DC Bike Ride

Slightly tangential to the theme of your question here, I’ll mention an alternative if you end up deciding against joining the DC Bike Ride:
The group ride & private cathedral tour I’m leading that same morning — about an 8 mile ride through DC streets (from Wharf / Velo Cafe up to Washington National Cathedral) followed by me giving a private special-access guided tour inside the cathedral.

Details here on the forum: http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?14389-Second-Group-Ride-Private-Tour-of-Washington-National-Cathedral

I did this last year, started in the intermediate corral. The crowd wasn’t bad at all, but it was pouring rain all day so that may have had something to do with it. Doing it this year with a slightly larger group ~8 people. We were not riding fast – it’s not a race. Hit a crazy bump coming down the Whitehurst freeway and my U lock went flying out of my rack.

One other thing I remember is that people are trying to give you a banana like every 100’… so many bananas.

Also, all of Potomac Park was under water so the course got shortened down from 20 miles to about 15 miles.

My experience was the same as AFHokie – I’d recommend doing WABA’s pleasant and beautiful Cider Ride in the fall instead… and if you feel like suffering from conditions and circumstances rather than the people around you, the 50 states ride.

The good? If you want a route *totally* car free and protected, and ride roads and freeways you could otherwise *never* ride safely, then this is for you.

The bad? The expressways are nowhere near as smooth as your motor vehicle makes you think. The Whitehurst Freeway in particular can be treacherous with potholes and pavement seams.

The good? Amongst MANY MANY MANY fellow cyclists.

The bad? Amongst too many fellow cyclists. Pro tip- you *can* control the space directly around you. Do that, have a full level of alertness around you, call your passes and pass with discretion, and you’ll be fine.

The good? Entertainment along the route cheering you on. My favorite was Batala, the Afro-Bahia (Brazilian) drum group, a few years ago. Also, well supported. As noted elsewhere, you will not lack for bananas.

The weather? It is what it will be. And if you have rain gear and fenders, riding in the rain can actually be reasonably pleasant.

I have done this ride 3 times, once with my wife. I will be Sue’s ride support again this year (riding as Papillon Cycles/Starduster Racing). She feels safer doing this ride than she does riding on my Papillon shop rides. No cars. That’s why.