A new kind of workout

I was worried that all of the biking would mean that I would develop these gargantuan quads while my upper body atrophied. Not so. You know what I've discovered is a great workout? Moving bikes. I mean hauling them up and down the stairs, hanging and unhanging them (gently) from ceiling hooks in the storage area. Are these really aluminum frames? I'm pretty sure they're lead.

I think I easily did the equivalent of 30 or 40 push-ups just this afternoon. Yes, it's been busy at the shop: bikes in, bikes out. At this rate, I'll be huge in about two weeks. I just might have to start walking through doorways sideways. You know, to accommodate my biceps. Maybe Chris will even recommend that I get wider -- rather than narrower -- handlebars for my bike, nicknamed PIT. (Oooh, that reminds me: the search for my bike's name continues. The winner gets a postcard from wherever I come across the first post office on my trip.)

Meet Ibti!

Although she is a relatively new cyclist, Ibti is set to embark on an ambitious, year-long adventure--she will be bicyling through the United States to learn the secrets of sustainable farming. In the meantime, she'll be hanging out at Capitol Hill Bikes and learning the secrets of bicycle repair, maintenance, and everything she'll need for her trip. Perhaps she'll offer some of her newly-found bicycle wisdom on this blog. Once she's on the road, we'll keep you posted on her progress with a link to her blog, http://www.abikeablefeast.blogspot.com/.

On the road in Guyana

Some days are kind of slow at the shop, especially when it's raining outside. Then, seemingly out of nowhere something brightens up your day. Today, it was a kind note from Cathy (and Daisy-Milano Parco Bianchi) that Denise showed me:

"Hello, Capitol Hill Bikes,

I have been wanting to contact you and tell you how much I have enjoyed the bike I bought from you. On 4 October, 2008 I came into your store looking for a bike. I am 52 and it had been 25 years since I had last ridden a bike. Todd showed me two bikes and they did nothing for me. When he showed me the Milano Parco Bianchi, it was love at first sight. He made alterations to her to make her a better fit for me. She is so precious that I have given her a name, Daisy.

My husband's job has taken us to Georgetown, Guyana, South America and I ride her constantly. We have only one car and she is my primary mode of transportation. I have attached a picture of her and me at the farmers market in the middle of town.

Thank you for bringing Daisy into my life.

Sincerely,
Cathy Cherry"


Ride on, Cathy and Daisy!

Welcome to the other side of the counter

Greetings, cycling fans. The word on the street is that the staff here are so immersed in our work whenever you stop by the shop that you don't feel you have a sense of who we are. When you swing by to pick up your beloved Jamis or Bianchi with its newly adjusted brakes or sparkling clean derailleur, you often wonder "who was that masked man (or, rather, man covered in axle grease)?" Welcome to the other side of the counter....

When things aren't so busy, I like to hang out with the mechanics. This rainy Thursday I was learning about brake lines and pestering them with questions for the staff biographies. (Don't click over to the website and look for them, I haven't put the new stuff up yet.) Ben, Bernie, and Todd were good sports, working away while calling out responses as I went through my list of questions, including "If you were a Muppet, which one would you be?" (FYI, they are Beaker, Fozzy Bear, and Animal, respectively.) They're a nice group, certainly less gruff and sarcastic than I'm used to in bike shops. And I don't think it's because of the fresh zucchini bread I brought in this morning (but that couldn't have hurt).

I'm hoping to have some good stories soon, so check back. And with any luck, maybe I can talk a few of the guys and gals here into blogging a bit....