On your bike…..Washington!

Saddle up and we’re off on a fifty mile bike ride around this wonderful city! Starting off near Tysons Corner and heading downtown.

The chiselled and monumental city is more than worth exploring by bike or foot. At every turn and corner is something else worth stopping and taking in…..look up every step, or you’ll miss something amazing.

Besides the near 40 miles cycle into 50 mph head winds, resulting in…...cycle helmet flat hair, windswept and disheveled clothes, battered complexion of a norwegian trawlerman and the blood shot eyes of a morning after Las Vegas bachelor party survivor…...it was all so very worth it.

Washington boasts these amazing and picturesque cycle paths, old rail tracks converted and snaking around this wonderful city. A fit alternative to the actual train and another great perspective to explore the space.

Starting with the Jefferson Memorial, the cherry blossom is just started to bloom. We stop and admire this huge tribute. A taster of the buffet to come. Although after surviving nearly being blown off the bridge to get here, I’m wondering if the adrenalin is contributing or just the appreciation of surviving the near death experience.

Next the monolith of Washington’s Memorial, stunning views and bright skies, make it seem like a film set or endorphin fuelled dream, as it’s surreal loftiness towers over you.

I loved how it evoked a memory jog, from all the movies that have been filmed here, we marvelled at the view to Lincoln memorial ahead.

What a legend! Worth the trip downtown, just to see this alone!

We cycled on the White house, it’s incredible how everything is so close in proximity. Literally at every turn of the corner, there is something else to admire and explore.

Meeting the gang, to catch up and discuss the trip to the park and waterfalls tomorrow…..with a unwelcome guest ;)

Great falls park, just outside of town, twenty minutes from DC and you are in waterfall wilderness. Great views of the falls and great walking trails. Take a picnic and enjoy lunch in the park...you will love it..

George Washington solved a huge problem for traffic on the Potomac River long before he became the first President. He laid out a canal system in Virginia to go around the majestic Great Falls. Genius and modest, what a great man.

Ten bucks entrance per vehicle, which is waived after 4pm. Great visitors centre serving awful coffee but full of great information. Loads to see and do here, trails for all levels and abilities. It draws a real eclectic crowd, even on a busy weekend there’s still loads of space.

High water marks are scarily high, even as late as 1972, where it's about my head height!

Three photo spots of merit, different stations giving incredible views, this picture was slightly off piste but we followed some intrepid climbers down to the water edge *probably best you don't try this!

Watching the paddle boarders sail past, looks far too cold but they were laughing so I'm presuming they were having fun. Unless I misheard and it was cries for help and the spiralled off into the sunset.

Finish with a short walk up to the above dam, along the path below. You'll love the aspect from this side, although the Maryland side is awesome too.