Midnight Saddles

[streetsmarts]

I can do this ! Yeah

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[Kitty]

Ooo! I won’t know until after this weekend what my schedule will be for that Saturday, but I’d like to try to make it. Approximately how late/early do you guys finish?

[bobco85]

@Kitty 146677 wrote:

Ooo! I won’t know until after this weekend what my schedule will be for that Saturday, but I’d like to try to make it. Approximately how late/early do you guys finish?

It usually depends on when we leave the diner and where the diner is. Looking at the Strava Flyby which has the running time for this most recent Midnight Saddles, our timeline went like this:

• 10:30 pm – met at Washington Monument
• 10:50 pm – started ride around Mall, Hains Point, and northern half of Arlington Loop (~20 miles)
• 12:45 am – arrived at Bob & Edith’s in Penrose (Arlington)
• 2:00 am – left Bob & Edith’s and went our separate ways
• 2:30 am – I arrived back at my apartment near Mark Center (Alexandria)

This should give you a better idea of what to expect.

P.S. – my Nite Ize See’Em spoke lights arrived a couple of days ago, so I will have them on hand. I now have to order some more, though, after talking to my 6 year old niece yesterday who has requested some

[Steve O]

Bobco’s post seems about right. Although last Halloween we were rewarded with an extra hour due to the time change.

Also, for anyone concerned about riding home alone in the middle of the night, I commit the group to making sure no one has to if they are uncomfortable, even if that means I personally escort you to your destination.

[consularrider]

@Steve O 146699 wrote:

…Also, for anyone concerned about riding home alone in the middle of the night, I commit the group to making sure no one has to if they are uncomfortable, even if that means I personally escort you to your destination.

That may be what they are afraid of. :p

[streetsmarts]

Haha. Consularrider!! And unfortunately as much as i want to go , it turns out i’ll be out of town that weekend. I really hope there’s another one soon.

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[Lt. Dan]

for those of us that want to drive down, where is a good place to park? Is Hains Point open that late?

[LeprosyStudyGroup]

@Lt. Dan 146803 wrote:

for those of us that want to drive down, where is a good place to park? Is Hains Point open that late?

Others know better than me (so why am I saying anything???), but in my experience, sometimes the gates are open, sometimes they’re closed, at random.

I just checked and street parking along the western part of Ohio drive is 3hr and a tow zone 1am to 9am every day. The small parking lots off ohio ABC are no parking 1-8am. The lot by the Cabi station is marked 2hr and for tennis patrons only so that’s a bit risky though people park there to bike all the time.

I’d park near the ending point – The diner? and bike to the monument start.

[Steve O]

@LeprosyStudyGroup 146807 wrote:

I’d park near the ending point – The diner? and bike to the monument start.

This idea is good – or anyplace in between the two. Diner is still TBD, although I have one in mind. Details on route and destination will be posted here a few days ahead of the ride.

[Steve O]

This Friday! Looks like an excellent weather forecast.

Our destination is Slim’s Diner in Petworth. It’s not a 24-hour diner as has been our tradition. However, it closes at 2am, so we’ll have to head home by then, I suppose.

Draft route is here. 15-mile social ride.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]12546[/ATTACH]

@Steve O 146304 wrote:

Hello Night Owls,

The next in our delightful series of Midnight/Moonlight Saddles rides is upcoming on Friday, October 14. Details still TBD, but as usual we will gather at the Washington Monument at 10:30 PM with roll-out at 10:45 PM. Great opportunity to give your winter lights a pre-season workout.

Midnight Saddles rides are social rides. We ride as a group at a moderate pace and end at a 24-hour establishment. Then we share food, drink and company.

Not recommended for those with early Saturday morning responsibilities, but if you can sleep in a bit, then join us! Note that this one is on a Friday night instead of Saturday night. Those who have been unable to attend in the past due to Sunday morning responsibilities are especially invited.

[bobco85]

@Steve O 147164 wrote:

This Friday! Looks like an excellent weather forecast.

Our destination is Slim’s Diner in Petworth. It’s not a 24-hour diner as has been our tradition. However, it closes at 2am, so we’ll have to head home by then, I suppose.

Draft route is here. 15-mile social ride.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]12546[/ATTACH]

I hope we will get to see the new M Street Underpass (if it’s finished): http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/33687/nomas-first-underpass-park-is-almost-here/

Also, we’ll have to stop at some point while riding on the Metropolitan Branch Trail to look behind us. You can see the Capitol dome from much of the trail, and it looks even cooler at night.

[LhasaCM]

@bobco85 147169 wrote:

I hope we will get to see the new M Street Underpass (if it’s finished): http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/33687/nomas-first-underpass-park-is-almost-here/

Also, we’ll have to stop at some point while riding on the Metropolitan Branch Trail to look behind us. You can see the Capitol dome from much of the trail, and it looks even cooler at night.

From what I’ve seen (I go under that underpass every day), it doesn’t look like any of the lighting has gone up yet. They’ve started some of the prep work and have blocked things off (displacing the tents that had been lined up under there), but that’s about it.

One other thing for folks to consider around that area (in addition to making sure you get a good view of the Capitol dome): with the REI construction “wrapping up but not quite done” – 2nd street NE is a still little sketchy near M Street and partially blocked. It may be better to use the protected bike lane on 1st NE (getting there via Louisiana/Columbus Circle) to make the transition between the Capitol grounds and the not-on-road part of the MBT.

[Kitty]

(Huh, that’s weird! I’d posted a reply earlier this week, but I guess it didn’t go up? :confused: Here it is again!)

Alright! Against my better earlybird judgement, I’m in!

Given the distance from home that the diner is, I would appreciate some company on the return–at least until say, Dupont (from there I’m used to riding at all hours), though I suspect a number of you will be continuing on to Arlington.

[Steve O]

@Kitty 147302 wrote:

(Huh, that’s weird! I’d posted a reply earlier this week, but I guess it didn’t go up? :confused: Here it is again!)

Alright! Against my better earlybird judgement, I’m in!

Given the distance from home that the diner is, I would appreciate some company on the return–at least until say, Dupont (from there I’m used to riding at all hours), though I suspect a number of you will be continuing on to Arlington.

I have to go right by your place to get home, so no problemo.

[streetsmarts]

Well y’all have fun. Take lots of pictures!!

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