BikeDC

2nd Annual DCCX Cyclocross Bike Race To Be Held At Old Soldier’s Home Oct. 26

By Prince Of Petworth

From a reader:

“DCCX, the only cyclocross race held in the nation’s capital, will be held on October 26 on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in NW Washington DC. Registration is now open on BikeReg.com.

For the second-annual event, race promoters DCMTB/City Bikes are building on last year’s exciting, successful race and will offer improvements to an already awesome race experience — and provide even more extra-curricular fun for racers, kids and spectators. DCCX joined the MABRA cross series this year.

Three ways the fun continues from last year:

1. The race is held on a classic, European-style cyclocross course. It’s fast with lots of transitions from grass to pavement to gravel and back. There are some tricky barriers and roots. Amateur archeologists from DCMTB uncovered a stone, Paris-Roubaix-style path before last year’s race, and that has become DCCX’s signature feature. The layout is great for first time cyclocross racers and a fast, challenging event for veterans.

2. The Armed Forces Retirement Home is the site of four National Historic Landmarks, including the Lincoln Cottage. Lincoln withdrew to the
Soldiers’ Home each summer to escape the heat in the White House. It’s difficult to get on the grounds the other 364 days of the year; with a registration you can drive right in and check out the grounds, and schedule a tour of the Lincoln Cottage.

3. Beer. Yes, indeed: Racers will once again be able to enjoy a beer after their race courtesy of Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar in Washington, DC. More details after the jump. (more…)

A Sign of the Apocalypse? (Warning: I’m going to compliment Ballston, VA)

By Prince Of Petworth

DSCN3200, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Believe me, I swear I never thought I’d ever post about Ballston, VA let alone post something nice…but damn they have some sweet bike parking outside the metro. I feel like they should build this feature in to all metro stations. Anyone ever see bike parking like this outside a metro in the District?

Bike DC 2008 on Saturday Sept. 27

By Prince Of Petworth

I’m not sure if the weather will hold but if it does this seems pretty cool:

“Bike DC is a noncompetitive, community bike ride scheduled for September 27, 2008 in Washington, DC. Hundreds of riders are expected to participate in exploring the history and vitality of the nation’s capital and its many celebrated landmarks. Our 17 mile car-free route is designed to attract experienced riders, novices and families and promote the accessibility of our streets to cyclists.

The principle beneficiary of the event will be the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA).

The ride will begin in the shadow of the US Capital and the White House, on Pennsylvania Avenue. The route includes cycling past many of Washington’s iconic venues from the National Cathedral to the Anacostia River.”

Capital Criterium Bike Race On Sunday, Sept. 21

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader writes:

“Criterium Bike races are very spectator friendly; They basically ride a very tight 1k loop for about an hour.

There are lots of crashes and crazy passes.”

http://www.capitalcriterium.com/

Ed. note: Presumably they have cooler bikes than the those pictured above. Although that would be a pretty cool bike race as well…

A Random Spot To Lock Up Your Bike

By Prince Of Petworth

So I saw this bike locked up in the middle of the bridge between Woodley Park and Dupont. I couldn’t figure out the scenario in which one would just get off their bike and lock it up to the middle of a bridge. Any thoughts?

Bicyclist Injured on 11th Street Wed. Morning

By Prince Of Petworth

Be careful if you are biking down 11th Street even if you are in the designated bike lane.  From a reader:

“8:10 this morning I came upon a bicyclist sprawled on the street, unconscious on the block South of Florida.  About 6 people were around him directing traffic away.  A white Aspire car was in the street, probably involved in the accident.  I was told an ambulance had been called. The bicyclist was not bleeding from the mouth.

It is my thought that the car forced the bike into a parked car.  That corner is quite dangerous (11th at the block South of Florida) because bikes are forced into parked cars as the lanes squeeze down, losing the bike lane that is present on the blocks North of Florida.  Also if the light is green, bikes enjoy quite a fast run down that stretch and cars are irritated by the bikes’ presence as the lanes constrict.”

Do You Think They Put Signs Up in Every Neighborhood in the City?

By Prince Of Petworth

I don’t mean to trivialize a stolen bike, I know it would piss the hell out of me. But this sign was found on 14th Street near the Black Cat and it says that the bikes were stolen in Georgetown. So why are they putting signs up on 14th Street? Do most stolen bikes end up around 14th Street? It just seemed a bit random to me.

Better Than A Bicycle Lock?

By Prince Of Petworth

But now that I look closer it seems that a wheel is missing…so what’s the scenario for a bike atop a porch?

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