Riding a bicycle in the rain... the very words are often enough to cause a person to firmly declare “NEVER!” Chances are good, if you’ve ever been caught out in the rain on your bike, it wasn’t fun. And I don’t really know any cyclists that are eager to ride in the rain. However, there are things you can do to make it a lot more tolerable and safe, to the extent that it is no longer misery. And with the right equipment and attitude, it can even be fun. In today’s column, we’ll focus on how to start dressing properly to ride in the rain. Unfortunately, as with clothing in general, personal …

This was the week for Interbike, the bike industry’s big trade show in the United States, and I was there to see what’s new and interesting in the business. I’ve gone a number of times, and there’s always something new to see and learn about trends to watch. And it’s a great opportunity to meet with other people in the business, compare notes and pick each other’s brains. Of course, each person who attends approaches the show from their own perspective and with their own interests, so I’ll be focusing on those things that particularly stood out  for me. It’s probably no surprise to regular …

You can see the signs everywhere: kids are back in school, vacations are over, pools are closing – Labor Day has passed, and traditionally that marks the end of summer in the U.S. It's the end of long days and hot, steamy weather.But it’s still a great time to ride! We’ve already seen some cooler days, and if you’ve been out on the trails in the mornings, you’ve seen the first long sleeves and long pants on runners and cyclists. Remember my earlier piece about how to beat the summer heat by riding early? Now you don’t really have to do that. The days just aren’t thathot any more. In a few …

In our last column I talked about how to keep your bike in good condition by protecting it from the elements and such. This week I want to focus on another important issue: how to keep your bike from getting stolen. Many of you may have seen the recent column by the Post’s John Kelly about a woman having her bike stolen outside the Capitol building, so it can happen to anyone, anywhere. It’s astonishing just how many bikes are stolen each year - estimates range from 250,000 to well over a million, depending on whose statistics you believe. So how can you prevent yours from being one of them? …

It happens all the time, in bike shops everywhere: A bike mechanic examines a bike, then gives the owner an estimate for getting the bike back into good riding shape. Often times, the owner expresses surprise that a large number of parts need to be replaced ... things like the chain, sprocket cluster, and brake and shift cables. When shown the rust and oxidation that coats these parts, the owner then says “Could this be because I keep the bike outside?” Well, yes. The short, simple answer is that keeping a bike outside, exposed to all the elements, is hard on a bike, and leads to expensive …

Have you ever found yourself wishing there were a better, safer way to get from point A to point B? Have you gotten somewhere, only to discover there’s no safe place to park your bike? Or have you had an interaction with a motorist that made you feel that you were put at undue risk? Most of us have experienced something like this, and have wondered what can be done to make things safer and more convenient for cyclists. Well, that’s where bicycle advocacy organizations come in. In much the same way that the American Automobile Association and other “motor clubs” speak for drivers of …

There’s no doubt about it, for many folks, summer is a favorite time to bike. Plentiful hours of daylight combined with warm weather make a pretty much irresistible combination. While I love the solitude and peace and quiet of a winter bike ride, I have to admit it’s hard to beat a glorious summer day for riding. Even so, there are things you need to keep in mind in order to make your cycling both safe and enjoyable. First, let’s address that “warm weather” I mentioned above. Here in the mid-Atlantic region, it’s not just warm this time of year, it’s downright HOT. Add that to our frequently …

I’ve written a bit in the past about combining cycling with other forms of transportation, so now I thought I would delve a little deeper into that. With a little planning and forethought, mixing cycling with some other mode of transportation can work really well for both practical and recreational traveling. There’s nothing inherently new or radical about the idea – most of us have put our bike in or on a car to get to the start of a ride. But if you put your mind to it, you can find an almost endless number of opportunities to incorporate cycling into other forms of transportation, and vice…

One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that bicycling sometimes suffers from an image problem. I think a lot of folks get the wrong impression from the adrenaline-fueled, lycra-clad, jargon-spouting characters who are often perceived as “real cyclists.” Walk into some bike shops, or stop along one of our many trails and talk to a group of “serious riders," and you just might start to think you need some very special, very expensive equipment -- not to mention a level of dedication and energy -- that few of us have. But you don’t have to be Superman (or Superwoman) to enjoy cycling. Take it …

Well, after a very successful Bike to Work Day with very good turnout and gorgeous weather, I thought I’d follow up with a bit more advice about commuting by bike. First and foremost, there’s the question of attitude. To start with, you don’t have to instantly change your entire life overnight. Begin modestly, ease into it, and see how it goes. It’s probably best not to dive right in and resolve to do all of your commuting by bike, every day, in all conditions and situations. One of the great things about Bike to Work Day is that it gives you a chance to try it on for size, with lots of …

May is Bike Month!  That’s right folks, we’re right smack in the middle of National Bike Month, and May 16 marks the start of Bike to Work Week, a celebration that will culminate in Bike to Work Day on May 20th. So what’s that mean to you? Well, the big event is Bike To Work Day, where the idea is to encourage folks to try ...  you guessed it... biking to work. And there are lots of resources to help you on your way.   I’ll give you a few pointers here, and there’s lots more good information on the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) website. You may be thinking “Why should I bike to…

So now that the weather is looking up, and you’ve gotten your bike ready for the riding season, where are you going to ride? Well, there are plenty of options here in the DC area, and you can start right here in Vienna. We’re fortunate to have one of the better multi-use trails in the area at our doorstep, the Washington and Old Dominion Rail Trail. The W&OD runs right through the heart of Vienna, crossing Maple Avenue right by the Whole Foods Market, and passing adjacent to the Vienna Community Center.  Running for a total of 45 miles from the Shirlington neighborhood in Arlington to …

Spring is here. It’s true. In spite of the gray and chilly spell that has recently visited us, spring is actually here. And many of you are probably thinking “I should get my bike out and ride!” And no doubt some of you are thinking “Hey, now’s the time to bring my bike to the bike shop for a spring tuneup!” Actually, it probably would have been better if you had done that back in February, since most bike shops get flooded with repair work at the first real sign of spring. But since it’s too late for that, here are a few things to consider now that warmer weather is upon us. First: Does your…

Now that we’ve covered how to behave on the trails, it’s time to tackle the roads.  I suspect many of you are at least a little intimidated by riding in traffic.  Well, I’m here to tell you that while those fears are not entirely unreasonable, it is possible to ride on local roads safely.  A few basic rules, some common sense, and a state of constant alertness will serve you well.  I can't possibly cover everything you need to know here, but I'll cover some basics and point you toward some other sources of good information.  The first thing you have to get used to is the idea that bicycles …

In my last column I mentioned how the rules of the road go out the window in parking lots. Well, that got me (and our editor) thinking that this would be a good opportunity to talk about the rules of the road... and the trail! Since many riders in Vienna prefer to stick to the trails when possible, I thought I'd start out with discussing trail rules and etiquette.The primary trail that Vienna cyclists use is the Washington and Old Dominion Rail Trail (W&OD). Running 44.5 miles from Shirlington in the east to Purcellville in the west, the W&OD is a great route for both transportation and …

In my last column I made suggestions on how to find ways to get out on your bike, even in winter. Some of you may be thinking now “That's all well and good, but how do I actually get from place to place in Vienna?” Well, we're actually pretty fortunate here in that we have a variety of relatively quiet, residential streets; the W&OD Trail; and several smaller, local trails that make is easier and safer to get from point A to point B. With the exception of some of the busier multi-lane roads, such as Maple Avenue or Nutley Street, most of the roads in Vienna are safe and sane to ride. Truth be…

At this time of year, even I'll admit it can be tough to work up the enthusiasm for a long ride in the cold “for the fun of it”. Some folks do it... I see hardy souls out on long rides in the coldest of weather. But for most of us, the thought of being out for a couple of hours on a bike in sub-freezing temperatures just isn't appealing.What to do? Well, my last column told you how to prepare yourself and your bike for winter riding, now I'm going to give you some suggestions on how to simply work riding into your life in the cold.The first tip is to not set big, unrealistic goals... don't …

Around this time of year, most folks have parked their bike in their garage or shed for the winter, waiting for the warm days of Spring to ride again. But I'm here to tell you that you don't have to give up enjoying your bike just because it is winter. There's still fun to be had, errands to be run. I know, because I've done it every one of the eight winters I've lived here. To begin with, stop and think about it... how many truly wintry days do we get here?  Sure, we're having a heck of a cold snap right now, but let's be honest, it's not going to last that long, and what follows probably …

Just who and what is the Vienna Pedaler?  Well, the "who" is Tim Fricker, avid cyclist, professional bicycle mechanic, and now, bicycle shop owner. I've lived and worked in Vienna for about eight years now, and have been head mechanic at bikes@vienna for the last five of those years.  While I was late to learn to ride a bike, once I learned, I never stopped, and cycling became a life long passion. I believe cycling can be both fun and useful, so this column will address all aspects of cycling, with a focus on riding for pleasure and transportation in and around Vienna.  I'll provide riding …