Second Annual Cherry Blossom Ride

On a gorgeous, blue morning, 12 members and one guest of the Lake Barcroft Bike Club set out for the 26 mile round trip to see our nation's capital's best show of the spring, the Japanese Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin.

With myself in the lead and Jerry Mendenhall as the sweep, our group enjoyed the cool breeze as we made our way up Beachway and over to the Four Mile Run and W&OD Trails. Here are some photos of our group along the way.

Newt, Lloyd, John and Linda meet up at Bluemont Park

Ellen checks her phone before departure

Jerry and Lloyd 

Newt and Mike installing a wheel on Andrea's bike

Stopping at Gravelly Point, near Reagan Airport, is always a thrill.

Ride leader, Larry (photo by Newt)

Planes swooping directly overhead toward their landing

Guest biker Mark

Arriving in front of the Jefferson Memorial, the group stops to take in the scene and for photos.

Mike, Lloyd, Jerry, Newt, Andrea, Gail and Jim

Blossoms just past peak

Enjoying the scene

Mark and Newt, left, Gail and Cindy, right

View over the Tidal Basin

Visitors enjoying the scene

Cindy, Gail and Larry (photo by Newt)

John and Linda 

Tourists with great hats

The group shot: back row: Larry, Lloyd, Andrea, Mark, Newt, Gail and Jim
Front row: Mike, Jerry, Cindy and Ellen. (Not pictured here: John and Linda) 

After enjoying our morning and the beautiful scene, riders took off for the return trip. Newt, Mark and I lingered a bit and visited the Martin Luther King Memorial before heading back. On the way, a surprise: the Bolivian community was holding it's annual Carnival de Oruro along Four Mile Run Drive. Based on a 2,000+ year-old religious and cultural tradition in Bolivia, the parade featured music and colorful folk dancers from different areas of Bolivia. 

With all this Bolivian culture, we stopped at Cafe Sazon at the plaza at 4704 Columbia Pike, where the bike trail crosses, for an excellent Bolivian lunch. Highly recommended for both food and service. 

Reviews are in and everyone reported a great day for biking and a fun outing.

The next ride of the Lake Barcroft Bike Club will be posted soon.