This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Bike Tent at Farmer's Market; News; Rides

Some local bike news via Proteus bike shop.

Here is some local bike news that I know about or am involved in.  Please feel free to add any other notices if you'd like!

Bike Tent at Greenbelt Farmer's Market, Sunday July 8th

On Sunday, July 8th, staff and volunteers from Proteus bike shop will host a bike information tent at the Greenbelt Farmer's Market, from 10am to 2pm.  We will have maps of great local trails and bike routes, commuting and safety tips, and general information on the local cycling opportunities.  With luck, we will have our cargo bike with pedal powered, on-board blender on hand.  

Find out what's happening in Greenbeltwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Please join us for a lively discussion!  Call 301-441-2928 for more information.

Ownership Changes at Proteus

Find out what's happening in Greenbeltwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As many of you know, Proteus shop manager Jill DiMauro will be leaving Maryland later this summer. Jill is moving to upstate New York so that she can be near her partner, who is moving to Canada for a year -- she must leave the U.S. for 365 days before reapplying for residency status. Because U.S. immigration law does not recognize same-sex marriage, Jill cannot sponsor her partner’s status.

Proteus has a long and interesting history. The shop moved to its current location -- a former auto repair shop (we think) -- on Route 1 at Erie Street in College Park in the 1970s. In the early days, the shop built custom bikes and bicycle frames, including special orders for racers. Jill purchased the shop in 2003, bringing an enormous passion for everyday bicycling and long-distance riders. Jill specializes in bike fitting, the art and science of helping riders achieve the most comfortable and efficient riding position. A former community planner, she has also made Proteus a second home and friendly hangout for many bike enthusiasts from all over the region.

The new owners are Laurie Lemieux and Ben Bassett. They purchased the shop in May, under a transition plan that will stretch through the end of July. Jill will continue managing the shop and doing pro-fits through July 31. 

Laurie is a women’s health nurse practitioner and was most recently employed as a professor of nursing at Catholic University. She earned her masters degree from the University of Maryland and her doctor of nursing practice degree from Johns Hopkins University. She will be transitioning to full-time at the shop throughout this summer as she winds down her teaching duties. (Disclosure: we have been married for 29 years and have lived in Greenbelt for 25 of those years!)

Laurie is a regular on Proteus shop rides and Thursday potlucks. She is currently working as Jill’s apprentice, helping with pro-fits and working on bike and accessory orders. She shares Jill’s passion for excellent bike selection and proper fitting -- one of her goals for the shop is that a certified bike fitter would be at the shop on every shift, as well as by appointment. She is especially interested in helping newer riders of all ages and abilities improve their fitness, avoid injury, and get riding every day!

Many DC area cyclists have ridden with Ben at one time or another. He regularly rides in local century (or longer) road rides and mountain bike events. He has been known to take 50+ mile rides on his unicycle, cargo bike, or vintage Wizard of Oz bike (and not get dropped)! If you haven’t met him on a ride or at the shop, he is one of the friendliest and most unassuming cyclists you will even meet. His knowledge of bikes and parts is encyclopedic.

Shop repair manager Anthony Reiss and mechanic John Huntzinger will continue to work full time at the shop. Anthony is a former BMX rider and touring enthusiast who has taken self-supported cross-country rides. He has done every imaginable type of repair and bike build, as well as some that were previously unimagined. Johnny joined the shop’s staff about three years ago -- he builds bikes, does repairs, and helps Anthony and Ben with customer service.

Of course, Proteus would not be able to thrive without its loyal volunteers. The extended Proteus family have made this transition possible, and will continue to be the backbone of the shop. Everyone is trying to make the best of a crazy legal situation, but we are very excited that Proteus will be in good hands for the future. Jill is leaving the shop in secure financial shape, and has recently signed a long-term lease for the shop’s physical space. Laurie and Ben have made arrangements to continue the shop’s relationships with Bianchi, Kona, Jamis, and Felt (and maybe Orbea) bike makers, as well as with accessory suppliers Endura and Louis Garneau and others. The shop will operate with nearly no debt, and will continue to make a priority of supporting the local bike community. 

We are planning to have going away party for Jill on July 21st at 6pm. All are welcome to drop by and give Jill our thanks and best wishes.  The shop's website hasn't been changed yet, but the best way to keep in touch with the latest news is through the shop's Facebook page.

Shop Rides in July (and June 30)

It's getting hot out there, so we're switching the times for our community/social rides to early mornings on Saturdays.  For July (and June 30), we're going to try a new ride schedule -- Saturdays from 8am to 10am. We'll do rides of approximately 20 miles in the early morning to beat the summer heat. All rides will be at a social/relaxed pace and no one will be dropped or left behind.  Greenbelt riders who wish to go over to the start as a group can meet us at the New Deal Cafe at 7:30am.

Each week, we'll meet at Proteus and decide the route to take based on the weather and what people want to ride. Typical routes will be in the Beltsville farms, the Anacostia Tributary trails, or Greenbelt National Park. We may go out for breakfast some weeks if the mood strikes.

Here is a typical route we've used in the past (nice and shady, at least for some sections): http://ridewithgps.com/routes/896301. Here is a video that shows a typical ride tempo and scenery: https://vimeo.com/41262724

-Jeff

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Greenbelt