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HomeEventsA/BB/B (MH) * 24 * 6pm * Downtown Breakaway Last Call 2024 * Mitchell Park (DC)

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A/BB/B (MH) * 24 * 6pm * Downtown Breakaway Last Call 2024 * Mitchell Park (DC)

Date and Time

Wednesday, April 03, 2024, 6:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada) (UTC-05:00)

Location

Mitchell Park
2223 S Street NW
Washington, DC  20008
USA

Additional Info

Event Contact(s)

Rudi Riet
A/BB Leader - Ride Director


Matthew Birnbaum
A/BB Leader

Eric C Brewer
A/BB Leader

Silpi Chalasani
A/BB Leader

Danielle Cristino
BB Leader

Laura Falender
BB/B Leader

Lee Goldberg
BB/B Leader

Adam W Gould
A/BB Leader

Anthony Guadagni
A Leader

Daniel Patronsky
A/BB Leader

Chris Tank
A Leader

Adam Hoey
A Leader

Category

Rides

Registration Info

Registration is required
A few things to note:

- Front and rear lights are required on all DTB rides!
- Rear lights on solid mode only (unless riding solo).
- Helmets and working brakes are required, too!
- Be positive - smiles are the rule of the day on the DTB!
- No attacking of pacelines or racing tactics (rolling pacelines will be used for the A and BB groups on MacArthur returns).
- No earbuds please!
- Keep it social - this isn't the Greenbelt race series.
- What the designated ride leaders say is what goes!
- Call out all potholes and road hazards.
- Signal your intentions: turning, slowing, stopping.
- Adhere to Velominati rule 43: don't be a jackass.

About this event

The Pedalers classic ride is back for 2024! As usual we will ride with three basic ride paces showing full "mullet protocol" (i.e. business at the front, party at the back).

A prompt 6pm departure will take us on an ever-changing route (due to sunset times) out to Montgomery County and back, taking myriad turns, climbs, descents, and views in along the way. Our ride takes a circuitous route outbound but a more direct (and often flatter) route back - it's easy to shortcut if you need to get back sooner than the rest of the group (tho please let a ride leader know if you're going to break away from the Breakaway).

As usual, a prompt 6pm departure is the rule of the day. Given we flirt with sunset , lights (front and rear) are MANDATORY - no exceptions!

The Groups:

A Group: To put it bluntly: buckle up, motherf**ckers! This group will start the season somewhat tame but as the days get longer this group is all business! While this is decidedly not a racing group, there are elements of high-performance cycling that are part-and-parcel of the A group: proper rotating pacelines, hammering up the climbs, etc. We will regroup, and we do keep it social for a fast-paced ride - and we won't take any unnecessary risks!

BB "Spirited" Group:  The "Goldilocks" of our three groups. While there are elements of the A group approach (e.g. rotating pacelines for the return leg) the pace isn't as leg-burning and lactate-generating. This is the "ride with flow" group that's ideally suited to those who are regulars on shop rides or have a decent amount of group riding experience but don't need to leave it all out on the road.

BB/B "Party" Group: This is where the party is! Leaders of this group will change from week to week (often our A leaders take turns leading the party pack), and the distance may be shorter depending on the group sentiment. Not to worry: we make it back with plenty of time for post-ride refreshments, and you will have earned them by tackling one of the famed DTB routes! If you're new to a spirited group ride this is probably the place to start your DTB journey.

The Routes:

September 4: Apizza Absolution (24 miles, 1,850' climbing)


(NOTE: RideWithGPS links go public approximately one week before posted ride date. Want to see them sooner? Become a Potomac Pedalers member and get full access to the club's RWGPS library!)

The Post-Ride:

Routes that return via MacArthur Boulevard will go to Aslin Brewing on 14th Street NW. Routes that return via Rock Creek Park will go to breweries along the Metropolitan Branch Trail, either City-State Brewing or Lost Generation. If you partake of post-ride refreshment it is mandatory to bring lights!

Essential Notes:

It is required that you sign our Liability Waiver and Emergency Contact form before participating in the Downtown Breakaway - thank you! (Note: this is "the second waiver" mentioned in the email blast!)

Also: if you participate in more than three DTBs and are not already a member of Potomac Pedalers we kindly ask that you join the club. Your club membership dues help sustain the club as well as fund the CLIP insurance that covers this ride each and every week. Thank you!

Note that front and rear lights are required for safety. In the case of rear lights, they need to be on a solid beam mode unless you're riding solo. Also: working brakes are required (i.e. no track bikes where skid stopping is the only option), as are helmets (which is true for all Potomac Pedalers rides).

If the weather takes a turn (thunderstorms, rain, ice, snow, windstorms), the air quality is unhealthy (AQI of 100 or more), or the heat index is over 101°F the ride will not go. Any late-breaking news about this will be posted to the club website, to the club Twitter feed, and to the ride's email list - to which you can sign up below: