Most summers I spend a week visiting family or friends in more mountainous parts of the country, and whenever possible I take my bike with me. At some point about a month before I leave, I realize in a panic that I need to remind myself how to ride my bike up hills.
Before you hit that reply button: yes, I know the DC region is not flat! But our elevation changes tend to be steep, short, and spaced out between flat(ish) spots. This presents a challenge. I enjoy riding my bike up a good climb—I find it meditative and rewarding—but I don’t like riding in circles. The moment someone says “hill repeats,” I’m bailing to go find some tacos. So here’s this week’s route planning puzzle:
A route that:
- is Metro accessible;
- is pleasant to ride (minimal busy roads);
- features about 100 feet of climbing per mile of riding.
There are some classic local shop and club rides that focus on climbing: Hills of Arlington, Hills of Anacostia, Hills of Rock Creek, Hills of Reston and Vienna, Hills of Croom.
My current favorite is a combo of the Hills of Rock Creek and the Palisades section of the 50 States Ride route, but I am always on the lookout for new options. Send me your favorite climbs and hilly routes!
Important Note: The routes linked here (including mine) are public routes on RidewithGPS. They’re not tested by or endorsed by WABA.
Things to do
- Take care of your lungs! The wildfire smoke is supposed to clear up a bit today, but keep an eye on that AQI before you go out for a ride.
- Go for a workout with the Trail Rangers.
- Check out this webinar with Hands Off DC about the latest round of garbage the House is trying to pull. Safe streets initiatives are among the many things they’re trying to limit DC’s ability to do.
- Send the Summer Vibes Ride to the teens in your life.
- Support bike lanes on Mt Olivet Road NE.
- Support bus and bike lanes on Duke St in Alexandria.
- HOLY CRAP CHECK OUT THIS AMAZING NEWS FROM THE CAPITAL TRAILS COALITION: Announcement / Washington Post Article.
- Also in very good RAISE Grant news: DC will receive $20M to rehab a deadly stretch of Wheeler Road SE.
Have a great weekend!