Memorial Day Bike Ride

Hoping to get a glimpse of rolling thunder, we set out for our favorite parking spot by the tidal basin. No luck, lot closed. So we found a spot along Maine Ave. From there we began our 8 mile tour.

Phases of the Ride

Phase 1: Lost in SouthWest: Bound and determined to make it to the Monument, we navigated our way along various sidewalks and found our way to 14th street.

Phase 2: Monument and Snack: RJ led the way up the trails to the Washington Monument. Then we had a snack. Frosted Flakes ... They're Great! Too bad I didn't zoom out to get the sky while taking picture of kids from the ground at the monument.

Phase 3: Bike to Haines Point: biked past memorials, chased squirrels (Julia got mad about chasing squirrels), biked along water to Haines Point. Stopped at playground for snack two and the awesome slide. All 3 of us could 'race' together.

The river had over-flowed its banks so there was a huge puddle in the street where we needed to bike to complete our loop. We saw a car ride through it and the water covered 4/5 of the car's tire. RJ thought it would be a good idea to go through it, but as you can see from our route map, we opted for the safer route.

Phase 4: Fish Market: to placate kids we went in search of our favorite lemonade spot. Got to the fishmarket and doubled down on lemonade and mango-aide. Total sugar high.

Phase 5: Nap in Car: made it back to our parking spot without getting lost and without running over any pedestrians. On way home Julia faked sleeping. Then Julia passed out.

Bike takes on SUV door

Riding home from work tonight, I'm biking past 10-12 cars stopped at a red light approaching Westmoorland Street on Chain Bridge Road. Suddenly a passenger in an SUV throws open the door. About 0.5 - 1 second later I strike the door at 10mph with my bike helmet and my left shoulder. I end up lying face down on a sidewalk staring at my bleeding thumb. The driver in the car behind the SUV summed it up "you got clobbered."

The results:

• Bike helmet (Bell Slant) gets 5 stars for limiting damage to bruises on my forehead
• Front fork bent out of line with handlebars
• Several minor broken parts on bike
• Silhouette of SUV door imprinted on my shoulder
• SUV door hinges bent and unable to close

The Good Samaritans

On the positive side of things, many people stopped to help me out and serve as witnesses. A doctor pulled over to help. A lawyer on her way home gave me her business card to be a witness. One guy in an Audi offered to give me and my bike a ride home. After putting my trashed bike in his pristine Audi somebody from my neighborhood showed up on the scene and drove me home.

The Question

The cop on the scene asked the SUV passenger and driver, "Why the hell did you open your door?" The 50 year old woman and her 18 year old daughter (passenger) had no answer - which is a little bit suspicious. Here are theories that various folks have provided:

1. Daughter was mad at mother and threatened to walk home (explains abruptness of door)
2. Daughter was opening door to throw out trash (why not just roll down window)
3. I looked like the daughter's ex-boyfriend
4. A cicada flew into the car and they were trying to get it out or escape.
   

Julia at the dentist

Julia's first time sitting in a dentist chair.

The most impressive part is that somebody got her to sit still for a photo.