DC Bike Events?

[baiskeli]

We have had a few similar rides, such as BikeDC, sponsored by WABA. It’s harder to have rides like this in the DC area, especially in the core of the city, because there are so many different federal, state and local authorities to get permission and support from, and all are freaked out about security nowadays. BikeDC has been canceled more than once in the past due to security concerns or difficulty getting all the permits, including in 2013. I think WABA gave up on doing it this year and maybe permanently.

The 50 States ride is going strong though. Another local ride is the Best Buddies Challenge (which was seriously messed up by the government shutdown last year).

[nicefixie]

Thanks for the intel. It’d be great to have an annual downtown ride to look forward to. Something that could include serious riders to people who cycle once or twice a year. I have caught wind of Bike DC’s previous attempts and wondered why they didn’t stick.

[dasgeh]

Like most bike things around here, it actually started in Arlington, and Arlington still has the Arlington Fun Ride (early October). It’s just trails, though.

There are people working towards getting a true open streets event, at least in Arlington. There are a number of days where streets are closed to cars, and bikes get to (unofficially) take over. Marathons, 4th of July…

[jrenaut]

The Five Boro Tour has been discussed in other threads, but it’s kind of a mess. It’s totally worth doing once, but more as a way to see the city than as a bike ride. Parts of it are painfully slow and crowded, and there are a lot of people who rarely cycle and it shows. Imagine the MVT at Gravelly Point on a gorgeous spring day, going on for 40 miles. It’s not THAT bad, but it’s not far off.

That said, I selfishly don’t want a comparable ride in DC. It would mean a day that a ton of streets are closed for something I don’t want to do. I plan to do the 50 States one of these days, but my impression is the ride difficulty keeps the crowds down. Aside from the bridges, the Five Boro ride is very flat.

[baiskeli]

There are a couple of rides that involve DC streets coming up soon, according to WABA’s calendar (http://www.waba.org/events/)

There are more than a few similar rides in the area too, such as the the Reston Century (most recent – https://restonbicycleclub.wildapricot.org/page-1805062)

I’m sure other forum members know of more or a good source for them.

[baiskeli]

@jrenaut 98369 wrote:

The Five Boro Tour has been discussed in other threads, but it’s kind of a mess. It’s totally worth doing once, but more as a way to see the city than as a bike ride. Parts of it are painfully slow and crowded, and there are a lot of people who rarely cycle and it shows.

Also, being NYC, dozens of hotdogging kids crashed the event, without having registered of course, and did wheelies through the Manhattan portion. At least that’s what happened when I did it back in the previous millenium.

[jrenaut]

@baiskeli 98372 wrote:

Also, being NYC, dozens of hotdogging kids crashed the event, without having registered of course, and did wheelies through the Manhattan portion. At least that’s what happened when I did it back in the previous millenium.

I didn’t see that. The biggest problem I had was groups riding 8 wide at 11mph.

[TwoWheelsDC]

I really loved BikeDC, but my first time ended up being the last time the event was held. Frankly, it’s ridiculous that the city shuts down for sooooo many other events, from breast cancer walks to the Marine Corps marathon to BBQ festivals. But when WABA asks for permits, it’s apparently too onerous to close streets down for a recreational bike event for 3 hours on a Sunday morning. If LA can shut down 10 miles of road ALL DAY three times a year for CicLAvia, surely DC can spare a few hours once a year for BikeDC.

[nicefixie]

@dasgeh 98368 wrote:

Like most bike things around here, it actually started in Arlington, and Arlington still has the Arlington Fun Ride (early October). It’s just trails, though.

There are people working towards getting a true open streets event, at least in Arlington. There are a number of days where streets are closed to cars, and bikes get to (unofficially) take over. Marathons, 4th of July…

This would be ideal. A combination of biking near the capitol hill/mall area (for the sightseers), continuing up through M and then crossing over to Arlington would be a great ride (with no traffic). With all your feedback it seems like this may not be plausible here though.

[PotomacCyclist]

Even though we don’t have a Five Boro type ride, it’s pretty easy to do a similar slow-paced ride past many of the most famous tourist sites in DC any day of the week, along the National Mall, although you’ll probably need to shift between slow-speed roads, paths and sidewalks. You can add a stretch on the Mt. Vernon Trail to see some of the monuments from the other side of the Potomac River.

The roads aren’t as pleasant west of the Washington Monument but slower riders can take the sidewalks there.

There’s also the Challenge Ride at the Air Force Association Cycling Classic. It’s open to everyone, but it only passes a couple of the main tourist draws: Air Force Memorial, Pentagon/9/11 Memorial.

[baiskeli]

@nicefixie 98376 wrote:

This would be ideal. A combination of biking near the capitol hill/mall area (for the sightseers), continuing up through M and then crossing over to Arlington would be a great ride (with no traffic). With all your feedback it seems like this may not be plausible here though.

Some streets got shut down for BikeDC — and for a few years, the GW Parkway was closed to cars and taken over by bikes! That was awesome. Nowadays even a federal government shutdown can’t close the GW Parkway to cars.

The Best Buddies ride involved some closed streets in DC too. When I did it a few years ago, they closed part of the Clara Barton Parkway.

[baiskeli]

@PotomacCyclist 98380 wrote:

Even though we don’t have a Five Boro type ride, it’s pretty easy to do a similar slow-paced ride past many of the most famous tourist sites in DC any day of the week, along the National Mall, although you’ll probably need to shift between slow-speed roads, paths and sidewalks. You can add a stretch on the Mt. Vernon Trail to see some of the monuments from the other side of the Potomac River.

The roads aren’t as pleasant west of the Washington Monument but slower riders can take the sidewalks there.

Sounds like you’re organizing a ride! I’m in.

[PotomacCyclist]

@baiskeli 98381 wrote:

Some streets got shut down for BikeDC — and for a few years, the GW Parkway was closed to cars and taken over by bikes! That was awesome. Nowadays even a federal government shutdown can’t close the GW Parkway to cars.

The Parkway is closed for the annual Parkway Classic running race every March or April. It’s a 10-mile run from Mt. Vernon to Old Town. It used to be known as the GW Parkway Classic.

[nicefixie]

@PotomacCyclist 98380 wrote:

Even though we don’t have a Five Boro type ride, it’s pretty easy to do a similar slow-paced ride past many of the most famous tourist sites in DC any day of the week, along the National Mall, although you’ll probably need to shift between slow-speed roads, paths and sidewalks. You can add a stretch on the Mt. Vernon Trail to see some of the monuments from the other side of the Potomac River.

The roads aren’t as pleasant west of the Washington Monument but slower riders can take the sidewalks there.

Agreed. This sounds like a great Sunday ride as the weather gets a bit colder. It’d be great to have a marquee event here (on a similar route to what you suggested) that gives DC some east coast exposure as one of the most bike friendly cities. What a better time with the success and growth of capital bikeshare and the 14+ miles of new bike lanes.

[baiskeli]

@PotomacCyclist 98384 wrote:

The Parkway is closed for the annual Parkway Classic running race every March or April. It’s a 10-mile run from Mt. Vernon to Old Town. It used to be known as the GW Parkway Classic.

Interesting. I wouldn’t know much about running. I prefer exercise that involves sitting.

[Author]

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