I’ve timed this post to go up at 3pm on Saturday the 19th, which if all goes to plan is the moment that my wife (woah, crazy!) will be walking down the aisle.
What a year it has been! We are off to celebrate with family and friends – and then on Monday we will fly to Panama for almost 2 weeks.
I’m looking forward to a summer of riding and a whole bunch of new experiences.
-John
Monumental DC – A series where I’ll be documenting the many memorials in DC that we pass by frequently, but rarely seem to stop and pay notice to. Follow on twitter with #monumentalDC
What: General George McClellan Memorial
When: Tuesday December 13, 2011
Where: Connecticut Ave and Columbia Rd, NW
General George McClellan Memorial
This is an old one #monumentalDC trip that got lost on my computer. Fortunately I found the photos the other night and can post a little bit of information about it.
This monument, for General George McClellan is interesting, since it seems the fellow wasn’t actually that great of a battlefield general. McClellan reportedly was a great organizer of men, which got him promoted to general-in-chief of the Union Army and leader of the Army of the Potomac – but once in battle it seems like George was a little gun shy. His well trained forces usually beat back the Confederate army, but often just barely, or it let them escape instead. All of this caused Abe Lincoln great pain and was cause for McClellans demotion through the ranks. Interestingly, he later ran as the Democratic party nominee for the 1864 election against Lincoln!
Despite all of this a statue was authorized by act of Congress in 1901. For the handsome sum of $50,000 the monument was designed and built, eventually being erected in its current location in 1907. McClellan certainly has a nice view – but does he deserve it?
This year the Bike DC event fell on mothers day – we initially thought that would prevent us from riding, but we ended up registering a few days ahead of time. Got there just as the Family Ride was starting, which meant the first few miles were spent passing and being watchful for young riders swerving across the road. By the time we got to Rock Creek Park the roads opened up and the pavement was smooth.
Eventually the finish line/first rest stop confusion was meandered through, and we were back into traffic as the family rides and the full riders converged at a chokepoint on the Memorial Bridge. Some more ride marshals were needed, and the ones who were there needed to do some more yelling. The split was confusing for many, and the lack of signs means the marshals should have been shouting instructions. At one point a dad and his kid were pulled over on the side, but there was almost no room to moveforward. I asked him to move out of the line of traffic since its a choke point, even said “thanks” in a non-sarcastic way (honestly I was just trying to help things). I don’t know if his “oh yeah you’re welcome” was snarky or not. But if you are out there dad guy – I wasn’t being a jerk.
The rest of the ride was spent riding our brakes (on downhills and uphills) or navigating choke points. I like the ride, just I think the marshaling and route design could be a little better. Maybe I should put my money where my mouth is and volunteer next year. (Edit: Found out this isn’t run by WABA, but a for-profit organizing company. So, no volunteering, just jeering at their not so great job. WABA is a beneficiary of the ride, but I don’t know how much of a cut they get)
After the ride we had some great espresso at Eastern Market from Peregrine, hung out in a park, and now it is off for wedding/mothers day activities.
Some photos, though not many since most of the time I was trying to avoid smashing into little kids.
Well prepared for a ride.
Cyclists can be so picky about their hydration, and rightfully so. During a long hot ride you’ll need to rehydrate and replace electrolytes. Some folks swear by the tried and true Gatorade, while others insist on the pro peloton approved “Secret Drink Mix“. Others insist that the best hydration comes from plain old water, a well-brewed espresso, or if you are Tom Simpson, amphetamines and brandy. I wouldn’t recommend the last one though.
I ALWAYS have a beer after a ride. It makes me happy, which is the main reason I ride as hard as I can for as long as I can. – BikeForums Member
When it comes to post-ride hydration however, this fellow has hit the nail on the head! Is there anything better than sitting down with friends, putting up your feet, and sipping a cold brew? Your mood is already elevated after a ride, and this is just the icing on the cake.
Re-hydrating after 5 Boro Bike Tour.
With months of warm weather ahead and an eye on the calendar for good bike events, I’ve been thinking about what an ideal post-ride beer would be. Based on the range of responses received from a number of #bikeDC tweeps, preferences span between wheat beers, Corona and Great Lakes Brewing Company Elliot Ness Amber Lager. Whatever you chose, the flavor must be there – if I wanted water, I would drink water.
I’ve picked out a handful of beers to see if any fall into the category of “perfect post-ride beer”. How did I decide what to pick? Well… the label or name had to be biked themed!
New Belgium Fat Tire, New Belgium Shift, Leavenworth Whistling Pig, Flying Dog Tire Bite, Pike Tandem, Boulder Beer Singletrack
Style: American Amber Ale
Notes: Fat Tire – a delight to those East Coasters who have access – is a medium bodied ale that pours a deep reddish copper color with an off-white head that lingers for a few moments, but dissipates rather quickly after that. Bringing a glass to my nose I notice a sweet malty aroma, with hints of light brown sugar and a little bit of jammy fruit. The taste is certainly biased towards the malts, again slightly sweet, but balanced with just enough hops so that it is palatable after a long ride. Overall it is a nice beer, but I can’t bring myself to drink more than 2 after a long day in the saddle, something about the maltiness doesn’t sit well in my stomach. ABV: 5.2%
Recommended For: Recovery drink after a short but intense ride through a mountainous area with spectacular scenery (think Crested Butte or foothills along California coast). I’d happily munch on a chicken and pesto panini with a sharp cheese while drinking this.
Fat Tire
Style: American Pale Lager
Notes: New Belgium calls this the beer for the end of a hard shift, but the name and logo tell me they really meant the end of a hard bike ride. The beer pours a lovely golden color with a persistent white head. You’ll notice a bready nose and a little grassiness, but the taste lightly coats your mouth with a herbal, dank hoppiness, and some slightly sweet malts. The hops linger on your palate, giving you time to think of the hard work you just put in, but they eventually fade and you snap back into reality – another sip please. I wouldn’t call this a light or refreshing beer, it is close though. It’s a real winner, in fact, I’m drinking one now after just finishing a fast 30 miles. ABV: 5.0%
Recommended For: You’re tired, sweaty, dirty. Pound one, then pour one into a pint glass and sip slowly, enjoy. Preferably enjoyed at the back of your favorite local bike shop, sharing with their mechanics who are installing or tweaking something that doesn’t seem right. Be a pal, order some cheesesteaks, or fire up some charcoals and grill some brats. Don’t forget the spicy brown mustard.
Shift
Style: Alpine-Style Wheat Beer
Notes: Refreshing, you can almost tell that before you even take a sip. This beer pours a beautiful hazy golden color, though the head (think and short lived) begs for more carbonation. I love the dense pillowy head that similar German hefewiezens offer. Despite that shortcoming, I get a spicy yeast nose that fades to an indescribable citrus tone. The beer is a nice blend of vanilla flavors, biscuity malts. I’d prefer just a touch more hops to cut through the lingering coating in my mouth. Overall, the beer is up there, but sometimes the Germans just brew theirs a little better. ABV: 5.4%
Recommended For: Gran Fondos are growing in popularity in the United States – long distances and luxurious well stocked rest stops. If I rode one of these events, I’d ask for a tall hefeweizen afterwards, and hopefully this would be one of my choices. Something about that wheaty character is just so damn refreshing. Give me a nice warm fire pit as the sun sets, and a spread of soft creamy cheeses and fresh fruits. Life is good.
Whistling Pig
Flying Dog Brewery – Tire BiteStyle: Golden Ale / Kolsch
Notes: Tire Bite is local, from a great brewery, with great artwork, but suffers in the fact that it is a golden ale, which like copper ales are just not my thing. The beer pours clear and golden, with a slightly grassy nose and hints of apple or grapes. The thin white head evaporates quickly, though the beer is packed with carbonation. Balanced malts and hops, but nothing that stands out – it feels a bit watery. ABV: 5.1%
Recommended For: I hate to say this, Flying Dog makes some really tasty beers, but this one is just not doing it for me. Ride your bike to a BBQ, bring this beer, and grab a few cans of “Shift” when nobody is looking. If you don’t want to be that guy, eat this with a meaty cheeseburger or chili dog and it will wash down just fine.
Tire Bite
The Pike Brewing Company – TandemStyle: American Strong Ale
Notes: This beer was a surprise, but then again I hadn’t read the label that closely before I poured my first glass. Brewed in the Belgian style (basically a dubbel) with coriander and sugar, this beer pours a dark hazy red-brown with a creme head that dissipates on the quick side. Aromas of sweet caramel with grassy/herbal hops carry through in the taste, with hints of citrus and a slightly tart/funky quality from the Belgian yeast. It finished with a burnt sugar taste and a warming sensation. ABV: 7.0%
Recommended For: Summer bike rides aren’t all about blue skies and puffy white clouds. There are days when the overcast skies bring the temperatures down a little lower than anticipated, but you head out anyways, only to be dumped on by a chilled rain shower. Slogging your way home, you need to warm up, and this beer will do it for you. Get those wet clothes into the washing machine, throw sit down on your couch with a light blanket, and have a chocolate bar with this one. Afterwards, while the alcohol is still warming you from the inside, grab a bowl of moules and frites at your favorite Belgian watering hole.
Tandem
Boulder Beer Company – SingletrackStyle: Amber Ale / Copper Ale
Notes: I had mixed feelings about this beer, I both liked and disliked it at times. It pours clear and golden, with a malty aroma and thick off-white head. A constant stream of fizzy bubbles makes me think this may be a good choice for a hot day. It certainly is gulpable, with an initial lighter caramel flavor backed with what I would say is a “shy” hop character. After a while the hops (Nugget and Tettnang according to the Boulder Beer website) begin to make themselves known, and linger on your tongue just enough to tease you. I think I would prefer a little more hop “oomph” in this one. ABV: 5.0%
Recommended For: Escape the city for the day with your closest friends, on the road or on trails – and gulp a few of these while sitting at an outdoor patio in some remote town before you decide to head back. Listen to a not-so-great cover band play college favorites and pair with your typical bar fare; burgers, pizza, or chips and guacamole for highest enjoyment.
Singletrack
The winner? Depends on your tastes. Out of these six, I think I’ll be buying another pack of Shift sooner than any of the others.
Finally – after having heard how great this event was for nearly 4 years – I was able to attend the Kinetic Sculpture Race in Baltimore today. The event has a serious set of rules, but in simple terms, human powered (typically modified/hacked bicycles) vehicles must navigate the streets of Baltimore and obstacles (a water section, a sand section, a mud section). It is freakin great! We love Baltimore, honestly we would live there if it wasn’t for my job in Northern Virginia, and this event just makes the city even better.
While there we made sure to adhere to the spectator code of conduct:
And afterward we got beers and nachos in Canton. A great day. We didn’t see @nikki_d, but she was also there!
Here are my photos:
A few days ago I got an awesome package in the mail – a copy of “Ride“, a collection of short fiction about bicycles. This was a prize for completing both the Utilitaire and Coffeeneur challenges donated by the publisher. (Thanks MG for organizing!)
I can’t wait to read it, but I need to finish a behemoth book about the building of the Panama canal first. I’ll certainly let you know how Ride is once I am finished.
Cool!
If you don’t have a copy yet, pick one up here. Ride 2 is just around the corner as well… so be on the lookout!
Monumental DC – A series where I’ll be documenting the many memorials in DC that we pass by frequently, but rarely seem to stop and pay notice to. Follow on twitter with #monumentalDC
What: Women’s Titanic Memorial
When: Thursday April 19, 2012
Where: Southwest Waterfront, 4th St and P St SW
A few days after the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the majestic RMS Titanic in the cold waters of Atlantic ocean far off the coast of Newfoundland I visited the Women’s Titanic Memorial on my way home from an evening ride. Nestled away in the Southwest Waterfront, with a spectacular view of Hains Point this memorial is striking for its similarity to Leonardo DiCaprio’s character standing at the bow of the ship proclaiming “I’m the King of the World!”.
The memorial, authorized by Congress in 1917 and completed in 1918 after receiving 25,000 one dollar donations is meant to memorialize the men who stayed aboard while women and children were sent off to safety on the scare few lifeboats aboard the ship.
Made of red granite from Rhode Island and carved in Quincy, Massachusetts, the memorial had to wait until May 1931 to be erected on a parcel of land at the south end of Rock Creek Park. The long period of time spent finding a suitable location is ironic, as 35 years later the statue would be removed and put into storage to make way for construction of the Kennedy Center. Eventually the memorial would be placed in its current location in 1968.
An original/alternate version of the memorial designed and carved by a woman was rejected. In this original design a woman holds a hammer in her hand, meant to show that women created this memorial for men – and showing that women (the “weaker sex”) had power and capacity to do such things. In that sense it was a political statement during the period of the womens rights movement. demonstrating that the memorial is from women to men, and emphasizing the power and capacity of women “the weaker sex” during a high period in the struggle for equal rights for women, including the right to vote.
I highly recommend this spot for a rest after an evening ride on Hains Point. Beautiful sights and a hidden oasis that many people wouldn’t even know exists.
Go outside and do something today!
Above Telluride, CO, June 2009
If you grew up near large bodies of water, either fresh or salt, you know of their restorative smell. It isn’t foul or unpleasant, it just brings back memories of good times. Salt water has a salty smell punctuated with notes of seaweed and barnacles drying on rocks; while fresh water has a smell of very slowly decaying leaves and organic matter (their tannins technically), slightly musty but clean.
These smells set the tone for my evening fake’mute last night. After finishing off the workday at home thanks to a stop at the tailor prepping a suit for my wedding, I decided to head out at 5 and ride the MVT and Custis Trails until I had to turn around for dinner. Riding along the MVT at this time of day was really enjoyable. And the slight breeze brought that fresh water smell along with it.
Rowers, Washington Monument, Refreshing Potomac Smell
Shortly after this photo was taken I hit one of the thousands of bumps on the trail, and the lid to my Acorn bag flipped open for a split second. This was all the time needed though, my old and already dying iPhone made the leap for freedom at 17 mph. This isn’t the first time the old fella tried this trick. Once he wanted to take in a show at the Kennedy Center, but a cyclist trailing behind me found him struggling to make his way out of the bike lane and returned it later that day. Unfortunately, I think this time he didn’t make it out as well.
All Cracked Up
The National Park Service was at Roosevelt Island handing out bells and bike maps. I stopped to assess the phone damage, but didn’t take any bells or brochures.
NPS Outreach Campaign
I did snap a photo of the “On Your Left” Mascot. Apparently a “jackass” is the most appropriate spokes-animal.
"I'm about to shoal you"
The riders on the Custis at this time of day were a mixed-bag – some hardcore roadie/commuters, some out for an evening ride, everyone generally getting along. Most people even obeyed the bike/ped cross signals.
Go!
I think I need to inspect the front half of my drivetrain. There is a mystery noise that I cannot figure out, though I tried very hard on this ride. It seems like the chain is slightly rubbing something. Maybe a bent chainring? Bottom bracket bearings going out? The sound gets slightly louder when I really crank on the pedals.
Eventually the angle of the sun signaled time to go home and make dinner. I rode home past the Jefferson Memorial,through the SW waterfront (To catch the Titanic Memorial) and around the Navy Yard, taking in some more “water smells”, though I must admit that Yards Park has some pretty foul smells as well.
Jefferson Memorial
Although I cut the ride short, I did manage to sneak in 21 miles – and my reward was a cold beer and a hamburger on our new grill.
Yes!
Looking forward to planning the next fake’mute.
Update: I am not the proud owner of an iPhone 4S with a gigantic OtterBox Defender case. Hopefully that will prevent future bike/phone incidents.
Last week I had a brief internet conversation with Steve that basically went like this (with some paraphrasing and ad libbing):
Steve: “You rode in a city, so that counts for more than a countryside ride”
Me: “I dunno, it was slow, so that counts as less”
And because of that I decided to see if I could crack the mystery of how to normalize a rides length so that you can compare apples to apples. My ride through the city at breakneck speeds while towing a trailer full of groceries versus your ride in the hilly countryside at a turtles pace. We ought to be able to compare the two. (It is a well known fact that cyclists enjoy judging themselves against others.)
So the criteria stand as this:
Location; Average Speed; Hilliness; Temperature; Wind; Distance from Home; What kind of bike; What was carried; and the “Pounds to Lose” factor.
Should there be more or less categories? Absolutely maybe. Science isn’t exact folks! Using absolutely no method or research, I’ve assigned values to each of these factors that may increase or decrease the distance that you rode. But that’s not all. There ought to be a certain “Epic” factor that is accounted for. A 20 mile ride in the afternoon certainly is less distance than a 20 mile ride at 4am. Right? A night time ride is EPIC, a ride during the day is… meh.
So give it a shot at the link above. Try it at your next dinner party or group ride. Let me know what you think. Increase your yearly mileage total to reflect the “real” distance you’ve just ridden.
(And if you are a big company, send me lots of money and I’ll let you make an iPhone app out of this.)
