DC rides: Algonkian Parkway to Georgetown Pike to George Washington Parkway

March 10, 8:53 AMDC Motorcycle Travel ExaminerMark Poesch

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18+ sport bikes headed down the road.  Out together for the second time, and once again joined by surprise guests nearly doubling the "expected" count.   But, safely managing a group this large through traffic is an art, so it was good to have a couple experienced sweepers and blockers along for the ride.  Thanks guys!

The loop around Algonkian Parkway is a good tire-warmer, gets everyone into sync, and provides a few lights to work out any kinks in the group.  Saturday, the traffic was relatively light, and the pack was able to stay together without any "heroic" efforts.

A quick hop on and off Rt. 7 at the east Algonkian Parkway intersection brought the group onto Georgetown Pike and through a couple more lights.

Although, we had arranged in advance to ride as separate groups, the lack of separation between the groups led each of them to make the effort to stay together as one massive 18+ bike column.  Next time, we’ll have 3-4 minute separations between each group’s departure.  At times, the lights on Georgetown Pike forced separation, as did the traffic.  As we entered Falls Church, my trailing group got behind a pickup truck escort.  This was just as well, because although the sand was cleared from the wheel tracks, it was still collected in the center and edges of the lane.

A brief sprint down 123 brought us to George Washington Memorial Parkway, the target route for our ride into Georgetown.

Light traffic made the riding quick and easy, and allowed some margin for viewing the surrounding scenery.  But, it was over too soon:  Rounding the bend for the Key Bridge exit, riding up and around the ramp took us into Georgetown traffic.

Navigating into and through Georgetown is a challenge at any time, but with 18 bikes, it’s quite a spectacle.  Georgetown shoppers reactions ranged from frightened to bemused to impressed.  The group navigated slowly through traffic and turned onto a side street for the parking lot.  Most pedestrians waited briefly as the column turned across the crosswalk and followed each other into the parking lot.  But one jogger of military size and bearing felt it was his duty to impress upon the bikers that he had right-of-way, and ran through the column of bikes moving at 10 – 15 MPH.  Physics says that 15 MPH of bike and rider (600 lbs) beats 3 MPH of jogger (250 lbs).  But perhaps he was more interested in making a point to the bikers than in appreciating the physics of the collision he nearly caused.  In a future "group riding" article, I’ll discuss the pros and cons of various group riding techniques, and how DC, MD and VA drivers (and pedestrians) are likely to respect and disrespect these different techniques.

A brief walk through Georgetown brought us to the patio of Sequoia Restaurant, where the group settled down to relax by the Potomac and enjoy lunch.

Alone, I’d rate this route only 3/5.  With a group, it’s a solid 4/5.  With no sand, light traffic and a small group of friends, it might even reach 5/5.  We'll see in May or June....

Ride safe!