Updated Forecast: In Excess of 8" of Snow, Plus Wind
Federal Govt. Closed Tuesday
And Now, 10-20 Inches
Snowmaggedon 1.0 in Time Lapse
Morning Roundup: After the Snowfall Edition
Scores of well-met journeymen and women gathered yesterday in the northeast of the Capital city for an expedition to celebrate the latest in fashion, industry and whimsy. This peregrination saw fashionable fellows and dandizettes tour the city by bi-cycle and fixed-gear machine. A good time was had by all!
Some 200 riders gathered at H Street in the Northeast for an Indian-summer afternoon traipse through the city. Volunteer mechanical engineers were on hand to help riders address problems with their technology, while artisan Steven Cummings made nouveau cabinet cards of registrants to celebrate the occasion. The lines for these photographic images were long in anticipation of the citywide tramp.
Borrowing from parallel events in Baghdad-by-the-Bay and London Town (as well as any given Saturday in the borough of Brooklyn), rally founder Eric Brewer set the schedule for the event: ride before soiree, whimsy throughout.
By small social groups numbering 25, these afternooners took to promenade. Plotted by the Capital's man-about-town, Ken Ashton, the route took these dandies around the National Mall, through downtown, and over to Dupont Circle.
These two-wheelers did not race this course! Rather it was an opportunity to show off the latest fashions. Dapper men dressed in tweed, cheviot, and heavy cottons, stitched by houses such as Levi Strauss & Co., Sears Roebuck, and Value Village. Women, without question, dazzled in long skirts and trim-banded cloches.
The occasion called for the finest threads! In an article on "polish and pretension," the Grey Lady noted the Capital City ride, a high grade from those tastemakers for our area imitators. A review in the august New York Times marks a trend of lasting substance and appeal.
Not a single horde interrupted the event! Nary an unseemly urchin was seen along the trek. A civilized ride was as welcome as the weather for those who decided to ride out on a penny-farthing. Those can make for a bright target for a scoundrel. How gay a penny-farthing is!
After a leisurely expedition, machinists and socialites gathered at the Marvin saloon near U Street in the Northwest. There is even a cinematograph that captured the proceedings! A toast to progress is in order.
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to start this discussion off right, I would like to say that Yes, I would hit that. In fact I would hit all that.
SLUT!
What??? I can't help it. My crotch warmer died out last week due to the cold wind.
Also, in the immortal words of wizzyliz, Molly!
One wonders if after libations at Marvins, the ladies and gentlemen of this ride found the opportunity to exchange French Letters, and if those were also crafted of tweed.
Tomorrow's civil war re-enacters are today's bicycle hipsters.
A PUBLIC NOTICE REGARDING THE VELOCIPEDE ASSEMBLY IN OUR NATION'S CAPITAL
There was a velociraptor assembly in DC? Why wasn't the public warned?!?!
I am disappointed at the lack of velociraptors in this post. can we fix that? Like "Jurassic Park 6: full tweed ahead"?
I was walking down 14th Street as the party was entering Marvin. I was shocked and amused to see that the WASPs in the group made the negroes and a Chinaman who were riding with them remain outside to watch over all their bicycles, while they ate and drank inside. An historical reenactment gone too far.
offensive and hilarious all at once...
it's not hatred. it's heritage.
+1, piso mojado.
Looks like DC on any other day to me.
A ripping steam-punk outing on our vintage velocipedes. Don't believe me? Check out the unfettered fun in the following magic lantern footage.
http://www.vimeo.com/7658934
Love the photos Meaghan.
DCist, I love your site and the local news you feature. But get your act together on these image galleries. I like looking at the pictures, I don't like the page jumping around each time I click a picture, it makes me nauseated. It is 2009, get an experienced developer who knows how to use some javascript or flash to make a better gallery.