DC Bike Ride – successor to BikeDC?

[mstone]

I got a flat, and discovered I brought a tube with a hole as my spare. The start was a hot mess, I suspect they didn’t space the groups out enough (maybe worried about rioting if they held people up more after the delayed start.) They probably should have started through a chute or something so people could naturally pass and fall into place. As it was, people were just all over, then hit the single file hairpin and bunched up. So the first couple of miles were barely above walking pace. It was a fun time with the kid, but I was a bit meh on the experience. Maybe give it one more shot in better weather. Thinking about it more, the biggest problem was all the tight turns. I’d say the best change would be to move the start to somewhere with a long straight shot for people to sort themselves out better early.

[KLizotte]

The route deviated from going up to the Air Force Memorial to the 14th Street Bridge; presumably because of the rain. It was probably a last minute decision and may be why there was a bottleneck at the beginning/end of the bridge. Overall, I think it was the right call given the slick conditions.

The tight turn by the Bureau of Printing & Engraving was a bit insane.

I was in the 14 mph group and it was a slow ride due to the crowds, esp for the first five miles or so. I saw lots of people replacing flats and only the aftermath of a small crash. I’m very impressed by how well everyone rode; no close calls or bad moves at all.

I’m impressed so many people came out despite the crappy weather. Can you imagine the numbers if it had been beautiful out?!

Overall I think the ride was very well managed given the numbers, weather, and that it was a first time for this route. While I didn’t find the route super inspiring I think the high attendance makes a great statement on how popular biking is and hopefully gets lots of news coverage tonight and tomorrow.

Many kukos to the organizers and volunteers who labored under miserable wet and cold conditions. I saw dbb directing bikers on the Whitehurst Freeway!

[dbb]

At the end of the pack of riders, there were a number of stragglers that either started late or had a really slow pace. As a result, they were at risk of getting swept up by the road openings before the 10 mile cutoff. Next year the organizers might want to consider a shorter route as an option for those that ride more slowly.

The U turn ramp at the top of the Whitehurst Freeway must have been intimidating to many cyclists, afraid of the slippery conditions. Many cyclists slowed and flintstoned over the ramp, bunching it up. The reality was that the painted ramp remained pretty good. We saw no problems related to traction. I wonder if they have any paint left over they could give to the NPS for the Trollheim.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@KLizotte 140122 wrote:

The route deviated from going up to the Air Force Memorial to the 14th Street Bridge; presumably because of the rain. It was probably a last minute decision and may be why there was a bottleneck at the beginning/end of the bridge. Overall, I think it was the right call given the slick conditions.

I also thought the route was supposed to go up to the AFM, but the map in the race packet shows the 395 u-turn at Hayes St., which is where the actual turn-around was…so it doesn’t look like they modified the route at all.

[KLizotte]

@TwoWheelsDC 140146 wrote:

I also thought the route was supposed to go up to the AFM, but the map in the race packet shows the 395 u-turn at Hayes St., which is where the actual turn-around was…so it doesn’t look like they modified the route at all.

Hmmmm….the original route posted by the organizers showed it going to the AFM; I checked carefully since that is next door to where I live so I was kind of disappointed by the route change.

Overall I think the ride concept is great but the actual route could be much better.

[Judd]

@KLizotte 140156 wrote:

Hmmmm….the original route posted by the organizers showed it going to the AFM; I checked carefully since that is next door to where I live so I was kind of disappointed by the route change.

Overall I think the ride concept is great but the actual route could be much better.

It was probably a good route change. Although the AFM is beautiful, the hill would be pretty killer for most of the people I saw riding. I ride up the hill every day to get home and there are days where I struggle despite all the practice.

[baiskeli]

I had my own personal monument on my helmet. Slightly smaller than the original.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]11811[/ATTACH]

[baiskeli]

There was no route change as far as I can tell from looking at the map. The route didn’t quite reach the Air Force Memorial.

[Rootchopper]

I saw only one rider do something dangerous, on the u-turn at Key Bridge. Not the place to do a fast, close pass, I’m afraid. Only other rider of concern was the guy swaying back and forth for miles on end. There was a rider near him who told me “I’ve got my eye on him” just in case he got any more rambuncious. Most people don’t understand that holding your line is important in a group line like this. The DC Bike Riders did an infinitely better job of riding safely than the 5 Boro Riders in NYC on May 1.

Also, I got hit with a lot more rear tire spray in NYC as a result of exhuberant yoots.

[baiskeli]

I wore my own personal monument on my helmet. Slightly smaller than the original.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]11813[/ATTACH]

[Rootchopper]

You may note that the ride had very few churches on it. Heading into the city would have created a mess with church goers on a Sunday morning.

[dbb]

@Rootchopper 140160 wrote:

I saw only one rider do something dangerous, on the u-turn at Key Bridge. Not the place to do a fast, close pass, I’m afraid. Only other rider of concern was the guy swaying back and forth for miles on end. Most people don’t understand that holding your line is important in a group line like this.

Mr. Chopper got cut off pretty cleanly on the ramp and u turn. It was a challenge to get riders to swing wide on that turn. The takeaway might be to bring some flour or something temporary that could show the lines and help guide the riders. Many wanted to take the inside line that caused them to cut off other riders and lose their momentum on the ramp. This was most evident among the riders that seemed to be relatively inexperienced.

[mstone]

@dbb 140166 wrote:

Mr. Chopper got cut off pretty cleanly on the ramp and u turn. It was a challenge to get riders to swing wide on that turn. The takeaway might be to bring some flour or something temporary that could show the lines and help guide the riders. Many wanted to take the inside line that caused them to cut off other riders and lose their momentum on the ramp. This was most evident among the riders that seemed to be relatively inexperienced.

The hard part is “temporary and waterproof”, otherwise chalk would work

[baiskeli]

Did everyone notice that hard bump just after the Whitehurst Freeway? I saw about a dozen water bottles that had been knocked off bikes just after it. Nobody with busted rims that I could see though.

[Jason]

Already said but:

Route was sorta Meh.
People WAAAAAAAY overestimated their speeds. I saw fat bikes with kick stands with beefier riders in the 14mph area. Ummmm. I underestimated my speed (I do 15mpg average on the Arlington loop) to be 14mpg, but most in my group couldnt do 7 for 17 miles. I stopped for a piss break on 395 for about 5-7 minutes and repassed my entire group and the 16mph group as well. Crazy. Maybe next time they need to ask people to be more honest with themselves or add more sections (10mph, 14mph, 16mph, 18mph, ect…)

Not sure if I will do it again.

[Author]

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