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About this trip
Whatever your opinion of Congress or the state of our national politics, there's no denying that from an architectural and urban landscaping standpoint, our nation's capital is one of the most majestic and beautiful cities in the world. From our single hotel for the week, located safely and securely on Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall, home of the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry (Old Guard) which presides over Arlington National Cemetery, we will enjoy the region's extensive network of bike paths and trails to marvel at magnificent marble memorials, monuments, statues, gardens, museums, natural vistas and more. We'll allow plenty of latitude for you to explore your particular interests, whether it's the Museum of Natural History, the U.S. Mint, the Spy Museum, Smithsonian "Castle", the National Gallery of Art, Air & Space Museum, the National Botanical Gardens, Library of Congress (3 buildings!) ... so many choices! Over the course of the week we'll cover lots of ground and explore the Capitol region from the vantage point of these trails:
1. Arlington National Cemetery and optional Museums
2. Major Memorials, East & West Potomac Park and the National Mall
3. The Mount Vernon Trail (including a tour of George & Martha Washington's estate)
4. Virginia's Four Mile Run and the Washington & Old Dominion Trail
5. Rock Creek Park with optional visit to the National Zoo
6. The Anacostia River Trail exploring the City's revitalized southwest waterfront
What about E-bikes?
Senior Cycling does NOT have E-bikes available for rent, but you are welcome to bring your own Class 1 (Pedal-assist only) E-bike on this tour.
Difficulty rating of this tour:
On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being most difficult, this tour is rated a 3- Nearly all the trail surfaces we'll ride during the week are paved asphalt; however the paths surround the National Mall are packed gravel. Some urban riding is to be expected, i.e. a few street crossings, curbs, grates etc. Being springtime, we could encounter some wet and/or muddy patches in places like East & West Potomac Park, Rock Creek Park, and along the Mount Vernon Trail.
Cancellation Policy
Please Please review Senior Cycling's Cancellation Policy here.
And, Please purchase trip insurance. Especially at our age, even though no one expects or wants it, health issues arise and accidents happen. At Travelinsurance.com you can get quotes for coverage from several different providers and get all your questions answered about different levels of coverage, such as "Cancel For Any Reason (COFR)" polices and Pre-Existing Condition waivers. Allianz Travel Insurance and TravelGuard by AIG are also well-known companies with reasonable rates. Please check it out and protect your travel investment.
What’s included
- 5 days of riding
- Accommodations6 nights lodging
- Tour leadersExperienced and cycling expert tour guides
- Meals6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
- Full supportVan/sag support including provisioned snack breaks (+ mechanical assistance and van ride, if needed)
- Luggage Transportation1 carry-on sized suitcase + 1 daypack/other satchel
- Post-rideDaily post-ride informal gathering with light snacks (fruit, cheese, crackers, chips, nuts etc.) and non-alcoholic beverages
- Detailed ItineraryTurn-by-turn directions via free use of RideWithGPS app
What’s not included
- TransportationYou must make your own travel plans to/from Washington DC. If you fly, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the most convenient to where we are staying.
- Alcohol with meals
- Personal items/services
- Gratuities for guides
- Travel protection planWe highly recommend that you purchase trip insurance (not included with tour price) to protect against unexpected emergencies. Please see Travelinsurance.com
- Pre- and post-trip hotel(if desired)
- Bike rental(if needed)
Available Packages
Based on double occupancy
Available options
Cost to have your own room each night
Our bikes are well-maintained hybrid style, upright posture, most are Trek FX2 or Verve 2-3 models. Helmet, pannier and cable lock included.
An extra night before the tour starts (Saturday May 10) at our group rate, including tax. (Standard room)
An extra night at the conclusion of the tour (Friday May 16) at our group rate, including tax. (Standard room)
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Itinerary
Arrive in the DC area on your own schedule; Hotel check-in time is 3:00 p.m. I'll be making sure that everyone gets through the security process at the Hatfield gate and gets a ride to the hotel, if needed. We'll gather in the lobby at 5:00 p.m. to meet each other and discuss the week's itinerary, rules and recommendations for riding safely, and answer any questions you may have. We'll then jump in the van for a short ride to a nearby restaurant.