On Saturday, July 10, BPAC organized a group ride to sites in Alexandria associated with U.S. presidents. On a beautiful summer morning, about twenty people gathered in Del Ray and then rode a 14-mile loop around the city.
Along the way, we learned about the origin of the Barack My World pizza offered at Del Ray Pizzeria, the site where then-candidate John F. Kennedy held a campaign rally for 15,000 people, and the alterations made to Gerald Ford’s house to accommodate Secret Service protection when he became vice president. Many riders’ favorite stop was Presto Valet, whose owners were among the first people to learn of Nixon’s plan to resign. Ford called them in the middle of the night with top-secret info: he needed his suit dry-cleaned and delivered by 4 a.m., before he was sworn in as president later that day.
If you would like to do a self-guided version of our 2021 presidential history ride, a guide to the route and stops is available here.
Below are some photos from the ride.
Many thanks to the volunteers who helped publicize the ride, talked about the history at each stop, helped the group navigate the route, and kept everyone safe along the way.
Alexandria Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee 