Tag Archives: WABA

The Daily Feed
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Registration for 50 States and 13 Colonies Ride Now Open

Photo courtesy of
‘Independence Ave – Mirror Flare in Traffic – 8-4-09’
courtesy of ‘mosley.brian’

Sign up now for the September 25th 50 States and 13 Colonies Ride, sponsored by WABA.  You’ve got two options here: a 15-mile ride that links the state avenues of the original 13 colonies, or a more challenging 60-mile ride that links the state avenues of all fifty states (described as “brutal” and “insane”, according to WABA).  Both rides are supported with a start/finish area and three pit stops stocked with food, water, and a bike mechanic, but the roads are otherwise open to traffic.  Registration is $10 for WABA members and $15 for non-members, and you’ve got the option to add on a burrito lunch.

Whether you’re a cyclist or not, checking out all fifty state avenues is a pretty cool way to experience the District.  And while you’re at it, make the trip to Puerto Rico Avenue in Northeast and Columbia Road in Northwest to round out the bunch.

The Daily Feed
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Cyclists, Mark Your Calendars

Photo courtesy of
‘Busy Bike Lane’
courtesy of ‘M.V. Jantzen’

Tony Kornheiser may hate us, but cyclists should get excited about three major biking events coming this spring:

WABA has announced that Bike to Work Day will be May 21 this year, so get excited for pit stops and commuter convoys on your way to work!

Bike DC, the annual event in which major DC and Arlington roads are closed to cars to allow cyclists to rule the road, will be held two days later on May 23.

Finally, the Air Force Classic Crystal City Ride will close streets in Crystal City on June 13, so cyclists of all abilities can bike around Arlington on car-free streets.

The Daily Feed
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Vasa Ride This Sunday

Photo courtesy of
‘Start of the Vasa Ride’
courtesy of ‘Craig Lebowitz’

The weather is supposed to be pretty pleasant this weekend– maybe it’s time to break out of hibernation and take a bike ride somewhere?  WABA and the Embassy of Sweden invite you to participate in the Vasa Ride, an organized bike ride on Sunday morning with 56-, 28-, or 14-mile options.  The ride commemorates the Swedish Vasasloppet, a cross-country ski race taking place this weekend in Sweden.  The ride is free and open to the public (though joining WABA or bringing a donation would be awfully nice), and at the end of your ride you’ll be rewarded with some fabulous blueberry soup at the Embassy of Sweden.  See you out there!

Fun & Games, Life in the Capital
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Coming Celebrations of City Cycling

Next week we are going to have my two favorite celebrations of bicycle power in Washington DC:

First up, we have Car Free Day on Monday, September 22, where people from around the world celebrate a day free from the shackles of the automobile. Around here, we have many options to be Car Free DC, and I choose the bicycle.

Next, you can choose to join me in taking over the city next Saturday, September 27th, with the return of Bike DC – a noncompetitive, community bike ride through 17 car-free miles of Washington, DC. Organized by WABA, it’s an amazing experience – entire city streets filled with bicycles. This year both Pennsylvania Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue will be bike-only. But be careful how enthusiastic you get – Bike DC was how I became a triathlete.

Either way I dare say you should join me in a pedal-powered city of cycling!

Talkin' Transit
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Questioning Ghost Bike Barricades


Photo by maxedexposure

As a cyclist, I have two minds about the Alice Swanson Memorial that WABA organized.

On one hand, I do see it as a way to remind drivers and cyclists that we all need to share the road and respect each other a bit more, no matter our presumed importance or right of way.

On the other, doesn’t this memorial itself present a danger to cyclist and motorist alike? Pretty soon, this will become yet another obstruction on the sidewalk, no matter its good intentions, and by diverting pedestrians into the street, it will cause cyclist and driver alike to quickly swerve into each others’ path.

Might there be a better way to remind us of the dangers of metal vs. human? Maybe a painted chalk outline of a cyclist on pavement or a rumble strip shaped like a bike?

I for one, would rather have dedicated bike lanes instead of a dedicated ghost bikes.