WABA 50 States Ride

[Dirt]

It is a really fun ride. It is pretty long though. I missed it last year, but if they do the same route, it is about 62 miles. I really want to do it Karaoke style this year. You have to find and sing a song for each state. The thing I loved most about this ride was that so many people came out on their front porches and in their front yards and cheered us on.

Hopefully I’ll get to do it again this year. Have to check on the date.

[eminva]

@Dirt 6547 wrote:

It is a really fun ride. It is pretty long though. I missed it last year, but if they do the same route, it is about 62 miles. I really want to do it Karaoke style this year. You have to find and sing a song for each state. The thing I loved most about this ride was that so many people came out on their front porches and in their front yards and cheered us on.

Hopefully I’ll get to do it again this year. Have to check on the date.

Thanks very much, Pete.

Singing . . . hmmm. You might not want to hear that. I was thinking of making a photo montage of the street signs for all the states.

I found a map online for last year’s route, and it is long, with a decent amount of climbing, but I am familiar with most of the neighborhoods and at least I know where the hills are and how bad they are. The trick would be to avoid stopping and chatting with all my friends and relatives along the way. I am not as fast as you and 62 miles would take awhile if I am stopping to chat.

Liz

[americancyclo]

I did this ride in 2008 the first weekend I was in DC. It really helped me to get to know the district and figure out places I did (and didn’t) want to live. I’ve been wanting to ride it again, but I’ve been booked for the past few years and I’m going to miss it again this year. A great ride though, I would highly encourage it, but maybe skip the mid-ride burrito (are they still doing that?)

[consularrider]

This will make my 4th consecutive year. The only thing I’ve been disappointed with is having the lunch at Eastern Market not available until 11:30. Nothing wrong with the burritos.

[americancyclo]

@consularrider 6584 wrote:

Nothing wrong with the burritos.

Not those in particular, just the idea of a burrito sitting in my stomach in the middle of a 60+ mile ride. yuck. Plus, as you said, it wasn’t early enough anyway, so we just kept rolling on…

[Rootchopper]

I’ve done it 3 times and I am now officially retired. It’s challenging because the route is really hilly. Also, you make scores (maybe even hundreds) of stops at stop signs, traffic lights, etc. You come bombing down a hill and have to stop for a red light, then start climbing the next one.

Don’t let that discourage you though. Even if you don’t know anyone else doing the ride you will before it’s over. I’ve met some pretty nice folks on my 50-States rides and we share some good “war” stories.

And you will get to know DC in a way that few others do. I highly recommend it.

[Nellepierson]

Intriguing. Do you have a list of songs yet?!

[DaveK]

Everyone who lives in the area (and especially who lives in DC) should do this ride at least once. You get introduced to so many new places that you might never find otherwise. I’m not riding it this year but I may come out to the market during the lunch stop and say hi (I live a couple of blocks away). It’s a great ride, packed with friends that you’ll make along the way.

[justasaintz]

Its a great ride. I did it the first year I just decided to take cycling a little serious. Needless to say I decided never to do it again. But now that I have been cycling, I am really looking forward to it.

The later part of the ride is where it hits you if you are not used to hills. But the route really lets you explore DC and know the city well. You will meet lots of people and will be a fun ride.

I did not try the burrito last year, but yeah, i would probably go for something lighter.

[Brendan von Buckingham]

Fun fact: the last state to get an avenue in DC was Washington. Until the 1980s (or thereabouts) no one wanted to create a Washington Ave in Washington. They finally did. Wish I could find a citation, but it’s so easier to just take my word for it.

[bikesnick]

brendan,
the reference to washington ave is the 2nd article in this link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/why-c-stands-for-calorie-burning-on-dulles-airports-concourse-route/2011/02/19/ABJjgwH_story.html

/bs

[eminva]

Hello Everyone —

Thanks for your advice, and I made it! I’m glad I did it. As others pointed out, it is a great way to see the city. As others also pointed out, virtually impossible to get any momentum due to stop lights, seven page cue sheet, etc. But it was still fun and my fellow riders and the officials were all super friendly and supportive. The weather was also great, despite a dodgy forecast.

For the record, I passed on the burrito and ate my home made PBJ sandwich for lunch. Also, the hills were killers, but luckily I was very familiar with those lovely hills in the last 15 miles because I used to live in that area and commute through there.

I also did not take up Pete’s suggestion of state themed musical selections, but I did attempt a bicycle-photograpy biathlon and made a collage of all the state street signs, which will be attached if I do this right.

Liz
[ATTACH=CONFIG]409[/ATTACH]

[bikesnick]

liz,
thanks for the collage – it looks great!
i am glad you rode and finished. we also finished and had an enjoyable time, and next time i will remember to bring a camera.
/bs

[Justin Antos]

It was a great ride! Here was our route, as recorded by my phone. Got a little lost around Wisconsin and Van Ness, and may have blown past Texas Ave, but otherwise I think we bagged all 50. The camaraderie with the other riders, and the scenery were the highlights. Adding in the ride from home, this was definitely the longest I’ve ever sat in the saddle. We even saw some sun peeking out!

[skreaminquadz]

My first year doing it. I had a blast – I’ll do it again. I’ve lived in this area for 25 years and never saw as much of DC as I did Saturday.

[Author]

Posts