It's been far too long since I last wrote. Bike DC was this past Sunday, and I wanted to make a few comments. Bike DC was great. There were a few hiccups, with the roads by Iwo Jima and the early openingof the Roosavelt Bridge, but all in all it was a well run and greatevent. One quick note, Iwo Jima did not just become underconstruction. Those steel covers have been there a few weeks (I ridethrough there on my way to work). But whatever, it was a minorinconvenience on a 24 mile cleared route. I think people forget howmuch road Bike DC got shut down for their cycling enjoyment, some ofthem major roads. I can't express my gratidue enough to all thevolunteers and efforts of those who made the event happen. I thoughtthis year's route was much better with the Rock Creek Parkway detour.It eliminated that GW Parkway double back before the Air ForceMemorial, and was really a fun ride. The complaints I read about BikeDC are sometimes commical. It's not meant to be a race, it's not meantto be wide open. It is meant to be a group of cyclists enjoying a slowand fun ride around the city, seeing the sites, and enjoying thecollective nature of cycling. It should be a celebration of our jointpassion for cycling, not a stage to get in a pace line. Go to HainsPoint after work or during lunch if you're looking for that. Thisevent is about community. Try to enjoy it. It is in this spirit that Iask people to relax out there. I like riding fast as much as anyone,but the streets are full of cyclists of all different abilities. Itisn't the time to show how good you are. If you really want to, getthere early and go out off the front. But if you don't go out until7:30, then don't try to fly by people and weave in and out of traffic.Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the roll.Again, thanks so much to everyone for the efforts. What a great day.Here are some pics taken from the ride (nearly all taken while moving,so bear with me):
