Bike the Sites Blog

Whether you're new to bike commuting or it's old hat, it's not too late to register for Bike to Work Day! Join over 10,000 fellow bikers on May 18th at one of 58 rest stops in and around Washington. Registered participants have the chance to receive a free t-shirt, food, drinks, and raffle prizes. 

Put on by the Washington Area Bicycle Association (WABA) and Commuter Connections, this year's Bike to Work Day promises to be even bigger than the last. 

Don't have a  bike? Bike and Roll Washington DC is offering free bike rentals for the day. Please call ahead to reserve your bike, which can be picked up between 5pm and 7pm on May 17th, or starting at 7:30am on May 18th (202-842-2453). 

Register here for Bike to Work Day 2012! Registration is free and open until the day of the event.

The annual Bike DC ride is a fantastic way to celebrate Mother's Day while exploring the off-the-mall-sites of Washington DC and Arlington. Participants can pick either the 24-mile ride or the 11-mile family friendly ride. The entire route will be car free, and for the first year ever the National Park Service is permitting riders onto a car free Rock Creek Parkway!

Kick off will start on Capital Hill on Sunday, May 13th, and will pedal past the White House, Arlington National Cemetary, the Airforce Memorial, and over the George Washington Parkway. Proceeds will go to benefit the Washington Area Bicycle Association, a non-profit dedicated to promoting safe bike riding around the Washington DC area.

In it's third year participating, Bike and Roll Washington DC will offer Trek hybrid, performance and kids bike rentals for Bike DC. Bikes are available for pick-up the day before the ride at no extra charge. Reserve online by clicking here or by calling 202-842-2453.

Bicycle pick-up times for Bike DC are Saturday, May 12th between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 13th starting at 7 a.m.

Equipment should be returned to our Downtown DC location (11th and Pennsylvania NW, by the Federal Triangle Metro station) by 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, May 13th.

Looking to finally get your own bike? On April 29th Bike and Roll will sell off adult hyrbid bikes, cruiser bikes, kids bikes, and kids tandem attachments at our annual spring sale! Come grab a 2010 Trek 7200 comfort hybrid bicycle ($240), complete with a comfortable seat, 24 gears, and thick tires built for commuting. Our beach cruisers ($140) have high handlebars, back pedal brakes, and a trendy 50's style. Kids bikes are available in both 20" ($120) and 24" ($160) wheels. Kids tandem attachments are also available for kids who aren't quite comfortable pedaling on their own ($120).

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. 

All bike purchases come with a 10% off coupon for bike service at our Union Station location. Locks are also available for purchase ($40).

Spring is just around the corner at Bike and Roll Washington DC! This Saturday marks the beginning of our tenth season in Washington DC, and we couldn't be more excited to get going! All three locations will open for both tours and rentals starting this Saturday, March 10th. The combination of this amazing spring weather, five weeks of Cherry Blossom festivities, and two brand new tours promise to make this season the best one yet!

Our downtown location at the Old Post Office will be open for rentals from 9:00am to 6:00pm, 7 days a week. Our location in Old Town, Alexandria will stay open from 10:00am til 6:00pm during the week, then 9:00am to 6:00pm on the weekends. Union Station is opened 7 days a week, 9:00am to 6:00pm.  

Our Capital Sites tour (10:00am) and Monuments tour (2:30pm) will leave every day of the week from our downtown location, with more tours leaving from Union Station and Old Town, Alexandria. Our Blossoms by Bike tour and Blossoms by Bike River Ride will run March 21 - April 8th, taking riders down to the Tidal Basin and the heart of cherry blossoms. 

Don't forget about our Blossom Bites by Bike tour, starting March 23rd! Enjoy specially created dishes from critically acclaimed local eateries as you bicycle from one restaurant to another, touring through the Dupont Circle, U Street, and Logan Circle neighborhoods. Each tour will have a knowledgeable tour guide to share interesting facts about these historical areas while also concentrating on the unique culinary aspects of each eatery.

To top it all off, Segway tours start May 1! 

National Park Serviec chief horticulturalist Rob DeFeo announced his predictions for Peak Bloom at the National Cherry Blossom Festival press conference held yesterday at the Newseum. Though the dates are not definite, peak bloom is expected to occur between March 24th and March 31st. The blossom are considered at their peak when 70% of blossoms have appeared. The average peak bloom generally falls around April 4th, but the unseasonably warm weather is predicted to contribute to an early bloom. 

At Bike and Roll Washington DC we have adjusted our Blossoms by Bike tour dates to better coincide with the predicted bloom. Blossoms by Bike and the Blossoms by Bike River Ride Tours will now run March 20th through April 8th, with the possibility of extending depending on the bloom period. If you miss the window to jump on a blossoms tour, we are adding plenty of additional Monuments tours throughout the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Bike and Roll Washington DC's Annual Bike Sale!

Feeling guilty leaving your precious bike at home this Halloween? Wish it could join the party? We've stumbled upon a handful of bike-friendly events in the DC area, so you no longer have to pick between cruisers and candy.

1. Bicyclespace "The Cupcake Caper!": This week's weekly Bicyclespace ride is getting in the spirit with a Halloween murder mystery party on wheels. Participants in this final group ride of the season must follow clues to solve the mystery. Winner will receive a Brooks saddle and handlebar grips, and the best bike costumes will win prizes as well! We presume cupcakes will be involved, so we're predicting it's a win win :) 

Where: Bicyclespace, 459 I St. NW, Chinatown

When: Thursday, October 27th, 7:30pm

Price: Donation

RSVP: Visit the Bicyclespace Facebook page to join the festivities

2. Meet Up: Halloween Bike Ride & Party: DC Meet Up groups is hosting its first Halloween bike ride. This family friendly ride will start at Gravelly Point Park, hop on the Mount Vernon Trail, then wind down to the National Mall. The ride will be appropriate for all skill levels and will likely take around an hour and a half. Return to your vehicles, and continue the meet up at Bungalow Billiards (in Halloween a-tire of course :) 

Start: Gravelly Point Park (accessible via the northbound lane of George Washington Parkway)

When: Sunday, October 30th, 2:00pm

Price: $5

RSVP: via MeetUp.com

3. Bike to Historic Old Town: If it isn't Halloween for you without some foliage and puppies dressed as pumpkins, pedal down the Mount Vernon trail directly to Old Town, Alexandria and join the throngs on Lee Street. Residents are notorious for their decorations and treats. Safe and well lit, this is the perfect road for families. For more Alexandria Halloween festivities, take a visit to VisitAlexandriaVA.com.

Town officials voted unanimously last night to install Capital Bikeshare stations in the Old Town and Carlyle neighborhoods of Alexandria, VA. This means some of the busiest downtown areas will get a bike-friendly facelift, giving bikes more space on the roads and as well as awareness in the community. We think Capital Bikeshare bikes are perfect for pedaling around downtown. With the first 30 minutes free, it will be easy to roll from one end of King Street to the other.

Interested in getting out of town and hitting the trail? Our Trek bikes were built with you in mind. Our quality hybrids and road bikes are perfect for the Mount Vernon trail. Our pricing is the best deal for longer rides, and all rentals come with a helmet, lock, flat kit and map. Our variety of equipment, including kids trailers and tandems, will fit all ages and sizes.

This month Bike and Roll Washington DC hosted Destination DC's Business Exchange, where Destination DC members can come and experience first hand the many destinations DC has to offer. After setting everyone up on bikes in the Old Post Office PAvilion courtyard, we were ready to go! The sun was just starting to set on the first beautiful fall day as we rode over the National Mall, around the base of the Washington monument, past World War II, and onto the memorial grounds. Below, Bike and Roll owner Stephen Marks gives some historical background on the memorial as the sun sets over the tidal basin.

We finished up the evening at PJ Clark's with some fall brews and delicious appetizers. What a perfect October outing! Come back and visit again soon!

After an explosive and successful year in existence, it looks like Capital Bikeshare is here to stay. One year after it's installation in the fall of 2010, Capital Bikeshare has grown to over 17,000 members, with 4,000 trips logged on average everyday. 32 additional stations will be built this fall, with plans to eventually extend into Rosslyn and Arlington. Just in time for their anniversary, Cabi logged it's millionth ride, a capstone to a record breaking year.

In addition to providing a healthy and green transportation alternative, Cabi is extending it's services to aid those struggling with mental illness. The program will provide 20 patients with a Capital Bikeshare membership, and will track to see whether cycling improves their physical and mental health.

Join Cabi's birthday bash tonight (Thursday, September 22nd) in Yard's Park from 6pm to 9pm, where guests will enjoy free cupcakes, live music, moon bounces, giveaways, and a Bikeshare corral.

Photo by Walter Woodward

Newly expanded to include ten days of carbon-free fun, Cultural Tourism DC’s BikingTown DC and WalkingTown DC will offer over 100 tours to visitors and locals alike. Bike and Roll bike tours are of course included on the list!  We will offer a handful of free bike tours between September 23 and October 2, as well as discounted rentals for additional Cultural Tourism DC bike tours that will be offered throughout the week. All tours are free, though some require reservations.

To reserve your spot on a free Bike and Roll tour, keep an eye on the CTDC website where a full list of tours will be available in August 2011. Bikingtown and WalkingTown tours will guide groups through all eight wards on the city, highlighting DC’s unique arts, culture and heritage. In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, historic Civil War tours of DC will also be offered.

On September 22, 2011, metro DC will be innundated with alternative transportation due to annual Car Free DC Day. Committed commuters pledge to not use their cars for one full day in order to combat traffic congestion, to promote a greener environment, and reduce gasoline demand. This international event will take place in 1,500 different cities in 40 different countries. Participants pledge to travel by train, bus, bicycle, carpool, subway, vanpool, walk or telework. Participants are automatically entered in a drawing to receive amazing prizes like a new bicycle or an Apple iPad.

Already a green traveler? You can still sign the pledge and participate in the drawing. Commuters can even get away with going “car-lite” by carpooling, but we of course suggest taking a bike!  Bike and Roll is giving away free comfort hybrid rentals for Car Free DC. To make a reservation, please call our downtown office at #202-842-2453 (free reservations cannot be made online).

For more information, please visit http://www.carfreemetrodc.com/index.php

DC’s Nation’s Triathlon to Benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has been described as the best mid-Atlantic triathlon and named one of the top ten best urban triathlons. Now in its sixth year, the race has raised over $8.4 million dollars to go towards research, patient education and support for those suffering from leukemia and other blood-related cancers. This year’s race will kick off at 7:00 on Sunday, September 11 from West Potomac Park.

Participants will swim 1.5K, bike 40K, and run a 10K, starting in the Potomac River and ending with the Finish Line Festival. We hear the bike loop will be flat and fast, winding past 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.
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.