So…I decided not to go to the local Wal-Mart to get a bike this time. I no longer picked a bike based on it’s color as I had several years ago when I got my yellow Huffy mountain bike. I checked out two local shops. The Bike Rack between 14th and 15th on Q St NW since it was so close to me. It was very small and did not have the bike I was looking to buy with a similar one on order from the factory. I was looking at the Swobo Dixon. Yesterday I was finally able to test ride the Otis. I was soooo disappointed in the quality and ride. I envisioned the bike to be larger and the twist shifter felt very cheap 🙁 I spent about 3 hours there and test road a Giant Suede, and a Giant Transcend. The Suede was very heavy, but had a “coolness” factor with plastic chrome hub caps and an automatic shifting 3 speed Shimano Coasting system. The first one I rode did not shift. I was told it was likely not assembled properly, but anything that requires electrical power to change gears makes me skeptical about the durability. The Transcend was cool as well. I liked the color and the rear rack was actually fashionable in my book. It was quite heavy as well, and while nice, did not capture my attention at all. I had my eyes on Carbon Fiber 🙂
2008 National Cherry Blossom Festival
Tidal Basin – Washington DC – March 29 – April 12th.
In order to see the prime bloom this year, you needed to be at the tidal basin before the festival began. Peak bloom started a few days before the festival officially did. Not too bad for the planners who have to choose the date well in advance each year and hope mother nature cooperates.
For details, visit NationalCherryBlossomFestival.org
This was the first year that I had ventured near the tidal basin during the festival and I had decided this year to volunteer. I was assigned to bike valet. Mind you, my last bike was a 40 pound steel framed huffy so I really had no idea what kinds of cool bikes I would see. I did get some ideas however should I be in the market the way gas prices are rising. It was apparent that many more took advantage of WABA.ORG The Washington Area Bicyclists Association free Bike Valet this year that past. Last year at both locations they averaged 300 bicycles a weekend. On Saturday alone at the tidal basin location we had 224 bikes! Perhaps publicity was better, or perhaps the gas prices are driving others to use alternate transportation.
Volunteering was fun until Sunday night rolled around and I felt I was getting sick. It turns out that even though I was as careful as I could have been around the disease infested portable toilets, I fell victim to a nasty stomach flu which I just kicked today. 🙁
On that note, be sure to check out the festival and bring your own hand sanitizer! I will never leave home without it again!