A friend of mine mentioned this morning that she had afternoon plans that involved biking and beer, and I said, “Hold up. Did you say ‘bike and beer’?”
“Be at my house at 1:30. We’re riding to a brewery in Falls Church.”
I was in. I needed a fun excursion on this bright and sunny day. In between a two-hour Wakefield PTSA meeting, a trip to the grocery store, and my kids’ Zoom piano festival, I scurried around putting air in my tires, packing a bike bag, and making lunch. At 1:27, I hopped on my bike and rode to my friend’s house. Another friend joined us, and we were off on our 14.5 mile ride to Settle Down Brewery in Falls Church.
The sun was bright, and the air was crisp – a little too much bite for the first few miles, but the hill climbs warmed me up soon enough. We followed the bike trail as it ran along roads and creeks, through neighborhoods, and then finally past a cemetery and a pet cemetery. Yes, a pet cemetery; it was tucked back in a little clearing between the woods. One final turn, and we arced into a little strip mall. As soon as I saw the white tent, laughing people, and dogs wearing bandanas, I knew we had reached our destination.
The beer was delicious, the atmosphere welcoming, and the company delightful. A couple hours later, we hopped back on our bikes for the journey home. As the wind whipped through my hair and I carefully veered left around the many walkers and runners on the trail, I realized it was the first day of spring. A bike and brew was the right way to welcome in the new season
My Corner of the Village 