Bethesda to DC: My 26-Mile Adventure, Near-Death Moments Included

Let’s talk about one of my recent rides—hands down, one of my favorites so far. I logged 26 miles (my second-longest ride!) and finally connected a sweet route from Bethesda to DC, through the Georgetown waterfront, and back to Bethesda. You know when everything just clicks, and suddenly you feel like you’re getting the hang of this whole cycling thing? Yeah, that was me on this ride.

But first, shoutout to Terrapin Bicycles—my local bike shop that’s equal parts bike guru hangout and low key beer heaven waterhole. Before this ride, I had them adjust my saddle, and let me tell you, the difference was night and day. These guys are super chill, always willing to help out, and yes, you can actually buy a beer while they tweak your bike. It’s a full vibe. My saddle felt dialed in, which made the ride way smoother, and let’s be honest, way more fun.

Now, as much as I’m getting better with these longer routes, I’m still getting used to road riding. And by “getting used to,” I mean I almost low-key died twice this week.

First near-death encounter: cruising along, minding my own business, when some genius with a van decided to run a hose across the bike lane. And this wasn’t a little bump—this thing was half the height of my front wheel. I spotted it just in time to avoid what could have been a very bad day. If I hadn’t caught it, I would’ve face-planted for sure. So yeah, fun times.

Then, just a couple days later, a guy in a white Mercedes decided to audition for “Worst Driver of the Year” by blowing through a stop sign and almost turning me into roadkill. But the best part? I caught up to him at the next light and gave him the ol’ one-finger salute. It was weirdly liberating. Sometimes, catching up to someone who almost took you out is the real win.

But back to the ride—it was awesome. I’m finally getting more familiar with the local routes and piecing together paths that I’ve wanted to explore. There’s something seriously satisfying about seeing the same roads you’ve driven a million times, but now you’re cruising them on two wheels, soaking it all in. I’m hyped to keep exploring and expanding my ride map.

Here’s to more miles, fewer near-misses, and maybe even a few new favorite routes. If you’re local, swing by Terrapin Bicycles—grab a beer, get your bike dialed in, and let’s hit the road.

Stay safe, keep pedaling, and maybe watch out for hoses and reckless Mercedes drivers. 🚴‍♂️💨