A Murray Leisure Tour 10-speed bike at the Library of Congrress. It's in great shape although the rear tire seems to be a little low. The large rusty chain with little Masterlock lock doesn't seem sufficient to protect it from thieves. I don't mean this blog to become an indictment of the way people lock up their bikes, but I really hate for people to have their rides stolen, especially in a town where it seems bike thefts are on the rise.
Absolutely love this step-through parked outside Trader Joe's on 14th St. NW. Lots o lovely stickers on it to personalize the ride for its owner, it's locked up using the Sheldon Brown method, and has a DC name license plate on it! Hello Nancy!
The classic S of the Schwinn logo of old will always warm my heart. This mixte-frame 3-speed in hornet green was a delight and parked in Dupont. I really like the buffeted aluminum fenders with matching chrome rear and front porteur rack. And who am I to dislike a front wooden crate!
I see a lot of Sears Free Spirit bicycles around town, this one being in Dupont. This must be at least the third or fourth one featured here. This is the first single speed one however with coaster brakes. Great shape and I like the Linus headlamp on the stem with a red bandana around it!
I really liked this Bianchi because the owner most likely built it himself around the San Jose frame and turned it into a city bike. It's a single speed and at least he's got a little wheel protector around the chain ring. Of course I love the Brooks saddle. Interesting that the brass bell is on the right side and that you use it with your pointer finger, instead of thumb.
A nice French blue mixte-frame Peugeot on a rainy day near U St. NW. I think the white grips make it especially French. Not even kidding.
Some DC-related bicycling bits. First, the Library of Congress put on a small display of historical bicycle-related items from a lot of its different departments. There were periodicals, books, maps, music and lots of odds and ends. It was well attended when I showed up.
Part of a Wright Brothers collection, this is their stationary with letterhead. Before they built and flew airplanes, the Wright Brothers built and rode bicycles. They even used their shop in Ohio to build their aeroplane parts.
From the military desk, different bicycles used by the armies of the world, mainly around WW1 but even earlier than that.
Raleigh history book. Swoon.
Bicycles being featured in women's fashion magazine, this one namely Vogue. That's some swag right there.
Apparently the Cycling Women of America had their own bicycle march.
More swag.
So many things wrong with this cover.
If you've ever taken your bike onto the Metro, you know it's a bit of a hassle. Can't do it during rush hour, have to use the elevators and not the escalators, and you can only use the doors at the end of the cars, never the middle. And god forbid it's a crowded train. I had the pleasure of taking a ride on the Green line during decent hours... and not a single person was in the car. Woot!
I also was able to procure a free membership to the Tech Shop over in Crystal City. It's only a 30 min bike ride from my place and I plan on doing a lot there. But, you have to take some safety classes to use a lot of the machinery. So when I showed up to activate my membership, the only stuff I could really use right away... was the bike repair station.
It's really cool, they have everything any bike store would have. Definitely plan on using this alot. I need to teach myself the black magic of truing wheels and use that truing stand there!
And last, I saw this in the storage bay of my apartment building:
Spoil Me Rotten Dog Biscuits is a NYC-based company... maybe they're trying to make in-roads in the DC market? In any case, I love this bicycle cart. I now want one.
Enjoy your last days of summer!
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