specializes in American micro-brews. About 30 or so kegs on tap with hundreds of other bottles to choose from. Food is good too. Its on Slater's Lane at the very north end of Old town. rusticorestaurant.com

tnkr111

dpara, I live about 300 feet from Rustico! I can't say I love the place, but it is convenient. Some of the folks on the block are having a BBQ this afternoon, and I am pretty sure the menfolk will end up there around 10pm! What a way to spend an evening...and within walking distance!

Mr. Gear Jammer

This is great that you have a passion in bike riding, you run as well . During the fall, winter and spring months i run. Can't take the heat during a 6 or 7 mile run. I ride year round. You play loads of pc games eh, not much of a gamer. When i am not working or riding or running or eating or sleeping i tend to write on forums. I have been for the longest time on www.biclyling.com, but that forum has lost steam and a friend told me about this forum so i said "what the hell'.

dpara

I like that fact that no matter what mood I am in, there is always a different beer to chosse. Plus I am good friends with on e of the owners and that has some perks too.

tnkr111

dpara, we should link up for a ride sometime, and finish off with a nice frosty pint of something to help ease the lactic acid away. Okay, so that may be false advertising, but what the hell, it sounded good.

BTW, my favorite rides right now, since I abhor traffic and cars (well the idiots driving them), are (1) from Slaters to Mt Vernon to Roosevelt Island back to Slaters and (2) Slaters to Roosevelt Island, Custis trail (I love the hill at the east end) to the WOD (turn around varies with time of day and my mood towards all of the crossings), back to Slaters. I am open to more routes, since variety keeps things interesting, too bad I hate riding with cars. I guess I need to just get over it....

cc_rider

If you want a change of pace, Commonwealth is a good bike route from Old Town to route 1 shopping. Flat with nice wide bike lane.
And the Four Mile Run Trail takes you out to Shirlington and the bottom end of the W&OD

dpara

If you like going up the hills you may be in a little better shape then I, although replenishing some lost carbs at the end of the ride may give me some added incentive.

I've got a couple of metric centuries over the next two weekends which may get me in a little better shape. Here's the info if you might be interrested in joining us (a couple of friends of varying degrees of fitness)for the rides. https://ohbike.org/century/index.htm and https://bikepptc.org/web_final

mjw16

tnkr111: it's Shenandoah Brewing you're looking for, it's off of Eisenhower, near Van Dorn. I've never been there but I hear it's pretty cool. You can also get lunch/dinner there and wash it down with some of their brew. I prefer to brew my own (check out https://www.midwestsupplies.com/ to get started)-it's fun and better beer. I have yet to try Rustico which is funny since I live in the apartments right across the street.

tnkr111

mj,

You've probably seen me riding by. I have a black kitted bike (well sort of, I bought it from a guy in Germany, www.davincionline.de, when I lived there) with a yellow seat. From time to time I go for a spins on my Schwinn S20 (the original, when Schwinn was still Schwinn with the sweet metallic yellow Carbon Fiber Frame).

Rustico isn't bad, and one of my neighbors goes out to Shenandoah every year to brew up a batch of Pale Ale for the annual Army-Navy game....I am going to try to convince him we need Porter this year. Maybe we'll call it Black Bike Porter- in honor of my POS!

EJ123

Perhaps you have seen Koffee Brown lol.

tnkr111

I have now, not live of course, but I did Google him. Funky!

Does anyone have any info on WABA? One of the LBS in the area recommended them, and I am going to talk to Bennett (If you use BW on Union and Prince you know him) about them today...seems they are the most activist/conservationist of the bunch and give the most back- in terms of donating funds to maintain and build trails. Is my estimation on or off? What are your opinions of the local bike clubs?

Lovsexy4

Hello, Me and my Big Dogs have a 30 miler we do starting from Haines Point traveling along the bike path toward Key Bridge, crosssing into Georgetown riding the hills up toward Sibley Hospital going up to and across Wisconsin Ave by Western Ave turning down Connecticut Ave traveling down through Dupont Circle area to H street into Chinatown and over the North Capital street bridge turning onto 17th Street NE going straight to Potomac Ave moving on toward Penn Ave down pass the Air & Space museum moving left and back into Haines Point. The entire trip is 30.5 miles. This is a really great ride that will test your endurance on the hills in Georgetown. They are very steep! We are all over 40 and over 200lbs. A real lung buster, but a lot of fun. We ride this every other Saturday. We have a short version of this ride that comes in at around 24 miles. It's usually around 6 of us riding, However the more the better. We also do a lot of road riding in and around Southern Maryland. Anyone else interested in joining us can contact me @ 301-467-8013 or by dropping me an email @ Lovsexy4@aol.com

Happy Riding
Joe

tnkr111

Dude, riding with you sounds like a super motivator! I'l give you a call and hook up for a ride sometime! I'll probably get smoked, but who cares, the ride will still be awesome!