Bike=Life

Today I rediscovered an old past time!  For many of us riding bikes played a major role in growing up.  Our bikes were our source of entertainment, imagination, and transportation.  I can remember riding alongside my parents' cars while they yelled out my speed from the driver's side window (I'm pretty sure my childhood record was 16 mph!), racing my little brother pretending that we were on horseback on the Nickelodeon show Hey Dude.  When I got a little older, my royal blue 10-speed huffy was what I considered my "wheels."  Always reliable, always able to get me down to my friends' houses at a moment's notice.  I had a white Bell helmet with the rainbow stripe down the side... ultra chic.  My handlebars were scuffed and scratched from one too many attempts at jumping the curb, following my brother's lead, a kickstand came as a part of my bike- it wasn't something you had to pay extra for.  Bike=friends, bike=speed, bike=life.

I'd be lying if I said that I was excited about our cycling adventure today.  When T proclaimed that this weekend we'd be renting one of the female bikes from our building's leasing office, my stomach turned in anxiety.  I hadn't riden a bike since I was 12?  13?  You always hear people say you never forget how to ride a bike, but this morning as a laced up my trusty asics I was pretty sure I had.  Tory called down to the front desk to make sure that there was a bike available and much to my dismay, there was!  In fact, according to the concierge, the 4 rental road bikes they keep in storage for residents don't ever really get used. 

In typical Tory style, we did one lap around the park in front of our building before he determined that I was ready to hit the GW trail and head into DC.  I quickly relearned how to change speeds and break without throwing myself off the bike... and we were off!  Down through Crystal City, under the Amtrack rail, and onto the GW parkway.  Much to my surprise and excitement, these "road bikes" are WAY faster than mountain bikes (they also don't take as kindly to rocks and/or potholes.... ouch).  Once I mastered the art of changing gears on the trail, I found myself soaring past walkers and joggers, my legs pumping and burning and enjoying the workout.  I even dinged my bell and hollered "LEFT!" a few times.  Our plan was to ride to Gravely point, park the bikes, and watch the planes for a while.  We got there much faster than I expected and with my go-ahead, we surpassed plane-watching and kept riding.  Up a hill and over the Memorial Bridge and we were into DC.  We stopped at a few tourist-y spots (SO much cooler on the seat of a bicycle) and headed back into Crystal City to Bailey's to watch the second half of the Women's World Cup Final and fill our belly's before hitting the road back home again.  Here are a few highlights from our very adventurous afternoon of cycling in DC and Arlington:

Hey Abe!

 WWII Memorial, Capitol Building, Washington Monument, and Non-Reflecting Pool

 Next Up: Washington Harbour, beautiful Georgetown!

 First timer @ Pentagon Memorial. 



Pentagon and Memorial Benches

 Youngest Casualty @ Pentagon: Dana Falkenberg.  She would be 13 now.

T taking a minute to rest and let me explore.

After 4 hours of bike-riding, picture-taking, soccer-watching, and food-eating, I am thoroughly exhausted and content with life this Sunday evening.   Now, if I could only numb that aching soreness in my booty all would be right in the world!