Addendum: This is cancelled.
I had this plan. The plan was to organize a ride. The Washcycle's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Around D.C. (a.k.a. WAGBRAD). I had a route (and another if I couldn't get permits to use the trails). WABA offered to help. I even had a sponsor. Then I got a new job (I'm pretty excited about it, no congratulations needed) and the new job will have me out of town for several weeks this summer. Now there's no way to do the ride I had planned at a level that I would be proud of. And I certainly wouldn't let a sponsor put their name on anything shoddily run (thanks to the would-be sponsor Capitol Hill Bikes, who offered to come through with money, labor, advice etc...Next year?)
Now there's a new plan. It appears I will be in town on July 29th. That's when WAGBRAD will happen (though I might have to call an audible on it). This will be a very informal ride. Print out your own cue sheet here (click on cue sheet). Bring your own lunch/money. Metro is your SAG wagon. We'll start at the Jones Point Lighthouse at 8:30 am. Here's directions from the King Street Metro.
The route is a bit weird. RAGBRAI, on which this is based, is a ride from one end of Iowa to the other. That would be a pretty quick ride for D.C. So the idea is to go all the way around the District. You can't quite do that yet, but we will when the new Wilson Bridge opens. Not only does the ride take you around the city, it hugs the edge of it as much as possible, using the river & Eastern, Western and Southern Avenues. The first part of the ride is nice and easy, utilizing the Mt.Vernon, Capital Crescent and Little Falls trails. It gets a little more difficult on Eastern Avenue, but most cyclists should be OK into Rock Creek Park where the plan is to stop for an informal picnic (again, BYOL). From Rock Creek Park to Oxon Hill National Park (the end point until the bridge is finished) the ride is more difficult. Hilly. Busy streets. You should either be comfortable riding in traffic or take the confident cycling class.
Once at Oxon Hill, you're a little trapped. You're 5 miles from Metro. It might make sense to have someone pick you up since you'll have just ridden about 50 miles (in traffic). If people are feeling up for it, we will probably convene at some bar on the Hill for refreshments.
If you're interested in doing the ride, email me at [email protected] with the subject simply "WAGBRAD" - that way gmail will keep them all as part of one thread. If I have too many, we may have to take the on street route (which is very nice, easy and almost exactly the same distance).
If you're part of a group who would like to sell lunch (if you have a bar-b-q pit or something - this is how food is provided on RAGBRAI) let me know. You'll have to do all of the legwork and I can't guarantee the date.
So there it is. Not what I planned, but it should still be fun (if not brutally hot).
Also, since I'll be gone for 5-7 weeks this summer - and since Jeff is going to Portland - I'll need even more help with story sightings, emails about construction/closings etc... and reports from any public meetings, so help me out. I'll try to continue to troll the news for stories and blog from my hotel room.
Sounds like a great idea; may have to get in on it.
Nice work.
Posted by: iconoclasst | June 08, 2007 at 10:09 PM