Bike Culture Rolls Out in Crystal City
Choose between comfort or performance.
Whether an avid or occasional commuter, a serious competitor, a race enthusiast, or strictly a recreational rider, Crystal City can meet any cyclist’s needs. Add to this Revolution Cycles’ brand new facility (called a City Hub) opening at 220 Twentieth Street in Crystal City (Arlington VA). The Hub provides an innovative grab-and-go bike rental program, as well as cycling accessory sales, and cycling repairs.
“With Crystal City’s great connections to the Washington trail network, bringing a bike lease program and commuter shower options is the perfect way to combine and showcase the area’s active, accessible, and green aspects,” said Angela Fox of President of Crystal City Business Improvement District. “These cycling programs underscore County Board Chair Jay Fisette’s ‘Year of the Bicycle’ program while highlighting and expanding Crystal City assets!”
In partnership with Vornado/Charles E. Smith, Revolution Cycles’ City Hub will make 100 bikes readily available to area residents, workers, and guests. Unlike a formal bike-sharing program, which focuses on short-distance point-to-point trips, Access Bike is designed for longer, fitness-oriented riding and all-day recreational touring. In town for the National Bike Summit and often cited as the father of mountain biking, Gary Fisher became the first official customer taking an Access Bike from City Hub for a spin to the White House. The City Hub also sells cycling accessories and conducts repairs, meeting the equipment needs of a growing population of area cyclists. A quick hop off the bike path, cyclists can easily grab a new tire while enjoying lunch in one of Crystal City’s many great restaurants. Crystal City is a great place for riders to start a nice long weekend spin – free parking in select garages and proximity to trail heads make Crystal City the perfect place to Park & Ride Your Bike!
Those interested in trying out a cycle commute can take advantage of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association’s (WABA) annual Bike to Work Day on May 21. Crystal City will host a pit stop in its beautiful Water Park, with snacks, repairs, and even the option to try out the showers at Sport & Health if they want to get cleaned up before heading to the office.
Bike DC returns on May 23 for its second year featuring one of the best rides from the greatest possible vantage point, the seat of a bicycle. Starting in the heart of Washington, DC and finishing in Crystal City for an awesome finish festival, Bike DC is the perfect casual ride for all ability levels and is not to be missed.
Although open to all, cycling enthusiasts looking to challenge themselves can join in the U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic’s Crystal Ride Challenge on Sunday, June 13. Participants can ride up to 3 ½ hours on the car-free, 12.5km course attempting to ride as many as 8 laps in the allotted time. Then the competition heats up as professional cyclists compete on an exciting and fast 1 KM Criterium (Crit) course in Crystal City. In conjunction with the Clarendon Cup held the previous day, the weekend represents one of the largest cycling events in the country with most of the nation’s top cyclists expected to be in attendance.
Source: Crystal City Business Improvement District
