How simple is this – tell people to ride their bike and do things, that they may win a small prize, and sure enough I am out riding as soon as possible. Crazy right? MG’s spring Errandonnee challenge (Utilitaire for those a year behind the times) certainly inspires dozens, perhaps hundreds, and possibly even thousands of cyclists to get off their duff and on the saddle to brave winter temperatures and do something productive! I certainly think of many of my rides these days as coffeeneuring or errandonnees!
So – how did my 12 errands over 12 days go down? Well I had to un-count a handful of locations due to a lack of photos, but I think I still meet all the requirements. I think it is seriously time to start organizing a beervet! My official Control Card is here if you’re interested.
February 9th
Community Meeting No. 1
Miles: 11.64 miles
Bike: Soma Saga
Where: MLK Library for “weMoveDC” Event.
Observation: I met Mayor Gray and got to speak with him. He grew up near-ish our apartment. Seemed like a mostly ok person. And we ran into @darsal
Community Meeting No. 2
Miles: [See Community Meeting No. 1]
Bikes: Soma Saga
Where: DC Brau for the Younger Members February meeting of the DC Area Institute of Transportation Engineers
Observation: DC Brau went from 1,200 bbl production in 2011, to 5,800 bbl in 2012, and plans for 12,000 bbl in 2013!
February 10th
Lunch No. 2 (Out of order on Control Card !)
Miles: 6.48
Bike: Soma Saga
Where: Taylor Charles Steak & Ice, H Street NE
Observation: “wit, wiz” That’s all you need to know (Also, don’t plan on much physical activity afterwards)
Work No. 1
Miles: [See Lunch No. 2]
Bikes: Soma Saga
Where: Lot 38 Espresso – This was a ride for the specific purpose of finding a place to work – the fact that I bought a coffee and breakfast is considered the price of the table for 2 hours!
Observation: To those who know me casually, the lack of a beard makes me hard to spot!
Can you spot the Soma?
Wild Card No. 1
Miles: [See Lunch No. 2]
Bikes: Soma Saga
Where: Mailbox near Results Gym in SE DC
Observation: An accidental errand – I forgot to drop the letter in the mailbox near home – so I rode to this one I saw the other day (why did it stick out in my mind??) Also, the Soma blue is similar to the USPS mailbox blue!
February 15th
Coffee No .1
Miles: [8.47]
Bikes: Soma Saga
Where: ME Swings Coffee Co. – #fridaycoffeeclub
Observation: I learned a secret from a fellow #bikeDC’er – but I’ll never tell!
Lunch No. 1
Miles: [See Coffee No. 1]
Bikes: Soma Saga
Where: Red Apron Butcher, Union Market
Observation: The meatball sub was as delicious as was promised. But the management at Union Market have some weird security theater thing going on that makes the place feel less “natural”.
Personal Care No. 1
Miles: [See Coffee No. 1]
Bikes: Soma Saga
Where: Bank of America ATM on H Street
Observation: I didn’t realize there was an ATM at the back of this building, only those in the vestibule up front. And bonus – the outside location does not smell like urine!
February 16th
Personal Care No. 2
Miles: 2 (estimated)
Bikes: Raleigh Revenio Carbon 4
Where: Revolution Cycles, Clarendon
Observation: First, Katie the GM at the RevCycles Clarendon location took such great care of us – it was an incredible experience. Second, from an outsiders perspective, most people do not know how to treat women customers at bike shops (this was not true here). Third, Kate got a beautiful Raleigh Clubman that I hope will be with us for many years. and Fourth (this is where the personal care is) – HOLY COW – I’ve never ridden a carbon fiber bike before, and I hadn’t ever ridden one with ultegra components (let along Ultegra Di2). When Kate took her bike on a longer test ride, Katie pulled this off the floor and set it up for me so we could ride together (I said – “doesnt matter what I ride”, so this was cool) . It felt like a rocket ship and one one of the most fun experiences I’ve had on a bike in a while!
February 17th
Wild Card No. 2
Miles: 30.39
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker
Where: All over the place. I’m calling this one a wild card because a) I rode to the start of an informal ride; b) we stopped at a coffee shop for a bathroom break; c) We stopped at many of the Civil War Forts east of the River; d) we had lunch at Murray & Pauls in Brookland; e) I tried to go to the hardware store next to Murray & Pauls but it was closed; f) I took Metro home from Brookland
Observation: I now know how to fix a chain (fortunately I had a chain tool, unfortunately I kept on pushing the pin all the way out and couldn’t get it back in to repair the chain)
Grocery No. 1
Miles: 4.30
Bikes: Soma Saga
Lights: A black rubber blinky, possibly knog brand, that I found in one of our cars. Origin unknown, but it puts out some bright light! On the rear, a Blackburn blinky that is very temperamental – and needs to be replaced.
Where: Harris Teeter, Pennsylvania & Potomac, SE DC
Observation: I saw Beth from the Daily Rider as I was riding down the parking garage ramp.
Grocery No. 2
Miles: [See Grocery No. 1]
Bikes: Soma Saga
Lights: A black rubber blinky, possibly knog brand, that I found in one of our cars. Origin unknown, but it puts out some bright light! On the rear, a Blackburn blinky that is very temperamental – and needs to be replaced.
Where: Capitol Hill Supermarket, 241 Mass Ave NE
Observation: I like avocados, I like the errandonnee, and I will ride out of my way instead of walking to the closer grocer to get an avocado and finish off the event!
I love the idea of a “beervet”!
Beervet Beervet Beervet!!!
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