Perfect Autumn Bike Ride

Cool, sunny, autumn days like last Sunday are made for long bike rides. So my biking partner-in-crime (and Ratatat concert partner-in-crime) Charlie and I decided to take on one of the area’s most talked about routes: the Mt Vernon trail. I was cursing myself for not bringing a camera because there are so many parts of this trail that are unbelievably pretty. We started out in Virginia, near Gravelly point, and biked along the GW Parkway through Old Town, Alexandria, Riverside Park, Dyke Marsh and out to Mt. Vernon. And then back to Washington. All in all, we biked a total of 36 miles in about 2 hours and 15 minutes. And while I wasn’t ready to run a marathon when we got back, it wasn’t too exhausting either. I can tell that this route is one that I will want to do again and again and again.

A couple of tips:
-The last three miles from Washington to Mt. Vernon are probably the hardest. It gets pretty hilly at parts, but the worst hill is the last one right before you get to the Mt Vernon parking lot. If you make it to the hill that you think you won’t be able to beat, you are almost there!

-There are two dining options at Mt. Vernon. A sit-down, fancy-pants restaurant and a food court that has a variety of sandwiches, salads, pizza, etc. Since you will likely bring a limited amount of cash and will be wearing spandex and a t-shirt, the food court is the best option. Grab a bite and then sit outside on the patio—nice views!

-If you need to stop for food or water before you make it to Mt. Vernon, there is a great little Safeway just past Old Town and before you go under the Wilson bridge.

-The guided tour of Mt. Vernon is a little pricey--$13 per person—so make sure you bring enough cash if you decide to do that.

Restaurant Review: The Italian Store

Last night, I left the office early to bike all the way over to the Hill and meet Charlie. From there, we biked (mostly uphill, mind you) through Georgetown and into Arlington. The reason for this quasi-monumental feat? The Italian Store. Was it worth it? Most definitely. Part grocery store, part pizza parlor, part sub shop, The Italian Store is one of those great little neighborhood dives that gives credibility to the argument that parts of northern Virginia feel more "authentic-city-like" than the District. Cheap (but really good!) food, genuine atmosphere, nice people--throw in a post-bike-ride-high and a surprisingly cool August afternoon and you have a pretty solid Tuesday night.

When you go, my recommendation is a Milano sub, a bag of chips, a Dr. Brown's root beer in a can and a "fantasy bar" (basically a blondie with chocolate chips). Live it up.