zap
06-30-2004, 10:46 AM
I went down towards D.C. yesterday to do a local team nooner training ride in Rock Creek Park. As I got closer to the starting point, I noticed helicopters hovering. At the intersection close to the ride start, police officers in flak jackets were squatting around trees with rifles in hand and police cars driving up & down Rock Creek Park at a pretty good clip.
As we gathered for the start of the ride, we briefly speculated on the police activity. Nobody had any idea so discussions quickly changed to the TdF, shaved legs, etc. After 5 minutes we started the ride and the whole scene was forgotten.
Well it turns out that D.C. had turned into the Wild Wild West. Watching the local news last night, I learned that a nearby Bank was robbed by three fellows brandishing rifles and speeding away in their first get away car towards Rock Creek Park. They set the first car on fire and continued their escape using a second vehicle.
We never saw any suspicious activities (probably only would have noticed if the get away car ran us off the road) while circling the park umpteen times and climbing every hill in the vicinity. I had forgotten the whole scene until the newscast.
Upon reflection, I find it interesting that none of us appeared to be overly concerned about the police activity. But then again, during the D.C. area snipper incident two years ago, cyclists were out while our neighbors stayed at home.
Interesting lot, we cyclists.
As we gathered for the start of the ride, we briefly speculated on the police activity. Nobody had any idea so discussions quickly changed to the TdF, shaved legs, etc. After 5 minutes we started the ride and the whole scene was forgotten.
Well it turns out that D.C. had turned into the Wild Wild West. Watching the local news last night, I learned that a nearby Bank was robbed by three fellows brandishing rifles and speeding away in their first get away car towards Rock Creek Park. They set the first car on fire and continued their escape using a second vehicle.
We never saw any suspicious activities (probably only would have noticed if the get away car ran us off the road) while circling the park umpteen times and climbing every hill in the vicinity. I had forgotten the whole scene until the newscast.
Upon reflection, I find it interesting that none of us appeared to be overly concerned about the police activity. But then again, during the D.C. area snipper incident two years ago, cyclists were out while our neighbors stayed at home.
Interesting lot, we cyclists.