WABA Holiday Party – December 14 – Big Bear Cafe – 6:00 to 11:00

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  • December 14, 2011 at 3:53 pm #910709
    acc
    Participant

    Tonight, for one night only, is the WABA Holiday Party at the Big Bear Cafe 1700 1st Street NW, Washington DC.

    Need a last minute holiday gift? The first 100 WABA members will receive a free gift to keep and treasure (or wrap up and give away).

    Looking for cheap spiked drinks? There will be discounted spiked cider available.

    Feeling lucky? There will be cheap raffle tickets on sale for, shockingly enough, bike prizes.

    Craving vegetarian chili, and who doesn’t? It will be available.

    Worried about where to put your bike? There will be plenty of bike parking but bring a U-lock. Otherwise your bike may wind up being repurposed and accidentally *gifted*. (I’m in the market for a carbon-fiber ride.)

    Can’t get there early or can’t stay late? It’s between 6:00 pm and 11:00 pm — everyone can make it.

    I know you’re dying to know what the suggested donation for WABA members is, $5.00, a trifle for so much holiday spirit.

    ann

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  • December 14, 2011 at 5:13 pm #933631
    Greenbelt
    Participant

    I haven’t been to Big Bear Cafe, but from the Google street view, R street looks like a nice street to ride on. However, it’s one-way for a stretch near the MBT. But it doesn’t look like a major road. I guess most riders just salmon the wrong way in that block to get from the MBT over toward North Cap on R Street?

    December 14, 2011 at 5:31 pm #933632
    Riley Casey
    Participant

    Just leave some docks open at the CABI station on Florida for those of us who aren’t riding our own. :rolleyes: In fact a temporary CABI corral would be a somewhat awesome idea.

    December 14, 2011 at 6:05 pm #933633
    OneEighth
    Participant

    I will be at a work event nearby. If there is anyone still there after 9, maybe I’ll see you.

    December 14, 2011 at 6:21 pm #933634
    jrenaut
    Participant

    @Greenbelt 11978 wrote:

    I haven’t been to Big Bear Cafe, but from the Google street view, R street looks like a nice street to ride on. However, it’s one-way for a stretch near the MBT. But it doesn’t look like a major road. I guess most riders just salmon the wrong way in that block to get from the MBT over toward North Cap on R Street?

    I haven’t ridden that stretch of road, but I believe you’re right. My understanding is that it’s pretty residential on R. I also believe there is a planned contraflow lane for cyclists coming off the MBT, but I don’t expect it to go in between now and 6pm.

    December 14, 2011 at 7:28 pm #933626
    DaveK
    Participant

    R street is a great ride from the MBT to Big Bear Cafe. In fact, crossing Florida Ave is the only really nasty part of riding R street at all. It’s one of my regular crossing-the-city routes.

    /edit – and yes, I salmon for a block or so.

    December 15, 2011 at 1:37 pm #933652
    Arlingtonrider
    Participant

    We need a party report! Also, just curious – did anyone ride home from the party via the 14th Street bridge? I usually skip events like this because I don’t want to have to find my way back through unfamiliar parts of town alone at night. I’m fine once I get to areas I know. This might be a women’s issue, but guys might have it too.

    December 15, 2011 at 7:05 pm #933678
    acc
    Participant

    It was elbow to elbow, shoulder to shoulder, cheek to cheek at the WABA Holiday Party yesterday evening. The spiked cider was hot, smelled great, and did I mention spiked? While I did not get lucky last evening — I did not win any of the bike raffles, I did come home with several consolation prizes.

    I flashed my WABA membership card and was immediately gifted with my very own bike bell with the emblem “New Belgium Brewing” on the top. It’s too pretty to put up on Ebay. I also received a one inch square reflective device to attach to a zipper. It is bright orange and has the WABA logo imprinted in white. I’m sure a reflective zipper pull could come in quite handy if you found yourself in a dimly lit restroom.

    The crowd was in good holiday cheer and a fun time was had by all.

    I did not bike there because the only thing worse than me wandering around in the dark on foot, is me riding around on unfamiliar streets in the dark on my bike. I took Metro and enjoyed a pleasant stroll along Florida Avenue.

    ann

    December 15, 2011 at 7:17 pm #933682
    KLizotte
    Participant

    @Arlingtonrider 12000 wrote:

    We need a party report! Also, just curious – did anyone ride home from the party via the 14th Street bridge? I usually skip events like this because I don’t want to have to find my way back through unfamiliar parts of town alone at night. I’m fine once I get to areas I know. This might be a women’s issue, but guys might have it too.

    I pedaled to/from the party; the route was quite easy to do: MVT > George Mason Bridge (incorrectly referred to as the 14th St Bridge by many locals) > across the Mall > 15th St cycletrack > hooked a right on Q Street where there was a bike lane most of the way > when I hit First street it was just a couple of blocks to Big Bear heading north.

    On the way back (around 9:30 pm) I repeated the process but took R Street instead (Q and R streets are one way streets). Best part of the trip was seeing all of the townhouses/businesses decked out in holiday decorations/lights. Was surprised by how extravagant some Xmas trees are in these parts. The city is well-lit and I didn’t feel afraid at all; did pass one couple having a screaming argument on the sidewalk though in Shaw.

    There were lots of cyclists along MVT (even though it was 7:30 pm) and downtown. The crowd thinned quite a bit once I turned off on Q street.

    Big Bear Cafe seems like a nice place with a cool vibe; odd part of town for it to be in though.

    December 15, 2011 at 7:31 pm #933668
    eminva
    Participant

    @KLizotte 12035 wrote:

    Big Bear Cafe seems like a nice place with a cool vibe; odd part of town for it to be in though.

    It’s an up and coming neighborhood with a lot of history. My sister-in-law owns a Wardman rowhouse there that has been in the family since 1928.

    Thanks for the party reports, everyone — sorry I missed it. Sounds like fun!

    Liz

    December 15, 2011 at 7:39 pm #933670
    Arlingtonrider
    Participant

    I’m really sorry I missed it too, but I also had a conflict with book club. Thanks for the reports! Will try to make it next year.

    December 15, 2011 at 7:40 pm #933672
    KLizotte
    Participant

    There were lots of hipsters (all under the age of 30 it seemed). I didn’t think DC had hipsters! I think I need to buy some skinny jeans, Converse sneakers, and funky eyeglasses now….

    December 15, 2011 at 7:43 pm #933673
    jrenaut
    Participant

    @KLizotte 12041 wrote:

    There were lots of hipsters (all under the age of 30 it seemed). I didn’t think DC had hipsters! I think I need to buy some skinny jeans, Converse sneakers, and funky eyeglasses now….

    You didn’t think DC had hipsters? We’re overflowing with them. You must not hang out in the right neighborhoods. Come on up to Columbia Heights and hit the 11th Street bars (Wonderland, Room 11, Meridian Pint). It’s like wall-to-wall purple fixies with mismatched tires.

    December 15, 2011 at 8:08 pm #933675
    KLizotte
    Participant

    @jrenaut 12042 wrote:

    You didn’t think DC had hipsters? We’re overflowing with them. You must not hang out in the right neighborhoods. Come on up to Columbia Heights and hit the 11th Street bars (Wonderland, Room 11, Meridian Pint). It’s like wall-to-wall purple fixies with mismatched tires.

    Apparently my neighborhood of Pentagon City operates in a completely different universe. I’d only seen hipsters in pictures before last night….I must get out more….

    What cracks me up about hipsters is that they are all conforming non-conformists! They all have their “uniform”, style of bike, favorite drinks, etc. Whatever makes you happy :D

    On the plus side, lots of young folks at a WABA event means the “cause” is not on its deathbed any time soon.

    December 15, 2011 at 9:48 pm #933689
    DaveK
    Participant

    @jrenaut 12042 wrote:

    You didn’t think DC had hipsters? We’re overflowing with them. You must not hang out in the right neighborhoods. Come on up to Columbia Heights and hit the 11th Street bars (Wonderland, Room 11, Meridian Pint). It’s like wall-to-wall purple fixies with mismatched tires.

    +1 – come on down to H Street NE sometime and have a look at the bike racks.

    December 16, 2011 at 12:26 am #933691
    OneEighth
    Participant

    Unfortunately, my work event went a bit later than expected, but, given the prevalence of skinny jeans (and, I’m guessing Pabst Blue Ribbon), my 3-piece suit and drink preference might not have dove-tailed nicely.
    I did, however, ride home down 15th, across the bridge, and north on the MVT to the Custis, etc a little after 11 last night. Not in the suit, mind you.
    Sorry I missed it.

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