New Years 2023!

 It's not secret I love to start the new year with a hangover-free bike ride! This year, I set out with Deb and Deidre from Deb's new house in Fairlington. Should have taken some pics of what a beautiful job she's done with making the new place feel like a really cozy home. Her great location is just a mile or so from the W&OD trailhead and the 395 connector between Shirlington and the GW pkway trail. 

Today, we took the connector over to the GW pkway and headed for the Memorial Bridge. On the way, we stopped for a selfie at Gravelly Point, although I didn't manage to catch any planes in the pic.

Then we stopped again for a pic with the Washington Monument and the capital in the background.

Here is old steady, leaning against a tree.

After many tries, I finally got a pic where our heads didn't block the capitol and monuments.

Eventually, we reached the Memorial Bridge. You can see the Lincoln Memorial in the distance.

After accidentally turning right on Ohio Drive, we navigated a quarter mile of hair raising traffic with no shoulder before seeking refuge in a sidewalk. Wow! We won't make that mistake again. 

Safely on the waterfront, we snapped a selfie with the Christmas wreathes growing unfortunately out of my head!

Somehow I took NO PICTURES in Bethesda, which was the main point of our ride! We took the Capital Crescent Trail from Georgetown to Bethesda where we went to the "second" coffee shop. I had a pretty amazing egg sandwich over easy on sour dough. Wish I could have a coffee, but ah well. 

Then we turned around and headed back.

Deb and Deidre riding by the Kennedy Center

After Georgetown, we came to this new underpass (under 66?). It was great and helped us avoid a narrow sidewalk we usually have to take. Amazing they could just punch this whole in the existing structure!

Deb and Deidre taking a break.

I think that's Rosslyn on the other side of the Potomac.

This is Deb and Deidre approaching the Memorial Bridge. We crossed on the right side, which I don't usually do. It was easier to get to this side when returning from Georgetown, but then left us some road crossings to navigate on the other side. 

 

Again no pics, but we arrived back at Deb's in the afternoon after about 35 miles of riding. Deidre headed home for a nap; I went home for black-eyed peas, and Deb headed out for lunch with a friend. And it was now officially 2023!

Distance: 35 miles

Speed: 10.7 mph