Family bike rides on the National Mall
The National Park Service and Trips for Kids Metro DC are sponsoring family bike rides on the National Mall in Washington, DC again this summer. I went on several of these rides last year, and they are lots of fun. They are led by Park Rangers and are geared for children up to age 12. Even if you've visited the Mall before, you will learn something new on these tours (did you know there's a typo carved into the Lincoln Memorial?).
The rides take place on the 3rd Sunday of every month from 2:30-4:30 p.m. The next one will be on Sunday, June 15, 2008. Each ride begins in front of the Jefferson Memorial. A group from TFK usually meets at Gravelly Point (near National Airport in Arlington, VA) and rides to the Jefferson Memorial starting at 2:00 p.m.
Each tour covers a different theme. The topic for June 15 is The History of the National Mall – Myth Busters Edition:
Have you heard the story about George Washington's wooden teeth or the other face carved on the back of Abraham Lincoln's head in the Lincoln Memorial? The city of Washington, DC was created out of a swamp…right? National Park Service Rangers will lead families on a journey through the myths and legends surrounding the National Mall. This tour is an excellent introduction to the history of the National Mall. Participants will discover fascinating details about the lives of American Presidents and the way we memorialize them. Discover where these famous and infamous stories first started, and find out if truth is indeed stranger than fiction!
For more information on National Mall bike tours and their schedule of events, see:
http://www.nps.gov/mall/planyourvisi...-tour-page.htm
http://www.nps.gov/mall/planyourvisit/events.htm
Here's the fine print: The rides are free but reservations are required. Please call NPS Bike Program Coordinator Ranger Jason Martz at 202-438-4391 to make reservations. At least one parent/adult MUST be along with their child/children. All participants MUST have their own bike and helmet. If you need to rent a bike and helmet, TFK may be able to help. Visit www.tfkmetrodc.org for more information.
If you would like to join the group riding from Gravelly Point, please PM me or send an email to deb<at>tfkmetrodc.org so we know to look for you.
