Cherry blossoms – it’s that time of year

[off2ride]

I was @ Haines Point today bout 5ish. Only did 1 lap. Yes, it’s a Zoo down there.

@KLizotte 16785 wrote:

Yup, the blossoms are out in full bloom (and really quite spectacular this year I must say) as are the tourists around Hain’s Pt and the tidal basin – even at 7:30 at night (not sure what they expect to see in the dark – weird).

Be careful heading south along West Potomac Park since the NPS is directing cars to use *both* lanes heading north. The drivers are far more interested in finding a parking space along the water than watching what is coming at them in the same lane. I came over from the MLK Memorial and couldn’t figure out why all of these ^@%$! drivers were going the wrong way till I got to the end of the road and saw the barrier.

[acc]

I may regret sharing this. Part of me is screaming “Shutupshutupshutup.” By nature I am utterly self-centered and self-absorbed, trust me, sharing this information pains me. Terribly.

I know a place where you can do 8 mile laps with almost no traffic. It has turns and rises and one long gradual ascent. It has bathroom facilities and snacks for sale. Oh, by the way, it has so many bluebells in bloom it is like a carpet of wildflowers for acres.

Bull Run Regional Park.

The most cyclists I’ve ever seen are five.

I’ve been out at Hains Point. It’s lovely. But I like the challenge of turns and hills and a little gunfire (Bull Run Shooting Range) to make things interesting.

[KLizotte]

@acc 16788 wrote:

I may regret sharing this. Part of me is screaming “Shutupshutupshutup.” By nature I am utterly self-centered and self-absorbed, trust me, sharing this information pains me. Terribly.

I know a place where you can do 8 mile laps with almost no traffic. It has turns and rises and one long gradual ascent. It has bathroom facilities and snacks for sale. Oh, by the way, it has so many bluebells in bloom it is like a carpet of wildflowers for acres.

Bull Run Regional Park.

The most cyclists I’ve ever seen are five.

I’ve been out at Hains Point. It’s lovely. But I like the challenge of turns and hills and a little gunfire (Bull Run Shooting Range) to make things interesting.

Before anyone gets too excited: BRRP is in CENTREVILLE – in other words, the edge of the known universe. Heck they don’t even know how to spell “Center” correctly. Sheesh.

Hmmmmm…..evil thoughts are coming to me…..now if we start telling the tourists that the very BEST (truly the best!) cherry blossoms are to be found in Centreville at a little park known only to the locals…..advertise free hotdogs for the bus drivers……maybe, just maybe we can clear out DC……anyone in on the plan? :rolleyes:

[SpokeGrenadeSR]

i’ll get the buns!

[baiskeli]

@KLizotte 16790 wrote:

CENTREVILLE – in other words, the edge of the known universe.

Ironically named town.

[DaveK]

@KLizotte 16790 wrote:

Before anyone gets too excited: BRRP is in CENTREVILLE – in other words, the edge of the known universe. Heck they don’t even know how to spell “Center” correctly. Sheesh.

Hmmmmm…..evil thoughts are coming to me…..now if we start telling the tourists that the very BEST (truly the best!) cherry blossoms are to be found in Centreville at a little park known only to the locals…..advertise free hotdogs for the bus drivers……maybe, just maybe we can clear out DC……anyone in on the plan? :rolleyes:

Outside the beltway might as well be on the moon. If I have to drive somewhere to ride it’s going to be a destination ride.

edit – unrelated, there are fantastic Cherry Blossoms in Bethesda’s Kenwood neighborhood – the same kind of trees as Potomac Park. We need to get that word out.

[pfunkallstar]

Even from Falls Church it is a bit of a haul, but you could always haul out the 23 miles or so, do a few laps, come back and make it an easy century. Also, when the pool opens up it can get pretty crazy.

[Rootchopper]

Garfield Street near the Cathedral has a long row of blossoms. Head north from the Cathedral on side streets between Reno and Wisconsin and you’ll see plenty of blossoms.

I waddled my recumbent around the tidal basin this morning. This is one of the best years ever for blossoms. (My recumbent goes right under those low hanging branches by the way.)

Go a half hour after dawn. The low angle of sunlight makes for a great show.

[Terpfan]

@DaveK 16824 wrote:

Outside the beltway might as well be on the moon. If I have to drive somewhere to ride it’s going to be a destination ride.

edit – unrelated, there are fantastic Cherry Blossoms in Bethesda’s Kenwood neighborhood – the same kind of trees as Potomac Park. We need to get that word out.

The last time I went to Kenwood, the word was clearly out. I felt so bad for the poor people who lived there. But then again, I don’t ride through there and am only up that direction to visit family sometimes, so if they leave the mall for Kenwood, score.

[JimF22003]

I rode around Hains Point about 5:15 this evening, and it wasn’t as bad as I expected. I crossed over and back on the 14th st bridge rather than trying to ride on Ohio. Had to admit it was very pretty.

Some parents need to teach their kids that it’s not cool to strip the flowers off the hanging branches however…

[Author]

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