Brompton Black Edition

One of our sleekest bikes just got sleeker. Brompton Bicycle, maker of the folding multi-modal commuter companion, has just released a special Black Edition. 

A handful of these limited-edition Bromptons will be available at BicycleSPACE in April. Options include two- or six-speed bikes with flat, upright or more upright handlebars. 

Several key components are black on these special bikes, which come in five frame colors: Black, White, Berry Crush, Lime Green and Tempest Blue.

According to Brompton, the black design is a "tribute to urban city night rides and all-weather commutes.”

Winter accessories sale and gloves report

On our cold, snowy Thursday and Friday this week, we urged our community to think warm thoughts. You must be powerful because it worked. The collective good vibes have warmed the temperature and reassured us spring is coming. 

This means we need to make room on the sales floor for new merchandise and clear out the winter goods. Please take winter hats, caps, gloves and helmet liners off our shelves and into your home. Please take 25% off these items to hasten their departure from our stock.

In summary:

BicycleSPACE Winter Accessories Sale

Take 25% off hats, caps, gloves and helmet liners

You can stop reading here and hop to the shop like the Easter Bunny. Or you can take a moment to review our gloves report that follows. 

GLOVES

Your hands are the farthest forward part of your body on a bike. This means they are first to hit the wind and feel the chill.

Besides just looking cool and keeping your fingers warm, gloves also protect your hands from road vibrations or the road itself. A little bit of padding on the glove can make long rides more comfortable. While we all do our best not to fall, sometimes it happens and you’d rather tear up a glove than the palm of your hand. 

Knit gloves

Perfect for brisk weather, these knit gloves are thin enough to let you dig a phone out of your pocket, but thick enough to take the bite out of the wind. Depending on how good your circulation is, these will keep your fingers toasty down to about 40 degrees. 

Wind stopper

Between 30 and 40 degrees is where a little insulation and wind-proofing makes a huge difference. The Castelli Chiro gloves have some of both. The thin insulation gives you the dexterity to operate shifters and press buttons on your lights.

Lobsters

Lobster-claw gloves are like mittens, except that your pinky and ring fingers go in one space, and pointer and middle in another. These gloves have warmed their way into the hearts of many a cold-weather cyclist since they give you the best of both mittens and gloves. You get the warmth of a mitten and dexterity of a glove.

The Giro 100 Proof gloves have warm insulation and windproof and waterproof treatments. They even feature a little tiny pocket in which you can insert a chemical hand warmer.

Celebrating Women's History Month

Wishing the bikewomen of D.C. a happy Women's History Month. We hope to see you at many of the events below.

Wed., 3/4
Weekly morning coffee: Attend the regular weekly coffee with Women & Bicycles, a program of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA). This informal coffee club is held every Wednesday from 8 to 9 am at Compass Coffee, 1535 7th St NW. No RSVP required. Just go!

Thurs., 3/5
Monthly morning coffee: Once a month, Women & Bicycles also holds a coffee club at Bullfrog Bagels, 1341 H St NE. It takes place from 7:15 to 9 am on the first Thursday monthly, which is this week.  

Sun., 3/8
International Women's Day alleycat 

Here's an inspired way to mark International Women's Day. Bike around D.C., decode clues, find places, earn points and have fun at your speed. It's called an alleycat race and BicycleSPACE is proud to sponsor this fun, educational, empowering event.

International Women's Day alleycat
Who: Open to women participants only. Men are encouraged to volunteer at checkpoints. Post on the Facebook event page to serve the cause.
Start time: 1 pm 
Start location: Meridian Hill Park
Cost: $5 cash donation benefiting Collective Action for Safe Spaces, a non-profit that combats street harassment 
Race: 1:30-3:30 pm. Participants should bring a bag, lock and pen.
Finish line, party and raffle: 3:30 pm at Bardo Brewpub, 1200 Bladensburg Rd NE 
RSVP: Facebook event page

Read background information about alleycats here and here. View pictures of the first D.C. all-women's alleycat in 2013 here. 

Mon., 3/9
Happy hour and tea society: Women bicyclists nationwide are coming to D.C. for the National Forum on Women and Bicycling, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists. The conference takes place on March 10. The night before, Wheelwomen Switchboard is hosting a happy hour which a number of Washingtonians are attending. Come socialize with other women bicyclists from around the country and D.C. region. The happy hour is 7 to 9 pm at Teaism, 400 8th St NW. RSVP: Facebook event page. (Perk alert: did you know Capital Bikeshare members get 10% off at Teaism?!) 

Wed., 3/11, 3/18 and 3/25
Weekly morning coffee: Attend the regular weekly coffee with Women & Bicycles, a program of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA). This informal coffee club is held every Wednesday from 8 to 9 am at Compass Coffee, 1535 7th St NW. No RSVP required. Just go!

Sat., 3/21
Fix-a-flat boot camp, hosted by Women & Bicycles, Black Women Bike D.C. and the D.C. Public Library. Takes place from 2 to 4 pm at Anacostia Library, 1800 Good Hope Rd SE. Free but limited space. RSVP required. Info: Facebook event page.

Sat., 3/28
Women's history ride, hosted by Women & Bicycles and the D.C. Public Library. A beginner-friendly ride open to women, men and children, taking place from 12 to 3 pm starting at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 901 G St NW. Free but limited space. RSVP required. Info: Facebook event page.

12 reasons to vote BicycleSPACE

BicycleSPACE would be honored to receive your votes for Best Bike Shop and Best Place to Get Your Bike Fixed in the City Paper Best of 2015 Readers' Poll. It's coming down to the final 12, by which we mean the virtual polling place is open for 12+ more hours. In this spirit, we present a 12-word campaign platform below. Please cast your ballot by 11:59 pm Sunday, March 1. Thanks, 12+ times over.  

The art of the ask

Gear Pedaler of Prudence: We understand the Washington City Paper is conducting a Best of 2015 Readers' Poll. We are mindful voting ends this Sunday, March 1. We've had an exceptionally profound week. Last Friday, we were overwhelmed with gratitude to be voted Best Bike Shop in the very first Washington Area Bicyclists Choice awards. Yesterday, we announced 2015 is the Year of Three BicycleSPACE Shops, revealing our third and biggest location in Adams Morgan. As the deadline nears, we're asking our beloved community to vote BicycleSPACE for Best Bike Shop and Best Place to Get Your Bike Fixed in the Goods & Services category of the City Paper awards. Sincerely, Big Ideas Come (to) Your City Led (by an) Empowering Social Personable Active Community Enterprise (BicycleSPACE)

Announcing BicycleSPACE Adams Morgan

BicycleSPACE: 2424 18th St NW

Adams Morgan has always been a favorite stop on our Mural Tours. 

BicycleSPACE announces the spring opening of an unimaginably large shop in Adams Morgan, an expansion progressing in tandem with the company’s upcoming shops in Mt. Vernon Triangle and Ivy City. 

The Adams Morgan shop is located at 2424 18th St NW in a 6,400-square-foot storefront. At this size, the shop is the literal definition of BicycleSPACE, now enlarged to create a more opportune environment for bicyclists.

With this much physical space, BicycleSPACE will exponentially increase its ability to serve the greater Washington, D.C. market. It will also strengthen the D.C. economy by creating 40 new jobs, bringing its total workforce to 70+ employees.

BicycleSPACE anticipates an April move into the Adams Morgan property. In May, the company expects to open its 4,100-square-foot shop at 440 K St NW. BicycleSPACE anticipates a June opening at 1512 Okie St NE in the Hecht Warehouse District of Ivy City

BicycleSPACE is poised to become the largest bicycle retailer in D.C.

"We are bringing a vision to life," said co-owner Philip Koopman.

"We've long imagined a great space that could hold a fantastic selection of bikes. We envision a place full of vitality where our community can forge connections between people and bikes and the joy we share by equipping customers with just the right bike.

“We'll create a hands-on learning experience for first-time buyers. We'll offer an expertly curated selection of top-quality products for every interest and purpose, meeting the needs of urban commuters, athletes, adventurers and everyone in between.”

The most distinctive BicycleSPACE benefit is freely available to every D.C. bicyclist: an open invitation to become part of the dynamic BicycleSPACE community.

Through no-cost weekly rides and classes, BicycleSPACE provides space for bicyclists to build community, come together for social and educational events and share in the joyful, uplifting experience of riding a bicycle. Drawing hundreds of participants, BicycleSPACE’s larger social rides are one of many reasons why the shop was voted Best Bike Shop in the first-annual Washington Area Bicyclists Choice awards this month.

BicycleSPACE is currently operating a pop-up shop at 700 5th St NW at the corner of G Street NW.

For more information about the three BicycleSPACE shops of 2015, please see our FAQ.

(Left to right) General Manager David Dorn and co-owners Phil Koopman and Erik Kugler are opening three new BicycleSPACE shops this year. 

When February ends ...

... so does our winter service special. Bring in your bike by Feb. 28 for a half-price tune up.

Sunday, March 1 is also the last day to vote in the City Paper Best of DC poll. We'd be honored to be voted Best Bike Shop and Best Place to Get Your Bike Fixed in the Goods & Services category. (If you wish to view our campaign literature, here is our platform and here are our thoughts after winning three Bicyclists Choice awards on Feb. 20).

Happy New Year!

*Liberally defined to include products containing any semblance of red or even ones that can hold red wine.

The Lunar or Chinese New Year began on Feb. 19. We wish our Chinatown neighbors a very Happy New Year! The annual parade and festival is taking place on Feb. 22. 

During the 15-day New Year's celebration, you'll see a lot of red, symbolizing joy and luck in Chinese tradition. We're feeling abundantly happy and fortunate these days, especially following our Bicyclists Choice awards.

To share in the spirit of the Chinese New Year, we're offering 20% off red accessories through the end of the holiday period on March 5.

We invite you to get creative with the offer. Is there a little red stripe on those gloves? Deal! Look around, ask questions and take advantage of our jubilant, generous mood.

Have you been eyeing a stunning red Brompton folding bicycle? Though we can't consider it an assessory, we can give a smaller discount or toss in a free red accessory.

You're the apple of our eye! Our red hearts are overflowing with joy! Come share the bikelove with us.

Bicyclists Choice: A Shared Vision for a Vital City

Best Shop Ride: Hills of Anacostia

Best Bike Shop: BicycleSPACE

It is a humbling honor and privilege to report that BicycleSPACE was voted Best Bike Shop in the first-annual Washington Area Bicyclists Choice Awards tonight. 

Thank you.

Thank you for endorsing our vision of contemporary urban life. Thank you for voting BicycleSPACE and for buying into our concept of a transaction.

As a community, BicycleSPACE employees and customers are invested in each other. Each and every one of us is upholding our part of the bargain in the social contract that binds us. We are united in our desire to create places, spaces and occasions to come together, socialize, learn, see new parts of town, open our minds to new ideas, revel in the delights of the city, be responsible stewards of our environment and pave the way to a more just, sustainable, kind and respectful society.

Bicycles take us there.

Bicycles take us up the mighty Hills of Anacostia. Led by community leaders Chris Roell and Mauricio Herbas, this ride was awarded Best Shop Ride.

Bicycles take us through the vital urban core on the 7th Street Social. This ride was awarded Best Social Ride, solely because hundreds of you elected to join in.

As we steer into a new era, the 7th Street Social will transition into a different ride with all the spirited sociability you expect. We've departed 7th Street for Mt. Vernon Triangle, Ivy City and a promising future. Inspired by your support, we're aiming sky high.

Sincere thanks for rolling with us.

Best Social Ride: 7th Street Social 

Love was found!

While it wasn't as yucky and wet as last year, Valentine's Day brought cold weather again this year. Nevertheless, our second-annual Looking for Love Velo Hunt tasked intrepid bike lovers to solve our riddles of love by sharing photos on Instagram and Twitter.

Using the hashtag #lookingforlovedc, 35 lovely riders wandered through some of D.C.'s most (and least) romantic landmarks before finishing up for a spirited afterparty at our future neighbors, One Eight Distilling. At the distillery, we enjoyed some fine spirits, took tours and gave away prizes:

Most points: Team 12

Winners of two $25 BicycleSPACE gift cards

Best Photo: Team 4

Winners of two BicycleSPACE T-shirts

Best Couple Costume: Team 7

Winners of a pair of BicycleSPACE steel tumblers

Thanks for joining us! Relive the fun or see what happened in the photos below. 

We'll be hosting more scavenger hunts in the spring, so stay tuned to our social media accounts and subscribe to our newsletter for updates.