September 11, 2008
September is Cycling Month in D.C.
With the weather cooling down, gas prices remaining high and the District still reveling in having been named the most improved bicycling city in the country, there's plenty of two-wheel action going on through the month of September.
On September 21, downtown D.C. will see some of the country's best professional cyclists battle it out in the ING Direct Capital Criterium. Sure, most of us won't get to ride the 1 km course, but watching will more than make up for it. And if you don't think any of the big guns will show, think again -- yesterday news hit that Christian Vande Velde, an American who placed fifth in the Tour de France, will be racing alongside his Garmin-Chipotle teammates. The course layout is perfect for public viewing, and considering that DDOT is repaving Pennsylvania Avenue ahead of the 2009 presidential inauguration, it'll be a fast race.
If the Capital Criterium inspires you to take up cycling, September 22 is a great day to do so -- it's Car-Free Day. It's not an organized ride and isn't limited to cycling, but when better to ween yourself from the teet of foreign oil and get in shape than a day endorsed by the D.C. Council?
After a few years on hiatus, Bike DC returns on September 27. You may remember that the annual event -- which includes miles and miles of glorious car-free riding -- folded after two rough years in 2003 and 2004. (Hurricane Isabel got in the way of the 2003 ride; the following year saw similarly terrible weather severely limit participation.) Well now it's back, albeit in a shortened version. Kicking off on Pennsylvania Avenue, the ride will meander through 17 miles of traffic-free District roadways before ending at RFK Stadium.
And though it's in October, don't forgot the annual 50 States and 13 Colonies Ride.
Sure, we could have picked a picture of local cyclists. But Lance is pulling a Michael Jordan and coming back, so here's to him having a better post-retirement return than Jordan did.
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The Nation's Triathlon will be run (biked?) this Sunday as well.
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you can't just flash around that 'lycranaut' porn. You know how they'll get...
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Registration for Car-Free Streets? WHAT? Imagine if SF and NYC charged entrance to Sunday Streets/Summer Streets?!
Registration Fee
Adult: $35 ($45 on the day of the event)
Children age 12 and younger: $15 ($25 on the day of the event)
Bike DC and WABA membership package: $60
includes your registration for Bike DC and a full year WABA membership
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does the 50 states route include puerto rico avenue?
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You don't have ANY pics of cyclists in DC?? Lame.
I think MOB (Ministry of Bicycles) is doing something too. Maybe I read about it on Greater Greater Washington.
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"does the 50 states route include puerto rico avenue?"
Having done this ride last year, the short answer is no.
Repaving Pennsylvania Ave again? Meanwhile you can feel your fillings coming loose on 18th between Mass and Q. Yet another vivid example of Jack Evans' well-oiled constituent services machine. And yet Ward 2 Dems. keep pulling the switch for Mr Patton Boggs every four years.
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ledroitist: at least ddot has said that a full reconstruction of 18th street is in the offing. can we get n street (another in mr. evans' ward) paved anytime soon?
(crickets)....
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$35-$45 fee + mandatory helmet?!? I see this being as popular as Steak n Egg Kitchen's filet mignon.
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Wait wait, stop the presses - Steak n Egg has a filet mignon?
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Maybe that's why the guy who stole my bike ended up giving it back a few days later. He's not the stupidest bike theft ever, like previously thought, but rather was being festive in honor of Cycling Month.
Seriously, it's a crazy story:
http://districtschmistrict.wordpress.com/2008/09/10/how-katie-got-her-bike-back/
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Bike DC is not modeled on the Bike NYC Summer/Sunday streets, it's more like the 5- borough bike tour, which also charges registration fees, of course in that case you get a jersey and drinks (not to mention 5 'boros' and the chance to ride on a closed expressway). As for the mandantory helmet, the "bike *city*" events are decidedly a nerdy affair, not for the helmet free on thier fixies or grannie bikes, much more of a middle-aged rear view mirror glued on my foam helmet sort of crowd (aka old school bike geeks). But the few years it happened it was still a good time.
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Considering the 17 miles includes a duplicative looping route, and does not cover any territory I couldn't bike any other day of the week, I would say it's definitely not worth the $35 just for the privilege of having the cars removed. Maybe if that included the tshirt, but sheesh.
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Anyone else find it odd there are no woman's races in the Capital Criterium? I mean, maybe little girls can race in the 'kids' race, but seriously... a kids race but no woman's race? What a bunch of crap.