Bike the Sites Blog

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.

For the first time ever, Bike and Roll Washington DC and DC Metro Food Tours are partnering to bring you Blossom Bites by Bike, a biking food tour showcasing fantastic food in three of DC’s classic neighborhoods. 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. We are super excited to work with DC Metro Food Tours, and intend on continuing a Bites by Bike tour throughout the 2012 season!

Blossom Bites by Bike departs from Bike and Roll’s Downtown DC location at the Old Post Office Pavilion at 4:00. This three-hour tour runs Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the festival. The tour begins and ends at the rear plaza of The Old Post Office Pavilion on 12th St. NW, between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues. (Metro: Federal Triangle).

Advance reservations are required for all Blossom Bites by Bike tours and can be made online at www.bikethesites.com or by phone at 202-683-8847. Tickets for this tour are $79 per person and include the guide, bike rental, enough food for dinner, and a bottle of water for your ride. This ride is all street riding (most of which is in bike lanes) so we do not advise children (12 and under) sign up for this tour.

Blossoms Bites by Bike is an Official Program of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The 2012 Festival, March 20 – April 27, includes daily events featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit.  The 2012 Festival commemorates the 100th anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan. www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org