A few years ago, we highlighted nine bike rides that ranged from the leisurely to ‘try to keep up, motherfuckers.’ We still stand by those. But in honor of the three day weekend, here are a couple more to take out for a spin.

Capital Crescent is on the far left. (Photo by Mr.TinDC)

CAPITAL CRESCENT: Jut 10 miles from Georgetown to Bethesda, this is great for a short ride (if you’re one of those people that considers that a short ride). The trail is completely paved, and in good condition (it turns to gravel past Bethesda though). There tends to be a lot of runners on weekends, but the trail is wide enough that passing is reasonable. There is a 15 mph speed limit, so you don’t tend to get a huge number of lycra clad speed demons. It’s completely separate from traffic (roads only intersect in two or three places) and in mostly wooded areas, which makes it particularly pretty in the fall.

(Photo by scorchedearth)

WASHINGTON & OLD DOMINION TRAIL: For a longer stretch, you can head out 45 miles to Purcellville. Largely flat, with wide lanes, this is a popular trail for large groups of cyclists. You can link up to it via the Custis Trail, which is moderately hilly and has a few sharp corners (unlike the Washington and Old Dominion, it is not a former railbed).

(Via WABA)

50 STATES: This is one of those Washington bucket list items that is up to you to decide if its worth it or not: more than 60 miles on hilly D.C. roads in order to hit each of the avenues, streets, and drives named after the 50 states. The ride is one of Washington Area Bicyclist Association signature events each year (they also offer a gentler 13 Colonies Ride that spans 15 miles). Alternatively you can try to go it alone.

(Photo by Joshua Yospyn)

RIDING IN FASHION: On the other end of the spectrum, and drawing a rather different crowd, is the annual tweed and seersucker-themed rides put on by Dandies and Quaintrelles (their tagline: “redemption through style”). The scenic portion is the riders themselves, who come decked out in period style for a leisurely ride, followed by a party or picnic. Next up is the Seersucker Social on June 18.

Photo by Ted Eytan

BIKE PARTY: Easily the friendliest, brightest, and most joyful of the group rides around town, you can usually hear the DC Bike Party before you can see it. And if you’ve ever been stuck at work late when the monthly ride passes by, it’s extremely tempting to just leave whatever you’re doing to join them. Cycling en masse, they take over the road with all kinds of bikes and boomboxes in tow. Their next ride, in conjunction with D.C. Pride on June 3, promises to come with even more feathers, rainbows, and glitter than usual.

(Photo by Mr.TinDC)

BREWERY TOUR: There’s few greater motivations for pushing up a hill than a cold beer at the end. With D.C.’s breweries (and distilleries) spread across town, and a significant cluster in Ivy City and NoMa, there are plenty of options for either a long or short journey. We’ve already mapped one route that takes you across 13 miles on largely bike-friendly terrain.

(Photo by Nikoo Yahyazadeh)

CAR-FREE ROCK CREEK: Most serious cyclists have spent some time on a blissfully car-free Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park, but it always surprises me that so many people seem unaware of this weekend tradition. From NPS: “Sections of Beach Drive from Broad Branch Road to Military Road and from picnic grove 10 to Wise Road and from West Beach Drive to the D.C. line are closed on Saturdays [and] Sundays (7:00 AM Saturday-7:00 PM Sunday), and holidays for bikers, roller bladers, hikers and joggers (On the map they are marked in faint yellow). In addition, Bingham Drive and Sherill Drive are also closed weekends and federal holidays.”