Cycling in DC, beginning of April

[keithreynolds]

Looking for a size 54 for a couple of days. Willing to return the favor if you come to Boston. Normally I ride a 54L(ong) which has a 55 tt.

I will be visiting the Washington DC area April 1st-April 4th and will have some free time during the day and was wondering what options exist for road bikes.. Also, would be up for meeting a forumite for a beer and chat about cycling; road, mtb, cross, racing, even track.

For this trip I am just looking to enjoy the sights and maybe get some efforts in. I've never been to DC but would like to experience it on a bike. If anyone has any cost conscious options to include renting your size 54cm beater, please let me know. I'd even return the favor if you were to be in the Boston area. The idea of joining DC's CycleLife for a few days is nice, but pricey.

Has anyone used?
https://www.smartbikedc.com/program_information.asp

Suggested day-trips?
1. The 'mall'
http://www.washington-landmarks.com/map_national_mall.html
2. Cherry Blossoms
http://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/cms/index.php?id=404
2. A portion of the C&O trail?
http://bikewashington.org/canal/

From the looks/sounds of some prior threads the light-duty rentals would not be able to handle the C&O.

Thanks!

[djg]

There are two basic ways to approach this. First, one can try to rent or borrow a real bike and schedule one or more rides that may involve some sights but chiefly are rides. Second, one can rent an inexpensive mtb-ish sort of thing from the bike-the-sites people and use that to tour the mall, head down to the Jefferson, and around Haines Point if the flowers are blooming -- that's a way to sight-see while stretching your legs a bit on a bike. Neither is a bad option, it's just a question of what you'd rather do -- let us know and folks can point you to info.

[cody.wms]

Ive never used the Velib style bikes, but they are all around DC now. I think there are a couple of other rental places, and I wouldnt doubt that a fellow forumite has a spare bike they would be willing to let you use.

If you can sneak over and look at the Cherry Blossoms before the official festival starts (the day before or so) it'll be infinitely less crowded.

Take one of the trolley tours. Hokey? Yes. Fun? Yes.

Trying to do a bunch of Smithsonians can be overwhelming. Pick a couple and take your time.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. There are a bunch of forumites around D.C.

[keithreynolds]

bump.

Thanks for the ideas. Edited above post to look for some kind of ride share or rent. I ride a 54cm.

Thanks!
Keith

[mschol17]

What top tube do you need?

I have a 54 Gunnar Crosshairs you could borrow, but it has a 56 tt.

[bward1028]

check out college park bikes, bike123.com
they have hundreds of rentable bikes in all forms.