Bike to Work Day

Bike to Work Day was a few weeks ago but please tell me you did it! I had a big problem with my chainrings, mostly the middle one actually. I'll explain that in another post. But I got that problem fixed just in time for Bike to Work Day!

I live in Alexandria Virginia and work in downtown Washington DC so it really wasn't too hard to get to work, I just needed help with directions. I did a test ride a week before and got totally lost but for the official day I met up with a friend.

On my way to work I stopped off at Market Square in Old Town Alexandria to get some swag (got some neat little wallets and keychains and stuff, pretty fun!) and meet my buddy.

There was barely anyone out there and it was 6:45 so I was pretty surprised, I thought a ton of people would be crowding the bike path.

Working our way through downtown Washington DC was pretty cool. I love riding through the city.

Here is a pic that a photographer took of me on Bike to Work Day (I stopped and got his email address) and I have some other pics I took oh my phone but can't find it right now. Did you ride and how was it?

To whom it may concern.

I get so tired of the weekend or off hours Metro rail riders. They have no idea what the process of riding actually entails. Stand on left and stand on right. Block the doors and walk slow. Right? Wrong.

I never thought I would be such a snob but now commuting on two different trains two times a day. I pride myself on being efficient. I know right where to stand to get on a certain car that lets me off at the right escalator so I'm at the front of the other train.

But one of the things I enjoy the most is people watching and the Metro is great for that. You find all kinds and I mean all kinds of people. You hear some funny conversations too.

But anyway, please, if you ride the Metro, think of others. You may not be in a rush but some are, and if we say "excuse me," don't take it personal, we just want to get where we are going without complication.

Moving but staying clean

Our company just moved offices.  We were temporarily in Old Town Alexandria and we finally made the move into downtown DC.  Actually, just two of us remain at the old office.  Us two online content manager people.  

We need some fast internet to make sure the shows go smooth and that isn't ready yet at the new office.  But it should be soon.

I walk to work.  What will I do when I move?  We convinced them that instead of paying for a parking space in the garage we could get metro passes.  Gets our cars off the road?  Also saves money because the metro is cheaper than driving.

Still saving the world.

Not your typical commuter vehicle

A MARC train, Metro, and Taxi ride later...

I'll soon be posting my experience aboard some various alternative forms of transportation.  Waking up at 3am and getting to work on time by 7:45.  It can be done for just over $20.

First mall trip

Yesterday, the wife and I wanted to check out the mall.  We haven't been to it yet and she needed some makeup so we thought it would be fun.

Taking the free King Street trolley to the metro is super easy and then it was like $1.35 each way to the Pentagon City Mall, so it certainly beats driving!

The ride went smooth despite work on the rails next to us.  We had to slow down at times but we got there without any problems.

And the metro dumps right out at the mall!  You get off the train and walk up the stairs and boom, food court!

I'm never driving to the mall.  Just don't see why I should!

Fixing our highways.

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I made it.

Just a quick post to let you know that I'm alive.  I made it to work in one piece while riding on my Razor scooter.  I counted about 4 or 5 double takes.  

Being a few inches over six feet tall and the already minimalist design of the scooter, I think I may have looked like someone just floating down the street.

Razor Commute

So, with being able to walk to work, I thought, why not ride my bike to work?  Well, getting the bike out (even though I love it) can be cumbersome and time consuming.  Also, work is so close, biking may be a little overkill.

But walking takes about 10 minutes and can be boring sometimes because it's so slow.  And if I'm running late, I work up a sweat.  

Taking a look at the overall walk from my apartment to my work, I noticed that it's mostly downhill.  Actually, it's all downhill.

While visiting my parents for the 4th, they told me that while they were in Praha (look it up) they noticed grown men in suits riding on Razor scooters to work.  Commute by bike, I've heard of, but commute by Razor?!  Hmmm..

I like the idea of that!  I haven't looked like a nerd... er... I haven't ridden my Razor for years!  So I pulled it out of the garage and gave it a quick test ride.  Still works!

So, if all goes well, I'll be riding it to work tomorrow.  Yep.  Me.  A mountain biking clydesdale.  On a Razor.  Look out!

[original razor]

[scooter commuter article]

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Amtrak Photo Contest

I just found out about it, and it's due tomorrow I believe, but Amtrak is having a photo contest called, "Picture Our Train."  It's for their 2009 calendar.  Here is some info: 

Enter the Amtrak Picture Our Train 2009 Wall Calendar Photo Contest and your photograph could adorn the walls of train lovers everywhere.

Enter your photo of an Amtrak train (sporting the current logo) to have your image featured on the Amtrak 2009 wall calendar.

The First Prize Winner will receive a $1,000 Amtrak travel voucher and a photo credit on the calendar. The Second through Fifth Prize Winners will also receive Amtrak travel vouchers.

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Bicycle Parking at the Metro

Many Metro stations have facilities for bicycle storage so you can ride your bicycle to a station, leave it there and take Metrorail. Our storage facilities include racks and rental lockers. Bicycle racks are available for free on a first-come, first-use basis. A list of convenient locations is provided below.

Most racks are Rally Rack 3. To insure maximum safety, use a standard, medium sized key padlock. Simply place your bike between the side bars, close the bars so that the prongs go through your frame, insert the lock through the hole in the center of the basket, then close the lock.

Bicycle lockers are available for $70 for one year plus a $10 key deposit. To rent a locker call 24-hours a day 202-962-1116. All locker rentals are subject to availability.

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