Monthly Archives: March 2012

Will I see the cherry blossoms in DC?

Two very long days down (and that’s not counting a travel day getting here), two more to go! The first two were spent in board meetings for the National Bicycle Dealer Association, our industry’s attempt to improve the quality of bicycle retailers to ensure our survival in a world that gets tougher for business every day.

The next two are designed to improve conditions for our customers, although with the current climate here in DC, status quo will be considered a victory.


It is Washington DC though, and what would a trip to DC be without a sighting of the President? I’ll let you know when that happens because for now all I’ve got are shots of two cars with darkened windows and no idea which he was in. –Mike–

Location:W Virginia Ave,Bethesda,United States

I’ve been here before…

You don’t want to fly with me if you’re not into long hikes through airports. I’m on my way to DC for the annual bike summit, where this year we get to beg and plead for congress to not eliminate all bike & pedestrian funding, which means a week off the bike. Yuck. But it also means Gate 89. The last gate at the end of SFOs long United pier. My flight was originally scheduled out of Gate 73, adjacent to security. Somehow, United keeps track of me and makes sure I get my exercise at the airport.

Flying first to Newark, aboard a “real” United plane not-yet-painted with the “deathstar” logo of the recent merger with Continental. Then a puddle jumper to DC and metro ride to my hotel in Bethesda. Why Bethesda and not DC? About 150 dollar bills per night difference, that’s why! For that I can handle a 16 minute Metro ride into downtown DC. Save that money for bike stuff. 🙂

Meantime watching a steady stream of passengers from first class using our bathroom in coach. Why is it a “security issue” for coach passengers to use their bathroom but they can use ours?

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