Like everyone else I have noticed Capital Bikeshare rental stations popping up around town and unlike everyone else I’ve thought, “Now there is something I will never do, rent a bike from one station and ride it jauntily through the streets to another station.”
Not that I am opposed to this in any way, quite the opposite. Bikes are cool. But what I am is rather terrifically out of shape and peddling a bike that is certain to be heavy, that hasn’t been maintained, tuned up, oiled and fit to my exact frame would be completely out of my reach. Greenbelt is many things, but it isn’t flat and there was no way I could peddle a bikeshare bike from one end of it to another.
So when the News Review called and said, “Hey, want to do a story about Capital Bikeshare?” Obviously I said yes and then was immediately filled with overwhelming regret. Without having even rented the bike, I began composing the article in my head. It went something like this: “I rode along Crescent Road, thinking about how much I hate my life.”
As Dan drove me to the Capital Bikeshare station on Crescent Road near the Municipal Building and the Community Center, I asked him if I actually needed to rent the bike.
Me: I mean, this article has pretty much written itself.
Dan: Yes, you do.
Me: Freedom of the press!
Dan: …
I regret to report that Capital Bikeshare is actually ridiculously easy to use. You can download an app, if you’re into that kind of thing, or just insert your credit card (my choice). The screen was easy to use, allowing me to select my choice of rental; a 24-hour pass for $8; an annual membership at $7 a month; or a trip of 30 minutes or less for $2. I had already decided I would ride from the Community Center to the Capital Bikeshare station on Ridge Road near the Greenbelt Police Station and I figured I could make it there in under 30 minutes. I can walk from the Community Center to the Police Station in 30 minutes, so even if I ended up pushing the bike, as I assumed I would, I’d still make it in less than half an hour.
There was a 119-screen liability agreement which I accepted without reading. The screen gave me a code, I unlocked the bike of my choice (selected by pressing the tires of all the bikes and choosing the one that had the most air) and I was ready to go. I got on the bike, I teetered a few times then managed to get going and headed off toward the Police Station.
“I’m going to die,” I yelled at Dan over my shoulder. He yelled back, “It’s going to be great!”
I was a little disappointed to discover it was actually quite easy to ride my Bikeshare rental. For one thing, that meant I had to completely re-write this article. The bikes have adjustable seats, although, as it turned out, the one with the firmest tires also had its seat at a good height for me and had three gears. The bike was already set for gear two, which I rode in until I hit the hill on Crescent Road between Greenhill and Lastner Lane, when I shifted to gear one. Shifting gears was also easy; simply rotate the right hand grip near the gears. The bike shifted seamlessly between gears with a lot less complaining and uncertainty than the bike I own and I am not sure how I feel about that.
I can report that it took me exactly eight minutes to ride between the Community Center and the Police Station with absolutely no complaining, cursing or otherwise thinking that I hated my life. The seat was not terribly uncomfortable – those who bike regularly will understand that that is high praise indeed – and I had deliberately ridden in leggings rather than bike shorts to give the seat a true test.
If you’ve been wondering about renting a bike, my experience suggests you just go for it. But now I want to talk to my out-of-shape brothers and sisters. Biking is awesome and if you’re not sure you want the commitment of buying your own bike, Capital Bikeshare provides a fairly comfortable way to take a short trip around town and get used to being on a bike again. If someone my size and fitness level didn’t curse riding along Crescent Road you probably won’t either. Go for a ride. Give me a call. I’ll come too.
There are Capital Bikeshare stations at Greenbelt Station, on Crescent Road near Southway and on Ridge at Crescent, as well as all over the area from College Park, Riverdale Park and throughout D.C. New Greenbelt stations are expected shortly near Springhill Lake Recreation Center and near Eleanor Roosevelt High School. To learn more about Capital Bikeshare visit capitalbikeshare.com.