Monthly Archives: July 2025

Bike Review: Capital Bikeshare Classic Bike

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I pulled this bike out of a trash pile along the railroad tracks. After I cleaned it up and lubed the chain, I had to take it out for ride before I took it back to the Capital Bikeshare station. Capital Bikeshare has over 8,000 bikes and more than 800 bike stations located throughout the DC metro area, so there should be a nearby bike station if you are in the area. If you are in the area http://www.capitalbikeshare.com will explain your options to rent one these bikes.

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Capital Bikeshare Classic Bike – all cleaned up and ready to ride. NE DC. 2 October 2021

The first thing you notice is how heavy this bike is. It is massively overbuilt which allows it to handle the rigors of the urban environment and multiple users. The seat is actually comfortable and the seat post has numbers so that if you know what number you normally ride you can dial in the fit using the quick release clamp and seat post numbers. The tires are heavy duty to help prevent flats. There is a chain guard and fenders so you arrive at your destination nice and clean. The step through frame makes it easy to get on and off the bike. The front rack is designed to hold briefcases, backpacks, and purses. The handlebars are heavy and designed to protect all the cables so that your braking and shifting is not impaired. The brakes are hub brakes (rain protected). The bike even has on board LED lights for safety.

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Kayak packing a Capital Bikeshare Classic Bike removed from the Anacostia River mud. Anacostia River, MD. 20 May 2021.

I have returned a few of these bikes to Bladensburg Waterfront Park and not cleaned them up because restoring bikes that have been submerged in river mud is more effort than I wish to put in. While bicycles can be seen as a low-cost and environmentally sound transportation option, they can also be a pollution source: the tires shed particles as they wear, brake materials also shed particles, there is oil and grease in the bike, and of course the manufacture and disposal of the bike itself.

I expected to dislike this bike because it is heavy and has a very upright riding posture. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed riding this bike through DC’s poorly-maintained and trash-strewn roads. The upright posture allows confidence-inspiring visibility in traffic. The three-speed rear hub is a nice touch especially for coming out of red lights and hills. My quick spin turned into a five mile ride and ended at DC Brau with a cold, refreshing beer. I actually enjoyed the riding this bike.

I would not want to take this bike on a long ride, but for getting around the city the Capital Bikeshare Classic Bike is a solid option. If you are planning on visiting DC and using a rental bike, please bring your bike helmet. While DC does have some interesting bike trails and tourist sights, DC also has aggressive drivers and limited traffic enforcement. A helmet does not take up a lot of space in your luggage and may just save your life.

Gear Review: the Wind Paddle Sun Shade.

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Out away from shore on a hot, windless, afternoon a kayak can be a pretty brutal place – especially when the water temperature is also warm. The Wind Paddle Sun Shade is a Bimini top for kayaks. Bimini tops were invented in the Bahamas to provide relief from the sun when fishing the flats. So this is proven sun protection strategy.

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Wind Paddle Sun Shade mounted on a Crescent Kayak Crew loaded with camping gear. White Oak Landing, Matiponi Creek, MD. 6 July 2025.

The Wind Paddle Sun Shade is designed to fit all kayaks. I installed the Wind Paddle Sun Shade to our Crescent Kayak Crew using an electric drill, screw driver, tape measure, a pencil, and the instructions. However, after the paddle into camp, it was felt that the sunshade needed to be moved 10 cm for optimum usage. The move and reinstall was accomplished using a Swiss army knife (awl and screw driver) at a backcountry campsite (I still have to patch up the four holes drilled into kayak for the first installation). On one hand, installation is easy. On the other hand, installation is fussy because it is difficult to predict the correct placement. Once the hardware is installed correctly, it is very quick and easy to attach or detach the Wind Paddle Sun Shade to or from your kayak. The product is similar to a pop-up tent in that it folds into circles for storage, it is pretty quick and easy.

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Wind Paddle Sun Shade mounted on a Crescent Kayak Crew . White Oak Landing, Matiponi Creek, MD. 5 July 2025.

Paddling a kayak with the Wind Paddle Sun Shade takes a bit of adjustment. As the paddler, you can forget about high paddle carry strokes, like the Duffek – your paddle will hit the shade and it will piss you off. Also the Wind Paddle Sun Shade, will require some adjustment to dial in the optimum fit. I paddled with the Wind Paddle Sun Shade in very light winds and it did not seem to act like a sail or parachute – there was no air drag due to the sun shade. It is important to point out that the shade works best when the sun is high in the sky, morning and evening sun will come into the cockpit from under the shade. The shade may provide a tiny bit of rain protection, but I wouldn’t use it as my main rain strategy. Additionally, it is normal for me to paddle with a dog – it is pretty amazing how a single line to the bow can create entanglement issues for a pup and how as the line is ‘dog engaged’ the shade adjustments are changed. The Wind Paddle Sun Shade is installed on Kelly’s kayak and Kelly is enjoying the benefits of the shade – so it is a positive!

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Repair of mounting system of a Wind Paddle Sun Shade mounted on a Crescent Kayak Crew loaded with camping gear. White Oak Landing, Matiponi Creek, MD. 6 July 2025.

We have modified the Wind Paddle Sun Shade rigging to make it easier to adjust while paddling. We added a carabiner to the system to make it easier to get the sunshade out of the way if strong wind (or other event) were to occur. We also had to replace the Velcro in the system with cord because the Velcro wasn’t robust enough to hold the shade in place. Future modifications include: replacing single bow line with two offset lines to enhance adjustability and reduce dog entanglement, create a more elegant cord set up to replace Velcro, better placement of the ‘quick release’ carabiner(s), and designing a simple method of stowing the shade away when not in use.

The Wind Paddle Sun Shade is a solution to getting baked by summer sun. It works best when the sun is directly overhead. The shade thrown will not protect your entire body. Early and late in the day the sun’s angle will mean you will be in sun even though you are under the shade. The product is designed to fit all kayaks, which means there may be some refitting and/or modification to make this product work on any given kayak. The sun shade could be a liability in high winds, make certain you can stow it quickly. Having the sun shade installed on your kayak makes paddling under brush, docks, etc. more difficult.

If you paddle large water bodies, at midday, during summer, this product may be useful. If sun exposure can be an issue for you, this is a product to consider. Kelly is enjoying having the sun shade on her kayak.

Anacostia River water monitoring: 23 July 2025.

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These data are from the 23 July 2025 water sampling event for the Anacostia River Keeper water quality monitoring program. Local government’s stated goal of a swimmable river begins with having a river that it is safe to be in contact with. This program involves sampling every other week through the ‘warm months’.

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The map of 23 July 2025 sampling locations and results shows none of the sites sampled meeting contact standards. Nine of the sites sampled revealed bacterial levels in the ‘use caution’ range and 6 sites are in the ‘avoid contact’ range. This is due to a break in rain patterns, but still not what one would call swimmable. Levels of E. coli bacteria are used as indicator of fecal contamination of surface water. While E. coli can make you sick, there are other bacteria and viruses in fecal contaminated water that can also make you sick. The presence of higher E. coli levels is also associated with higher Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), higher nutrient levels, and higher turbidity – which is all expected as more poo is in the water.

I am very grateful to the both the Anacostia Riverkeeper and the WQ volunteers for devèloping and sharing these data. (www.anacostiariverkeeper.org)

DC Adventure: the exciting first paddle of Rockwall Lake.

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I recently wrote about hiking to Rockwall Lake (a.k.a. Lake #3) after noticing it in satellite photos. Yet again, I asked the intrepid Jeff Ouellette if he would be willing to help me with the first paddle. Jeff agreed and on a hot, humid Sunday morning we set out from Bladensburg Waterfront Park on our adventure to do the first paddle reconnaissance of Rockwall Lake.

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Almost there. An exciting paddle requires an equally exciting portage. Rockwall Lake, DC. 13 July 2025.

The portage from Lake Nancotchtank to Rockwall Lake is longer and thornier than the portage to Lake Nancotchtank or Needmore Lake. However, it is not an epic portage. If you wear shorts (like I do) you will lose some blood to the thorns, but not enough to exsanguinate.

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Map of paddle route. Rockwall Lake, DC. 13 July 2025.

Finally we were viewing Rockwall Lake. Like Needmore Lake, Rockwall Lake is also in a bit of hole. However, ottersliding down the bank through head high blackberry brambles just seemed unpleasant. We eventually found a spot for a very fun and pleasant otterslide into the lake. Rockwall Lake is half the size of Lake Nancotchtank, my watch GPS measured the circumnavigation of the lake 0.42 km.

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Intrepid explorer Jeff Ouellette in uncharted waters. Rockwall Lake, DC. 13 July 2025.

Rockwall Lake also has plastic bottles, not as many as Needmore Lake, but there was more than enough. We loaded up a single plastic bag – which did not make a dent. The day was hot and Jeff had to get to a volunteer gig, we needed to leave and get back.

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The far end of the lake. Rockwall Lake, DC. 13 July 2025.

Rockwall Lake was mostly open water, but the far end of the lake has standing timbers and a solid coating of duckweed. Like Needmore Lake, Rockwall Lake will also require future visits/clean-ups. It is kind of fun to have these water bodies in DC.

Kayak Review: Intex K2 Excursion Pro

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This Intex K2 Excursion Pro kayak belongs to Joshua, one of the founders of the DC Trash Paddlers. I have seen the impressive loads of trash Joshua moves with this kayak over the past couple years, and was happy to take it for an all too short spin. This kayak is designed as a two person fishing kayak, but is very capable as a solo boat for trashyaking.

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Inflating the Intex K2 Excursion Pro. Bladensburg Waterfront Park, MD. 12 July 2025.

The Intex K2 Excursion Pro is a 12′ 7″ long 37″ wide, 3 air chamber, inflatable, tandem kayak. It is made of a heavy duty polyester – PVC laminate. The kayak weighs 45 lbs and has a 400 lb weight capacity. It has a single large skeg. The front and rear have decks to help shed waves. The kayak has footrests (many inflatables do not). Setting up the kayak Joshua and I joked about the ‘Princess and the pea’ seat set up – this is a deluxe comfy set up! It is the pro model for a reason, it is heavy duty and comfortable.

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Setting up the sear for the Intex K2 Excursion Pro Bladensburg Waterfront Park, MD. 12 July 2025.

No matter how heavy duty and comfortable a kayak is, if it isn’t fun to paddle – it isn’t a very good kayak. This kayak felt fast and responsive for an inflatable. Part of the reason for this is because of the premium material it pumps to 1.4 psi, this is much more (40% more) than the 1 psi that seems normal for regular (non-drop stitch) inflatable kayaks and it is amazing what a difference the firmer inflation makes when the kayak is on the water). The kayak tracks well, probably due to the tube floor design, higher inflation pressure, and big ol’ skeg. Having a low center of mass helps maintain stability. Seats that are high off the floor raise the center of mass and make for a less stable craft. The seat system (the stock seat and booster coupled with an aftermarket pad) Joshua has in this kayak is crazy high, but doesn’t seem to impact stability and is so right. The trashyaking usefulness of this kayak is enhanced by the numerous lashing points it has.

This is a really nice kayak. A 2024 Popular Mechanics article said this was the best inflatable for two people, but best depends on a lot. I would agree that this kayak is a contender – there are a bunch of tandem inflatables currently available and this is nicer than any I have paddled before.

The Intex K2 Excursion Pro still needs to be dried before it is stored. The kayak is said to dry faster than fabric over PVC inflatables, but it is a post-paddle thing.

Overall, this is a very nice, well-thought-out inflatable kayak for flatwater use. I think camping out of this kayak would be very easy. There is a lot of hull out of the water, so I might expect some issues in winds.

REFERENCE

Buchanan, E. and J. Jackson. 2024. The 9 Best Inflatable Kayaks Make Boating a Breeze. Popular Mechanics. http://www.popularmechanics.com/adventure/outdoor-gear/g35765424/best-inflatable-kayaks/