This is not a bicylists' convention, but a monthly ride and free barbecue at Conte's bike shop in Arlington's Ballston neighborhood.
Arlington’s Ballston and Clarendon neighborhoods have become athletic hubs of the metropolitan region. These trendy, burgeoning areas attract sports enthusiasts of all kinds.
Swimmers have the brand-new Washington-Lee high school swimming pool on North Stafford St. Ice skaters can practice at a training center for the Washington Capitals, namely the Kettler Capitals Iceplex on N. Randolph and N. Glebe Rds. Runners have the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail, as well as Wednesday evening track workouts at Washington-Lee.
Bicyclists have many options. There is easy access to the W&OD Trail and, starting from the Key Bridge, the Mt. Vernon Trail.
And, while there may be no such thing as a free lunch, cyclists also can benefit from a free dinner.
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To area cyclists, there is such a thing as a free lunch, or a post-ride dinner barbecue, that is.
This is the well-attended barbecue hosted by Ballston’s Conte’s bike shop on the first Tuesday evening of each summer month. Upwards of 120 hungry cyclists attend the free feast, topped off with beer in the shop’s parking lot. The meal is served after a weekly, hour-long Conte’s-sponsored ride through hilly neighborhood streets.
The hill ride cum barbecue has become so popular that Arlington police block off the streets where the ride begins from the bike shop, located at 3924 Wilson Blvd, near the Ballston Mall. This allows cyclists to safely roll up No. Quincy St. to the Military Rd. area of Clarendon, and to the main part of the ride.
Long-distance cyclist and Conte's co-owner Jody Bennett officiates at the evening hill ride and barbecue.
Leading the pack is Conte’s co-owner Jody Bennett. Before each ride, she organizes cyclists into one of three groups based on speed, then takes off with the crowded mass of riders. Bennett has plenty of experience in sports and in the business of sports. She has completed the cross-transcontinental Race Across America bike ride. And she was, for FedEx, a promotion manager for the FedExField contract with the Redskins.
The hill rides occur every Tuesday through the summer, with the barbecue a special monthly treat. The rides’ purpose, for many of its riders, is to train for the yearly Savageman Triathlon in Deep Creek, Maryland. That race is noted for its vertiginous climbs and descents.
The popular ride winds through the neighborhoods of Ballston and Clarendon. The summertime rides are weekly; barbecues monthly.
“People have really enjoyed the hill training--misery loves company,” noted Bennett. “And there are so many riders, everyone can always find someone at their level to ride with.” Further, Bennett noted, “We really wanted to create a fun, social, and positive atmosphere.”
Starting in 2007. Conte’s sponsored the barbecue rides together with the Savageman Triathlon and with Team Z, an area triathlon club. “It is a great way,” said Bennett, “to partner with the Savageman race. It can promote the race to their audience and our customers, and provide a place for people to come out and train.” For the barbecues Team Z shares expenses, supplies cooks, and provides chairs, a tent, and coolers for the thirst-quenching libations.
Interested vendors have jumped in. The restaurant Baja Fresh and the microbrewery Dogfish Head, a microbrewery with pubs in Reheboth Beach and Gaithersburg, have supplied food and beverages for the post-ride feasts. Members of other area sports teams, such as the DC Triathlon Club, flock to the event.
After all, few area athletes can say no to a stiff-yet-fun workout, followed by tastfree food and drinks on the house.
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Few things cap off sweaty cycling better than a barbecue.
For more info:
Conte’s Bicycles:
Dogfish Ales:
Team Z:
Washington-Lee High School Swimming Pool:
www.arlingtonva.us/departments/parksrecreation/scripts/pools/ParksRecreationScriptsPoolsPools.aspx
Other articles by this author:
Comments
Very thorough! I'm so sad summer is ending.
Sounds like a great time. Wish events like that went on around here.
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