I find myself in a crappy situation, and am wondering how others have handled it. I came home to DC with my bike for a short trip, and decided to ship it back to NYC when I returned home. I dropped the bike at silver cycles and paid them $100 to pack it and ship it via bikeflights. I purchased $2500 insurance through bikeflights, which doesn't cover the full value of the bike - I figured how badly could a shop possibly botch a job like this...

Well, sit tight for this...they attached the wrong shipping label to the bike, and shipped it to a random person in Tennessee. Finally, when the package is re-routed, I realized in opening the box that silver cycles removed the rear wheel of the bike to pack it (for no reason) and didn't use an axle spacer. You guessed it, the rear chainstay cracked right next to the bottom bracket.

Video of unboxing here: https://youtu.be/UXqKBVZbx8E?si=ukmYbR3HUy9s9eDL

They are trying to weasel out of compensating me for what was clearly a huge oversight on their part, and claim that the damage was due to rough handling of the box.

Any advice on what to do here? I've already missed out on the best part of riding season, but I also don't want to be out $5k+ without a bike at all.

I rode rock creek last week in the evening. Probably left around 5:30 and was in the park by 6. What are people doing down there without lights? It was probably the most dangerous ride I’ve ever had and I commute downtown via bike most days.

There was very little high viz gear and I would bet 50% of people had no lights. Please remember that it gets dark down there about 30 minutes before sunset because you’re in a valley and you should alwayssssss have high viz gear and/or lights, especially if you’re riding near dusk.

Also - beach drive should just have lights on it. Have to imagine that’s pretty easy for NPS to do but it would take some WABA or Rep. Holmes Norton advocacy.

Hey all! Planning on meeting my sister at the vigilante coffee shop in Hyattsville. I’m biking from the Anacostia river trail leading into northeast. What exit/major intersection should I look out for to get off the trail? The maps on my phone are not always accurate

I am near gainesville and have cycled a good bit in loudon (around purcellville and leesburg) as well as some around bull run mountain (bluemont, upperville, the plains). I am still kinda new to gravel cycling but are there any flatter gravel trails out here? I am cool with W&OD level of elevation gain, like ~2000 ft over 50 miles or so. I've been doing like 3000+ ft gain every time I go out on gravel roads and it is taking a toll lol.

It’s only the third or so start date he’s given. I don’t know how (in a practical world) this gets implemented sans seawall which hasn’t even been designed or tendered yet.

I got hit up at both ends. I stopped to talk to the second officer (and there were at least three more present) and this is indeed in response to the recent high-profile scooter crash.

I opined that the problem is high-speed throttles, not e-bikes specifically. Her response was to smile and say, "I don't disagree."

I caught a couple teen boys about to use bolt cutters to cut the Bontrager chain lock on a motorcycle-style e-bike locked right outside the Bouldering Project in Eckington around 7 last night. They had turned the bike on, and the area is poorly-lit.

I immediately started yelling “Bike thieves!” over and over again. The would-be thieves fled toward the MBT on another ebike; it looked like a Veo. My shouting also got the four people standing within 20 feet to actually pay attention and approach.

There are too many stories of thieves stealing bikes, wheels etc. while bystanders are nearby!
Please be on the lookout for anything suspicious, and make as loud of a scene as you can to scare criminals off if you witness anything.

Virtual meeting on October 22nd. Feedback deadline November 6th.

https://facebook.com/events/s/interest-meeting-for-naming-br/1295902945912934/

Pete was a beloved local cyclist who passed away several years ago. He lived in Falls Church and worked at Bikenetic, led group rides, was active in the Bike Arlington forum. This meeting, Monday evening at Westover library, is to explore the possibility of naming a trail bridge in his honor.

One last reminder for VeloCity’s last warehouse sale of the season

1502 Mt Vernon Avenue in the DelRay neighborhood of Alexandria.

We’ve got bikes, we’ve got frames, we’ve got wheels, we’ve got hitch racks, we’ve got trunk racks, we’ve got stationary trainers, we’ve got bins of parts, we’ve got bike trailers for your tykes, and even a tandem or two.

You're invited to celebrate DMV biking at the annual WABA Awards on Wednesday, October 21 at Busboys & Poets in Brookland. The event is free and it will be fun; RSVP here. We'll be honoring leaders and advocates including U.S. Representative Don Beyer, Dr. Nicole Retland from the DC Go-Go Trails Collective, DC Family Biking's Lelac Almagor, and the fantastic organizers at Ward 7 Bikes. 

It's temporary, and who tf knows what upper courts will do with this, but for now...good.

And it's a VERY good thing that Ana Reyes is the judge on this. She's a very smart, no-BS judge with no particular fondness for this administration.

Fingers crossed.

Velocity the non-profit 501(c)3 bike co-op was donated several Yakima Lite Ride three (3) bike hitch racks.

Excellent condition only one Benjamin each.

They are available at our final warehouse fundraising event.
Saturday 17 October 9:00 - 1:00
1502 Mount Vernon Ave Alexandria VA

What are YOUR transportation priorities for DC's next mayor & council? Share your thoughts at an October 18 public forum especially for bike, walking & transit advocates. RSVP at https://waba.org/event/transpoforum.

October 17 9:00AM - 1:00PM 1502 Mt Vernon Avenue Alexandria, VA

Calling all mid-Atlantic X-bikers!

VeloCity Alexandria Virginia’s 501(c)3 non-profit bike co-op is having the last warehouse sale of the year.

Find your winter commuter, stationary trainer or project frame. Still have plenty of bike to choose from.

After my other post earlier this week, I was curious to see how far they have progressed on the stairway from the bridge between Harper's Ferry and the C&O towpath, and it's not looking great, but I am not a construction engineer, so take this for what it is. The original notice said the bridge would be closed for about a month during August to install the new stairwell, but when I got there yesterday, they were pouring concrete around the bottom of the new stairs (it was hard to see exactly where since it was fenced off). The stairs do not have any decking yet either, so they are at least 6 weeks behind the original plan.

On the bright side, the new stairwell will be awesome once it is completed: It is MUCH wider than the old one, so it will allow for two-way travel up and down the stairs, even with bikes. Hopefully the repairs to the walkway are taking place concurrently with the completion of the new stairs - I could not see that side of the bridge from the Towpath.

Finally, even if you can't get across the bridge, this is a spectacular time of year to take a ride up there. We parked at Point of Rocks and rode up a couple hundred yards past the railroad bridge to look across at the town and then took a short detour through Brunswick on the way back. It's a really cute town and it looks like a lot of good places to get something to eat. The stretch of the river for about a mile downstream of Harper's Ferry is littered with rapids, and you can find several places to stop and take in the view from the towpath. It's a really pleasant low stress 25-mile round trip. I highly recommend it!

The monuments at night are truly stunning—and what better way to see them by bike with friends? This 8-mile ride is for ages 21+. Lights, water bottles, and helmets required. HFB will supply lighted sashes, reflective vests and lights for those that need them. This is a no-drop ride, meaning no one gets left behind.

After the ride, we’ll quench our thirst and grab some food at Wunder Garten in NoMa.

Register here: https://eventbrite.com/e/hill-family-biking-grown-ups-monuments-ride-tickets-1977807690042

Scheduled for Saturday Oct 31st with 20 and 35 Miles options. Plus, Halloween costumes completion

The Park Service announced that they have discovered safety issues with the pedestrian walkway alongside the railroad bridge, separate from the stairway replacement project. An inspection on September 21 "revealed the need to replace deteriorating deck planks and decking joists, and to stabilize a section of the security fence. To minimize risks to visitor health and safety and to scope and safely implement needed repairs, the walkway will be closed on September 22, 2026, and will remain closed until repairs can be made and inspections completed." (full post available here: RoD to temporarily close the pedestrian walkway across the Goodloe E. Byron Memorial Bridge - Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service))

The main page to check on the current status of the Park (and the ongoing bridge closure) is available here: Current Conditions - Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)

The bridge had been closed for the stairway replacement since the end of July, and this additional closure is unrelated, but it will extend the existing closure. This is really too bad, since Harper's Ferry is especially pretty in the fall as the leaves change. There is a shuttle running, but previous posts have noted that there is very limited space for bicycles.

From Monday, October 5 through the first week of November

I have been riding lime bikes off and on, but especially in the last month. Initially I'd say 1 in 4 to 1 in 3 bikes had a show-stopping defect - missing pedal, dropped chain, poor acceleration, flat tire (or even tires with the colored danger/warning strip exposed).

It seems a lot rarer now. I've been seeing comms from Lime lately about committing to investing in DC (after a long period of neglect?). https://www.li.me/blog/keeping-dc-moving-lime-invests-17-million-in-capitals-thriving-micromobility-program

Two issues that still persist:

1. Seat levers that are VERY hard to unlatch. My hand strength is prob in top 10-15% of riders, and it can still be a challenge. Their juicers should check this on every bike they touch.
2. On the new small wheel bikes, a saddle pointing up:

https://www.reddit.com/r/bikedc/comments/1w2m22e/the_new_lime_small_wheel_ebikes_upward_sloping/

Anyone done it? Feels like a really easy way to ease into bike packing/touring. I'm not concerned about the distance, I just haven't done a multiple day ride before