D.C. is getting warm for a bike commute, pushing 90°F/32°C today, but it still beats taking the train, especially after the bus route close to home was discontinued. Yesterday evening I was taking it easy after six or seven miles when a guy zoomed past me. This happens all the time, but something about him caught my eye. He was sitting upright, on a hybrid-style bike with flat handlebars. His pedaling seemed too comfortable. I had to work hard to keep him in sight, and couldn't catch up until he stopped at a light. Sure enough, there was a big hub on the rear wheel, about the size of a bundt pan. "I thought there was something different about your bike," I wheezed, gasping. "Ha ha, it makes it easier to pedal" he replied, then the light changed and he zoomed off. Hidden motors and batteries are apparently becoming an issue at races, known as mechanical doping. This morning we had to share the trail with a bunch of fearless geese. They blocked the way, hissing and forcing cyclists to almost stop.