This tour turned out to be much more than a Haines Point excursion. But, I must start from the beginning. We had many folks who signed up, but left the parking lot at different times and must have gone in different directions because I never saw them again. When we got to the other side of 14th Street bridge (never mind that I had said Memorial Bridge in the ride post), we rode over 14th street bridge (where I had a flat with a tube that stuck to the tire, no spare tube and a cartridge that went off without my permission—Thanks to the Gallant Pedaling Tuba Musician who saved the day!). Oh yes, when we reached the DC side of the 14th street bridge, our group consisted of: The Pedaling Musicians (Ron and Barb), Storm Troopers (Linda and Diane), an Eccentric Electrician (Bob), Riders of the Storm (Ron Altemus, Loretta and Cathy) and of course Sir Lancelot on a Serotta (Alan Kurzweil). For some strange reason, we saw groups of bicyclists riding all over, back and forth from the capital, over the bridge and around at stop lights, to find out that the Mayor had crashed our annual party with a 5 K run. The Park was closed, and Police were giving out tickets. Ugh.
Storm Trooper Diane opted to ride to the Capital, and all of us followed, except the Eccentric Electrician (who later spotted by the Lincoln Memorial by Joan Oppel). On the way there, we then decided to do none other than my favorite thing, which is to ride up to the Zoo. We took 16th street way up beyond the Zoo to a Rock Creek Park entrance (21 miles) where we found a rest stop with a bathroom and running water. We shared snacks, and then rode through the park on Morrow Drive to Beech Drive and then headed South to Tilden Street (the tallest Mountain in DC). We climbed the Mountain and headed down Connecticut Avenue to the Zoo (see pics). From there we rode down Connecticut to Rock Creek Trail, the smooth part with few cracks and bumps back down to Haines Point for our loop. As we headed back, we encountered another flat where Lancelot on the Serotta saved the day. Lancelot then rode home to Camelot and the rest of us rode back through Old Town.
We were starving by that point, having ridden more than ever anticipated. So, we had coffee at a Starbucks up on St Asaph street which was not nearly as busy as the one on Union Street. We reached Jones point around 3 PM. Where the last remaining Storm Troopers and the Ride Leader rode home over the Bridge. We logged 50 miles and it was great! THANK YOU FOR COMING!
Photos
