Bike to Work Day

by Charles Hagman

Thank God for sunny skies.  No precipitation.  Only partly cloudy.

Kanita's first bike to work

Freedom Plaza

My roommates get ready to head out

Today is the one day not to ride Metro.  Bike to Work Everybody!  Ok, Kanita, we've been begging you to bike to work for the last six months.  We are so glad you've finally doing this thing!

DMV NY's Eve Century Bike Tour

We are planning for one last event to ring out the decade.  Huray! No, it's not another painful marathon.  It's a century!  Why not end this fantastic decade by riding 100 fabulous miles. How are we going to do it?  By riding 4 loops of the new and symbolic 25 mile DMV loop.  The route will be similar to the Christmas Day Marathon, encompassing DC, Maryland and Virginia and doing a complete loop around the Potomac.

Want to save your legs for NY's eve dancing?  No sweat. You have the option of stopping and resting after each loop or quiting altogether.


Loops:

• The first loop will start at 6:00 to end around 8:30. 
• We will break for 30 mins and go again and end around 11:30.  
• We will take an hour lunch break and start the third loop at around 12:30.  We hope to finish the third loop by 3:00.  
• Finally the 4th loop will start around 3:30 to end at 6:00.  

Will we see NY's Eve Festivities?
While riding through Old Town, we will ride through King Street and see the beginnings of First Night Alexandria.

DC: We will stop and see the National Christmas Tree one final time before they take it down for the year.

MD: We will get a chance to see the setup for the NY's Eve festivities at Gaylord Resort in National Harbor.

Expected Pace: 8-10 mph

Here is the DMV loop.

Weather: Cloudy. Highs will be in the upper 40's and we are not expecting high winds.  Looks like a great day to ride 100 miles.

Can One Cycle Around the Potomac? Absolutely, Just do the DMV.

The 3-D Course Fly-by Video

Capital Crescent Trail Beckons Me

There are many bike trails in bike-friendly DC.  Many of them just go around in circles, never really going any place.  The Capital Crescent Trail actually goes from one signature world-class city to another.

The Capital Crescent Trail is scenic, refreshing and popular with cyclists and joggers alike.

Miles of Hope

Paul Kelly broke his neck 32 years ago in a swimming pool. Today, he is racing in the 34th Marine Corps Marathon.

Paul understands what our Wounded Warriors are going through. But he is not racing for himself. He has a deep and profound indebtness to our Heroes and has set out to handbike over 2008 miles to raise awareness and money for our Wounded Warriors and their families.

Please check out his story below:

MCM Miles of Hope

The Alexandria, National, Anacostia (ANA) Loop

Anacostia is a historic region located east of the river it is named after. Following the construction of the Anascostia freeway and the postwar flight of whites to suburban areas, Anacostia underwent a transformation. From then on, the neighborhood changed into the predominantly black district it is now.

Although the crime rate in Anacostia has fallen from its peak in the 1990s, many Washingtonians still consider Anacostia "the most dangerous neighborhood in DC." But for bikers looking for an interesting bike route looping through Virginia, south Maryland, and DC, Anacostia's beauty cannot be overlooked.

(Part of Anacostia's renaissance was the revilitization of previously neglected housing, which turned many aspiring homeowners' dreams into reality. As a resident of Anacostia, I am a daily witness to the promise the up-and-coming neighborhood exudes and disappointedly, the bad rep it receives from other Washingtonians.)

Chapter 20: Living in the City

The following is the ONLY complete loop that goes through DC, MD and VA. There are scenic and serene places to stop for sightseeing and reflection along the way:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/dc/washington/850125251019582340

Southeast DC

• The ride kicked off from the front steps of my house on Bruce Place, Congress Heights in SE DC.
  
• A casual ride down Alabama Ave (passing the redeveloped Henson Ridge, the new Giant, IHOP)
  
• Then Alabama meets Martin Luther King as we continue downhill down this historic street. On MLK day, Southeast hosts Washington's major MLK parade.
  
• MLK merges into South Capitol St which takes us all the way to the border of DC and Prince George County, MD.
  

Southern Maryland

• Once in MD, South Capitol turns into Indian Head Highway. You actually ride on the highway -- but relax, there's a wide lane off the highway where you can ride -- approx 5 minutes.
• There's speeding traffic, but keep your head on a swivel, and you should do fine. (Recommend not riding this part during rush hour. Off peak and weekends are best)
• Once you past 295, make a right onto Oxon Hill Road. Then take your immediate right onto National Ave.
• The views of the Potomac at National Ave is utterly amazing.
• At this point, you can veer left into National Harbor.
• Or you can continue right over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
• The Bridge is well laid out and spectacular with many spots that provides a great panoramic view.

National Harbor

Virginia

• Once over the bridge, you pass the quaint St Mary's Cemetery, Then make a right onto Washington St.
• If you like, you can hang a right onto Old Towne for lunch, snacks or ice cream.
• Or enter the Mount Vernon Trail just prior to the National Airport.
• You continue on the Trail until you ride under the 14th St Bridge.
• This will bring you back to DC.

National Airport from Mount Vernon Trail

DC

• In DC, ride through East Potomac Park
• Then towards the Waterfront (if you like make a stop at the various fish markets.)
• Once past the fish market, hug the shoreline as you ride along the sidwalk by the marina.
• Near Ft McNair, make a left on O St towards National Park.
• Then over the South Capitol St (Frederick Douglas) bridge.
• Once over on Anacostia, stay on Howard Road.
• Then hang a right on Martin Luther King Ave until you arrive at the top of the hill where Players Restaurant is located.

Summary

• That's it -- the 17.3 mile loop around DC.
• For anyone interested, you can start this loop almost anywhere in DC, MD and VA.
• Plus it's relatively safe with broad streets and several metro stops along the route.
  

Let me know if you're interested in checking out this ride -- I might be willing to go with you.

Capital Crescent Trail -- The Rain, My Thoughts Run Free

I'm motivated today. Motivated to take my new bike out for a spin. But first things first. To bid adieu to the Bolling Air Force Base pool before it closes for the year after Labor Day.

Once I got in, didn't want to stop. Swam 32 laps in all in a 50 meter pool -- a total of about 3 miles.

For once, it wasn't monotonous -- but a nice day with a few people out tanning and enjoying the water. I just swam without thinking, almost on auto.

Then the moment I was looking forward to -- the Capitol Crescent Trail starting in Georgetown. Normally, it would be packed with runners and rollerbladers.

But since it was starting to get dark and dark clouds and thunderheads was looming overhead, the traffic was getting slim -- which allowed me to go all out.

Once at the end of the trail, the skies had opened up full bore, so I rushed to find sanctuary.

To Penangs it was for a nice meal of Hainan steamed chicken, Hainanese chicken rice and two frosty glasses of Sam Adams at the bar. I swapped stories with the owner and the manager about bikes. He had just bought a fuji and was enjoying it.

After dinner, I escaped back to the trail. It was pitch dark and some spots I could barely make out past 100 feet. Then the skies opened up again and it started pouring. I was having a blast in my Specialized triathlon bike. My Zipp 404s kept me steady despite the wind and the rain.

When riding--whether in the rain or a clear day--your mind often goes off in reflective tangents. On this particular night, the torrential storms took me back to 2007, the last time I was caught in rain this copious. I reflected over my 20 years in the Navy and my mind zoned in on one of the most interesting experiences of my time as a Public Affairs officer.

Two years ago, I was working as a press officer at the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). Journalists and correspondents often hovered over our cubicles, querying and interrogating us with pointed or open-ended questions that required immediate responses.

It was not easy -- an unwise or an inaccurate response could have significant repercussions – When North Korea decided to launch short range ballistic missiles, I was blasted by the White House for contradicting their statement and saying that this was "a routine exercise."

They were right-- I had not fully vetted my response with the NSC -- every reason to be reprimanded and rebuked.

These experiences, trials and tribulations have molded me and have provided me with the necessary background and insight to better understand the gist of the issue and to react methodically to several crises from several different perspectives.

In my next journey in life, I want to do more of the same yet everything different. First I want to do things that I’ve always had the urge to explore but did not have the time, resources or permission to venture due to my military restrictions and responsibilities.

Being in the military, there were things I couldn’t say or do. As a Public Affairs officer, that requirement was even more restrictive.

My thoughts rambled on, running free while I stayed faithfully on my trail.

Pretty soon, I was back in Georgetown -- by that time, the skies had cleared up -- just enough for me to run a few miles at the Mall before they opened up again. I couldn't wait for where my thoughts would take me this time.

Air Force Cycling -- A True Classic

I woke up this morning to a roaring thunderstorm and rain so hard that it pounded the roof.  I rolled over and flip my pillow over my head.

"Oh no," this morning, I had my first bike event -- the Air Force Crystal Ride. I didn't have to do it -- I had a lot of studying to do. But with the Ironman 70.3, just 16 short weeks away, this event was critical for my training regimen.

The Ride started in downtown Crystal City, rolled down Old Jefferson Davis Hwy, to Boundary Channel Dr on the east side of the Pentagon, onto 27 towards on the west side of the Pentagon and up the very steep and painful Columbia Pike to the majestic Air Force Memorial.

This leg was steep -- but well worth it once you climbed up to salute the soaring spires. The Memorial basically displays three tall spires that remind visitors of the smoke trails left by aircraft when they perform the "bomb burst" maneuver. The Memorial also includes a bronze statue that features Honor Guard members and a glass wall with engravings illustrating the "missing man" formation.

This location is not just beautiful and serene but significant -- with a splendid view of the Nation's Capital and magnificent monuments in the background. It is also overlooking Arlington National Cemetery -- the nation's altar of freedom.

It's great to ride in the city without cars.  Each leg is 12.5 km and there are 8 total laps.

The ride was not only challenging (with lots of sharp turns), but it was really enjoyable riding on city streets with spectators sitting leisurely in outdoor cafes, enjoying life and what life has to offer in people-friendly Crystal City. Thankfully, the rain clouds had cleared ushering in a bright, beautiful day, mild and dry and barely breaking 80.

It was also fun to watch the Pros ride for the Clarendon Cup-- they look so sleek and super fast in their aerodynamic machines. Watch the 17-sec clip of the Pros passing the Crystal City Finish Line on Flickr.

The race is difficult because it's a short course in an urban setting.

But the greatest joy was watching the Kid's Bike Race -- bringing back fond memories a long time ago when we took a great leap from our Mom and Dad and rode off to far away places on our our very own tricycle.

And after the ride, soaking in the refreshingly warm rays and munching on a gigantic chicken burrito at Chipotles while watching the Pros do their stuff, I had an urge to put away the bike and run along the National Mall, savoring the smooth, flat course and every blessed minute of it.

International Club of DC

Enjoyed the message today at National Community on Scars and forgiveness from Pastor Mark -- found it incredibly profound like all the others over the last few weeks.

Then drove to the Tidal Basin, the partially man-made inlet along the Potomac River between Jefferson and FDR Memorials.

Was amazed at the thousands upon thousands of Cherry trees and even more amazed at the several thousand locals and tourists who flocked to enjoy the beauty.

What was especially nice was the breeze, strong and steadfast and blowing from the south creating waves with white caps along the Basin and Potomac.

What was nicer was that I ran with it on my back and the nice mile and a half from the tip of Hains Point to the west side of Jefferson where I enjoyed socializing and networking with the International Group of DC during their Spring Picnic.

But later on, I felt energized and deprived.  At 10:00 pm after doing work with my roommates, I had to go out for a spin again.  Yes, the Awakenings at Hains Point magically pulled me away.  Even with 35 kts gusting winds, I pressed on the 3.2 mile stretch of road around the point.  It was refreshing, enlightening and definitely addictive.

Bike New York

Today, I did it -- biked all 5 boroughs of New York, yes all 42 miles with 30,000 cyclists riding car free through the highways, byways and city streets of this Awesome city.

It's a relatively ride (lots of stop and go) through Manhattan, The Bronz, Queens, Brooklyn and yes, Staten Island.

Yes the gorgeous, monumental views of NYC appearing over my handlebars.

 -- Incredible experience.  Jim met me the night before as I spent the night sleeping in my car in Staten Island.  And the finish festival was fantastic at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island.  Then I drove to Brooklyn to have dinner at Medgar Evers College -- doing the prep work for my Boss to speak there tomorrow -- What a wonderful experience and an inspiring message he delivered.  Great weekend -- met with family -- saw NY City from my 18-speed hybrid, and participated in a great event laced with a wonderful message of inclusion and inspiration.