Subject to pending approval by Bikes Belong, I drafted a press release to send to local papers in the College Park area. Anyone have anything to add/correct? Suggestions welcome. -jeff
Tim Johnson Ride on Washington – Finale in DC!
http://rideonwashington.org/finale-in-dc/
Tim Johnson Ride on Washington Announces Pitstop at Proteus Bicycles in College Park
Local Riders Invited to Join Advocacy Ride to Washington
Proteus Bicycles Contact:
Jill DiMauro
301-441-2928
Bikes Belong Contact:
Nikki D’Addario, CGPR
781-639-4924, Ext. 118
College Park, Maryland (March 10, 2012) – On Tuesday, March 20th, U.S. cyclocross legend Tim Johnson will lead his Ride on Washington (http://rideonwashington.org) through College Park, MD on its way from Boston to the National Bike Summit in Washington DC (http://www.bikeleague.org/conferences/summit12).
Local riders are invited to join the group for a pitstop at Proteus Bicycles in College Park, followed by a group ride to Washington DC. The shop will host a reception for local riders starting at 12pm. The long-distance riders are expected to arrive at about 1pm, and we will set off for DC as a group at 1:30pm.
The ride to DC will highlight local bike trails, including the Anacostia Tributary trails in Maryland, the Metropolitan Branch trail in DC, the 15th Street Bikeway, and the Pennsylvania Ave. median bike lanes. We will pass by the White House and arrive at the U.S. Capitol grounds at approximately 3pm. There will be reception near the reflecting pool at 3rd street from 3pm to 3:30pm.
“We’re delighted to help the Ride on Washington raise awareness about bike safety and access issues,” said Jill DiMauro, owner of Proteus Bicycles. “I hope lots of local riders join us for the final leg to DC. It’s going to be a really great ride. Everyone is welcome – the more the merrier.”
The Finale to DC ride will take a moderate pace and there will be experienced riders to help guide first timers in the group. The course is mostly on paved trails, quiet residential streets, and bike lanes. Riders are welcome to join the ride along the way. Metro stops are alongside the route in several locations and Capital Bikeshare stands are can be found near the Brookland/CUA Metro station, along R Street NW, and along 15th Street NW. (Note, full-size bikes are not allowed on Metro trains during rush hour, 3:30pm to 7pm on weekdays.)
For riders heading back to College Park, the group from Proteus will return at about 3:30pm or 4pm and arrive at the shop around 5pm. The total round-trip ride distance from College Park is about 30 miles.
The full itinerary for the day is as follows:
10:30 AM – Leave Hampton Inn & Suites Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD
1PM – Arrive at Proteus Bicycles in College Park, MD (15 miles from finish)
1:30 – Leave Proteus Bicycles.
2:15 – Arrive at CaBi station at 12th and Newton St
2:30 – Florida and R streets, NW
2:40 – 15th and P streets, NW
2:45 – White House (Lafayette Park)
2:55 – 14th and D streets NW (Penn. Ave median cycletrack)
3PM – Arrive at finish location at 3rd St SW between Madison and Jefferson Drives, just west of the Capitol Reflecting pool.
3:30PM – Finish ceremony concludes
3:30 or 4PM – College Park group heads back to Proteus bike shop
5PM-5:30PM – Arrive at Proteus
The approximate route map for the ride from Baltimore is available at: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/966811
Attached photo (jpg): The Ride on Washington’s founder, Tim Johnson. Photo by Todd Prekaksi. (via http://rideonwashington.org)
Attached photo (jpg): Proteus shop view. Photo by Pete Beers (via http://www.proteusbicycles.com)
Attached flyer (pdf): Tim Johnson Ride on Washington — Finale in DC (via http://rideonwashington.org/finale-in-dc/)
Attached (and below): Bikes Belong/Tim Johnson Ride on Washington press release
Press covering the ride may borrow bikes at Proteus for the day (subject to availability).
About Proteus Bicycles
A College Park landmark, Proteus Bicycles has been owned by Jill DiMauro since 2003. Her message is simple: “We are a bike shop, but we try to be more than that. The most important thing to us is that you get on a bike and ride to your heart’s content. We want to make sure you get on the best bike for you. Thursday nights we’re open late for potluck. We have comfortable couches and a charming staff. Most of all, we have really cool customers. Come in and meet them: recreational cyclists, roadies, commuters, mountain bikers, cyclocross racers, fixed-gear fans and everyone in between.”
Proteus Bicycles is located at 9217 Baltimore Blvd. College Park, MD 20740
Nearest Metro stops: Greenbelt (via the pedestrian tunnel to the College Park side); College Park (via the College Park trolley trail or the Paint Branch trail).
301.441.2928
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