Newsletter: Read this later.

Right now, do whatever scheming and prevaricating required to get yourself outside and on your bike. For real. Hit that “mark as unread” button and get outta here!

On warm winter days, I like to ride in places where there are lots of trees—the views are so different when the leaves are gone. This loop along the Patuxent River in Croom, for example, or this one, from the Glenmont Metro through Olney out towards Damascus, give you a deeper peek into the woodland ecosystems than you’d get in the summer.

Things to do this week:

• The DC Trail Rangers are basically superheroes. Give them a follow on Instagram for stories like this one, where they happened upon a DC DGS team trying to remove car tires from Oxon Run and saved the day because they had a grapping hook in one of their panniers. You know. As one does. 
• Virginia folks: send two quick emails to your Delegate supporting bike safety bills and e-bike & bike buses programs.
• DC Folks: It sure looks like the Mayor is trying to pocket-veto the Connecticut Avenue bike lane. Remember the Eastern Downtown project where it took 7 years to get the 9th Street NW bike lane constructed? Let’s not let that happen again. Ask some key DC Councilmembers to use legislation to get this bike lane built before more people get hurt. 
• Maryland folks:
  • Share your thoughts with Prince George’s County County Executive Alsobrooks during a budget listening session on 1/29 (sign-up today!) or submit written comments by 1/31.
  • Join the Trolley Trail Celebration and stroll on Saturday, January 27! The stroll will start at 10 a.m. at Melrose Park.
  • Protect Montgomery County trails and parks! Montgomery Parks is facing $24 million in cuts in the proposed Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Sign-up to testify on Feb. 6 at 1:30pm or 7pm or Feb. 7 at 7pm.
  • Join Bike Maryland on February 1st to learn about state advocacy opportunities in 2024 to improve biking across the state.
• Also, do you know about the Foundry Branch Trestle Bridge? Let’s not miss a chance to create a safe biking and walking alternative to Canal Road in Georgetown—sign this petition from grassroots advocates.
• Sign up for the League of American Bicyclists’ National Bike Summit in March. Use the code wabamember for 10% off

A Fun Route Idea For the Weekend

Go ride your bike to a cafe or somewhere you can sit outside and have a beverage in the sunshine. 

Have  a great weekend.