Bike the Sites Blog

In many ways, it seems quite fitting and appropriate that today be Emancipation Day. A reminder of the invaluable nature of freedom and justice is one worth reiterating, even in the wake of such tragedy.

We at Bike and Roll want to extend our deepest condolences to the city of Boston, and anyone affected by the horrible event. Emancipation Day is, among many other things, about support and solidarity-- and that is what we all need to lend to Boston today.

Perhaps a bit more today, but in fact everyday, we are proud to share our Nation's Capital with those who visit; the Monuments and Memorials on the National Mall serve as a constant reminder of the continued strength of this great country.

'Tis sad but true- it is indeed the last weekend of the National Cherry Blossom festival. The celebrations may be coming to a close, but they'll be going out with a bang this weekend!

Your pals here at Bike and Roll are bringing you the fourth and final installment in our series of cherry blossom weekend itineraries. This weekend is sure to be a not-to-miss hit!

Saturday Itinerary:

-> Grab your early morning coffee and stroll around the tidal basin, taking in the fleeting beauty of these wonderful blossoms before heading out into the hustle and bustle of festival activities.

-> Make your way to Constitution Ave (between 7th and 17th streets) and grab a good viewing spot to watch the 2013 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. Enjoy amazing spectacles of costumes, dance, and music with special performances by Mya and Elliott Yamin.

           nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

-> After the parade, head over to Del Frisco's Grille and grab one of their al fresco tables on the patio! An official "Cherry Picks" restaurant, Del Frisco's is sure to wow you! (We're particularly fond of their delicious burger options!)

-> Walk right across the street on 12th and Pennsylvania, and you'll be in the middle of the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival! Stretching nearly one mile through downtown DC, the festival includes performances, food, merchandise, and martial arts demonstrations.

-> Looking for the perfect way to end your evening? Come out with us on our evening Sites by Segway tour and see the beauty of spring in DC in a whole new way! Book now and we'll see you Saturday night! 

It's that time again! Another week has come and gone, and another weekend of cherry blossom fun awaits! The team at Bike and Roll has put together another itinerary for you to take advantage of.

Saturday Itinerary:

---> Grab a delicious breakfast at one of these fabulous "Cherry Picks" Restaurants. We promise you won't be disappointed! 

---> Reserve a seat now for our Blossoms by Bike Ride at 12:30pm or our Sites by Segway tour at 1:30pm and see the city on wheels as it's buzzing with cherry blossom fun!

---> Next, head on down to the main event: the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival! There you'll enjoy hours of free music, family friendly water-related activities, live entertainment, and tons of food. And, best yet, the amazing fireworks show starts around 8:30 PM!

See you guys out and about!

Happy Friday, everybody! We hope you've had a great week and that you'll all be out and about for the first official weekend of the National Cherry Blossom Festival!

To make things a little easier for those of you who feel overwhelmed (and way too excited!) about all of the Cherry Blossom festivities offered, the team at Bike and Roll has hand selected a few stand out activities and events that we think you'll love for this Saturday!

3/23/2013 National Cherry Blossom Itinerary

-If you're in the area, make sure to start your day off right with a "Cherry Picks" meal for breakfast at Ted's Bulletin. (We happen to love their homemade cherry poptarts! Yum!)
 

-By 10AM, you can head on over to the National Building Museum for the (FREE) annual Family Days festival! This event provides hands-on activities for kids of all ages, and indoor and outdoor performances to celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival!
 
 

-Afterwards, make your way up to our Union Station locale to embark on our "Blossoms by Bike" ride. One of our terrific guides will take you on a cherry blossom journey where you will learn all about the amazing history of the festival.
 

-Later on, grab an early dinner at The Hamilton, an official 2013 "Cherry Picks Pick"!
 

-And finally, end your night nearby at the Warner Theater, where the 2013 Opening Ceremony will be held. (We'll be here too!)

We hope to see you all enjoying these amazing events and activities this weekend!

We've got quite a big weekend on the horizon here! The busy bees at Bike and Roll are gearing up (pun intended!) for two exciting kick-offs this Saturday: our official Cherry Blossom tour and our Sites@Nite tours!

Start your day off right with a Blossoms by Bike ride out of our National Mall or Union Station locations, or with our Blossoms by Bike River Ride out of Alexandria. And be sure to keep the fun going into the night with our special Sites@Nite tours, available starting this weekend!

Be sure to stop by and see what's going on this weekend, and throughout the festival!

"'Twas the week before the Cherry Blossom Festival
and all throughout the city,
The cherry trees were ready to bloom,
all white, pink, and pretty..."

It's almost here, everybody! We've been talking, preparing, and amping things up for weeks now-- readying ourselves for the wonderful, whimsical mayhem that is the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

In case any of you have forgotten (as if you have!), Bike and Roll will be offering our Blossoms by Bike tour from National Mall and Union Station, and our longer Blossoms by Bike River Ride from our Alexandria location.

And, don't forget to pick up your Petal Pass this year from a participating Capital One Bank branch. (Petal Passes will be accepted at all three of our locations!) Also, make sure to check out all things National Cherry Blossom Festival by downloading the official Cherry Blossom App (available through iTunes and Google Play.)

Looking forward to seeing the city, and it's denizens, all in bloom!

And, the moment you've all been waiting for (drumroll, please)... The peak bloom dates for this year's festival! Announced this morning at a press conference held at the Newseum, forecaster James Perry of National Park Service predicted peak blossomming dates as March 26-March 30. (Perfect timing, huh?)

The National Cherry Blossom Festival brings more than a million spectators into Washington to enjoy the sea of pink blooms (on 3,770 trees!) around the capital's lovely Tidal Basin. This year's festival will run from March 20 through April 14 and will feature a myriad of events, including concerts, kabuki theater, art displays, kite flying, cruises, fireworks, light shows, a parade, and, most importantly, bicycle tours! (Hint hint, nudge nudge.)

Peak bloom has historically averaged around April 4, but celebrations continue of early or late blooming dates. This year's festival will celebrate the 101st anniversary of the Japanese gifting of the cherry trees to the United States as a symbol of their friendship.

Mayor Vincent Gray

No matter the peak blooming dates, real or predicted, the festival is a bastion of Springtime as it kicks off the season itself and renews the city, boosting DC tourism and community morale. We hope to see you out and about, gazing at the beautiful trees! Or, even better-- on one of our bicycles!

James Perry, National Park Service

Just because the National Cherry Blossom Festival technically takes place here in the District, does not mean celebration can't be had all over! Especially in the beautiful Alexandria, where "Spring Blossoms" events are sure to be a big hit this year! Centrally located and chock full of its own brand of charm, Alexandria is hosting a plethora of possibilities to view and enjoy this year's blossoms!

As most of you know, Bike and Roll has a pretty stellar location right in Old Town Alexandria, and has been highlighted (insert link) for our spectacular "Blossoms by Bike River Ride" guided tour. This ride follows the Mount Vernon trail, providing a unique vista of the blossoms from across the river, then takes the lucky riders into our nation's capital and around the Tidal Basin. There you will be able to get a close up look at the beauty of the cherry blossoms and learn more about the history of the trees and the festival itself. We're extremely excited that this ride, along with our more DC-centric "Blossoms by Bike" tour, has been featured by Alexandria this year!

Also noted is the "Blossoms by Water" tour offered by the Potomac Riverboat Company, and the 80th Annual Historic Garden Tour, both which sound lovely to us!

No matter which method of transport you prefer, we hope you all make it out to see the festival this year, as it's sure to be the best one yet!

Last week, some Bike and Roll team members trekked on up (our signature red polos in tow) to Capitol Hill to take part in the "Ask Me About DC" event. Destination DC, in partnership with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, hosted the event which provided members of Congress and their staff a chance to learn all about different attractions and events in our nation's capital. This information is then parlayed to any visiting constituents that want to take advantage of all this beautiful city has to offer.

The Bike and Roll team went to work upon arrival, setting up our booth in style! We were also lucky enough to share our space with the lovely Rebecca, representing Mount Vernon.

The crowds began to swarm midday, full of staffers eager to learn more about exciting DC tourism events and attractions. We had an overwhelming amount of interest in our tours and rentals! Rightly so, of course! ;-) Looks like people really want to bike the sites!

Overall, it was a successful and entertaining event for both attendees and exhibitors. We can't wait to start taking congressional constituents out on tour!

Just because another Valentine's Day has come and gone, does not mean you can't keep on keeping on with your good old fashioned celebration of love! Luckily for all you lovebirds out there, Destination DC has partnered with LivingSocial to present you with deals and discounts for great dates all month long!(They even offer special "dates" for families, singles, and friends.)

For this event, we're offering 2 for 1 Segway tours from now through the end of the month! These special pre-season tours will give you an overview of the National Mall from the Capitol to the WWII Memorial, including the North side of the White House, some very neat "off-the-Mall" spots, and a ride down Pennsylvania Avenue. Find out more here, and don't forget to use the special discount code: DateNightsDC to receive the deal!

Looking for more date options? Well, we've got you covered there, too! The team at Bike and Roll has hand selected a few of our very favorite date ideas from Destination DC's list...

Any foodies out there? We think the "Get Sum-Dim Sum" Aphrodisiac menu at Ping Pong Dim Sum Chinatown sounds awfully enticing! Only $30 a person, and it includes a 6 course tasting menu. 

And for all you museum-goers, the "Crimes of Passion" exhibit at the Crime Museum sounds right up your alley! Learn about infamous love crimes, many of which have taken place right here in DC. The cost is $45 a couple for this special after hours exhibit.

Or, looking to make your date an overnight adventure? We think the "Ultimate Slumber Party" over at the Liaison Capitol Hill sounds mighty luxurious! A bottle of champagne each night, chocolate covered strawberries each night, a $50 dining credit each night, AND unlimited in room movies? What more could you ask for? 

So go ahead and make every day Valentine's day, and take advantage of all the great deals and discounts Date Nights has to offer!

Love all things bikes? Crave the outdoors? Looking to work in a fun, fast-paced atmosphere filled with great people? Well, you have come to the right place-- Bike and Roll DC is currently looking to hire some bonafide bicycle superstars!

Bike and Roll is the premier venue in our nation's capital for professionally guided bike and segway tours as well as bike rentals. We have a variety of positions available immediately, which you can find out more about here.

We are looking for some seriously exceptional applicants who show an interest in bicycles (obvious, we know,) DC tourism and have a keen knack for customer service. If you think you fit the bill, apply now!

Now some fine print...

We offer seasonal employment and our 2013 season runs March 9 through Thanksgiving weekend. Some weekend and holiday hours are required, and a variety of day and evening hours are available. We're offering both full and part-time positions as well as basic training (when applicable to the position.) We also hire throughout our entire season, so feel free to apply at any time.

Our amazing team is looking forward to working with you!

It's just around the corner, folks!

That's right—the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival is fast approaching and, I don't know about you, but here at Bike and Roll we're pretty revved up for the city to turn pink once again!

If you've never visited DC during Cherry Blossom Festival, you should! There's an enormous amount of amazingly cool things to do around the city (think parades, parties, and performances—oh my!) Aside from all the great events, it's really a breathtaking sight to behold. And if you're already planning on heading our way, then don't be shy and give us a visit!

As usual, Bike and Roll will be offering Blossoms by Bike rides. This ride will leave from our National Mall location from 12:00 – 2:00 pm and 3:00 – 5:00 pm, with an additional weekend tour from 9:30 – 11:30 am. Blossoms by Bike will also be available at our Union Station location 2:00 – 4:00 pm, Friday through Sunday. And, a longer ride will be offered from the Alexandria location, located in the heart of Old Town. The Blossoms by Bike River Ride will take you along the scenic Mount Vernon Trail where you will view the beauty of the blossoms from across the Potomac River.  The ride will then continue into DC and around the Tidal Basin before heading back to Alexandria. Rides will be offered from Bike and Roll Alexandria on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.

And, if all that isn't enough to entice you, check out the beautiful photos we've captured of previous Blossoms by Bike rides.

...pretty awesome, huh? (Yeah, we think so too.)

Want your own set of wheels or ready for a new shiny set? On November 11th Bike and Roll will sell off adult hybrid bikes, cruiser bikes, kids bikes, and kids tandem attachments at our annual fall sale! Come grab a 2011 Trek 7300 comfort hybrid bicycle ($260), complete with a comfortable seat, 24 gears, and thick tires built for commuting. Our beach cruisers ($80) have high handlebars, back pedal brakes, and a trendy 50's style. Kids bikes are available in both 20" ($100) and 24" ($140) wheels. For those of you who like to ride together we have Trek Tandem T900 ($500). Kids tandem attachments are also available for kids who aren't quite comfortable pedaling on their own ($100). 

These bikes have been tuned up every few months by our capable mechanics and are in tip-top shape! First come, first serve. Cash only.

Where: The Old Post Office Pavilion, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW

When: Sunday, November 11th, from 11am to 4pm

All bike purchases come with a 10% off coupon for bike service at our Union Station location. Locks are also available for purchase ($45).

Annoyed by that clicking, squeaking, or clanking noise your bike has been making recently? Quit procrastinating and bring her into Bike and Roll DC's Bikestation for an end-of-season check-up. Purchase one of three vouchers good for 50% off our already competitive prices, good for appointments through December 21, 2012. Let our friendly mechanics spruce up your ride with $40 for a Basic Tune-up (value $80), $60 for a Deluxe Tune-up (value $120), or $100 for an Overhaul Tune-up (value $200). Give your regular ride a little love, or bring in that rusty clanker that's been sitting on your porch for the past year. Conveniently located on the west side of Union Station, the Bikestation is easily accessible by metro and open weekdays 7am to 7pm; weekends 9am to 6pm. The icing on the cake? Loaner bikes are free for the entire duration your baby is in the shop. 

For our standard tune-up, our mechanics will adjust the front/rear brakes and derailleurs, lube cables, pivots and chain, adjust all bearings, secure all components, true wheels laterally, and wipe your bike clean (parts are extra). The Deluxe Tune-up covers disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly of bicycle, including full drive-train disassembly and cleaning, in addition to full wheel truing to correct lateral, radial, centering and tensioning adjustments. The Overhaul Tune-up includes an overhaul hubs, bottom bracket, headset and pedals, frame and fork alignment checked and corrected, and meticulous cleaning of all parts.

Not sure what is wrong or how much work you need done? Swing by the Bikestation for a free safety check and allow our friendly mechanics to provide you with your options. If you purchase one of the lesser value coupons, you can always apply it to a bigger job if it turns out your bike needs more love more than you thought.

To purchase your discount tune-up package, click here. 

The Details:

-Appointments are required and subject to availability

-Closed Saturdays and Sundays in December

-Hybrid loaner bikes are free of charge (based upon availability & require ID for security)

-Amount paid is valid on labor only; Additional fees applies for parts

-Entire value must be used in a single visit (no cash back; no credits for future service)

-Promotional value expires December 21, 2012; paid value expires 5 years from date of purchase

-Vouchers may not be combined with any other discount offers.

-Please plan to provide a photo ID and provide the credit cardf used for purchase

Cultural Tourism DC's Walkingtown/Bikingtown is back! September 24th-October 1, take advantage of the walking and biking tours available for free through CTDC. This year there will be 5 tracks of tours, including African American Heritage, Neighborhood Heritage, Eye on the Arts, Green DC, and Washington in conflict. Bike and Roll is three free Monuements tours, as well as discounted bike rentals ($15 for the day) for those who are participating on the other Bikingtown tours. 

To reserve your spot on a free Bike and Roll tour, keep an eye on the CTDC website for schedule postings. To book your discounted bike rental, please call our National Mall location at 202-842-2453 and use the coupon code "Bikingtown."

Hope to see you there!

CarFree DC Day is just around the corner! Leave your car at home on Saturday, September 22nd for the chance to win a host of fantastic prizes including an Amazon Kindle, $500 in groceries from Arganica, and free Bike and Roll rentals! For your chance to win, pledge on GoDCGO and tell them how you get around the city!

Feet in the Street coincides perfectly this year with Car Free DC day! Fort Dupont Park will be closed to cars from 10am to 4pm on September 22nd for the fourth year in a row! Come walk, bike, skate, and hike in Fort Dupont Park. Bike and Roll will even bring the bikes to you, offering free day rentals right from the park. Spend the day biking around, participate in a guided nature walk, rock climbing, or participate in the 5K kick off run/walk. 

Last night the Washington Area Concierge Association (WACA) held it's annual Gala fundraiser at The Hamilton, Clyde's new restaurant and bar. Concierge, affilliates, family and friends all came together to celebrate a successful 2012 year, and to give money to multiple local charities. Guests enjoyed entertainment by locally born country singer Amy Wilcox, sushi, cheese, and other delicious appetizers compliments of The Hamilton, and baked goods by Paul French Family Bakery. Raffle prizes and silent auction items included Madonna tickets, weekend stays at many of DC's top hotels, museum tickets, and a Trek FX hybrid bicycle, compliments of Bike and Roll DC.

The "Sunglasses at Night" theme was a big hit with the Bike and Roll team, who will likely continue to wear these shades (donated by the National Aquarium) for days to come. Thanks to everyone who helped organize and to all who donated! 

                                                             Bike and Roll's Alison Kelman and Stephen Marks 

Sunday, September 9th will mark the 7th annual Nation's Triathalon, which benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Participants will swim 1.5K, bike 40K, and run a 10K, starting in the Potomac River and ending with the Finish Line Festival. The speedy bike loop will wind along the Potomac River, the White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the Kennedy Center, and over the Memorial Bridge.  Streets will be entirely blocked off, so cyclists will have two lanes of traffic all to themselves. This year's race will kick off at 7:00 on Sunday, September 9 from West Potomac Park.

Bike and Roll will be offering discounted road bike rentals ($75 for a two day rental) to all participants.  Both the Gary Fischer Rail and Trek 1.2 will be available. To reserve a bike, please call our downtown location at #202-842-2453.

"The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) funds research to  help find better treatments and cures for blood cancer. Over its 60 year  history, LLS has contributed to the discovery of innovative treatments for blood cancers, many of which are used to treat a wide variety of other cancers  and diseases. To learn more about LLS, or to donate, visit www.LLS.org/donate."

Washington DC's first ever Tour de Fat bicycling and beer festival was a monumental success, raising $15,000 for the Washington Area Bicycle Association. Bike and Roll's bike blender was a hit, as was our Penny Farthing Wheel of Fortune! DC residents flocked to the Navy Yard, decked out in some fantastic costumes. We took turns manning the booth to take a spin on the shoe bike, side by side tandem, and compete on the giant connect four board and life size jenga. 

Tour de Fat, a traveling bike and beer festival put on by Colorado's New Belgium Brewery, encourages participants to trade their cars in for bicycles. One lucky winner who hands over their keys will be supplied with a heafty credit to a local bike shop to purchase the ultimate commuter bike of their choice. Hip hip hooray for Tour de Fat! 

Click here for more Tour de Fat photos!

On June 9th, over 200,000 girl scouts are expected to attend the Girl Scout's 100th anniversary event, Girl Scouts Rock the Mall, where they will partcipate in the world's largest sing-along. Scouts of all ages will gather at the base of the Washington Monument to particpate in a variety of traditional and new songs, before exploring the many sites of our nation's capitol.

Bike and Roll is especially excited to welcome the girl scouts to Washington DC! Known for their love of outdoor activities, we can't think of a better way of seeing the city than by bike! During the week of the event (June 2 - 11th), all girl scouts can take 30% off our guided tours and rentals. Private tours are also available. Tours are broken up into groups of 15 people or smaller, though groups of 100 or more can be accommodated with multiple guides.  

When booking online, please use the coupon code GIRLSCOUTS on the payment page. Discount cannot be applied for rentals less than two hours, or for our Bike and Boat package.