TheWashCycle

WABA Member Holiday Party!

I totally saw this coming.

December 14, 6:00 PM
Boundary Stone DC, 116 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington DC.
Join us for our annual Member Holiday Party for an evening of bicycle cheer. Come eat, drink, and be merry with the WABA Staff and Board in celebration of 2016 and mingle with fellow WABA Members (not a member? That's OK! Join at the party!). The party is free to attend and there will be food and drink specials available at the bar for purchase. RSVP here.

Want to help out at the Holiday Party? We could use a few volunteers! Sign up here.

That is apparently a real bar, but I haven't been out in a while so I'm going to need some help. Where is that in relation Pharmacy Bar or Polyesther's or Tapatini's or Dr. Dreamos?

Crossland Festival - the first ever cyclocross race in Columbia, MD on Oct 1

Columbia, MD will host its first ever cyclocross race on October 1st (History!).

● All-day cyclocross races sponsored by local club Adventures for the Cure. Cyclocross is a

spectator-friendly race discipline and enjoys broad participation
● Recreational bike rides: The Bike Advocates of Howard County and Howard County Police Bike
Patrol Unit have agreed to host recreational rides. BAHC’s ride
would focus on recreational cyclists, while the Police Bike Patrol would focus on rides for
families with children.
● Music – regional, well-known acts playing upbeat, danceable music
o Kelly Bell Band
o Sweet Leda
o Mend the Hollow (Jimmie HaHa’s new project)
o Higher Hands
● Vendors selling items related to active lifestyles
o Local Bicycle Shops
o Bicycle related arts and crafts
● Beer – local breweries
● Local restaurants and food trucks
● Kids activities 
● Advocacy Area - Safe Streets, Department of Transportation, Bicycle Related Business’

Gearin' Up Bike Swap Expo on Sunday

Gearin' Up Bicycles is hosting a bike swap & expo where there will be vendors, non-profits and private individuals selling used and new bicycles, parts and gear. It's on June 19, 2016 at Union Market Dock 5 and runs from 11 am to 4 pm. There will be music to enjoy and food for sale at the dock as well as all the other vendors at Union Market's main terminal. Entry is a suggested, but not mandatory, donation of $5.

This is DC's Full Service bike swap. There will be a section for individuals to swap, vendors, food from some of the areas best food trucks, and entertainment. Not to mention a few surprises! Come out, support our youth programs, and get your new ride or parts!

If you want to SELL, you must purchase a table space here:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-dc-bike-swap-tickets-20158624990?aff=efbbt

If you want to BUY, SWAP, or PARTY, come as you are - and consider a $5 donation at the door for our youth programs!

It's Bike to Work Day!

Ride like Marilyn or ride like Steve, just ride in a way that makes you happy.

Register Now for the Sixth Annual Metropolitan Branch Trail 5K Run/Walk

Save $10 by registering now for the 5th Annual Metropolitan Branch Trail 5K Walk/Run, to be held this Saturday, April 30th at 9:00 a.m. (on race day registration increases to $35). Race proceeds benefit the community with activities along the trail, like free yoga and fitness classes. We could also use a few more volunteers on race day.

WHERE: The start/finish is at the trail entrance at the Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center (near the Metro Station and 4th Street, NE). Race course is along the off-road portion of the MBT.

PACKET PICK-UP: Friday, April 29, 1200 First Street NE (in the lobby), 5 - 7 p.m. and on race day at the start location, beginning at 7:30 a.m.

WHEN: Race start is 9:00 a.m. Race day registration starts at 7:30 a.m. Warm-ups provided by Chickaro Martin of Project Fitness.

Prizes and giveaways:
Platinum sponsor NoMa BID is providing race bags and the services of the Clean Sweep team.
Silver sponsors CPDC and Edgewood Commons are donating race bag goodies for participants.
Healthy snacks are being offered by Bronze Sponsor, Yes! Organic Market.
Sunscreen will be provided by Bozzuto/Monroe Street Market, also a Bronze Sponsor.
Raffle prizes available from Dance Place, Friends of Edgewood, Stuff't, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and Back on My Feet.
Free caricature drawings by artist Rajan Sedalia--for early birds only (7:30 - 8:30 a.m.).
The race is powered by the DC Road Runners Club and organized by local volunteers.

Free registration for runners under 18. Register now at www.gometbranch.com to run, volunteer, or sponsor the event. "Like" us on Facebook for updates and announcements, www.facebook.com/mbt5k

Thanks and see you on April 30th!

First Annual Blessing of the Bicycles - May 7

To show their support for the cycling community in DC, the Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes (1217 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20005) will host the first annual "Blessing of Bicycles" on Saturday, May 7 at 11am and all are invited to join in.

The blessing will be a short service in which our priest-in-charge, Father Dominique, will say a prayer over all the assembled bikes, asking for protection and joy for cyclists as they ride. While the service comes from the Anglican tradition, no religious affiliation is required! Blessings are a way that the Anglican church shows love and support for various groups so please allow us to bless you regardless of your stance on faith.

 

The blessing will last just under 30 minutes and will be followed by a group bike ride led by Bishop Mariann Budde, Bishop of the Washington, DC Anglican communion. This will be the first bike blessing in DC but similar events have been held in New York and San Francisco since the mid-1990s. 

 

During the mingling time, we will be selling pizza, baked goods and drinks as well as t-shirts bearing the image of the Madonna de Ghisallo provided by Cycology Gear. All proceeds from this event will go towards making the church more handicap accessible. Donations are also appreciated and accepted. Spoke cards and stickers will be provided to all participants free of charge.

Nerd Up: Attend A Panel of City and County Bike/Ped Planners from Metro D.C.

Sorry to say that this event is fully booked, but there is a waiting list

What does the future look like in the National Capital Region when it comes to biking and walking? The National Capital Region Chapter of the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) invites you to a panel discussion withthe region’s city and county bicycle and pedestrian planners. We'll ask the panelists to provide a glimpse into the daily work of building out the region’s bike/ped network and discuss the trends that are on the horizon in their jurisdictions.

Time will be provided for audience questions. This event is FREE and space is limited-REGISTER HERE.  Participants can also submit questions for the panelists at the registration link.

The discussion begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by a reception at 7:30.. The venue (HON showroom, 1101 Connecticut Ave NW) is an unusual event space located near the Farragut North metro stop (take the “L St.” exit from the metro).

Moderator: Andy Clarke, Director of Strategy, Toole Design Group

Panelists:

• David Anspacher, Montgomery County
• Kevin Belanger, City of Rockville
• Karyn McAlister, Prince George’s County DPWT
• Hillary Orr, City of Alexandria
• Erkin Ozberk, Takoma Park
• Jim Sebastian, Washington, D.C.
• Ritch Viola, Arlington County

It's like the Avengers or the Travelling Wilburys, if either of those groups were bike/ped planners. 

Tim Holden's Final Ride

Tim Holden, a former Navy Seal and father of five, was killed during an August bike ride when he was struck from behind by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel. 

On Friday December 18th, he and his family will gather at Gawler's funeral home on Wisconsin Ave NW for his final ride to Arlington Cemetery where he will be buried with full military honors at 0900. With his family's blessing, you're invited to join in a bike escort of his motorcade from Gawler's to Arlington Cemetery that morning.

Plan Options (PLEASE, NO BIKES AT GAWLER'S):

Option 1 Cyclists Meet Up @ Bethesda Pool:

0645: Meet at Bethesda Pool (6300 Little Falls Parkway Bethesda MD 20816); there is free parking at the lot as well as at the lot for the park just N on Little Falls
0700: Depart Bethesda Pool down Capital Crescent Trail (CCT) to Georgetown
0730: Arrive N of Lincoln Memorial along Potomac River
0745: Procession arrives 
0805: Depart for Arlington Cemetery with Holden motorcade
0815: Arrive Arlington Cemetery
0900: Ceremony
At will: Return up CCT back to Bethesda Pool

Option 2 Cyclists Meet Up just N of Lincoln Memorial (if coming from VA or in case riding from/to Bethesda inconvenient):

0730: Cyclists arrive N of Lincoln Memorial along Potomac River (next to sand volleyball courts on The Mall; there is 3 hr free street parking)
0745: Procession arrives 
0805: Depart for Arlington Cemetery with Holden motorcade across Memorial Bridge
0815: Arrive Arlington Cemetery

0900: Ceremony

Holden's family welcomes our respectful attendance at the ceremony at Arlington. If you haven't attended before, an Arlington burial with full military honors is unforgettable. Arlington is making an exception for us and bike's are permitted on the grounds.

Gearin' Up Gala this Friday

Gearin' Up bikes is hosting its second annual gala this Friday at Atlas Brew Works. Tickets are on sale for $50 with all proceeds supporting Gearin' Up's programming!

Become a Sponsor! A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available - contact them at info@GearinUpBicycles to become one!

Volunteer with Bike Arlington at the Arlington County Fair!

From Bike Arlignton

We're looking for local biking all-stars to help encourage and educate folks attending the Arlington County Fair. AND this year there is a parade. And who doesn't love a bike parade?

It's an amazing opportunity for us to talk to a lot of different people, and we need your help to make it happen. Over 50,000 folks attended last year!

We're going to have maps, class information, a photo booth with silly props and a lot of other goodies that we need your help with at our table.

So let's get the fun started! Sign up here.

The fair is August 5-9 and even if you don't volunteer there is much for cyclists there

Rides, funnel cake and pig races are almost upon us again this year at the Arlington County Fair! Once again BikeArlington is sponsoring the complimentary Bike Valet (located on the tennis courts) so that you and your family can get the best parking spot at the fair. There is no public parking and the shuttle service now costs $2, so that makes biking one of the best options for getting there! And like always, ride your bike to the Fair, come to the BikeArlington tent (Friday-Sunday) and show us your helmet and receive a free prize!
 

Bike Valet Hours:

8/7 - 2pm - 9pm
8/8 - 10am - 11pm
8/9 - 11am - 7pm

We are also recruiting revelers for the first ever Arlington County Fair Parade. That's right. We can make it a BIKE PARADE. How awesome is that? The theme is "Summer Nights and Lights" so please affix every light you have to your bike and let's get this party started!