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Crystal City to Host Bike DC Finish Line and Festival

        
Crystal City to Host Bike DC Finish Line and Festival
Offering Free Parking, Great Food Refueling Options, and Family Fun

Crystal City (Arlington, VA) – The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with Arlington County will host the Bike DC Finish Line and Festival on Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Providing a car-free ride through the District of Columbia and Arlington, Bike DC is the only annual event offering participants the opportunity to enjoy the Capitol and surrounding communities in a very special way—by bicycle on car-free streets.

“With Crystal City's great connections to the Washington trail network, and FREE weekend parking, hosting the Bike DC finish line is the perfect way to demonstrate the area's wonderfully active, accessible, and green aspects," said Angela Fox, President/CEO of the Crystal City BID. “Also, the family-friendly atmosphere and wide array of restaurants in Crystal City makes for a great cap-off to a fun day of cycling around our nation’s capital.”

The course starts at Freedom Plaza in the District and will finish at 20th and Crystal Drive in the heart of Crystal City. Riders are therefore encouraged to park at one of Crystal City’s many free parking garages and take the bike trails over to the start at Freedom Plaza. For a map of the parking options and bike trails, visit www.crystalcity.org. If you are visiting the area and participating in the ride, or would like to make it an early fall "stay-cation," take advantage of the special deals at several Crystal City hotels. And for all cyclists looking to replenish their energy after the ride, check out the brunch specials being offered by numerous restaurants in Crystal City. Rates, deals, and steals can be found at www.crystalcity.org.

Riders can choose either the Capital or the Family course, depending on their skill level. The Capital ride kicks off at 8:00 am and offers a challenging 25-mile route with spectacular views of the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the White House, Embassy Row, the Pentagon, and the Marine Corps and Air Force Memorials. Plus, riders will get unique views from the George Washington Parkway, Twin Oaks Estate, the Whitehurst Freeway and more. The Family ride, which starts at 9:00 am, is a family-friendly, 12-mile route where children 15 years old and younger are invited to participate free of charge with adult supervision.

Following the ride, bike valet will be provided courtesy of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA), so family and friends can enjoy the festivities after the ride without worrying about their bikes. For those wishing to freshen-up, post-ride showers will be available courtesy of the local Sport & Health, featuring towel service and various amenities. Enjoyable music, moon bounces, face painting and a bicycle museum are just some of the fun activities planned for the Finish Line Festival which will run through 1:00 pm. Afterwards, riders can enjoy a nice relaxing brunch or lunch at one of Crystal City’s many notable restaurants and eateries. With so much to see and do, make plans to stay in Crystal City after the ride!

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The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) is a public-private partnership established in April 2006 to promote the vibrant Crystal City business, retail, restaurant and residential community. The BID is committed to showcasing the area as a world-class destination for visitors, employees and residents. Crystal City is ACTIVE, ARTFUL, ACCESSIBLE, and GREEN. For more information, visit www.crystalcity.org.