Winter Service Special

Winter riding can put the hurt on your components and so can months of inactivity. Get your ride back in great shape with our Winter Service Special. Take advantage of this deal and have your bike in perfect condition for the spring season. 

Level One: $50 (regularly $99) 

Our entry level service package including: Adjusting brakes, gears, hubs, headset, and bottom bracket, truing wheels, wiping off frame and wheels, and tightening every nut and bolt on the bike.  

Level Two: $75 (regularly $149)

Great for the everyday rider.  Everything included in the Level One, and additionally: removing drive-train and thoroughly cleaning in solvent tank, and replacing shift and brake cables as needed.

Checkin by February 28th. Cost of replacement parts such as cable, housing, chain, etc... not included. 

Made by Hand: Green Hat's John Uselton shows off his gin delivery vehicle

New Columbia Distillers founders John Uselton (left) and Michael Lowe (right) in their Ivy City Distillery

As the son of an airplane mechanic, John Uselton has always been interested in working with his hands. Shop class was his favorite subject in school. His first car was a VW bug that came with the engine in four cardboard boxes.

After doing everything from working on Navy submarines to wearing every hat in the restaurant business, John opened New Columbia Distillers with Michael Lowe in 2012. 

These German made tanks are constructed of copper and stainless steel. 

Grains are sourced from local Virginia farms. 

Kevin samples their winter gin: Green Hat Ginavit

Their signature product, Green Hat Gin, is named after George Cassiday, the green hat clad bootlegger that supplied booze to the House and Senate during prohibition. Today, John lives just across the street from the Cassiday’s residence in Capitol Hill, where he (Cassiday, that is) ran his bootlegging operation. In a nod to history, the first case of Green Hat Gin was given to Cassiday descendants who live in Virginia. 

During the third distillation, the gin is around 130 proof. It then rests for two weeks, where the flavors of the aromatic herbs and seeds mix together. 

John rode mountain bikes while living in Texas, but when he moved to Boston he didn’t find much time to ride and made the most of public transit to get around. Upon moving to Clarendon, he became frustrated with his long commute to Adams Morgan and inconsistent train schedules. While walking back from the July 4th fireworks with his wife, he spotted an old Raleigh in a dumpster. He brought it home and fixed it up himself and knew right away this was his favorite way of getting around town. 

A.N.T Boston Roadster featuring handmade frame and racks. John often delivers small orders to bars and restaurant by bike.  

A.N.T headbadge. Made of copper and steel, just like the distillery.

Today, John rides every day to work in Ivy City on his A.N.T. Boston Roadster, a steel city bike handmade in Massachusetts. His is set up with a internal 7-speed alfine hub and dynamo lights that allow him to safely arrive at work in wee hours of the morning. John was attracted to the craftsmanship of this iconic framemaker. Much like the bike industry, the micro-distillery business is a labor of love, fueled by a passionate people that take pride in making things themselves. 

Interested in cycling and spirits? Check out our Brewing History Tour with local historian Garret Peck. 

Have you ever tried Green Hat Gin? What did you think?

Mud butts and skunk stripes: An introduction to the wet world of fenders

When it rains, most people worry about the wet stuff coming from overhead, but cyclists have to consider the water that comes from below. Have you ever ridden right after a big rain? If you didn’t have fenders, you were probably surprised at how wet your feet and butt got, which is to say nothing of the ever-charming skunk stripe that your back tire sprays up at you.

While of course no one wants to get dirty road water all over their clothes, we also need to consider our bikes. All that water your tires spray up into your headset, bottom bracket and drivetrain can wear out your parts, leading to potentially expensive replacements. 

Fenders, also called mudguards overseas, are an affordable and practical way to protect expensive clothes and components from the grim of the road. At BicycleSPACE we have a wide variety to suit just about every bike—some of our bikes even include fenders stock! Below, we’ll talk about fender types and a few of our favorites. If you have any questions, you can always ask our capable staff which kind of fender would suit you and your bike best.

The Best: Full coverage fenders

The Handsome Mud butlers are great because as full coverage fenders they keep your butt happy and mud free, even in the worst wet. They extend far down the wheel, practically eliminating spray on to you, and even on to riders behind you. How courteous! To mount these, you will need eyelets on the frame of your bike: look for a metal tab with a hole in it near your dropouts. These fenders also will cover the underside of your fork, and go all the way to your chain stays on the rear, so they protect your headset and bottom bracket too.

Better: Medium coverage fenders

SKS race blades are a great option for performance-oriented road bikes without eyelets and clearance for large fenders.They mount onto the fork and seat stay non-permanently and without any nuts and bolts to lose. While they do a decent job of protecting you from getting too wet, they aren’t great for protecting more delicate parts of your bike from getting sprayed with nasty road water.

Better than nothing: Clip ons

If you want something that comes on and off in a minute, the SKS X-tra Dry Clip-On is a quick and lightweight option, especially for bikes with little clearance and no mounting options. While they are better than nothing at protecting you from the skunk stripe, they truly are a world apart from full coverage fenders: don’t expect them to keep you, or your bike, totally dry. That said, the ability to take them on and off is great if you have more than one bike and don’t want to bother with a more permanent fenders for each one.

Good Cold Fun

Here are some of our latest instagram favorites: 

Our mechanic Jake testing out his new handmade backpack while on courier duty. 

You never know what you'll run into on a ride up the towpath. Last week a series of subfreezing days made for perfect canal hockey conditions. 

Where do you like to ride in the winter months? Let us know in the comments. 

Celebrating MLK's legacy by bike

"Martin Luther King Seaview, Fire Island, NY. Sept. 2, 1967." Photo: Stan Wolfson, Newsday

“Bike the change you wish to see.” About 30 bicyclists answered this call and participated in our 2015 Ride on Washington on January 17. Visiting historic sites, we celebrated our community and our collective power to transform it for the better. 

Bicycles are the very definition of empowerment. They represent freedom and the power to make forward progress. Like the civil rights movement, they don’t advance on their own but rely on human strength and sense of direction to reach the destination.

Bikes are a social equalizer and community builder. They break down the barriers (both physical and socially constructed) that people tend to build up and inspire interaction and human connections.

Leaving from our shop in Chinatown, we made our way down Pennsylvania Avenue to Freedom Plaza. This public square is located blocks from the Willard Hotel, where Martin Luther King, Jr. put the finishing touches on his 1968 "I Have a Dream" speech. 

This square was renamed from Western Plaza to Freedom Plaza in honor of King. Today it remains a popular site of protests and assemblies. 

From Freedom Plaza, we headed to the site of the March on Washington, the National Mall, where some 250,000 people marched from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. 

In 2011, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial opened on 1964 Independence Avenue, the address in honor of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

We headed across the Anacostia River to explore the home of one of the 19th century's most influential African-American leaders. 

Cedar Hill - Frederick Douglass House in Anacostia.

Douglass' front porch offered expansive views of the whole city. 

As we coasted down from Cedar Hill, riders remarked on the unique opportunity that bicycling in DC provides, the chance to ride through history around every turn. 

We returned via Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, circling Kingman Island and RFK Stadium as we headed back downtown. 

Lunch was a time to feed mind, body and spirit all at once, building community as we quieted our growling stomachs at &pizza.

It was no accident that lunch was held at &pizza. This popular and rapidly growing DC small business has an admirable commitment to the community. They have an ongoing charitable initiative to donate food to social service organizations. They also invite customers to write in and tell them about the community causes they support. 

On short notice, &pizza not only opened their doors to our large group, but donated pizzas for our lunch. We express the deepest respect to a kindred small business that will really go the extra mile for a worthy cause. &pizza answered our call to serve honorably and deliciously. 

Leading a frank discussion, BicycleSPACE staffer Leah Fantle posed these questions to the group:

• How did it feel to be passing through these sites today?
• Which stood out to you the most?
• Have you ever participated personally/physically in a protest or march? Do you think you would have participated back in 1963?
• What kinds of actions can Americans take today to have an impact on causes that are important to us?
• Do you think these have as big of an impact as physical congregations?
• What are some of the biggest social movements that you have seen? What pushed them over the tipping point?
• In what ways has American culture towards civil rights changed or stayed the same since the time of MLK? In what ways has it legally changed and in what ways have cultural perceptions towards it changed or stayed the same?
• What can we learn from the nonviolent movement that we can apply to our everyday lives?
• In what ways can we support those still struggling and striving for equality? Is solidarity or clicktivism enough, or are there real actions we can or should take?
• Biggest takeaways or thing learned from today? Has your perspective shifted or changed? In what ways?

Interested in more events like this ? Sign up for our newsletter or share your feedback in the comments. BicycleSPACE regularly hosts free classes and rides that directly support local community groups. 

Ride on Washington

Photos from the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington in the summer of 2013. Visit these historic sites and more on our Ride on Washington at 11:30 am this Saturday, January 17. 

Join BicycleSPACE and friends for a bicycle ride through history commemorating and celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy and the footprints the great civil rights movement left on our nation's capital. 

The ride departs from our pop-up shop at 700 5th St NW.

What to expect: This ride will explore the paths the civil rights movement traveled. We will start with a slow roll along the March on Washington route, followed by a quick stop at the new MLK Memorial. The ride will continue through DC, passing through historically and culturally significant spots that contributed to the civil rights movement. (More details to come). Three-fourths of the way through the ride, we will stop for lunch and a discussion on how current-day activists are writing the next chapters in this pan-generational movement. We'll conclude the ride along some of the streets that bore witness to the 1968 riots that followed MLK's assassination.

Disclaimer: We value diversity of backgrounds and viewpoints and look forward to an authentic, respectful discussion over good food and drink. All bikes welcome; ride will be a no-drop, "social pace" approximately 12 mph.

How do bikes fit in with this picture? Bikes are an ultimate social equalizer and community builder. They break down the barriers (both physical and socially constructed) that people tend to build up and inspire interaction and human connections. Join us for a ride and find out!

Cost: Free. Lunch cost not included (but we'll pick somewhere reasonably priced)

Bring: Your bike, a helmet (recommended), comfortable/athletic clothing in layers for easy temperature regulation (recommended), a friend(!) and your perspective.

BicycleSPACE expands to Northeast

BicycleSPACE is excited to announce the signing of a lease for a new location in the up-and-coming Hecht Warehouse District. The repurposed industrial space at 1512 Okie St NE features more than 4,000 square feet of retail and service space. A summer 2015 opening is planned.

The new shop will join the dynamic and rapidly changing neighborhood and pair well with established neighbors like Open Studio DC, Atlas Brew Works, New Columbia Distillers, One Eight Distilling and Mom's Organic Market -- all less than a five-minute walk away -- while forming part of the foundation for the community that will rise outside our doors . The shop will be an easy ride from Capitol Hill, neighborhoods in NE and East of the River; it will also be a convenient stopping point for commuters in Prince George’s County and beyond.  We look forward to bringing great products, great service and great community support to everyone living in and moving through the area.

“I am thrilled that BicycleSPACE is going to be part of this transformational Douglas Development project," said co-founder Phil Koopman. "From the rebirth of the abandoned space, to creating a walkable-bikeable community that is connected to the greater city, to serving the residents of the historic Trinidad and Ivy City neighborhoods, we can’t imagine a better place to meld the old and the new as our city continues to grow.”

The Northeast location is in addition to -- not instead of -- the previously announced shop at 440 K St NW. BicycleSPACE will operate at both locations. 

Sign up for our newsletter for updates on the grand opening and a new season of events. 

Ride in circles, raise thousands for Women & Bicycles

Hains Point 100 in 60 Seconds by Robert Cannon. 

BicycleSPACE is a proud sponsor of the annual Hains Point 100, a chilly December community ride to raise funds for the Women & Bicycles program of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.

The ride is open to women, men and children of all ages. Some 300 cyclists of all experience levels gathered for warm beverages and breakfast, followed by circular laps around the Hains Point loop. It's not a race but a ride at your own speed. Participants can ride as many or as few laps as they wish. Ride leader Megan Jones and many, many friends complete 100 miles, or at least 33 times around the three-mile loop. Is it crazy? As Megan said, "maaaaaaybe." Is it successful? Unquestionably.

Perks along the way include swag and tasty treats handed to cyclists in motion. If you can grasp it, rewards such as Acme Pies are within reach.

We donated a Kugler Cycles pint glass and a variety of Green Guru and Ortlieb bags to the raffle. This week, Hains Point 100 announced that the event raised $8190, all of which is donated to Women & Bicycles.

This is a shining -- shivering -- example of the strength and diversity of DC bicyclists. Some people rode fast, sporty bikes wearing high-performance cycling gear. Other people wore street clothes and rode the bike they take to work. Yet others rode Capital Bikeshare, another great event sponsor. All these people came out on a wickedly cold day to take part in a joyful, spirited celebration of Washingtonians on two wheels. Thanks to the community's generosity, the cause of women bicyclists is now $8,190 richer. 

By Andrea Adleman, Communications Manager 

Pop-Up is Open!

Happy New Year, friends. BicycleSPACE is on a path of major growth and we can't wait to round every corner with you on the thrilling journey ahead.  

Over the holidays, we labored as diligently as Santa's elves to open our temporary shop at 700 5th St NW. The lights are on, the service stands are up, the accessories are stocked and the shiny, happy bikes are wagging their tails for new homes.

Basic Maintenance and Fix-A-Flat classes resume next week on January 13th. Yoga and Thursday Night Social Rides will return in the Spring in our new location on 440 K Street. 

Do you need a winter bike?

Kate and her "baby fat bike," a Surly Troll. "Riding the unplowed Met Branch Trail is the Troll's dream."

If you've been out riding after our Plaid Ride, then you know that winter has arrived, and hopefully it won't be like last year.

Colder weather and variable road conditions mean a change in wardrobe and riding style. One question you might be considering is: do I need a bike just for riding in winter? The short answer is: maybe? We'll go through the pros and cons of having a dedicated winter bike below.

Usually, it makes sense to go for a more comfortable and less sporty ride. However, ultimately, the decision depends on a lot of things, but don't forget the simple rule: the correct number of bikes to own = N+1 (n = current number of bikes owned).

Pros

Save your nice bike: Winter roads are covered in salt, ice, snow, and god-knows what else, and as you can imagine, that stuff can be pretty tough on drivetrains, especially lightweight  derailleurs, cassettes, chains, and brakes. By using another bike, you'll keep that fancy stuff in primo condition for when the weather gets nice again. You increases the longevity of all your components by not wearing out the same parts everyday, all year long. 

Swing a couple bats: Just like baseball players will swing two bats before they step up to the plate with just one, riding a heavy-duty winter bike will make keep you in shape, so when you straddle the nice bike again, you'll wonder why you ever felt so sluggish last spring.

Get comfortable: Being forced to take your time and go a little more slowly on your winter bike can remind you what cycling is all about. It can be refreshing to take it easy and enjoy the quiet snow covered streets.  In addition, typical winter bike accoutrements like big tires, easier gearing, and a more relaxed frame geometry will make for a more comfortable ride.

Cons

C.R.E.A.M.:  (cash rules everything around me) There's no way around it: getting another bike means spending money. An alternative would be to winterize a current bike with fenders, wider tires, and a good drivetrain cleaner. 

S-1: (s= number of bikes that will cause your partner to leave you) For most of us, ample storage space is simply not a perk of city living, and if you live with others, one more bike might be a bridge too far. Of course, you can always just stick some pinheads on those wheels with a nice U-lock and leave it locked up outside!

AWOL: You might become so addicted to winter bikes that you abandon your friends and family and head to Alaska to bike the Iditarod. 

If you're thinking about a winter bike, may we humbly suggest a few: the Jamis Coda Sport, Surly Ogre/troll, All-City Macho Man Disc. 

Do you have a winter bike? What makes a good winter bike in your opinion? Let us know in the comments!

By Kevin Sundeen, Events Coordinator