Police peloton seen today

[KLizotte]

Coming into work this morning I saw approx 12 policemen all on bikes heading up Maine to 15th Street (that is, by the Tidal Basin heading to the Mall). What made it even more strange was the blacked out SUV following them with flashing lights (with a spare bike on back of course).

Essentially this slow moving peloton had a police escort – and this is justified how?!!!!

Couldn’t tell which group these cops belonged to (NPS, Capitol, DC) but they were all decked out with weaponry but some had beer guts so we’re not talking an elite force here.

I want an escort too!

Topic

[consularrider]

Training ride?

[CCrew]

Was Obama out for one of his rides?

[KLizotte]

@CCrew 8072 wrote:

Was Obama out for one of his rides?

All I saw were police on bikes; no civilian types. It looked like a training ride which I have no problem with; what I can’t fathom is why they had an SUV with flashers behind them the whole way.

[Joe Chapline]

@KLizotte 8075 wrote:

All I saw were police on bikes; no civilian types. It looked like a training ride which I have no problem with; what I can’t fathom is why they had an SUV with flashers behind them the whole way.

Maybe they were pulling it — saving on the gas budget.

[Dirt]

It would be really horrible for me to mention anything about XXXX. So I won’t.

I’m really glad I didn’t. Restraint feels so good.

Love,

Pete

[PotomacCyclist]

The Secret Service likes to use the lights and sirens on the SUVs. I used to think it was funny that they would make so much noise when accompanying a VIP around town. They are drawing attraction to the convoy. I guess it helps to clear the path, but it also tells everyone that the VIP is right there. Probably not as funny post-9/11. But I still wonder if that’s the best practice.

That said, I wouldn’t mind having an SUV escort too! That would be great to have a fleet of SUVs clearing the roads for me.

[C2H5OH]

Probably just Ex-Mayor Fenty.

[SteveTheTech]

Tell me that wouldn’t make for the best pace vehicle.

I could very well have been just training for a future ride with whomever.

Just another day at the office for some guys out there. I really don’t know if I would consider riding while armed and probably wearing a vest. Must be pretty stressful, even in ideal conditions.

I wouldn’t mind an Fenty level police escort. http://dcist.com/2009/11/wtop_mayor_fenty_using_police_escor.php
Although a yellow suv constantly following you too would get a little old.
Good ole WTOP.

I love the behind the scenes stuff that goes with living where we live but I stick to reading about it on the beach.

[Jsnyd]

While heading into work this past week I past 2 cops in Anacostia/Suitland area and then another not far away. We were grinding up a good size hill and had a laugh with a few of them. I’m sure they aren’t to happy being exposed like they are in rough neighborhoods, but I like it. It’s more of a personable approach to the communities and gives them a few miles in our shoes that they may acknowledge in the future.

—
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.845404,-76.949822

[DaveK]

@Jsnyd 8150 wrote:

While heading into work this past week I past 2 cops in Anacostia/Suitland area and then another not far away. We were grinding up a good size hill and had a laugh with a few of them. I’m sure they aren’t to happy being exposed like they are in rough neighborhoods, but I like it. It’s more of a personable approach to the communities and gives them a few miles in our shoes that they may acknowledge in the future.

—
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.845404,-76.949822

Flip side – they probably thought you were completely nuts.

[Jsnyd]

@DaveK 8154 wrote:

Flip side – they probably thought you were completely nuts.

Haha yea that too. I get more then a few weird looks every time I leave or get home. Cycling isn’t exactly the popular thing around here. It beats fitting in with crack heads though.

—
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.845319,-76.949781

[ontarioroader]

Might be a MPD training division ride. The certification process to become a ‘Mountain Bike Officer’ is actually pretty intense [or at least used to be]. 25+ mile rides from the academy in Blue Plains aren’t uncommon. This could have been one of those rides. The tailing SUV could have have hydration, food, medical supplies [an officer died of a medical condition on one of these rides several years ago]. Not saying this instance couldn’t have been something foolish, but it could have just been training to get cops out of cars and onto bikes, which in the long run is a good thing in my opinion.

[nov0798]

Being a Police officer in DC myself, and Mountain Bike trained, the SUV is there so drivers dont run into the back of the bikes, and to offer visible warning devices when approaching intersections, etc. Thats all! and like the other poster pointed out, medical supplies, water, whatever in the SUV also.

[Greenbelt]

@nov0798 — thanks for your service — it’s good to see DC police on bikes. Now, about slowing down those drivers so we don’t have to fear being run over from behind on the roads…

[Author]

Replies