After riding a modified Weenie 100, there was only one food that would be fitting for dinner – hot dogs.  Frankfurters, red hots, half-smokes, tube meat, wiener.  I am a big fan of this cylindrical foodstuff, which I attribute to having grown up in southern Connecticut.  There we had Super Duper Weenie, Rawleys, Swanky Franks, Danny’s Drive In, and Windmill, the best rolls from Chaves Bakery, and the best natural casing dogs from Miller’s Provisions and Hummel Bros.  Suffice to say, I have had a few hot dogs in my time.

Fortunately there is a hot dog joint in DC about a mile from my apartment (1.02 to be exact) on Barracks Row called “DC-3“, after the Douglas airplane. I cleaned up from the century and rode over (with lighting).  Same setup as before.

Here is where the punishment begins.  First of all, after spending a ton of hours in the saddle, hopping back on in blue jeans hurts!  Even if for only 2 miles.

Then I decided I really needed to see how bad this “3 Alarm Cruncher” hot dog was, since it was featured on a new Food Network show “Heat Seekers“.  Again, pain.  But this type of intensely spicy pain can also be pretty nice.  The 3 Alarm Cruncher was a DC style half-smoke, wrapped in bacon, split in two and stuffed with habanero peppers, a large helping of sriracha sauce, jalapeno relish, little green peppers, and jalapeno flavored potato chips mashed up and sprinkled over the damn thing.  WOW.

But also a reward for a tough days work, and I was happy.  Unfortunately the other DC-3 dog that I had was pretty lame, so I don’t think I will be back.  Oh well.

Here is my report for Control No. 6

Control Type: Dinner (first use)

Date:18 February 2012 (second ride, week three, light bonus)

Destination: DC-3

Distance: 2.04 miles

Who: Just me

Observations:

• Getting back in the saddle after a cantury is painful.
• The 3 Alarm Cruncher is painful.
• Hot dogs are a great reward.
• I am thankful that I live so close to so many great spots in DC.

Other Notes:

None.

Photos:

I got a later start than initially planned, rolling out the door at 9:05 and taking 8th down to M, and eventually to Hains Point, where the original version of the ride starts with a lap.  I took a partial lap, and set off down the Mount Vernon Trail, enjoying the cool morning air.  Once I broke free from the hordes of runners south of Old Town, I was alone and mostly had the roads to myself for the remainder of the day.

Passing through Mount Vernon, a short hop on Route 1 (no shoulder!) and then eventually to Fairfax County Parkway.  I was really happy to see on multiple occasions throughout the day that some of the bigger roads in the county have a decently well maintained multi-use path running along the road.  Though the “instant on” cross walk signals where the path crosses feeder roads created a false sense of security and was pretty dangerous.

I headed towards Mason Neck State park where the Occoquan and Potomac rivers meet – a real gem for hikers it appeared.  Also a bald eagle nesting area – I got to see one (a first for me) and it was amazing.

Leaving Mason Neck I noticed that I had been passing many signs labeled “Washington-Rochambeau Route” This is apparently a 680 mile route along which Washington marched his army, and Rochambeau his French soldiers from Newport, RI to Yorktown, VA during the revolutionary war.  A Rhode Island cyclist appears to be mapping the good biking roads along the route at his webpage here, and is getting some press for doing so, like a local paper from Cranston, RI here.

After climbing a steep hill alongside a landfill (which I think is more neat than stinky because I’ve worked on them before) I looked at the time and distance I had traveled.  I think I had unintentionally been riding a bit slower than normal in preparation for the hillier route, and realized that I would be chasing my shadow back into DC (or worse) if I didn’t make some adjustments.  I unintentionally cut off what may have been the more challenging portion of the ride along the Occoquan, which was disappointing because it also looked to have the nicest scenery as well.  I headed up Route 123 and rejoined the original route near Burke.

Passing through some wonderful back roads and residential areas I made up some time (only 1 wrong turn) and eventually got to the WO&D trail with daylight to spare.  I suppose I could have stayed on the original route and ridden the last bit of the MVT in the dark, but the combination of unknown medium to high speed roads and poorly lit trails had spooked me enough outside of Occoquan, and now I had to live with my decision.

The Custis trail felt flatter than ever, which is a nice feeling with 80 miles into my legs.  Though I did have to ride behind one fellow who had a “too high” shirt, and “too low” pants.  I didn’t know it was a full moon!  I tried to snap a photo, but only managed to get one of him mostly covered and nearly being run down by an SUV as he crossed against the light.

I felt really good after crossing the Potomac, and decided that it would be silly to get home at 95 miles, so 2 rather speedy laps of Hains Point under the nearly set sun were a requirement.  After slogging up the mall on the sidepath of Constitution (where bells have no meaning) I arrive home just a hair under 101 miles.

I felt good, and knew that after I freshened up I would be off for Utiliitaire No.6  – a fitting ride to DC-3 on Barracks Row to get some appropriate food – hot dogs.

Now i know I can do 100 miles on roads that are more challenging than the pancake flat Eastern Shore rides – so I hope to explore more of Virginia and Maryland this spring and summer.

The original Weenie 100 route is here (Ride with GPS) 5800 feet climbing.  My modified version (Ride with GPS) 4700 feet climbing.

After wandering the neighborhood for a while, from H Street, to Massachusetts Ave to Pennsylvania Ave – I eventually found what I needed at Congress Market on the corner of 5th and East Capitol NE.  New Belgium “Dig” beer and diet coke. Hurrah!

Oh yeah, this was a night ride, so I used lights.  Same setup as before.

Here is my report for Control No. 5

Control Type: Grocery Store (second use)

Date:17 February 2012 (first ride, week three, light bonus)

Destination: Congress Market

Distance: 4.15 miles

Who: Just me

Observations:

• Having no beard (and therefore incredibly improved aerodynamics) has not increased my speed.
• Cap Hill is a 9 o’clock town. (like Albuquerque)
• Greater Greater Washington is reading my mind.  H Street definitely needs performance parking, it was packed!  Trolleys will move SLOW on H street given all the double parked cabs.  New zoning laws that allow stores to open, but with limited morning and night hours will fit right into the existing Capitol Hill way of doing things.

Other Notes:

Looking forward to a nice ride tomorrow!

Photos:

Lights, frontal

hurrah!

double hurrah!

On a somewhat related note… Take a look at this saucy newspaper drawing I found the other day from Nov. 7th, 1893.  It seemed somewhat fitting to share on this day.  Mr. Pedleman – you better watch yourself!

The ride took me up 8th from home to H Street, then east on H to the bank.  I like this bank because the front entryway is rather large and I can put my bike there without hassle while going about my business.  I then rode down 10th back to Maryland Ave, and followed that until I got to my local library, the Northeast Neighborhood Library.  It is a good thing that I went to the bank, because the library is only about 1/4 mile from home, but with the detour, I arrived after traveling 1.04 miles.

I needed a library card.  The library is great!  DVDs, magazines, interesting books, less interesting books, and completely uninteresting books can all be found here.  And it is free!

Mission accomplished, I headed down to Eastern Market to look for vegetables and Valentines presents for Kate.  She reads this blog once in a while – so… I got some arugula.  Nothing else…

As I was leaving the market (inside) a vendor said he just got a twitter alert from DC saying that a snow squall was headed here and would hit within the hour.  I thanked him and figured I should get home.  The sky was darkening quickly.

I hadn’t made it a block when the wind whipped up and the snow started falling like crazy.  It was fun! And then I was home.

Sunday brought more utilitaire-ing, with a trip to VM Clothiers, where I am getting a suit for my wedding, and to Harris Teeter, where I am getting food for my stomach.

Here is my report for Control No. 4

Control Type: Library (first use)

Date: 11 February 2012 (second ride, week two)

Destination: Northeast Neighborhood Library

Distance: 2.44 miles

Who: Just me

Observations:

• Riding in the snow is FUN
• There were about 8 police cars and a pulled over bus blocking the road near 8th and East Capitol.  Not sure what was going on, and didn’t want to stay to find out.
• Produce selection is pretty weak right now at Eastern Market, can’t wait for spring!

Other Notes:

None.  My upstairs neighbor is singing and (presumably dancing) to “Footloose” right now.

Photos:

Locked up with a friend

Library

New plastic

Skaters at former temporary market location

Snow?

Snow!

4 down, 8 to go.

Ah, but this culinary discovery occurred around 8pm – BONUS – 1 of my “lights required” rides was also completed. What kind of lights did I ride with?  Well, since I am not a super commuter, I do not have an intense light setup.  I do however make sure that the batteries stay relatively fresh, as that directly impacts the light output.  I notice a lot of cyclists with dinky 1 LED lights and a battery with almost no juice left in it, but the light is barely noticeable.  I run the Cateye TL-LD150 models, one front, one rear.  I set them both to flashing mode for this ride, given the road conditions.  I find that with a fresh charge, the 5 LEDs really pump out a good amount of light.  Note, these are classified as “safety lights” not “headlights”  on Cateyes website – and I think it is good that they make the distinction.

Capitol Hill Supermarket is less than 1 mile from home.  I would have to extend the ride a bit to fit within the mileage requirements. Thanks to my Cateye bike computer, I was also able to make this happen (1.06 miles each way).

Here is my report for Control No. 3

Control Type: Grocery store (first use)

Date: 8 February 2012 (first ride, week two, lighting bonus)

Destination: Capitol Hill Supermarket

Distance: 2.12 miles

Who: Just me

Observations:

• Regardless of ride distance, never forget to wear gloves when temperatures are close to freezing, lest thine hands doth freeze.  (did that make any sense?)
• Capitol Hill Supermarket is well stocked, but while they stock a huge variety of refried beans, salsas, Amys Organic canned soups, and dark chocolate, they do not stock tomatillos.
• Drivers seemed very patient (admittedly it was well past rush hour) and did not get aggressive as I took the full lane (just in case there was black ice, I wanted room to make wide and slow turns)

Other Notes:

I ended up finding cilantro, but had to use my stash of home-grown jalapenos (I grew a few pounds this summer, they freeze well) and a mix of green enchilada sauce, and diced green chiles to make the stew work.  It turned out delicious, but a bit salty.

Photos:

Lighting

Trying to hold camera as steady as possible. I need one of those gorilla-pods

The goods

A little less blurry thanks to garbage can tripod

For those of you who are new to the Utilitaire Challenge, scope out the rules (HERE) and (HERE).  I think there is still time to join in and meet the challenge rules and goals if you start this week.

Here is my report for Control No. 2

Control Type: Any Store that is not a grocery store (first use)

Date: 4 February 2012 (second ride, week one)

Destination: DC Brau Brewery

Distance: 6.56 miles

Who: Just me

Observations:

• DC Brau needs a bike rack.  There were 3 bikes there on Saturday.  I might look and see if WABA does some kind of free/discounted rack program and email the brewers about it. Good flat/level space is limited however.
• Almost got “left crossed”.  Was surprised that the driver just looked right through me and turned.
• I think a lot of people feel that Bladensburg Road north of H/Florida (Trinidad) is a dangerous place.  I’ve never had a problem there cycling.  Of course, you always need to keep up your guard for anything unexpected in any neighborhood.

Other Notes:

This was my second trip to the Brewery.  I recommend making the trip, it is a chance to meet the brewers in person, and support the local economy and a local small business.  Also, bring extra cash (I always forget), since there is usually a local food vendor selling food there, and it always looks so good.  This week as 13th Street Meats.

Photos:

Brewing Equipment

Beer Containing Devices

Barrels for something special

Front Door

No bike pictures, but the rules don’t stipulate that the bike must be photographed.

My next Utilitiare? I have a few ideas…

‘The gross and net result of it is that people who spent most of their natural lives riding iron bicycles over the rocky roadsteads of this parish get their personalities mixed up with the personalities of their bicycle as a result of the interchanging of the atoms of each of them and you would be surprised at the number of people in these parts who nearly are half people and half bicycles.’

-Sergant Pluck “The Third Policeman” by Flann O’Brien

I’ve just finished reading “It’s All About the Bike” by Robert Penn, a Christmas present from Kate. It came recommended by a frame builder on the Eastern Shore who she had contacted through some friends. Upon hearing that I rode a Surly, he pointed out that this book is more suited to my personality than say “Boy Racer”, a book about sprinter Mark Cavendish.

The frame builder also recommended that Kate get me tickets to the North American Handmade Bicycle Show. They weren’t under the tree… maybe they got lost in the mail?

The book is a nice tale about the worldwide travels of Robert Penn, a travel writer and long-distance cyclist and world circumnavigator, collecting the parts for his dream bike.  Penn takes the reader on yet another round-the-world trip  From the hills of Berkeley, CA, where he met up with Tom Ritchey and Joe Breeze (the fathers of mountain biking) to get a pair of expertly laced wheels, to Vicenza Italy to pick up a new Campagnolo Super Record group, to a small town in Hampshire England to acquire his Royce hubs.

Along the way he makes a point to tell the history of the bicycle, and how parts and components have developed through trial and error, pain, and longevity tests.  I found dozens of interesting tidbits about things that I had never known, and found myself lusting after some of the same parts Penn himself also sought out.

Did you know that the jockstrap was invented in Chicago at the request of a bike club in Boston to “provide support and comfort” as they traveled over bumpy cobblestone roads? And that cyclists were once called “bike jockeys”

In the end the history and insight into the manufacturing industry was more interesting than the building of Penns bike at times. I found myself dissapointed when he interrupted a story of mountain bike races on old Schwinn clunkers to talk about the lacing pattern of his wheelset!

It was easy to dream about what kind of a bike I would build, and where I would travel to acquire the parts. Certainly a stop at Velo Orange in Annapolis, and Acorn Bags in Southern California.  But do I build a frame at Bishop Bikes in Baltimore, or Geekhouse in Boston, Icarus in Somerville, Indy Fab in Newmarket? The book (and the bike) tugs at the heartstrings of all the bike nerds out there.  You’d be lying if you honestly never spent nights awake thinking of which component and finished you would select.  It’s a shared passion and affliction.

It’s a quick and worthwhile read.  I highly recommend, but caution that it may result in a lusting binge online or at your favorite LBS.

Geekhouse Woodville - via Prolly is not Probably