Anybody interested in a monument tour ride?

[divingbiker]

Now, why can't they just leave well enough alone? That thing's been at Haines Point for decades.

Apparently the Park Service doesn't own it, and the owner has sold it to a developer for $750K.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to find out the schedule for demonstrations, marches, races, charity events, etc that might close roads in DC this summer? That might dictate when we could do a ride.

[Kalidurga]

Apparently the Park Service doesn't own it, and the owner has sold it to a developer for $750K.

Bah! "Developer" has become a dirty word to me.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to find out the schedule for demonstrations, marches, races, charity events, etc that might close roads in DC this summer? That might dictate when we could do a ride.

Good idea. My family had that problem in trying to go to the Nat'l History Museum on Memorial Day. There's got to be some office of something or other that would oversee all the different organizations planning things that affect the roads. Though we could always ride on the *gasp* sidewalk for short distances, if we had to

[HillSlugger]

I'll see if I can make it. Sounds like fun! See "The Awakening" while it's still at Haines Point. I've heard that they are moving it to the waterfront area where they are building the new stadium.

I have to admit that I've never seen it. Is it on our itinerary?

[7rider]

I have to admit that I've never seen it. Is it on our itinerary?

Janice mentioned Haines Pt as a possible destination in her post #7.
I think that would be great. I've never been to Haines Pt., although I've heard a lot about it.

I know there's a pro-Palestine demonstration on the south (north?) lawn of the Capital on June 10th. It was in this morning's Express re: the advertising controversy with the Isreal/Palestinian ads on Metro.

I would think perhaps the Park Service might have some info??

[Zen]

I don't think there's anything coming up large enough to close the streets.

I knew about The Awakening and was shocked. People, especially kids, love that. Theres a statue of A.Einstein on Constitution that's well worn, maybe around 16th or 17th st.

I can't do the last weekend in June, thats my Big Ride for the year though I may do the Civil War (half) Century with Slug in September.

[Velobambina]

Now, why can't they just leave well enough alone? That thing's been at Haines Point for decades.

Hon, around the DC area they never can leave well enough alone. If moving it will make some rich person richer, forget about it. In the 20 (uggh) years that I've lived here, it's gotten worse with all the development, crowding,mcmansion infill building, traffic, and lack of a sense of community. All in the name of a "thriving economy." Did you hear that we have the 4th worst summer air quality in the US? I think today's going to be a code red air day, too.

[Kalidurga]

Hon, around the DC area they never can leave well enough alone. If moving it will make some rich person richer, forget about it. In the 20 (uggh) years that I've lived here, it's gotten worse with all the development, crowding,mcmansion infill building, traffic, and lack of a sense of community. All in the name of a "thriving economy." Did you hear that we have the 4th worst summer air quality in the US? I think today's going to be a code red air day, too.

Yeah, you'd think that I'd be used to it by now, considering I'm a native of the DC suburbs. I'm at the age, too, that I can say "I remember when..." over half of the communities in this area were farmland or forest. Sad...

So, are we still trying to set a date for this? The week of July 4th would probably be the worst of the road closures. I'd think any others would be minimal enough to work around.

[divingbiker]

So, are we still trying to set a date for this? The week of July 4th would probably be the worst of the road closures. I'd think any others would be minimal enough to work around.

I'm not sure where we stand on a date. I think it would be great to have a ride on June 23, while bikemom is in town. But then Tam couldn't go, and that just wouldn't be right. If we don't do June, we move to August, since Regina is busy in July. August is really hot, unless we start early in the morning. So maybe we ought to wait until the fall when the tourists go home?

What do you all think?

[Zen]

I can't go on the 23rd either.
Grrrr
And if all goes well today I'll be working Saturdays in September.
We will see...

[7rider]

Code red today, huh???
Oh, that will make this afternoon's ride home a joy. Not.
I can hear my DH now.. "So, hon. Did you push yourself on the ride?"
Gee, no, hon. I decided I rather like keeping my lungs inside my body and didn't want to be coughing them up with all the junk in the air.

Re: the ride. Why don't we do it on the 23rd with those who can join us? There nothing saying we can't do it again in September to "hit" all the things we don't get to this time. Or, see them again.

[Kalidurga]

Code red today, huh???
Oh, that will make this afternoon's ride home a joy. Not.
I can hear my DH now.. "So, hon. Did you push yourself on the ride?"
Gee, no, hon. I decided I rather like keeping my lungs inside my body and didn't want to be coughing them up with all the junk in the air.

Lovely imagery

Re: the ride. Why don't we do it on the 23rd with those who can join us? There nothing saying we can't do it again in September to "hit" all the things we don't get to this time. Or, see them again.

That sounds fine to me. I'll be sorry to miss it (though if anyone wants to swing up Connecticut Ave towards Dupont Circle, you could stop by to visit me at work...), but we could certainly plan for another ride later on when ZenC and I are available. I also work a lot of Saturday's, but my Sunday's are pretty much wide open throughout the year.

[HillSlugger]

I can do the 23rd.

That sounds fine to me. I'll be sorry to miss it (though if anyone wants to swing up Connecticut Ave towards Dupont Circle, you could stop by to visit me at work...), but we could certainly plan for another ride later on when ZenC and I are available. I also work a lot of Saturday's, but my Sunday's are pretty much wide open throughout the year.

Do you want a bunch of sweaty gals hanging out at your store

Let's plan for a second ride, maybe waiting until September when it may have cooled down a bit?

I'm on my second commute ride today. Is it really a red day?

BTW, now that I'm trying to make bike commuting a regular thing I'm really itching to trade "The Beast" for a flat bar road bike. I've got my eye on a Jamis Coda on Ebay. It would be perfect, unfortunately, it's a pretty hideous color.

[divingbiker]

Code red today, huh???
Oh, that will make this afternoon's ride home a joy. Not.

Re: the ride. Why don't we do it on the 23rd with those who can join us? There nothing saying we can't do it again in September to "hit" all the things we don't get to this time. Or, see them again.

Wow, I didn't realize it was a code red day. I'm glad I've got the day off.

Sounds like a plan--we'll do the monument tour on June 23, then again in the fall. I'll try to map it out on bikely (or whatever). We may have to wing it a bit depending on one way streets, traffic, etc.

Anybody have any preferences where we start? I'd assume a metro station would be a good bet, maybe Union Station or Metro Center?

[7rider]

I just checked WTOP. It's "only" a code orange day today.

The 23rd sounds good - earlier rather than later sounds good, too.
I've never taken my bike on Metro, but I'd be up for the attempt. Either Union Station or Metro Center would be fine. Whatever looks best from a route point of view.

[HillSlugger]

Anybody have any preferences where we start? I'd assume a metro station would be a good bet, maybe Union Station or Metro Center?

Union Station usually seems less chaotic than Metro Center so might be better for dealing with a bike.

I'll get two new experiences in one day: bringing a bike on the Metro and biking DC.