DC Bike Ride – May 14

[Kitty]

If you completed the DCBR course yesterday, I guarantee you saw me–I made it a point! I was the panda with the vuvuzela (official “Bike Arlington” edition might I add) cheering on riders at the turn at Maine and 7th.

Given the price and lingering disappointment from last year, I told myself I would volunteer this year. It was a blessing and a blast! The shift allowed me to ride the whole course to get to my station (just 1.5 miles from the finish) with next to no one on it! Normally riding in groups isn’t an issue, but due to my hand being messed up from a recent dooring incident, my breaking and ability to react is limited. I’m not sure I was/am in a condition to ride with so many folks with such a range of experience.

I agree that the course was much improved (save for some nasty choke points that would’ve been trouble with a larger group), and the weather was fabulous. The best part though was making so many people happy (or at least smile) as they neared the home stretch! 😎

[LhasaCM]

@Kitty 160100 wrote:

If you completed the DCBR course yesterday, I guarantee you saw me–I made it a point! I was the panda with the vuvuzela (official “Bike Arlington” edition might I add) cheering on riders at the turn at Maine and 7th.

Given the price and lingering disappointment from last year, I told myself I would volunteer this year. It was a blessing and a blast! The shift allowed me to ride the whole course to get to my station (just 1.5 miles from the finish) with next to no one on it! Normally riding in groups isn’t an issue, but due to my hand being messed up from a recent dooring incident, my breaking and ability to react is limited. I’m not sure I was/am in a condition to ride with so many folks with such a range of experience.

I agree that the course was much improved (save for some nasty choke points that would’ve been trouble with a larger group), and the weather was fabulous. The best part though was making so many people happy (or at least smile) as they neared the home stretch! 😎

My daughter really appreciated seeing the panda, especially after her meltdown on 395, so thanks!

I’ll agree on the “choke point” issue with groups, particularly the entrance onto the 14th street bridge. The DDOT sign there warning about overnight road closures didn’t help things much, either (tightened the return trip/exit). Then again, we were in the last wave (we were early in the last wave, so rolled over the start line around 8:50 AM)…that made for a “hurry up and wait” morning throughout the course. It would’ve been great if we could’ve rolled up to the corrals around 8:15 or so instead of the stated 7:30 (still a bit of a wait, but it would’ve still been slightly before the Judds of the world rolled through on Independence and helped with the 5 year old’s patience.) Oh well – all in all, it still was a great time

[Sunyata]

@Judd 160047 wrote:

There is nothing like a guy who doesn’t own a mountain bike trying to convince other people that they should mountain bike.

*taps foot impatiently*
[ATTACH=CONFIG]14769[/ATTACH]

[Emm]

@Kitty 160100 wrote:

If you completed the DCBR course yesterday, I guarantee you saw me–I made it a point! I was the panda with the vuvuzela (official “Bike Arlington” edition might I add) cheering on riders at the turn at Maine and 7th.

Ohh I thought you were a panda! Judd and I debated panda vs penguin. I was team panda, Judd was team penguin. I tried to wave when I recognized your voice but I was a little late. You and your dancing friend made me crack up. You guys were by far the best cheerleader group I encountered.

[Judd]

@Emm 160116 wrote:

Ohh I thought you were a panda! Judd and I debated panda vs penguin. I was team panda, Judd was team penguin. I tried to wave when I recognized your voice but I was a little late. You and your dancing friend made me crack up. You guys were by far the best cheerleader group I encountered.

Emm for the win. I was blinded by my knowledge that Kitty also owns a penguin outfit.

[drevil]

We’ll put it up for vote Throw in zebra, orca, tapir, lemur…?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14770[/ATTACH]

[bentbike33]

@Judd 160117 wrote:

Emm for the win. I was blinded by my knowledge that Kitty also owns a penguin outfit.

Of course Kitty was wearing her panda costume. The penguin ensemble is obviously for BAFS use only. Dressing as a penguin in May is like wearing white shoes after Labor Day.

[dbb]

This thread has become disturbing on countless levels.

[drevil]

A few snippets from the ride:

[video=vimeo;217676295]https://vimeo.com/217676295[/video]

[LhasaCM]

@drevil 160131 wrote:

A few snippets from the ride:

[video=vimeo;217676295]https://vimeo.com/217676295[/video]

Very nice – but I am now even more jealous of your smooth entry onto 395. (By the time we got there, it took us about 10 minutes to get through and past that point.) Why can’t I just enjoy my ride as it was?!?!?

[Birru]

@drevil 160131 wrote:

A few snippets from the ride:

[video=vimeo;217676295]https://vimeo.com/217676295[/video]

The video needs more Biz!

[Judd]

@LhasaCM 160132 wrote:

Very nice – but I am now even more jealous of your smooth entry onto 395. (By the time we got there, it took us about 10 minutes to get through and past that point.) Why can’t I just enjoy my ride as it was?!?!?

The Judd types sailed right through. Don’t have to worry about “no passing” when you’re already passed everyone.

[drevil]

@Judd 160138 wrote:

The Judd types sailed right through. Don’t have to worry about “no passing” when you’re already passed everyone.

Lucky for wife and me, Judd turned up the heat at the beginning to get ahead of the crowd We couldn’t keep up with his pace, so downshifted and enjoyed the scenery. You like how the guy gives me the thumbs up, then passes my wife in the No-Passing-Ride-Single-File Zone?

[LhasaCM]

@Judd 160138 wrote:

The Judd types sailed right through. Don’t have to worry about “no passing” when you’re already passed everyone.

And that was my problem – starting behind 6,000 people(*) – by the time we crossed over Maine Ave, it was a virtual standstill as we Flintstoned to get to the “no passing” zone. And with the trailercycle attached, I’m not the most nimble in working through a crowd. (To the contrary, a bunch of impatient folks forced their way past us in that section – so we had to pass them once again going over the river.)

(*) Since my wife decided the day before to join us on the ride, and she’s not a regular rider, she opted to start in the Beginner corral.

[Emm]

@LhasaCM 160140 wrote:

And that was my problem – starting behind 6,000 people(*)

My recommendation–get to the front of the advanced group next year if you and your family are confident riders (sounds like you might want to work with your wife to get her more confident first though.) I was in the middle of the first wave of advanced riders, and like Judd, I found it to be clear and smooth sailing once I got out of Hains Point. There were points I couldn’t see anyone in front or behind me it was so empty. This is even after stopping twice so I could take off my jacket and use a restroom. But there were confident kids, tandem bikes, and other slower riders in the advanced group, so you wouldn’t be out of place there as long as everyone is confident handling their bike.

[Author]

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