Happy Bike to Work Day! #irodetoday #bikedc
(Pardon the red eyes — seasonal allergies got the best of me, although the smell of the honeysuckle on the C&O Canal towpath was worth it).
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A beautiful morning for Bike to Work Day, and lots of goodies for the taking! Thanks to all the folks who put this event together, and to the more than 14,000 folks who registered.
Rosslyn and Freedom Plaza were packed, as always. Georgetown made a strong entry with its first official pit stop, featuring goodies from Dean & Deluca, Sprinkles, Baked and Wired, and more. It was happy riding out there, and a full set of bike racks in the office garage.
Lunchtime ride along the Reflecting Pool on Flickr.
It was difficult to come back to the office in this amazing weather.
Happy National Bike Month — get out and ride!
(Photo via League of American Bicyclists * Bike Month)
Homeward bound on Flickr.
I rode behind this guy for about a mile on yesterday’s commute home. He was definitely rocking a style — sort of a “yachtsman on two wheels” thing, with his styled but flowing hair, his Oxford shirt untucked, just like so, and his shorts and brown knee socks combination.
It wouldn’t be my favorite look for bike commuting, but he certainly owned it.
"Know what’s been than rolling with your windows down? Not having windows. #bikedc"
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Sometimes after a long winter, I forget that there’s a downside to riding home before sunset.
A beautiful downside, but a downside nonetheless.
Random thoughts from the morning commute: Too Cold
- Spring is officially here, but I wouldn’t know it from this morning’s temperature. Even with gloves on, my freezing thumbs give the weater a thumbs down.
- Passing by Metro Center, I saw and heard a brass quintet playing a rousing rendition of Hava Nagila, which reminded me that this city needs more street musicians. I’m not always a fan of an unregulated free market, but I do think that street performance is an area in which competition causes individual performers to build and practice their talents. As it is, the limited number of performers (and the few/none allowed in Metro stations and on the National Mall) are paid primarily by passersby who are feeling charitable, with little regard to talent level. I am a big fan of informal philanthropy, but I also think that good music brightens up my day, and I’d like to reward that.
- I played Cat-6 tag with a guy on what looked like a very expensive bike, with a very squeaky chain. Yipes!
- I would love to know how many bicyclists ride on Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and Lafayette Park each day. I think it is probably much higher than most people would guess.
- Good luck to everyone in getting your entire day’s work done this morning, before the NCAA tournament starts at noon. Regardless of the weather, these are the most wonderful four days of the sports year!
Yesterday’s PM bike commute featured heavy seas—and no reflections—in the Reflecting Pool. Yikes!
daniniowa said: I think that should be the real purpose of Bike to Work is getting new cyclists out there! For many of us on her, we don’t need a special day for it.
I agree with you on the primary purpose of Bike to Work Day, Dan, but I think it’s important to have “strength in numbers” and show anyone who is considering bike commuting that it’s not only accessible, but more common than they think.
The bigger problem for DC is that (for at least the second straight year), the day is being held on a Friday, when many workers in the area either flex or telework. And pending the future of the sequester, others just might be furloughed that day, limiting the number of potential riders.
If you’re a regular DC-area bike commuter, an occasional CaBi warrior, or somebody who has an old bike in a garage, closet or porch, just asking to be ridden, here’s your chance. Be there, ride that, get the t-shirt (which will apparently be a nice blue this year).
Don’t wait, sign up for Bike to Work Day 2013, which will be held Friday, May 17!
#bikedc traffic report: heavy congestion on 15th Street NW. Allot 3 extra seconds for your commute time.
