You don't HAVE to go to Freedom Plaza. There are many "rest stops" during the morning at various locations. I registered for the one at the Discovery Building in Silver Spring (hopefully, I won't pitch myself over the handlebars in front of everyone, like I did last year! ). I never go anywhere near Freedom Plaza on BtWD. I have a neighbor who bikes to Arlington, VA. He drives partway in - parks at his synagogue, I think - and rides the CC trail. Multi-modal commute!!
p.s. Oops - I see Janice beat me to it. Yeah, they have entertainment, bike-on-bus demos, food, schwag, etc. at Silver Spring...a smaller crowd than FP, but a crowd nonetheless.
2007 Seven ID8 - Bontrager InForm
2003 Klein Palomino - Terry Firefly (?)
2010 Seven Cafe Racer - Bontrager InForm
2008 Cervelo P2C - Adamo Prologue Saddle