New Site about Bicycles

Check out my new site about bicycles at http://dcdownshift.wordpress.com/

Also check out Heath's site http://heathgordon.com/

Umbrella Today?

The website Umbrella Today? is exactly what you'd expect. Put in your Zip code and it will tell you if you need to bring an umbrella. BRILLIANT!

Cycling around DC on a Sunday

I didn't have a ton of time on Sunday after I got my chores done, but I managed to get in a quick ride. Since it was on the chillier side, I thought the Mt. Vernon trail wouldn't be too crowded. Wrong. Very wrong.

I was able to check out the Woodrow Wilson bridge. The path along the bridge is in good shape and there's a fun spiral the end; however, there's not much to do on the other side; it just sort of ends at this long hill.



Bike DC next Saturday.

Fashionably Late

You're never early. You're never noticeably late. You arrive right when the party starts, because you are the party.

Stream Music with NPR First Listen

One of my favorite things on the internet is NPR First listen. A couple times a week, NPR Music puts a soon to be released album online for your listening pleasure. They don't stay up forever, but long enough to soak up some free new music before it hits the shelves (digital or otherwise).

This week they featured the excellent new Flaming Lips Album, Embryonic. Check it out here. Or add them to your RSS Reader

My New Commute by the Numbers

In November, I might be switching offices to somewhere outside of the Beltway which those informed call Springfield, VA. My transit options: car, metro, or bicycle. Everyone has an opinion: buy a beater; read on the Metro; bike like a beast. Let's break it down by the numbers.

Car

Time: Google Maps says it would take 30 minutes to drive from my apartment and up to 35 minutes in traffic. Since I'd be driving in rush hour traffic, assume 35 minutes. I don't have parking available in my building, so I'd need to park the car on the street. Add some time for that; let's say 15 minutes for walking to and from the car and finding a spot when I get home. Total time estimate: 35 minutes * 2 + 15 minutes = 95 minutes.
Cost: I'd have to buy a car, pay for insurance, maintenance, and gas. Car insurance for a 24 year old male in my neighborhood estimate $125. Car payments $300 per month. Assuming I get 30 MPG, $3 a day in gas times days in the office per month 21 is $63. Plus maintenance costs $100/month. $588/month.

Estimating car costs is tricky. Alternately, say the miles to get to work with an estimated cost at .55 cents per mile. 32 * .55c * 21. For the month would be $369. Range $369 - $588.

Metro

Time: Trip planner says it will take just under an hour during rush hour. Add time of walking to and from the metro plus the initial wait time 20 minutes. 60 * 2 + 20 = 140 minutes.
Cost: One way is $5.10. So there and back for the month. $5.10 * 2 * 21 = $214.20.

Bicycle

Time: I've looked at some suggested routes from WABA and planned my own here. It's 17.3 miles. In traffic with gear the ride would probably take me an 70 minutes. There and back would be 140 minutes.
Cost: Well, I wouldn't ride every day. I'd aim for biking 3 days a week. The other days I'd Metro. So let's say half the cost of the Metro: $107.10.

Summary

Car: $370 - $588 per month and takes 95 minutes a day.
Metro: $214.20 per month and takes 140 minutes a day.
Bicycle: $107.10 per month and takes 140 minutes a day

Driving has the least time with the highest cost. For $10 to $20 dollars a work day I could save 40 minutes a day. However, if I bicycled to work I wouldn't have to go to the gym. Not working out for 2 hours three days a week would save time. It would work to about the same time overall while saving about $400. I'd also get through plenty of reading on the metro during those alternate days. It most definitely worth trying out the bicycle. Ride free!