Christmas and New Years gifted us some beautiful riding weather. Hope you got to enjoy some long rides. Above is a glimpse of the end of River Rd, in Poolesville, where this four-lane highway twists along the Potomac and eventually turns into a single lane gravel road.
Test Rides
We believe you deserve as many choices as possible when considering a new bike, and we want to be a helpful guide in that process. Test riding as many bikes as you want is a great way to find the perfect ride.
We hope you'll take us up on the offer to try any of our bikes: we know you'll find one you love.
WHAT TO BRING:
A helmet: We have loaner helmets too, although your own will likely be more comfortable since it's already fitted to your noggin.
A photo ID and credit card: We'll collect these before you head out with the bike, and keep them in a safe place for you when you return.
Optional: your old bike. If you're replacing a current bike, you can make a better "apples to apples" comparison between new and old if you ride them back to back, instead of trying to remember how the old one feels.
TEST RIDE TIPS:
Shifting and braking: If anything is unclear to you please ask us to explain the shifting and braking mechanisms before you go out. It only takes a minute, and by knowing more about the bike, you'll enjoy the ride more.
Time: Please let us know if you plan to be out for longer than ten minutes. It's perfectly fine with us to go for a longer ride; we just would like to know when to expect you back. If you're gone much longer we'll worry something went wrong.
Nice and Easy: If you want to go on a longer, guided test ride, consider joining our Nice and Easy ride every Saturday and Sunday mornings at 10 AM. Please plan to show up 15 minutes early so we can set you up on the bike you'd like to try.
Bikepacking Seminar with Salsa
Our friends at Salsa Cycles, Pat and Ethan, dropped by to lead a seminar on bikepacking. Recently the two completed Bikepacking.com's Moco Route, a 124 mile off-road loop, that begins in DC and tours singletrack throughout Montgomery county. Thanks to everyone who joined us for the party. It was great hearing people share their own personal experiences and tips.
Pat's Salsa Cycles Warbird with Salsa Frame Bag 11 for Warbird 60, Revelate Designs Viscacha Seat Bag, and Revelate Designs Sweetroll Bag.
Ethan's Salsa Cycles El Mariachi Ti with Salsa Frame Bag, Revelate Designs Viscacha Seat Bag, Revelate Designs Sweetroll Bag, Revelate Designs Gas Tank Top Tube/ Stem Bag, and Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbag.
Much like traditional touring, the idea behind bikepacking is to take you and your gear on an adventure. Bikepacking relies on frame bags instead of racks and panniers. This is great for off road use and ultralight setups. If you are riding on mostly smooth or paved services, traditional touring setups will work great.
Below is a glimpse of what Pat and Ethan take with them on a trip. All of these are available for order at BicycleSPACE. Have you been bikepacking or touring? What are your must-have essentials? Let us know in the comments.
1. Garmin GPS Cycling Computer Edge Explore 1000
2. Multi Tool w/ Chain Breaker
3. Spare SPD Cleat and Bolts
4. Outdoor Tech Kodiak USB Power Bank
5. Light and Motion Solite EX 250 Headlamp
6. Big Agnes, Inc. Fly Creek UL2 Shelter
7. Nemo Equipment, Inc. Fillo Pillow
8. Big Agnes, Inc. Insulated Q-Core Rectangle Sleeping Pad
9. Big Agnes Lost Ranger 15F Sleeping Bag
10. Backpacker's Pantry Organic Cinnamon Apple Oats and Quinoa
11. GSI Halulite Minimalist Cookset
12. SteriPEN Adventure Opti Water Purifier
13. MSR PocketRocket Stove
14. Surly Merino Wool Neck Gaitor
15. DeFeet Woolie Boolie All Mountain Sock
16. 45NRTH Japanther MTN 2-Bolt Cycling Shoe
17. 45NRTH Sturmfist 5 Finger Glove
Winter Service Special
After a season full of riding, get your bike tuned up and running like new again. Enjoy $25 off our Level 1 and 2 tuneups, and $50 off our Complete Overhaul.
Christina's Christmas Cargo
Friend of the Space, Christina, uses her Xtracycle for everything from Christmas trees to kegs.
My husband Scott and I have been hauling our tree on our Xtracycle for about 5 years now -- First on a Free Radical connected to a Specialized mountain bike. When that was stolen, we upgraded to an Edgerunner, purchased through Bicycle Space!
When it comes to picking a tree, we just pick the one we like most. Last year's haul, with me on the bike, was nearly 8 feet! We have the luxury of doing this since our bike is so versatile. We have strap extenders for the Xtracycle bags, which allowed us to secure it to one side of the rear. However, having nearly 100 lbs on one side of the bike make for some tricky maneuvering, as you can imagine, especially when stopping, when all your weight shifts.
What's great about the Edgerunner is that it fits both my husband and I once we adjust the seat post. We've gotten everything on that bike! Kegs, dogs, people, lumber, and of course, Christmas trees!
A Brompton Abroad
Friend of the Space, Barbara, shares her maiden voyage abroad with her Brompton.
What was the inspiration for the trip?
My 84-year old mother has been wanting to do a ‘roots’ trip back to where she grew up in Germany. So I took her to where she’d lived, Hamburg and Bremen. While there, I took advantage of the times that my mother slept in or spent hours shopping to run errands or go for “scouting rides.” After she left I took trains to some other lovely towns bordering the North & Baltic Seas where her grandparents were from (no luck finding any relatives, though). Since the best flights I found for myself were in & out of Berlin, and I have friends there, I also spent a few days in leafy, uncrowded Berlin.
Did you consider any other bikes before getting a Brompton? A full size bike is too much to deal with on this kind of trip. I considered other folders, but found them too flimsy and unstable in comparison.
Did you have any reservations? I was a little afraid of how overnight accommodations would receive a bicycle coming in, but it was never perceived as a bother or unusual. I hadn’t been to Germany since the wall came down (26 years ago!), and did not know how safe or easy it would be to get around by bike, so it was nice to find it’s not just cool, but ubiquitous! There is cycling infrastructure absolutely everywhere, and it’s not thought of as anything special. If anything, driving is the non-standard mode of transport.
“Owning a Brompton makes me feel like I’ve tapped into a whimsical, yet pragmatic transportation mode. It’s fun and freeing!!
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Why was a Brompton such a good travel companion? Having the Brompton felt like having a travel companion who’s 100% in sync with you. With the ‘brommie,’ and a $10 local SIM card installed in my phone, I felt fearless to go anywhere without much baggage, guide books, or fixed itinerary. It was super easy to take it on trains, and once at a destination, I saw things and chatted with locals so much more than I would’ve if I’d relied on driving, or even subways. There are extensive subway systems in the cities (which you can also take a bike onto if uncrowded), but I prefer being above ground – you never know what you’ll see!
How long have you had your Brompton? I’d been hankering after one for a while, so planning for this trip was just the last bit of motivation needed. I only bought it a few weeks before leaving!
What do you use your Brompton for? Do you have a multi-modal commute? I have a too-long & hilly multi-modal commute! I’m not ready to give up my share bike membership yet, but do use the Brompton on occasional trips to work or shop. It's pretty handy since you can take it on the metro anytime.
Any tips for traveling with a Brompton? Surprisingly, the T-bag gave me enough space to pack for a 3 week trip. I’ve been experimenting with ways to pack the bike for travel (a Brompton cardboard box, regular luggage, fancy bags made for it, and Ikea storage bags), and have found the original cardboard box that it came in held up the best and could be disposed of on arrival. The only trick is finding one for the return trip. It wasn’t hard to do in Germany, since there are bike shops that specialize in Bromptons.
Are you planning any other Brompton trips in the future? From here on out, it’s going to hard to imagine going anywhere without it!
Gift Guide 2015: Home Mechanic
We understand. We're sometimes closed, it's a little far to travel, and, much as you like the wisdom, humor, and advice from your favorite mechanic, it can be fun working on your own bike. From avoiding flats - 8. pumping to proper pressure prevents pinchflats - to 2. fixing them without destroying your rim with a screwdriver, we've got you covered. You'll find these 1,3 tools and supplies on our workstands when we're 4. changing out pedals, on our workbenches when 5. adjusting headsets and saddle heights, and 6. in the pits after muddy 'cross races (hey, a 7. cleaned bike is a happy bike). There's a reason we swear by these. We use them ourselves.
Gift Guide 2015: Hills Rider
Mighty. Majestic. Magnificent. The Hills of Anacostia, Rock Creek, and Bladensburg don't take the winter off; they're still waiting for you to come and ride them every weekend at 9 AM. Be Prepared for the challenge - the right gear can make all the difference. 5. Mavic's stiff, strong, and light Ksyrium Elite wheelset will help you fly up Tilden NW, bomb Mass Ave SE, survive the potholes of Bladensburg NE...and that red-on-black color scheme looks durn stylish parked in front of Zeke's afterwards. 1. Lazer's Z1 helmet, used by pro road and cyclocross racers the world over, comes with options like rear lights, helmet mounted heart rate sensors, and a snap-on aeroshell that keeps out the cold wind and rain. 3,4 Shave precious grams (and look Totally Pro) with fizik's saddles and bar tape. Speaking of which, being able to feel your face as the wind whips past you on fast descents is also Pro...which is what the 6. balaclava's for. Of course, you can always chase hills on Zwift Island or Richmond from your basement on weekdays; a 2. Kinetic smart trainer will get you ready for the weekends.
Gift Guide 2015: The Bromptoneer
It's clever, it's elegant, it's surprisingly capable, you can take it anywhere, and it folds into a handy and compact package. Yes, it's the 3. Brompton tool kit! Fold it up, tuck it in your bike's frame, and keep your bike going while on the go. 1. Color matching (or contrasting!) hinge clamp knobs and 2. bar grips make your made-for-you Brompton even more unique, and the stylish 5. game bag (available in yellow, navy, and natural canvas) compliments the useful elegance of your bike. Protect your investment when traveling with a 4. hard-sided case, and while away the flight with 6. The History of Brompton.
Gift Guide 2015: The Commuter
Day in, day out, through snow, through rain, through gloom of night, it's time to ride. Let's face it, nobody likes being stuck in traffic; your bike's a tool in the War on Gridlock, a way to slice through the city any day, any hour. 6. Lights on fenders and 2. lights on your bike keep you from earning a story about "that time I hit a deer on the trails" that you really don't want. Carry all your important (and fragile, and can't get wet) gear in 1. German Ortlieb bags on a 3. German Tubus rack, while 7. Portland's Finest breathable jacket, 5. shoe covers, and helmet cover from Shower's Pass keeps you cozy, even in the midst of the storm.