I Love Riding in the City
NAME: David Brock
LOCATION: Washington DC
OCCUPATION: Customer Service Representative
Where do you live and what’s it like riding in your city?
I live in Martinsburg, WV a rural city on the outskirts of the Washington, DC region. When I moved to Martinsburg in 2005, the existing structure did not support bicycles in anyway. Many county roads were narrow with fast moving traffic that was very discouraging for anything less than an experienced roadie. However, there has recently been an explosion of population growth and cycling in the area, which has resulted in two new local bicycle shops, and a new century race in nearby Shepherdstown. Hagerstown MD, our larger neighbor 30 minutes to the north, has an established bicycle lane in its downtown section and a more established bicycle shop that I visit as often as I am able.
With either a short drive or a fast road bike, Martinsburg is minutes from several treasures that connect it directly to the Nation’s capital. The clay and rock C&O towpath connects the area to both growing Frederick County, MD and DC.
What was your favorite city to ride in, and why?
I have ridden locally all of my life in the Washington-Baltimore region. Some cities I would like to try out are Houston, Atlanta, and Madrid, Spain. While DC is noted frequently as a bike friendly city, it interests me to explore the sunbelt cities that may be less bike friendly and how the fledgling bike movements continue to take hold down there. Spain’s narrow streets and warmer temperatures also are of interest to me.
Why do you love riding in the city?
I love being able to get from point A to point B without having to wait 30 minutes for a bus or pay some deadbeat parking jockey ten dollars for a public parking space. At the same time this wonderful machine can be used to create a one-day escape from the hustle and bustle through the surrounding greenways, connecting trails, and waterways.
