Ditch the Car Buy a Bike (Bicycle)

This may seem cliche, but when I moved into the city I decided to ditch the car and use my bike and mass transit as my only forms of transportation. It is a good way to beat traffic, save money and lose a few. With Le Tour de France (LTDF) in full swing, I thought this would be great post
Types/Brands of Bikes to Buy:
There are several "good" bike companies; however, be sure to understand that like cars companies make high and low end bikes. Brands that you can't go wrong:
Specialized
Trek
Cannondale
Schwinn
These companies dominate the bike market. They can be found in nearly every store. LTDF is dominated by Specialized. It makes the lightest bikes on the market. Trek makes great bikes all way round and usually sets the standards for bike technology. Cannondale is an innovative company that strays from the normal. Scwhinn comes in last because it makes econo bikes, bikes that the average person can afford. Personally if I could get any brand bike I would get a Specialized because they are so hot right now.
Places to Shop
Bike stores have been popping up everywhere since hybrid has become popular. I want to put a caveat on such places: ripoffs. They will charge you more for bikes and often times try to sell you bikes that don't fit. If you really want a good bike and are a beginner (if you are reading this blog with real interest you probably are) go on http://craigslist.com. People are selling bikes all the time and this way you can haggle on price because like bike stores people will inflate the prices of their bikes.
The first step to the buying process comes with deciding which type of bike you want to get. This is mostly based on for the bike will be used. If you are riding through the city, get a hybrid. The wheels are smaller, the bike is lighter and therefore less work for you in the morning when you can't be sweaty, and at night when you are tired. The frame is also more resilient to the potholes, curbs and cracks in the road. If you want a bike that you can take off road spend a little more money and get a mountain bike with shocks. It isn't as easy to pedal because the wheels are wider, but the ride is smoother. If you want a bike that goes fast, easy to ride, and you aren't worried about cracks in the road a road bike is your best bet. It is my favorite. The handle bars curve down to give your body aerodynamic properties and you can go as fast as you can pedal with great acceleration.
Places to Ride
During my undergraduate I spent a lot of time riding around College Park, Maryland a town a few miles from D.C. I got spoiled with the plethora of bike trails, and often found myself exploring ways to get to my gf's place in Alexandria, VA (which was about 14 miles away). If you like cycling and exploring check out http://www.bikewashington.org for trail information. The good people there have taken the guess work out of finding trails.
As for the city, well it can be hard finding good places to ride. Rock Creek Park is a place with tons of trails and lots of open space, but it isn't good if you need to get somewhere. In D.C. there are special lanes on certain roads designated for riding. There are a few near my house on U Street NW. There is are lanes on 7th Street that starts at Florida Ave. and ends at O St. There are lanes on E St. and these lanes can basically take you from NW to NE. There are Lanes on Rhode Island avenue and such, but if you really want an in depth look check out http://www.waba.org/areabiking/maps.php and download the map always good to have on hand. You can also ride along the river in Georgetown which is amazing.
If you want to join the crowd, check out the bike paths in NOVA. The most known and most famous is the Mt. Vernon Trail Path. Everyone uses this path so be careful and make sure you have a horn, bell, or can whistle good because chances are you will pass walkers, joggers, and slower bikers. This path has great views of the monuments, the city, and the river. This path is right around twenty miles long and takes you right to George Washington's place at Mt. Vernon. Along the way you can see planes landing at Ronald Reagan Airport, much like in Wayne's World, and Fort Washington.

So stop paying for gas, and take my advice. Cycling is the way to go. The more you bike the more guilt free beer you can drink.