heading in your direction soon...

[MM_QFC!]

Hi DC-area-TE'ers...
I'll be riding to DC soon, as my AIDS ride route this year in from NYC to DC, arriving Sunday afternoon, 9/13.
If any of you are interested and available to come to our arrival, I'd be glad to share the details via a PM; just let me know, ok?

I've had the pleasure of meeting 7Rider when she came out here to Seattle - both last year and again a couple of months ago.
It'd be great if I could meet some of you while I'm in your area too!

When I asked her about the Washington - Old Dominion trail, as I'd like to ride it while I'm in the DC area after the AIDS ride ends - R suggested that I post my query for more info here. Is anyone familiar with it? It looks like it stretches about 47 miles west of Arlington; is that correct? I'd be interested in hearing any of your insights and about your experiences on it.
Many thanks,
Mary

[7rider]

Yay!
Would love to see you again - and cheer your arrival into D.C. - and check out your new bike!!!
I MAY be at a tri in Reston VA (volunteering to be boat crew for the swim portion..but I haven't heard anythnig from them yet..hmmmm), but that should be in the a.m. I'd try to find a place to tuck the truck and boat and ride in, perhaps, later that day. Do send me info.
And...we should make plans for a TE-DC dinner if/when you are available.

[Kalidurga]

I ride the W&OD out at its western end, between Leesburg and Purcellville, and it's really beautiful. I haven't been on the Arlington section since I was a kid, but I believe they've just opened a connector between it and another trail in that area. The NoVa TE ladies can probably give you more info on that.

A TE-DC dinner could definitely be fun. How long are you in town?

[divingbiker]

Definitely up for dinner! But doubtful that I'll be at the ride end...too many people for this crowd-hater.

I've ridden the W&OD twice, and what I remember is that there are stretches that are way too sunny. Could be nice mid-week, though, when the weekend hordes are at work and school.

7rider said you'd be staying in Takoma Park? That's where I am! Why not just ride the trail over to Lake Artemesia in College Park (20 miles RT) or take the Sligo Trail up to Wheaton (another 20 miles RT)? Or you could take Sligo up to where it connects to the Metropolitan Branch, and then over to Capital Crescent and down into DC.

Just offering options that wouldn't require driving into Virginia. (We Marylanders generally don't cross the Virginia state line.;))

Looking forward to meeting you! Good luck on the ride.

[HillSlugger]

I'd love to meet but I'll be down in Williamsburg :(

[MM_QFC!]

Hi All,
Thanks for your responses...yes, a TE meet n' eat would be great. I actually won't be staying in Takoma Park, but my Aunt lives there and I'm planning to visit her along with the ton of family all over the area.
Also, I'm in town all week - I'll be flying back to Seattle on Sat, 9/19. I don't have set plans yet for meeting up with family, but assume it'll be Monday and maybe Fri, to accommodate their work schedules, so let's get some plans going!

Thanks also for the info about the trail...I'm looking forward to riding it!
Mary

[Pedal Wench]

I'll be heading to DC too for their Breast Cancer 3-Day. We start at the Nationals Stadium, and finish 3 days later at the Lincoln Memorial. October 9-11.

Look for a fuzzy pink bike and a crazy lady in a pink tutu or skirt!

[Zen]

I'm in.
I know it's kind of last minute but can we get something going here?
Near a Metro stop would be great ;) but i'd drive if necessary

[divingbiker]

I think something IS going. 7rider was going to call MMQFC yesterday to see what night this week works best for her.

[7rider]

I think something IS going. 7rider was going to call MMQFC yesterday to see what night this week works best for her.

I just got off the phone with Mary.
She's got a rental car and GPS, so mobile to go anywhere.
Tuesday dinner works.
Thoughts? Recommendations? Show of hands?

[divingbiker]

Well, we could go somewhere in Chinatown. My favorite Chinese restaurant is Chinatown Garden, but there are lots of non-Chinese restaurants in that part of town now, too.

Or we could go to one of the many fine restaurants in Silver Spring--the Thai place, or Austin Grill (which is also near Chinatown), or Mandalay (Burmese).

Or we could try Ethiopian in Adams Morgan (or Silver Spring for that matter.)

I had a delicious Thai meal at Dusit in Wheaton this weekend.

There's a fantastic middle eastern restaurant in downtown Takoma Park, if I'm being parochial.

We could meet in Bethesda and walk around and choose a restaurant (closer for KD and Zen).

So many choices.

[divingbiker]

How did Mary's ride go?

[Kalidurga]

Well, we could go somewhere in Chinatown. My favorite Chinese restaurant is Chinatown Garden, but there are lots of non-Chinese restaurants in that part of town now, too.

Or we could go to one of the many fine restaurants in Silver Spring--the Thai place, or Austin Grill (which is also near Chinatown), or Mandalay (Burmese).

Or we could try Ethiopian in Adams Morgan (or Silver Spring for that matter.)

I had a delicious Thai meal at Dusit in Wheaton this weekend.

There's a fantastic middle eastern restaurant in downtown Takoma Park, if I'm being parochial.

We could meet in Bethesda and walk around and choose a restaurant (closer for KD and Zen).

So many choices.

I vote for something downtown near a Metro station, since the subway or my feet would be my only form of transport. Other than that, I'm not picky and can find something to eat on pretty much any menu.

[ny biker]

Tuesday as in tomorrow 9/15? I have a condo meeting at 7:00. :( Maybe I can skip it...

I ride the Arlington end of the WOD all the time. I ride the other parts, too. Let me know if you have any questions. www.bikewashington.org has lots of information about trails in the area. Also there's a map at bikearlington.com for the Arlington trails and bike routes. http://www.bikearlington.com/bikemaps.cfm

The new connector that KD mentioned is between the eastern end of the WOD and the Four Mile Run trail, which hooks you up with the Mount Vernon Trail at National Airport (a bit north of Old Town Alexandria).

[7rider]

Yeah, Tuesday the 15th. I know it's late notice....
How about Sala Thai (http://www.salathaidc.com/) in Dupont Circle?? Anybody know anything about this?
Should be easy to get to via Metro, yes?

[divingbiker]

Yeah, Tuesday the 15th. I know it's late notice....
How about Sala Thai (http://www.salathaidc.com/) in Dupont Circle?? Anybody know anything about this?
Should be easy to get to via Metro, yes?

Sounds good to me. What time are you thinking? (Should I bike to work, or drive or metro and just go to the restaurant directly from the office, that is the question.)

[Kalidurga]

Sounds very good to me, since it's within walking distance of work. And the menu sounds great.

[ny biker]

That restaurant appears to be closed.

http://www.salathaidc.com/index/images/news/close_dupont.html

[Kalidurga]

I'd say they need to do a little updating at their site.

[7rider]

That restaurant appears to be closed.



Dang! I didn't see that.
Locals? Help me out here. I'm a suburban girl. Don't do the big city much.
Some place uniquely D.C.? Won't require re-mortgaging the house? Accessible via Metro? Someplace to meet at 6 or 6:30 (how's that Mary?)?

[Kalidurga]

Here are a couple in the Dupont area:

- Bread and Brew (http://www.yelp.com/biz/dc-bread-and-brew-washington#hrid:jmpzTsZhBHlcstLLz0zIFA/src:search/query:vegan). Based on those reviews, it seems the menu at the restaurant website doesn't list their entire selection.

- Luna Grill & Diner (http://www.lunagrillanddiner.com/main.html)

And a Yelp list, if anyone wants to check out any others: http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=vegan&ns=1&rpp=10&find_loc=20036#find_desc=vegetarian%20restaurant

[divingbiker]

Here are a couple in the Dupont area:

- Bread and Brew (http://www.yelp.com/biz/dc-bread-and-brew-washington#hrid:jmpzTsZhBHlcstLLz0zIFA/src:search/query:vegan). Based on those reviews, it seems the menu at the restaurant website doesn't list their entire selection.

- Luna Grill & Diner (http://www.lunagrillanddiner.com/main.html)

And a Yelp list, if anyone wants to check out any others: http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=vegan&ns=1&rpp=10&find_loc=20036#find_desc=vegetarian%20restaurant

The Luna Grill doesn't seem to have anything vegan. Bread and Brew sounds more promising. I don't know the Dupont Circle area very well so can't suggest anything else around there. There are a bunch of restaurants in Woodley Park, so we could just meet at the metro station and pick one.

[Kalidurga]

Oops, I didn't look closely enough at the Luna Grill menu.

Chinatown/Gallery Place is certainly another good option. As you mentioned, there are definitely a lot of choices down there.

[7rider]

Luna has a veggie burger and make your own pasta dishes.
But...
So...meet a Woodley Park? Or meet at Dupont?

[divingbiker]

Luna has a veggie burger and make your own pasta dishes.

Let's keep it simple and go with Luna then. I must have missed those dishes. Shall we say 6:00 (so it's not a late night)?

[7rider]

Sounds good to me.

[Kalidurga]

See you there at 6:00.

[divingbiker]

See you there at 6:00.

Are you walking over from your office? If so, I'll meet you there and we can walk together.

[pfunk12]

I would love to join you and meet other TEers but I have to get home to my kids. Enjoy your dinner!