Leader Name:  Wilson Mann

Description of Event:  Fun bike ride through DC, Alexandria, and over the Woodrow Wilson bridge to National Harbor.  It is 90% flat and a small roadway section through Alexandria.  Pls obey stop signs in Old Towne to prevent getting a ticket.  Once at the Harbor, we can decide on length of a break at National Harbor for exploring the sights and lunch, the restaurants.  I'm not sure of the total distance, around 32 miles.  There is long incline to the center of Woodrow Wilson Bridge over the Potomac from either direction.  The views from the bump-outs on the bridge are awesome.  A bit of a challenge for beginners, but can be done.  They recommend a Hybrid for the gears and larger tires, because some of the joints on the bridge are hard on road bike tires and the wooden bridges also.  On the Md. Side returning there is a cork screw ramp to the rest area over 495.  From the Bridge to the Harbor is a short crushed gravel path.

Directions:  From 495, take the Glen Echo exit onto the Clara Barton Parkway. Follow the Clara Barton Parkway until it becomes Canal Road.  Continue on Canal Road until the entrance of Fletcher's at Canal and Reservoir Rd.  Fletcher's is located on the right side of the road and you will see the Abner Cloud House, an old stone building next to the canal. A traffic light has been in-stalled to help with getting down the entrance.  The entrance is a 180 degree turn and there is not enough room to maneuver.  You can access the area by going up Reservoir Road on the left and making a U-turn at the first intersection and return to the light on Canal Road.  From this direction, on a green light travel down the ramp of Fletchers Boathouse to the upper parking lot.  If this lot is full, to reach the west side parking lot, go through the auto tunnel, which takes you under the canal to the larger lot.  If you have a roof bike rack, you will not fit in the tunnel.