washington dc bike rental/shops?

[shellkay1212]

Hello!

I will be in DC for work this week. I will, howver, have a free day Thursday and would love to rent a bike and tool around the city for a bit. I hear it's a little crazy biking in DC but wouldn't mind for a couple of hours. I have until about 3pm to hang out. I'm staying at the Hyatt Regency on Cap Hill.

If anyone has any suggestions that would be great!

I also try to visit a shop when I'm traveling...collecting socks has become my new souvenier of choice!

Thanks!

[Possegal]

well i've no need to rent one here, since i have my own to ride. :) but check this out, may be of some help.

http://www.bikethesites.com/rentals.htm

and hope you enjoy your visit. last week was gorgeous weather, but this week is to be a bit more chilly. still sunny and clear though, so not bad cycling weather, just bundle up. :)

[tulip]

Cycling in DC is wonderful. Enjoy it! Bike the sites is fine if you want a toodling-bike and a guide. Maybe they have self-guided tours, too.

You might want to call Capitol Hill bikes to see if they have rentals. I know they have socks.

[Possegal]

the site i linked is just renting a bike. you don't have a tour guide, you just rent the bike. they do that in addition to the guided tours. and there are a variety of bikes including a road bike to rent. no promises of the quality since i've never rented one.

[shellkay1212]

Thank you both!

I definitely need to get some socks! Yeah, I rented a bike in Chicago while there just to ride along the water...the bike left a bit to be desire but it was all about the experience for me! I did learn to make sure that the tires actually have air in them before taking off from the rental place. :)

I've got the camera ready to go and some mittens and warm clothes. What more could a girl ask for??

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated. Any suggestions on what I should see other than the monuments?

[F8th637]

Ride our trails in the area definitely if you can. http://bikewashington.org and if you need another place to rent a bike check www.bigwheelbikes.com. It might not seem like it but DC and its surrounding areas are a great place for cyclists.

[shellkay1212]

Thanks! Boy, I wish we had those kind of trails here!!! I may have to consider moving to a bike friendly city one day...

[aicabsolut]

The Big Wheel Bikes in DC is never open. You can rent a bike from the Arlington location (it's at US-29 around Spout Run Pkwy). But the pickings are slim, and the rentals are kind of expensive. I tried renting a road bike for a friend who was visiting, and the bike was too big for him and a POS. It was a pain for me to try to tune it up better for him and to fit it to him. Then his ride was pretty uncomfortable. You might do better with a bike tour bike from downtown and just tooling around instead of trying to get in a good workout without your own bike.

There are plenty of shops w/in the District.
Capitol Hill Bikes (at Capitol Hill / Eastern Market)
The Bike Rack (Logan Circle)
Revolution Cycles (Georgetown)
Bicycle Pro Shop (Georgetown)
City Bikes (Adams Morgan and in MD in Chevy Chase)

and there are a few others in the nearby suburbs

[Velobambina]

Thanks! Boy, I wish we had those kind of trails here!!! I may have to consider moving to a bike friendly city one day...

Just watch out for the other trail users because depending on when and where your ride, some folks aren't good at sharing the trail. Ride defensively.

This morning some guy standing by the trail exposed his family jewels to me. Luckily, it was still pretty dark. As I flew by, I told him that I wasn't impressed and suggested that he get some dignity!

[aicabsolut]

Thanks! Boy, I wish we had those kind of trails here!!! I may have to consider moving to a bike friendly city one day...

Yeah I wouldn't necessarily call the trails around here bike friendly, especially when there are large packs of runners on them, people walking dogs on long leashes, etc. They are MUPs, not bike trails (even the "bike lanes" are really MUPs).

[aicabsolut]

This won't do you much good, but when the CycleLife store opens in Georgetown, they will have bike valet (daily indoor, secure parking for your bike) and bike rentals.

[ny biker]

This morning some guy standing by the trail exposed his family jewels to me. Luckily, it was still pretty dark. As I flew by, I told him that I wasn't impressed and suggested that he get some dignity!

You should report this to the police.

Was this on one of the Arlington trails?