5 Days of Cycling Amidst Spectacular Architecture, History, and Natural Beauty
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
Included
Arlington National Cemetery in center of picture, Lincoln Memorial in upper right
- 6 nights' Accommodations in a hotel located on the quiet, safe oasis of a military base just minutes from the Potomac River (online, advance completion of Drivers License info security screening required)
- Hotel shuttle service from/to the Rosslyn Metro station (1.2 mi away) and Reagan National Airport (4.5 mi away) (Limited hours)
- Area-knowledgeable and cycling expert tour guides
- 6 Breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
- Gratuities for included meals and accommodations
- In-ride drinks and snacks
- Van support
- Route navigation via free use of Ride With GPS app.
- Admission to George Washington's Mount Vernon estate
- Admission to all National Park Service-operated monuments and museums (your tax dollars at work!)
Not Included
- Airfare/transportation to and from Washington DC /IHG Army Hotel
- Alcohol with meals
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry
- Gratuities for Tour Leaders
- Trip Insurance (Please purchase!)
- Pre-& post-trip hotel (Neither Friday night included)
- Bike rental
Itinerary
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Day 1 - Saturday
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.
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Day 2 - Sunday
On Sunday morning we will not be cycling. Instead we will visit Arlington National Cemetery, walking in through the back gate which is 300 yards from our hotel. You will be free to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, JFK's gravesite (the Eternal Flame), and appreciate the 639 acres of one of our country's oldest national cemeteries. The cemetery’s rolling hills mark the final resting place for more than 14,000 veterans, including those who fought in the Civil War. You will have the afternoon free to explore on your own any of the many Washington DC sites and museums; we will facilitate transportation.
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 3 - Monday
Today we'll pedal into the heart of DC, cycling out the back gate of Fort Myer, stopping for a visit to the Iwo Jima Memorial before crossing the Arlington Memorial Bridge, past the Lincoln Memorial and heading into West & East Potomac Park, all the way south to Hains Point. We'll then return north toward the Mall, stopping at the Jefferson Memorial. Lunch is on your own at one of the many food trucks lining the mall, then you'll be free to explore the other monuments, museums and memorials that surround the National Mall (or are just a few blocks from it) - you can't possibly do it all in a day, or even a week, so do your research in advance and come with a plan! Your Tour leaders will be nearby, should you have any questions or need anything you can't find.
Biking Miles: 15 -20 depending on your interests and ambition!
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 4 - Tuesday
Today we'll again leave the hotel on our bikes via the same route but continue south along the Potomac River on the wonderful Mount Vernon Bike Trail to ... George & Martha Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. Ticketed entry is included in your Tour price.
After enjoying the various available tours, riders may either return to the hotel by van or make the return ride on the Trail. Either way, after passing through it on both our southbound and northbound rides, then showering and changing at the hotel, we'll return to Old Town Alexandria for the evening including dinner on your own.
Biking Miles: 18.5 miles each way, but very flat
MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Picnic Lunch.
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Day 5 - Wednesday
Today we'll tour some of the Arlington County "urban countryside" via the Washington & Old Dominion Rail Trail, out to Reston Town Center (and back, if you want. You can also choose to ride the return trip in the van)
Biking Miles: 40 (only if you ride both ways!) 20 miles each way. There's a slight elevation gain of 36 ft/mi. on the way out, so the return trip is "all downhill" :)
MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
Day 6 - Thursday
Today we'll head back into DC on our now-familiar route, but head north at the Lincoln Memorial, past the Kennedy Center and into Rock Creek Park. You'll hardly believe you're passing through the heart of the densely populated nation's capital via this lush urban canyon. Anyone who wants to can stop and spend some or a lot of time at the National Zoo; others may continue north through the park as far as the Juniper Trailhead.
BIKING MILES: 26 max.
MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner -
Day 7 - Friday
On our final morning in DC, we'll take the van & trailer with bikes to other side of the city to explore the revitalized Southwest waterfront area, home of Anacostia Park, the Washington Navy Yard, and MLB Nationals Stadium.
We'll return to Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall after we enjoy our last lunch together and say our goodbyes.BIKING MILES: 15 -20
MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch
Difficulty Level: Moderate
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.
Suggested bicycle: Hybrids or Gravel bikes
Suggested tire size for this tour: 28 - 35 mm
Pricing
$3,050 per person (based on double occupancy)
$650 – Single Supplement (extra price to have your own room)
$150 – Hybrid Bike Rental
Trip Insurance and Cancellation Policy
Please review Senior Cycling's Cancellation Policy here.
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.
Your Travel Plans
For this tour we will convene at the IHG Army Hotel Wainwright Hall on the grounds of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (formerly Fort Myer) between 3:00 and 5:00 pm on Saturday. The trip ends on Friday after our morning ride, lunch, and return to the hotel, approximately 2:00 p.m..
Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (JBMHH) is an active military base. While it is open to the public, all Tour participants will have to complete a background check and receive a Visitor's Pass prior to arrival. More than a month prior to the Tour, I will send you information via separate email, with a link to the JBMHH Automated Installation Entry (AIE) Visitor Website, where you will apply on-line for that Visitors Pass. The form requires your personal information including your state Drivers License information as well as your Social Security Number. Once you complete that application, you'll receive an email with a pass (similar to an Airline boarding pass) that you'll print out or have on your phone to show at the gate.
If you are driving, you'll drive to the Base, show your Security pass, and proceed to the hotel. Parking will be free, safe and secure all week!
If you are flying, while there are three airports that serve the greater Washington DC area, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) would be the most convenient choice -- it's less than 5 miles away. A ride-share driver will likely only take you as far as the Hatfield gate of JBMHH, where you will show your Visitors Pass. We can meet you at the Hatfield gate to complete transporting you and your luggage to our accommodations on base, IHG Army Hotels Wainwright Hall. The hotel also has a shuttle on Saturday available until 2:00 p.m, and on Friday until 4:00 p.m.
