2015 50 states and 13 colonies

@consularrider 122627 wrote:

I rode the 50 States the past seven years, four of them as a marshal. I believe there was at least a little rain on each and every one of those rides.

I’m blaming you, consularrider. And since I’m a marshal, it’s not like I can bail.

Saturday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

@chris_s 123867 wrote:

Correction: Turns out my wife is out of town and can’t watch the kids, so 13 Colonies with 2 passengers on the Bakfiets it is.

Or maybe I’ll bring the kids on 50 States and just bail when one or more of us start getting tired & cranky.

Decisions, decisions.

I am doing the 50 states ride for the first time. Who else is doing it? Any advice from those who have done it before? Just don’t tell me that it is hard because I’ve done Kill Bill.

@sjclaeys 123963 wrote:

I am doing the 50 states ride for the first time. Who else is doing it? Any advice from those who have done it before? Just don’t tell me that it is hard because I’ve done Kill Bill.

I am doing it as a Marshall as are Colin, Phil and HF. I know of at least 4 others who are registered: Edwin, MK, Sarah Bee & SteveO.

I agree with getting a jump on the crowd in the beginning for the reason stated. You also want to pay close attention to the Cue-sheet, as there are over 200 turns on this route. As such, e be everyone makes a wrong turn at some point during the ride. But just keep clam and ride on until you cross a street named after one of 50 States and then join the first convoy that comes along.

If you eat the entire burrito at the lunch stop, you will have a food coma, or lose it climbing a big Hill.

It will rain. You will be wet. You will give thanks for it when it’s over.

Don’t lose your coupon for free beer after the ride is over.

What Boomer said…and bring a Ziploc bag for your cue sheet. Bring an extra or two for your riding compadres.

If one person flips their cue sheet a few turns early, so much the better—there are a few really quick and complicated turns.

Especially if you’re not familiar with the part of town you’re in, as well as in the northwest section, know your next three turns.

Know that it will feel longer and harder than it looks on paper—the navigational challenges, urban riding skills, and series of short, steep hills make parts of it into a grind.

Accept that this is a WABA ride, and that it will therefore rain—this will be my fourth 50 States, and will likely be the fourth time I’ll have been given a good soaking at some point.

Other than Alaska NW, you will curse any avenue whose name begins with “A.”

And if anyone asks you, there are only 48 states with avenues named after them—California Street and Ohio Drive are the outliers.

I’m riding. Fourth time. Zip lock bags for sure for cue sheets and phones. If anyone already has the cue sheet, I’d really appreciate an advance one tonight If you could (alsatian.felix@gmail.com). I’ll trade you the 2012 50 states cue sheet.

Be prepared in the last half of the ride through upper NE and NW for the Courtesy Paradox: you will approach a 4-way stop and yield to a car so as to take your proper turn. The car will not move and insist you go first anyway. There are worse things I suppose.

Arizona is a wonderful hill, but it’s also horrible because it just means you have to climb right back up to the Cathedral and Cleveland Park. That’s just cruel.

@DCLiz 124000 wrote:

Will forum folks be meeting up at the happy hour afterwards? Would love to see you in person.

Tradition is to end at Mellow Mushroom in Adams Morgan for the Post Ride Celebration where you can enjoy a complimentary beer, additional food and drink specials, and pick up your snazzy 50 States & 13 Colonies Ride t-shirt.

Also, how to find forum people at the Mellow Mushroom? Is there a secret hand signal? Red flowers in our hair?