Whatever your opinion of Congress or the state of our national politics, there's no denying that from an architectural and urban landscaping standpoint, our nation's capital is one of the most majestic and beautiful cities in the world. From our single hotel for the week, located safely and securely on Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall, home of the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry (Old Guard) which presides over Arlington National Cemetery, we will enjoy the region's extensive network of bike paths and trails to marvel at magnificent marble memorials, monuments, statues, gardens, museums, natural vistas and more.  We'll allow plenty of latitude for you to explore your particular interests, whether it's the Museum of Natural History, the U.S. Mint, the Spy Museum, Smithsonian "Castle", the National Gallery of Art, Air & Space Museum, the National Botanical Gardens, Library of Congress (3 buildings!) ... so many choices!  Over the course of the week we'll cover lots of ground and explore the Capitol region from the vantage point of these trails:

1. Arlington National Cemetery and optional Museums

2. Major Memorials, East & West Potomac Park and the National Mall

3. The Mount Vernon Trail (including a tour of George & Martha Washington's estate)

4. Virginia's Four Mile Run and the Washington & Old Dominion Trail 

5. Rock Creek Park with optional visit to the National Zoo

6.  The Anacostia River Trail exploring the City's revitalized southwest waterfront

Senior Cycling does NOT have E-bikes available for rent, but you are welcome to bring your own Class 1 (Pedal-assist only) E-bike on this tour.  

On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being most difficult, this tour is rated a 3- Nearly all the trail surfaces we'll ride during the week are paved asphalt; however the paths surround the National Mall are packed gravel. Some urban riding is to be expected, i.e. a few street crossings, curbs, grates etc. Being springtime, we could encounter some wet and/or muddy patches in places like East & West Potomac Park, Rock Creek Park, and along the Mount Vernon Trail.

Please  Please review Senior Cycling's Cancellation Policy here.  

And, Please purchase trip insurance. Especially at our age, even though no one expects or wants it, health issues arise and accidents happen.  At Travelinsurance.com you can get quotes for coverage from several different providers and get all your questions answered about different levels of coverage, such as "Cancel For Any Reason (COFR)" polices and Pre-Existing Condition waivers. Allianz Travel Insurance and TravelGuard by AIG are also well-known companies with reasonable rates. Please check it out and protect your travel investment.

Arrive in the DC area on your own schedule; Hotel check-in time is 3:00 p.m. I'll be making sure that everyone gets through the security process at the Hatfield gate and gets a ride to the hotel, if needed. We'll gather in the lobby at 5:00 p.m. to meet each other and discuss the week's itinerary, rules and recommendations for riding safely, and answer any questions you may have. We'll then jump in the van for a short ride to a nearby restaurant.

 On Sunday morning we will not be cycling. Instead we will visit Arlington National Cemetery, walking in through the back gate which is 300 yards from our hotel. You will be free to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, JFK's gravesite (the Eternal Flame), and appreciate the 639 acres of one of our country's oldest national cemeteries. The cemetery’s rolling hills mark the final resting place for more than 14,000 veterans, including those who fought in the Civil War. You will have the afternoon free to explore on your own any of the many Washington DC sites and museums; we will facilitate transportation.

15-20 miles 

Today we'll pedal into the heart of DC, cycling out the back gate of Fort Myer, stopping for a visit to the Iwo Jima Memorial before crossing the Arlington Memorial Bridge, past the Lincoln Memorial and heading into West & East Potomac Park, all the way south to Hains Point. We'll then return north toward the Mall, stopping at the Jefferson Memorial. Lunch is on your own at one of the many food trucks lining the mall, then you'll be free to explore the other monuments, museums and memorials that surround the National Mall (or are just a few blocks from it) - you can't possibly do it all in a day, or even a week, so do your research in advance and come with a plan! Your Tour leaders will be nearby, should you have any questions or need anything you can't find.

18.5 miles each way, very flat terrain

Today we'll again leave the hotel on our bikes via the same route but continue south along the Potomac River on the wonderful Mount Vernon Bike Trail to ... George & Martha Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. Ticketed entry is included in your Tour price.

After enjoying the various available tours, riders may either return to the hotel by van or make the return ride on the Trail. Either way, after passing through it on both our southbound and northbound rides, then showering and changing at the hotel, we'll return to Old Town Alexandria for the evening including dinner on your own.

40 miles

Today we'll tour some of the Arlington County "urban countryside" via the Washington & Old Dominion Rail Trail, out to Reston Town Center and back.

26 miles max

Today we'll head back into DC on our now-familiar route, but head north at the Lincoln Memorial, past the Kennedy Center and into Rock Creek Park. You'll hardly believe you're passing through the heart of the densely populated nation's capital via this lush urban canyon. Anyone who wants to can stop and spend some or a lot of time at the National Zoo; others may continue north through the park as far as the Juniper Trailhead.

16-20 miles

On our final morning in DC, we'll take the van & trailer with bikes to other side of the city to explore the revitalized Southwest waterfront area, home of Anacostia Park, the Washington Navy Yard, and MLB Nationals Stadium.
We'll return to Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall after we enjoy our last lunch together and say our goodbyes.