Mountain Biking in the DC Area

I just moved here about a week and a half ago, but I already want to get out there and hit the trails.  I have no idea where they are though!

Maybe to just satisfy my biking itch, I'll ride with my brother when we go visit for the 4th.  We may spend the night so that would be fun.  

There are some trails around the Newark, DE area that aren't too bad.  And I heard the skills trail at Middle Run (?) have been totally built up.

But everybody around here in Alexandria ride their bikes so whenever I see them out, it makes me want to get on my bike!

A Specialized Epic may not be totally made for commuting, but it's got gears and a saddle, I'm sure it will be just fine.  I do need to do some work to it though, I think I need a brake adjustment, maybe just some new pads...

Like I mentioned before, I met a guy at work that seems really into cycling and has like 5 or 6 bikes.  Oh boy!  Don't get me excited!  Although, even if I really wanted to, I probably can't get any more bikes unless I have a real way to store them.

Have you guys cycled around the DC area? Or around northeast virginia?  I'm sure I'll find something soon!

New Mountain Biking

I just moved from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Alexandria, Virginia.  Although I'm still working with the same company, it's a totally different place and making friends can be a hard start at first.

Tulsa wasn't an amazing city of outdoors people and biking to work... although they did have quite a bit to offer, it wasn't like the bike friendly community that Alexandria is.  

But, finding friends in the workplace that have similar hobbies is a crap shoot.

I lucked out.  I found a guy I work with that scuba dives, mountain bikes, does 24 hour adventure races, rock climbs... this guy does it all!  And he's from Delaware (I grew up there) too!

That's all I wanted to say for now.  Just an update on moving and trying to fit in.  Where are my usual friends?  They need to move out here...

Oh, and we sold Jenni's bike.  The FSR.  Yeah, she gave mountain biking a shot but she really would feel more comfortable on a cruiser.  That blue and red Bianchi Milan looks pretty good...

Commuting By Bike

I'm about to become a full time bike commuter. I'm a little ashamed though. It's not the situation where I was inspired in some "light from above" way, but I actually will just be living so freaking close to work that it makes no sense to drive!

Oh, I don't think I mentioned it before, but we are moving to Alexandria, Virginia, right in Old Town. So biking is going to be so easy.

I don't think I'm using a different bike either. I'll just use the Epic. Yeah, it's not really a commuter, no panniers or bell, and certainly not an ergonomic riding position, but hey, its got wheels and brakes. I'll think I'll be alright.

One reason I didn't really want to bike to work before was the lack of a shower. I could get a YMCA membership but I didn't want to pay for that so that I had to at least ride x number of days to make even that worth it. Under pressure like that, I would probably not keep up with it.

Also, the metro is close by so that if I had to go somewhere else, I would be able to just hop right on and not have to worry about traffic or gas... ahh... being free from gas. That sounds really nice.

Bike commuting is great because if you enjoy riding, at least you get a small amount of time on the bike without having to feel like you have to ride after work if you are tired.

Have any of you guys and gals bike commuted to work before? I did it a handful of times here in Tulsa, but that's about 9 miles each way. Not bad, but I needed a shower for sure! I'll be alright in VA, being only about 5 blocks away!