Mount Vernon Trail

Trip: Mount Vernon Trail
Miles: 28, roundtrip

Today I went out with Mary and Monica and hit the Mount Vernon Trail. It was cloudy but very very humid. There were runners out doing some sort of race and we felt bad for them because they looked miserable, hot, and sweaty. We had fun though - got to see fantastic views of the monuments, ride along the Potomac, and ride through Old Town.

For the next two weeks until October 13, my cycling will be very limited, if at all. I am officially on lockdown until the GRE is over. It slows me down with regards to my studying regimen, so I am ok with taking a temporary break. By the time I get back to a regular schedule again it will be much cooler and I'll have to start thinking about creative ways to stay warm on my way in and out that are friendly to my budget. And for now my smarttrip card must suck it up as the balance is quickly fading away.

Darkness

Trip: to and from work
Miles: 12.5

Lately my morning ride has been increasingly dark. When I leave the house it is mostly still dark but by the time I get to the Lincoln Memorial I can see a lovely sunrise over the reflecting pool. I shall take a picture of it one day because it is quite pretty. This leaves me wondering what the fall is going to be like and how the change of season will affect my commute beyond the obvious temperature changes. I've never been that in touch with the changing of seasons to notice the light differences, other than a vague observation of the fact that it gets dark earlier and earlier at night making the need for a lit field at rugby practice crucial. Hopefully I will be more informed about what to expect this time next year, because for now, I am completely clueless.

Car Free Day!!!

Trip: to and from work
Miles: 12.5

Today is Car Free Day. On my ride in I did not notice any fewer cars than normal or any extra cyclists, which was kinda sad. I'm gonna write it off to the fact that that was from 7 to 730 this morning and that most people aren't that crazy to leave for work that early on a Monday :)

Apparently there are festivities on F Street today, including free bike tune-ups, free tee-shirts and giveaways, Segway tutorials (which I shall silently protest), and valet bike parking (WTF?) Minus the last two, I think it will be cool, at the minimum it will be nice to get out of the office.

I hope the event gets some media attention.

Did you take the pledge?

No tourists!!

Trip: to and from work
Miles: 12.5

Due to 6 year anniversary celebrations, I slacked a little this week and didn't ride every day. Wednesday Francesca and I went out to cocosala for our anniversary dinner... I just couldn't be bothered to ride my bike on a night like that. And then of course Thursday I was too tired to wake up that early. Back to Tuesday, I metro-d in that day as well, because I began tutoring and wasn't sure what my day would be like. Now that I am back on track, I am feeling good again, and also feeling joyful that most of the tourists are gone. No more dodging them or giving them evil glares when they walk 7 people across a path :)

It was a little chilly this morning. It's also dark when I leave the house so I am trying to figure out what the light situation is going to be like as we ease into winter. It was fun riding though and I am looking forward to the ride home, and hopefully making some time for the WOD this weekend in the middle of studying.

Back on the bike

Trip: to and from work
Miles 12.5

Yes, it's a sad day when even a drag queen can make you feel inadequate about your own body! Yesterday I experienced this as I went to a drag queen show at Perry's in Adams Morgan for Kim's birthday. Despite general feelings of inadequacy, we could not stop laughing. They were great - lively, energetic, funny, and their bodies were rockin! As soon as I get some pics, I will definitely try to post.

On Saturday I got to hang out with Sarah and Carolyn and watch the Furies play NOVA. The score at the end of the game was 10-10, the Furies played their hearts out. We ended halftime with a 3-0 lead. In the second half NOVA got a breakaway and scored/converted, bringing the score to 7-3. We then came back with a try from PJ from the scrum position on their 5 meter line. It was so pretty!! One of our new rookies converted that, making the score 10-7. Then when there was about 10 minutes left, NOVA converted a questionable penalty (their touch judge even said it didn't make it), but the referee ignored it, bringing the score to 10-10. There were no overtime periods, so it could come down to points in the end.