BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

http://www.rallytorestoresanity.com/

I'd ride a bike down to see Stewart, but probably take an SUV that runs on bald eagle beaks and baby seal whiskers to see Colbert.

@sloaps

...and drive it down the GAP. Ha!

We are totally going to this (by car).

i may take a train or bus there. i have relatives that live outside of dc and i will likely have a place to stay

If I were going, I'd be asking for contributors to pitch in on a rental van one-way from the D.C. area so that we could ride down and drive back.

this would be a good time to remind people that the train to dc now has roll on bike service.

It does? When did they start that? Nick and Kayla had theirs in giant cardboard boxes, just a couple weeks back.

Last I heard, roll on service on that Amtrak route was supposed to start in the summer of 2011. The Capitol Limited route still isn't listed on Amtrak's bike page, FWIW.

Oh lame I thought it started THIS summer.

The Capitol Limited to DC does NOT have roll-on service.

Simply getting a box for our bikes (from Amtrak at Union Station, after calling ahead) was a big enough hassle to make me never want to take that train again.

i would ride to this. seriously.

want to ride to this, in fact.

We're seriously considering going to this, too. Anyone have advice for places to stay in/around DC?

I'd love to go, but I'll be picking up my Judge Of Election suitcase so a whole bunch of people can vote on Nov. 2. (Someone's gotta do it.)

I'm thinking of going to this.

is anyone planning on making this trek by bike? i would like to roll, though i'm solo...

file me under: for real.

I would probably park out away from town and ride my bike in.

I would consider carpooling but can't spare the time to ride the whole way.

Hopefully going to this (by car).

If someone needs a hot recommendation for a free parking location that's within an easy ride to the mall, let me know. My son and I have done it a couple of times, it's so the way to go.

Riding (in car) with friends down and biking back. I'm thinking a 2 day ride back (open to 3 days if enough people want to join). What's a good halfway point for stopping overnight (w/a bed & shower)? Quick look at the map points to Cumberland. I would be riding out the morning after the event and anyone who feels like keeping this pace is welcome to join. Thoughts?

You could probably park across the river in Arlington pretty easily to ride in. WABA (DC's Bike Pittsburgh) is trying to arrange a massive bike valet.

Also, weirdly, there is a really really large parking lot at the Pentagon that is usually empty on weekends. Maybe that's a bit dodgy though.

You can also pretty easily find street parking in the northwestern parts of the city (Petworth-ish area) and coast down the hill to the mall.

@88MS88,

Paw Paw WV is closer to halfway, has a B&B, and would be cheaper. Just after the Paw Paw tunnel, go over the bridge.

Cumberland is fine, too. The Holiday Inn in Cumberland caters to cyclists.

My friends and I will be staying in a (yet-to-be determined) northern suburb and taking the metro in/out for the rally.

More important than going to DC, make sure you are properly registered to vote!

If you are going to be out of town on Nov 2, or think you might be, print out an absentee ballot application and mail it in. Use this for Allegheny County. Start here for elsewhere in PA.

This is much more important (not to mention faster, cheaper and easier) than making a trip to D.C., however fun that sounds. Do this today!

@88MS88: If you push all the way through to Meyersdale, the Maple City Lofts were a good place to stay, at least a couple of years ago. Dorm-style, laundry, kitchen, secure indoor bike parking.

It looks like my buddy and I will be going to this, yeah roadtrip! He's not ridden a bike much, but agrees that it probably makes sense to park outside the city center and ride in. Would it be practicle to park about 10 miles or less out and ride the C&O? Any other ideas greatly appreciated.

If your buddy is nervous about biking you could always take Metro, although it'll probably be a mess that day.

Washington has a bunch of bike trails besides the C&O. For instance, some people recommend the Washington and Old Dominion trail as an alternative to the C&O for the stretch from Leesburg into Washington (about 30 miles). It's paved, unlike the C&O, so it doesn't become sticky mud after rain.

http://bikewashington.org/trails/

think i'll drive down friday, stay in Bethesda. bike in from there via the Capital Crescent Trail.

Thanks for the links. I'd prefer paved trails to dirt. Just trying to stay out of traffic.

I'm a person that recommends W&OD over the C&O. On the other hand, between Georgetown and Great Fall, the C&O has good crushed stone rather than soggy antique mule scat.

Steven's map shows that there are good trails in a few directions. The secret is getting a place to stay with good access to the trails. It's hard enough to get around the 'burbs when you know the roads.

There is some kind of paper map for bike trails. My impression is that there are enough trails that one could get lost on bike trails. (Now is THAT cool or what?).

I was at one of those million-persons things in D.C. a few years ago, and took the unicycle with me. I took the Metro in from Springfield VA. I was able to unk along next to my (jogging) friend for a while, but eventually the crowd was moving slowly enough and/or too packed that I had to walk.

I'm guessing the same will apply to cycling. Start anywhere beyond a couple miles out; nobody's going to notice one more car in a strip mall parking lot with an empty bike rack on it. Ride until you can't, then walk it.

http://www.saneornot.com/sane

many, or all of you, should carry at least one of these signs.

Damn, #22, all the way. Kick ass.

Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) to offer bicycle valets... and here.

Oh man. I was hoping theyd have the bike valet down there. I can't wait to spread fear by bicycle.

Bump! No word from WABA or the Stewart people regarding the Bike Valet for the event...

Anyone else going down still?

I'm still going. Of course rain cancels - I'm AFRAID of getting wet!