Kidically Icey Skatey: 1/18/15 4pm Pentagon Row

That's right, we're doing a January ride in honor of ice, delayed openings and snow days! The forecast for Sunday looks acceptable (high of 50!), so we're going to ride -- meeting at 4pm at the Pentagon Row Starbucks. After a little time to grab a toasty beverage and chat, we'll roll out (4:15pm) and around the awesomely flat neighborhood of Aurora Highlands, coming back to Pentagon Row in time for a little ice skating and/or an early dinner.

 

When:  Sunday, January 18, 2015 4pm (roll out 4:15pm)

Meet: Starbucks at Pentagon Row (probably inside)

Parking: Street parking (should be free on Sunday); surface lot at Pentagon Row (free for the first hour); garage under Pentagon Row (not free, but I believe Harris Teeter validates for an hour, if you need groceries)

Metro: Pentagon and Pentagon City stations are a short ride away. Bikes are allowed on MetroRail on the weekends! Bikes are always allowed on MetroBus, and a lot of bus lines come in to Pentagon.

End: Pentagon Row Ice Skating Rink (basically the same place as the start)

Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6794277

We'll roll out and (almost) immediately enjoy Arlington's new protected bike lanes (on Hayes and Eads). Then we'll turn into the neighborhood and enjoy the mostly flat neighborhood streets of Aurora Highlands, brushing by the very cool playgrounds and sprayground of Virginia Highlands Park (where we can dream of summer)... 

After the ride, families are encouraged to enjoy ice skating at the rink, or to join together for dinner - there are plenty of options in Pentagon Row.

The ride itself will take place before sunset, but if you're planning on riding home after, you'll probably need lights. Given weather reports, we expect the road to be ice and snow free, but please keep an eye out and be sure to dress appropriately (we might need rain gear). This page will be updated in the case of inclement weather.

Happy Winter!

The Hains Point 100 gets Kidical: this SUNDAY, 12/21 10am

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 third year, the HP100 is getting kidical: We will keep track of miles ridden by families (and you get miles for each person on your bike – 1 kid = twice the miles!) and together we’ll look to hit the 100 mile mark! 

This isn't a typical Kidical Mass ride -- there will be lots of other riders -- but if you come for the roll out, we'll gather the family riders who would like to stick together and do a lap or two as a group. The fun continues all day, and any time you do a kidical loop will count for our kidical total!

The center of the action is 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. There are no hills. There are 3 stop signs. There are two lanes, most of the way has one way traffic.  And, 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 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, and to donate to WABA’s Women & Bikes.  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).
 
There will be lots of give-aways and treats. Come! Bring friends! Donate to WABA!

When:  Sunday, December 21, 2014, meet 9:30am, roll out and picture 10am (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 and possibly wet. Don't forget to bundle up!
Happy Holidays!

Kidically Cranksgiving! Thanksgiving Day, Nov 27 10am meet Westover Park

Work up an appetite before your big meal! Do you want to get out and enjoy the crisp fresh air on a group ride before the big Thanksgiving feast, have a chance to get out of the house with the kids and let them burn off some energy, or just get out on your bike to enjoy some of our local trails on a beautiful Fall holiday?  Join us for a Thanksgiving Day morning ride, the Cranksgiving ride.  

When:  Thursday, November 27, Thanksgiving Day, 10 am  (roll out 10:15am - come early to play!)

Meet: Westover Park Playground Pavillion, 1001 N. Kennebec Street, just off of the Custis Trail

 

Parking: On surrounding neighborhood streets

End: Bluemont Park Playground, 329 N Manchester Street, just off of the Four Mile Run Trail (*those interested can ride back to Westover together)

Route: https://goo.gl/maps/BbHoi

We start off at Westover Park Playground, one of Arlington's many great neighborhood playgrounds. We'll roll down the Custis Trail under I-66 and over to the Washington and Old Dominion Trail south past Wilson Blvd underpass, heading onto the Four Mile Run Trail shortly after passing the caboose.  We'll ride past the fields at Bluemont park and ride into the woods, where there is the Bluemont Park Playground.  Ride is 1.2 miles one way.  For those interested, we'll let the kids play at the Bluemont Playground for a while and then we can ride back to Westover Park together. All are welcome - with and without kids.

In the spirit of giving thanks, we will also collect canned and boxed food for donation to AFAC.  Donations are optional and voluntary.   

A Kidical Halloween: Bike-or-Treat!

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! Last year's Halloween Ride was a huge success, and this year, the generous support of FreshBikes Arlington and BikeArlington, Kidical Mass Arlington is going bigger and better with an Ashton-Heights-based Bike-or-Treat party. Don't let the calendar fool you: we're extending the Halloween fun to Saturday, November 1st!

We'll meet at FreshBikes Arlington, in Ballston, where families can come early to stock up on everything they need for their bikes and make sure they are adequately lit for the night's festivities. Then we will bike off through the Virginia Square and Ashton Heights neighborhoods, stopping to pick up candy on our first-ever Bike or Treat! We'll see some of the spookiest decorated houses in Arlington, and return to FreshBikes, where we'll be treated to a family-friendly party with costume contests, hot beverages and more candy!

When: Saturday, November 1, 2014
Meet: 5:15pm - FreshBikes Arlington - Wilson Blvd & Quincy Street North (roll out 5:30pm)
Parking: Plenty in the FreshBikes parking lot
Route (preliminary): http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6224091


The route is fairly flat and easy, though a little longer than last year. 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!

Next ride: Arlington Fun Ride Family Ride - 10/4 10am

For our next ride, Kidical Mass Arlington teams up with the Arlington Fun Ride next Saturday, October 4, for a super-extra special Family Ride. (We're not doing a Kidically Clarendon ride this weekend, though Clarendon Day is a great event and perfect to bike to.)

When: Saturday, October 4, 2014
Meet: 10:00am - Crystal City - 18th Street and Crystal Drive
Parking: All over Crystal City (garages and on-street)
Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3379060

Yes, this is the same as last year, which means it will be completely awesome! We'll start in Crystal City, after the intrepid souls doing the full Arlington Fun Ride leave for the (long and hilly) Arlington loop.  After a safety briefing, we'll roll out along the streets of Crystal City, then through the new and amazing Long Bridge Park.  We'll bump over the "developing" pavement of Long Bridge Drive and head into the Pentagon Reservation on Boundary Channel.  After a jaunt over the Connector Road, through the Pentagon Parking Lot tunnel, we'll ride beside Pentagon City Mall.  After riding through Aurora Highlands, we'll join the festivities in Crystal City celebrating the Arlington Fun Ride and Phoenix Bikes. And, just like last year, we should have a Police Escort! Amazing!

Registration for the Fun Ride is encouraged (though not mandatory -- your fee does get you a cool t-shirt and goes to support Phoenix Bikes).

The entire ride is 3.5 miles and flat (only 102 total feet of going up).  It's a perfect ride for anyone new to group riding (with or without kids).

Hope to see y'all there!