Release Date: Apr 29, 2015

SPARK CYCLING IN CRYSTAL CITY

SPARK CYCLING IN CRYSTAL CITY

May is National Bike month and nowhere is that more obvious than in Crystal City. Whether you're an adrenaline junkie, beginner, or a competitive cyclist, Crystal City has something that fits your bike speed! From the Phoenix Derby to Bike to Work Week and the annual Air Force Association Cycling Classic (AFACC), Crystal City offers vigorous and casual opportunities to get or keep you spinning.

EVERYTHING ESMONDE
WHEN: Every other Thursday starting April 30
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
WHERE: 1900 Crystal Drive (corner of 18th Street and Crystal Drive)
WHAT: Get those nagging bicycle repairs taken care of while you work with the Mobile Bicycle Services provided by Everything Esmonde. Simply drop off your bike on Thursday morning and have it tuned up and ready to ride before heading home. Everything Esmonde will be set up at 1900 Crystal Drive from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM every other Thursday through October. Appointments are suggested (email everything.esmonde@gmail.com), but walk ups are always welcome.

CRYSTAL CITY PHOENIX DERBY
WHEN: Saturday, May 2nd
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
WHERE: 1900 Crystal Drive Parking Garage
WHAT: The Crystal City Phoenix Derby is a unique cycling event that combines speed and high-energy fun in a cool urban environment while showcasing the DC region’s only youth-oriented bike nonprofit organization. We invite riders of all abilities to test their skills on our race course designed and built in an underground parking garage. The Crystal City Phoenix Derby features a variety of race formats including a non-competitive open course ride, a head-to-head stationary sprint race, team relays, and a special kid’s course. The general public is also invited to try out the course or just watch the action from the chic confines of the Phoenix Lounge, a display area of bikes build by Phoenix Bikes youth and bar built in the center of the action. Registration is open!

BIKE TO WORK WEEK
WHEN: May 11th through May 15th
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
WHERE: Crystal City Water Park, Across from 1750 Crystal Drive
WHAT: Friday, May 15th is National Bike to Work Day! For the 5th year, the Crystal City BID is challenging area commuters to take the Bike to Work WEEK (BTWW) Challenge and ride to work every day of the week. During the week of May 11th - 15th the Crystal City BID will greet area commuters in the Crystal City Water Park from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM with breakfast and prizes. The 100 riders that show up the most number of mornings during pit stop hours, will receive a free, Custom Crystal City Cycling Jersey! Complimentary showers will be provided by Sport & Health all week so you can freshen up before the start of your day. Sign up for the Bike to Work Week Challenge and try out your bicycle commute. Sign up online.

TECHSHOP TUESDAY HAPPY HOUR - BIKE TO WORK WEEK PARTY
WHEN: Tuesday, May 12th
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
WHERE:  Crystal City Shops @ 2100 Crystal Drive
WHAT: Cycling enthusiasts can mix and mingle with DC's Tech leaders at the monthly TechShop Tuesday Happy Hour on May 12th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The event features a tour of the TechShop facility, a laser etching demo, 1 drink ticket, and food. Learn more about TechShop’s bike maintenance workshops and take home fun bike accessories like custom pro stickers, bike lights, and reflective vinyl. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here. Part fabrication and prototyping studio, part hackerspace and part learning center, TechShop provides access to over $1 million worth of professional equipment and software to the greater Washington, DC community.

AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION CYCLING CLASSIC - CRYSTAL CUP & CHALLENGE RIDE
WHEN: Saturday, June 14th
7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
WHERE: 2121 Crystal Drive
WHAT: Get ready to start training for this year's Air Force Association Cycling Classic (AFACC), the region’s premier cycling event. Part of the USA Cycling National Criterium Calendar, AFACC features the Clarendon Cup (Saturday, June 13th), Challenge Ride (Sunday, June 14th) and Crystal City Cup (Sunday, June 14th) and Kids Races on both days. The Challenge Ride kicks off the events in Crystal City when participants compete against themselves in an effort to complete as many laps as possible within the 3.5 hour allotted timeframe on a closed and car-free 15km course. Medals are awarded for completing 6 or more laps (gold), 4-5 laps (silver), and 1-3 laps (bronze). Following the Challenge Ride, it's non-stop speed and excitement as professionally ranked Men’s and Women’s racers and teams vie for the Crystal Cup on the 1.3km Criterium course in the heart of Crystal City. Registration is open for the kids races and the Challenge Ride! Register today!

TECHSHOP BICYCLE MAINTENANCE CLASSES
WHEN: See Class Schedule
WHERE: 2110-B Crystal Drive
WHAT: In this bicycle maintenance class, you will learn how to inflate tires, change inner tubes and outer tires, patch tires, adjust brakes, replace brakes, adjust derailleurs, and lubricate and replace chains. In other words, you will learn how to fix some of the most common bike problems so you can make more repairs yourself and hassle less with taking your bike to a professional mechanic. This course also provides a foundation of introductory knowledge and skills you can build on for more ambitious projects like modding and building custom bikes.

FIXTATION AND REPAIR STAND: Under Repair
WHEN: Open 24/7
WHERE: Crystal City Water Park across from 1750 Crystal Drive and adjacent to the entrance to the Mount Vernon Trail.
WHAT: The Fixtation has been relocated to a new pad directly off of the Crystal City Connector Trail that includes a new water drinking fountain. The Fixtation is intended to provide needed products and repair equipment in a pinch offering a range of bicycle-related merchandise such as tubes, patch kits, lights, energy bars, drinks, and more. A repair stand with basic tools and an air pump accompany the machine offering a convenient place to address any tune-up needs right at the Mount Vernon Trail entrance. The Vending machine is experiencing issues with its bill acceptor, but guests can still use the credit card machine. We are working to resolve this problem as soon as possible.