Weekend Hell Ride To The Zoo (Warning: Long and windy and lacking a point)

[acc]

My first thought when you mentioned the zoo was, damn it’s hilly there. But they serve beer.

My second thought was children, such a nuisance. Especially dragging them up those hills.

And then I thought about pulling a trailer filled with children to the zoo. You deserve a freaking Medal of Honor for heroism above and beyond the call of duty.

The only way I could handle a trailer with kids is to first pour a bottle of Benadryl down my throat.

I loved your post, mostly because it didn’t happen to me.

[eminva]

A family legend in the making! Yay!

Well told, thanks. In about 30 years, you will still be telling this story at major holidays and even you will be able to laugh.

Liz

[consularrider]

@acc 41189 wrote:

… But they serve beer … The only way I could handle a trailer with kids is to first pour a bottle of Benadryl down my throat.

I loved your post, mostly because it didn’t happen to me.

I’m assuming that the combination of the beer and the Benadryl would put you to sleep so you would think this was all a bad dream.

[acc]

Hell, I’d be riding in the trailer.

[consularrider]

@acc 41197 wrote:

Hell, I’d be riding in the trailer.

With the kid pedaling? He’s about your size, right?

[acc]

http://aphs.worldnomads.com/jamie_candice/3794/100_4077.jpg

For what it’s worth, I ride an adult sized bike.

[mstone]

With all the bailouts and alternate routes, my rides with the kids are planned like the invasion of Normandy.

[KLizotte]

Note to krazygloo: A few blocks south on CT Ave is the metro; you could have taken the metro back (I presume the trailer folds up?) to Crystal City. That said, the Rock Creek trail doesn’t really live up to the billing of a trail. It’s hard enough on a single bike and the part where you cross the bridge on the sidewalk is absurd under the best of conditions, I can’t even imagine trying to make the crossing with a trailer. The zoo is also, unfortunately, located on a hill.

It’s unfortunate that DC/Park Service haven’t come up with a more bike/ped friendly way to get to the zoo without resorting to a car or metro.

[mstone]

No metro on all day rush hour, right?

[consularrider]

Yep, it was no bikes on the Metro all inauguration weekend. 😡 It shouldn’t have been an issue on Saturday or Sunday, but Metro in its infinite wisdom… In addition, I expect that the trailer might not be permitted since the bike and trailer would exceed the 80 inch length and 22 inch width restrictions. Now if your new/used trailer can double as a jogging stroller, you could decouple them and have one of the kids push the trailer?

[KLizotte]

@consularrider 41219 wrote:

Yep, it was no bikes on the Metro all inauguration weekend. 😡 It shouldn’t have been an issue on Saturday or Sunday, but Metro in its infinite wisdom…

Whoa, I certainly didn’t expect metro to impose those restrictions Sat and Sun. That’s crazy. I was peeved tonight since I wanted to drop a pile of stuff off at work cause I can’t take it on the bike. Went at 9:30 pm and did a bunch of loops due to road closures (at 9:30!) only to find out my building was officially closed to all employees due to the inauguration. Not that anyone sent out an email to inform us of this tidbit on Friday. Grrrrrrr So I’ll be taking the silver tube of misery tomorrow though given the weather forecast I’m not complaining too much. Wow, this weather is weird.

[krazygl00]

Ahh, your kind comments have warmed my heart and redeemed my efforts! You guys are the best.

@acc 41189 wrote:

My first thought when you mentioned the zoo was, damn it’s hilly there. But they serve beer.

My second thought was children, such a nuisance. Especially dragging them up those hills.

And then I thought about pulling a trailer filled with children to the zoo. You deserve a freaking Medal of Honor for heroism above and beyond the call of duty.

The only way I could handle a trailer with kids is to first pour a bottle of Benadryl down my throat.

I loved your post, mostly because it didn’t happen to me.

Thecyclingeconomist is the one we should admire…a GOD AMONG MEN! According to him he and his family used to make this trek all the time. Now having done it I have no idea how! I am not worthy!

@KLizotte 41209 wrote:

Note to krazygloo: A few blocks south on CT Ave is the metro; you could have taken the metro back (I presume the trailer folds up?) to Crystal City. That said, the Rock Creek trail doesn’t really live up to the billing of a trail. It’s hard enough on a single bike and the part where you cross the bridge on the sidewalk is absurd under the best of conditions, I can’t even imagine trying to make the crossing with a trailer. The zoo is also, unfortunately, located on a hill.

It’s unfortunate that DC/Park Service haven’t come up with a more bike/ped friendly way to get to the zoo without resorting to a car or metro.

Bah, once I got to the top of the Giant Freaking Zoo Mountain towing a 30lb (empty) trailer and figured out how to get back to RCPT, it was all smooth sailing and fever dreams from there. I wasn’t about to complicate that with metro and risk being subjected to the profound agony of arigata meiwakku :rolleyes:

[KLizotte]

This story may make you feel better:

Years ago I was at the airport for my return flight home after visiting my parents. I suddenly realized that I’d left my house and car keys on their kitchen counter. Fortunately dad had a spare set of keys to my car on his keyring and the front desk would let me into my apartment when I showed them my ID so I said to my folks, “no problem, just FedEx the keys to me tomorrow.” I arrived at BWI, took the long-term parking shuttle to my car, threw my suitcase into the trunk, hopped in the driver’s seat and, to my horror, remembered that I’d started using the Club (an anti-lock device that fits on a steering wheel) the previous week since someone had broken into my car. Of course the Club’s spare keys were in my apartment in Arlington. Recall that I was at BWI!

So….I got back on the hated shuttle bus, rented a car at the airport, drove to Arlington, got my spare keys, drove back to BWI and returned the rental, got back on the shuttle bus, hopped in my car and drove home. Yes, three trips back and forth between Arlington and BWI including two at rush hour.

I was very, very grumpy. Moral of the story: leave the keys in the suitcase if you aren’t gonna use them at your destination.

[Tim Kelley]

At least you didn’t get a flat!

[Terpfan]

Yah, the RCP “trail” is not really trail like. Easier to stick to the road the whole time, but tough with a trailer full of kids. Also, I’ve never actually biked to the zoo. I have biked by it several times, but since we’re on the subject, do they have adequate parking for bikes? I would assume the answer is yes, but then every time I have ever assumed something in life I have found it to be a bad idea.

Sounds like a great workout though–mentally and physically.

[Author]

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