Group Ride 3/3: Kitty’s Sushi Roll – Japanese History and Culture in DC

[Kitty]

Minna-san Konnichiwa! In advance of the sakura explosion (and attendant tourist hordes descending on the district), I am putting together a group ride to various points of interest related to Japanese history and culture in DC!

For those of you who only see me in bike garb, my day job is US-Asia relations and my area of expertise is Japan. Join me on this ride to learn fun facts to dazzle your friends when the cherry blossoms do bloom, visit interesting sites you may have missed, and (optional) have lunch at a Japanese restaurant that specializes in some traditional home cooking (as well as sushi). You might also learn some Japanese!

Further details (route etc.) are forthcoming, but here are the basics:

Date: Saturday, March 3rd (I know its short notice, but I’ve only just gotten back from the country in question… and I seriously want to do this pre-blossom Phil’s Coffee Navy Yard (1331 4th St. SE, #101, Washington, D.C., 20003) — If you want coffee, come with enough time before roll-out!
Ride Start: 8:45 – Gather; 8:50 – Safety Talk; 9:00am Roll Out! (Phil’s Coffee Navy Yard)
Ride End:: 11:00-11:30(?) Near Farragut
Optional Lunch: Noonish: Kotobuki (4822 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC 20007)*
Route: All in DC using as much bike infrastructure as possible, 6-7 stops, one restroom break. (Note: City route means city riding, with cars and stoplights. Everyone be cool :cool:)
Distance: ~11 mi (ride only), ~16 mi (ride + lunch)

*I am going to check ahead to see what their capacity is. If its limited, I may have to set up an RSVP system and make a reservation. Thank you for your understanding.

With that, let me know who’s interested! Yoroshiku ne~
[ATTACH=CONFIG]17096[/ATTACH]

Topic

[streetsmarts]

I’m planning on it. Sounds like fun!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[accordioneur]

I plan on participating and bringing along a special guest: the Executive Director of BikeMontana, who will be my house guest while she’s in town for the National Bike Summit.

[LhasaCM]

I just found out/realized that my wife has volunteered for school auction gala tasks that will occupy her weekend…so I may join with a #kidical for some portion of the ride (not lunch, if we make it that far ).

[LeprosyStudyGroup]

oh I forgot to say that I’m in, if there was any question about that :confused:

[drevil]

If you can relocate the ride to Sedona, AZ, WE’RE IN!

[komorebi]

Count me in, although I can’t stay for lunch. Thanks for organizing, Kitty!

[Kitty]

Ehhh sougoi! Mou jyugo-mae desu ne? Atashi igai de…

Err, that is to say, Wow! We’re up to 15 already? Not counting me… I may have to call in some ride marshal support! Or at very least a sweep.

I’ll give the restaurant a call and see how many they can seat shortly after lunch time on a Saturday. (I haven’t been there and these places often run small)

Looking ahead to weather, its looking sunny, but windy as-all-get-out. I think if folks are properly bundled, we’ll be okay, but just don’t let the forecast high fool you.
For my part I’ll do my best not to talk too much at each stop. I can just keep going on this subject if you let me…

In the meantime, let’s learn some Japanese!

Contrary to popular belief among English-speaking students of the language, the Japanese word for bike is not “baiku.” (バイーク) That English loan word is used exclusively for “motorbikes. Bicycles are known as “jitensha.” (自転車)

Bicycles as we know them were introduced to Japan in the late 1800’s around the same time as they arrived in America. In those days new vocabulary was less likely to be borrowed from other languages, in favor of utilizing characters already in the language. As a result the word is written with the idiomatic kanji characters. “jitensha” literally means “self revolving car.” (自=self 転=revolving 車=car)

You might be interested to know that that “ji” is also used in the word for freedom/liberty. (“jiyuu” – 自由) On the other side of the coin, the kanji “ten” can also mean “to fall over!” (“korobu” – 転ぶ)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]17216[/ATTACH]

[wheelswings]

Thanks for organizing, Kitty. I’ll be there…looking forward. w&w

[Boomer Cycles]

@Kitty 175312 wrote:

In the meantime, let’s learn some Japanese!

You might be interested to know that that “ji” is also used in the word for freedom/liberty. (“jiyuu” – 自由) On the other side of the coin, the kanji “ten” can also mean “to fall over!” (“korobu” – 転ぶ)

Regrets as I will be back in the UK otherwise I would gladly attend, learn, marshal and freely fall over my bicycle

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Judd]

I have agreed to marshal on Kitty’s ride and vowed to fulfill my duties with the tenacity of Hiroo Onoda.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Judd]

Golden Triangle has placed their haiku signs for the year:

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kitty]

Perfect! Our final stop is in Golden Triangle. (I was hoping the haiku would be up)

[Kitty]

@Judd 175319 wrote:

I have agreed to marshal on Kitty’s ride and vowed to fulfill my duties with the tenacity of Hiroo Onoda.

You meant Sakamichi Onoda right?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]17217[/ATTACH]

[Steve O]

@Kitty 175312 wrote:

Ehhh sougoi! Mou jyugo-mae desu ne? Atashi igai de…

Totally understood!!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]17218[/ATTACH]

[Judd]

I’m planning on strapping my bonsai tree on to my handlebars.

[Author]

Replies