Kidical HP100 - This Sunday, 12/17/17, 10:30-11am Mini-loops

The HP100 is an awesome, fun day-long festival ride around Hains Point to raise funds and awareness for WABA’s Women & Bicycles program. Now in its sixth year, the HP100 is getting kidical (again): We will have our own special roll out and mini-loop (WITH HANDUPS/STOP-AND-GRABS ON THE ROUTE!!!) 



This isn't a typical Kidical Mass ride -- there will be lots of other riders and we're just going to ride in a mini loop for about 30 minutes -- but it'll be a blast.  The fun continues all day, and you are welcome to ride the entire loop and do as much or as little as you'd like!

We'll start and ride near the tip of Hains Point, which conveniently has an awesome play structure and bathrooms. The Hains Point loop is a completely FLAT 3 mile loop, our mini-loop will be a completely flat 1/2 mile, with a bit of gravel. There are no hills. Plus, it’s got scenic views of the river, the harbor (LOTS OF BOATS) and the airport (PLANES). 

There is no registration fee for the ride, however riders are encouraged to donate to WABA's Women & Bikes.  There are lots of giveaways, raffles, donations and hand-ups the people have donated that will be part of the fun. So if you are participating in the festivities,riders are encouraged to sign-up on the HP100 site.  Details about the ride, sign-up and donate here: www.HainsPoint100.com

There is parking near the start/finish– please park cars along the side of the main street, and not in the start/finish section (there are plenty of spots on the sides).
 
And stick around afterwards to check out and chat about the many family-friendly rigs that will be out there. And don't forget, there are active Kidical Mass rides all over the Washington area - come meet some of their regulars!

There will be lots of give-aways and treats. Come! Bring friends! Donate to WABA!

When:  Sunday, December 17, 2017, meet 10:15am, roll out 10:30am, mini loops until 11am (though the fun will continue all day, and you’re welcome to come down any time)
Start/finish: Hains Point – the tip (the bike symbol on this map)
Parking: Along the sides of Hains Point
 
PS. Sunday morning weather is looking to be cold-ish. Don't forget to bundle up!
Happy Holidays!

HALLOWEEN 2017!!!

Once again, Conte's Bike Shop thinks we're so awesome, they're throwing us a pizza party at the end of the ride!  If you could respond to the facebook event (https://goo.gl/ux1zjR)  so we know #s, that'd be great, but not necessary! 

It's that time of year again: time to put on your costume, light up your bike, and prepare to eat copious amounts of candy! Kidical Mass Arlington loves Halloween and this year we're partnering up with the Contes to celebrate! 

Similar to last year, we'll meet at Clay Park in Lyon Park, where families can come early to ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL WEATHER. Then we will bike off through the Ashton Heights neighborhood, enjoying the NEW STOP SIGN at Irving and Pershing! We'll continue through the spooky parts of Ashton Heights and Lyon Park, including through a cemetery and past some of the best Halloween decorations in Arlington Finally, we'll roll to Conte's Bike Shop on Wilson Boulevard, where we've been invited over for a pizza party! Arlington's family-friendly bike shop has invited us in to enjoy some pizza and drinks, and of course to visit their great shop! Thanks, Conte's, we can't wait!

When: Sunday, October 22, 2016
Meet: 5:00pm - Clay Park - North Highland Street and 7th Street North (roll out 5:15pm)
Parking: Neighborhood streets
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26217631

The ride back to Clay Park from Conte's is very easy: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17384347 

The route is 3 miles and fairly flat.  We will be riding during dusk and it will be dark by the time you're riding home: be sure you're adequately lit and reflective!

September is the best month in Arlington, and a great month to ride a bike in Arlington. This Sunday evening, we'll meet at a park, and ride to dinner.

The route is not long and is pretty flat. Come early to play at Quincy Park -- it's really a great park.

When: Sunday, September 24, 2017, meet 4:45pm (roll out at 5pm)

Meet: Quincy Park -- 1021 N Quincy Street

Parking: Parking lot off of Quincy St or on the surrounding residential streets. (I recommend Nelson)

End: Gaijin Ramen - 3800 Lee Highway (dinner is optional, this is just where we'll ride to. If you're not into Ramen, there are some other restaurants in Cherrydale: Subway, Maneki Neko Express Thai/Sushi, House of Steep, Portobellos and Bistro 29)

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/25491021

All are welcome. Hope to see you there!

Police/Fire/Sheriff Block Party!!! Saturday, August 26, 2017 Meet 9:30am Glencarlyn Learning Loop

Helicopters! Fire trucks! Police trucks! Rocklands BBQ! Dogs! A ninja course! Bounce houses! Announcements with Police doing synchronized swimming! Arlington's Police/Fire/Sheriff Block Party has got it all. And we're going to ride to it!

The route is on the short and simple, with one short, steep hill on a trail that is totally fine to walk up.  We'll meet at 9:30am at the Learning Loop at the corner of Columbia Pike and the W&OD. We'll have at least 20 minutes for the kids to enjoy the learning loop, then we'll circle up and head up the W&OD and Four Mile Run trails, into Bluemont Park and then into the Arlington Forest neighborhood for a few blocks.  We'll use the traffic light at Manchester Street to cross Route 50, and then will have a few more on-street blocks before arriving at the Block Party, arriving around 10:30am.

Once at the Block Party, you're free to enjoy the fun.  We recommend the vehicles (of course), the Kid Zone (inside the school), and the wonderful free food (we're hoping to arrive early to avoid lines). From 11am-3pm, BikeArlington, PhoenixBikes, and the Arlington PAL Ambassadors will run a bike rodeo, giving the kiddos another change for biking fun. ACPD will also have a station where you can register your bike.


For those who want to ride back to the start, the return route is simply the reverse of the route we're taking.

When: Saturday, August 26, 2017, 9:30am



Meet: Glencarlyn Learning Loop; Columbia Pike and the W&OD Trail

Parking: Neighborhood streets (pro tip: try 9th Street South, north of Columbia Pike and west of S Buchanan St)

End:  Kenmore Middle School; 200 S Carlin Springs Road 22204

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/24582320

All are welcome. All of this is free. Hope to see you there!

Kidically summer 3.0: Sunday, July 30, 2017, meet 4:30pm at Hayes Park sprayground

Summer in Arlington: School's out (finally), it's hot (so hot), and all you want to do is get wet and eat ice cream!

Kidical Mass is here to help. For the third year, we're going to ride from a sprayground to ice cream, because it was just that much fun: We're going to start this ride at Hayes Park -- come early and enjoy the SPRAYGROUND (water starts at noon on Sundays). We'll roll out around 4:45pm and meander through the neighborhoods of Virginia Square, Ashton Heights and Lyon Park, ending at the Carvel Ice Cream in Virginia Square.

The route is pretty short, and as flat as they come in Arlington. All crossings of major streets are at stop lights. This route is great for beginners. The route back from Carvel to the park is short and well signed, and you'll definitely have company. 


When: Sunday, July 30, 2017 4:30pm (roll out 4:45pm - come early to play!)

Meet: Hayes Park - North Lincoln Street between 14th Street North and I-66, Arlington

Parking: On the surrounding residential streets.

End: Carvel Ice Cream, Wilson Blvd and N Jackson Street.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/23343260

All are welcome. Hope to see you there! 

Kidical Armed Forces: Sunday, June 11, 9:30am Virginia Highlands Park

This Sunday, June 11, Kidical Mass Arlington will join the Armed Forces!  

Well, not exactly.  Let's try that again: 

This Sunday, June 11, Kidical Mass Arlington will RACE!

Not really that either. 

This Sunday, June 11, Kidical Mass Arlington will meet at the lovely Virginia Highlands Park, ride (in a very non-racey way) around Pentagon City and Crystal City, including a sort-of-secret trail, and ending at the Armed Forces Cycling Classic races in in Crystal City.  We'll get there in time for any kids that would like to to join the "kids race" at 11:30am (on their own bikes, of course).

More info on the kids races here.  You can register day-of.  It's free!

The ride is a relatively flat and easy, almost 3 miles on neighborhood streets and behind-buildings trails. All crossings of major streets are at stop lights.

When: Sunday, June 11, 2017 Meet at 9:30am (we'll play at the playground for a few minutes, aim to roll out around 9:45am) -- yes this is early, but we want to give people time to register their kids for the race.

Meet: Virginia Highlands Park, 18th St S and Hayes St S - we'll roll out from the parking lot closest to 18th St S, by the library

End: The Armed Forces Cycling Classic - center of the action at 23rd St S and Crystal Dr

The Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21649187

Parking is easy at the park and on neighborhood streets. The ride back is easy and less than a mile (route here).  All are welcome. The ride and race are free.