I had wanted to do WAGBRAD II (Washcycle's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Around DC) the same weekend as the opening of the Wilson Bridge, but school got in the way of that. Not to be denied though, I have instead scheduled it for July 25th - which will coincide with the last day of RAGBRAI on the last weekend of the Tour de France. The route is largely the same as last year's, with the critical difference that this year we'll be able to ride across the Wilson Bridge and finish the loop - riding around the entire District of Columbia (OK well there are parts of the District not inside the route, but close enough) in one day. The 50 mile route (you can do it twice for a century) starts and finishes at the Jones Point Lighthouse in Jones Point Park at 9:00 am (8:00 was too early for some and made it hard to catch the metro). The cue sheet has been corrected from last year.
The ride is meant to mimic RAGBRAI, but instead of going across DC (a sprint really) it goes around - as much as possible - the perimeter of DC. The first half of the ride, from Jones Point Light House to Rock Creek Park, is mostly on trail and pretty family friendly. The second half, from Rock Creek Park back to the lighthouse, is hilly and on less friendly streets. It feels longer than it is.
For those who are interested, it's BYO Everything - water, food even your own cue sheets which you can print out here at bikely. . Leave a comment if you're interested and I'll know how many people to look for. If the numbers get big enough, maybe I'll contact some MSM.
What: WAGBRAD II - Washcycle's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Around DC
When: Starting from the Jones Point Light House at 9:00 am. For
those, like me, riding Metro we'll leave the King Street Metro
for Jones Point at 8:45 am
Where: Starting at Jones Point Lighthouse and going around DC to National Harbor
Last year's ride took about 6 hours, but we had some cue sheet issues so I suspect this year we can at least manage 10 mph. We will not be pounding it at 20 mph - but it'll be a better part of the day.
More information at the updated FAQ and last year's post ride report.
If you're planning to ride this year you can send me an email or sign up on Facebook.
I'm down. I may bring one or two others, and some spare tubes and water.
Posted by: AJ Pasl | July 13, 2009 at 09:13 PM
I live in Huntington, so it'd be easy for me to meet up there, if I go. I'm interested, but can't commit for that day yet...
Posted by: Froggie | July 14, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Yep, I'm in.
Posted by: darren | July 15, 2009 at 03:51 PM
Hopefully I'll make it through!
My daily commute is 11 miles but I rarely bike more than 15 in a day.
Posted by: Ron Alford | July 20, 2009 at 05:27 PM
i am looking forward to joining you, but not in the rain. (earlier this year we rode 42 miles in nyc in the rain. that was enough.)
Posted by: yes, but no rain | July 20, 2009 at 11:23 PM
i'm there weather permitting
Posted by: JTS | July 21, 2009 at 05:44 PM
PS - posted this to the BikeHouse Co-op listserv. Hopefully can get some start up co-op representation there. See you on saturday!
Posted by: JTS | July 23, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Great. I will be there!
Jacob Kosoff
Posted by: Jacob Kosoff | July 24, 2009 at 10:55 AM
I'd love to join but I'm not a pro on a sleek bike. That alright? What's everyone's riding background?
Posted by: Stan | July 24, 2009 at 02:35 PM
Stan:
I'll be riding a cheap Fuji road bike slightly older than I am. It has semi-knobby tires, fenders, and when loaded for a commute weighs in at around 55lbs (35 lbs naked). It is the opposite of sleek!
I ride often, but not far. My commute is 11 miles round trip. I average 13 or 14 mph alone, or 8 mph with my wife, including stop signs, stop lights, and slowing for pedestrians on the trails. Since I don't have a good place to change, I haven't bothered buying biking shorts or jerseys.
In short, I'm neither a pro nor on a sleek bike, and I'm still planning on making it all the way around.
Posted by: Ron Alford | July 24, 2009 at 04:29 PM
Hi Ron,
Thanks for the post. I ride 16 miles round trip for commute; but 50 is quite a step up. What the heck... it's all for fun! I'll see you guys there.
Posted by: Stan | July 24, 2009 at 04:48 PM
Hi Stan and Ron,
I am in a similar category. On the first leg of my bike ride to work from Clarendon to Shirlington I cycle at about a 10 mph pace with my wife to her work. Then when I cycle alone back north to my work in Tysons Corner it is a 12-14 mph pace.
Posted by: Jacob Kosoff | July 25, 2009 at 12:25 AM
This is a no-drop bike ride. We will slow down to serve all riders.
Posted by: Washcycle | July 25, 2009 at 12:31 AM
Count me in.
Posted by: Adam Voiland | July 25, 2009 at 01:16 AM