Four Forts Tour (w/pics)
11-07-09, 07:53 PM
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Four Forts Tour (w/pics)
Ok Clydes and Athenas, here's your history lesson for the day.....
Today's ride turned into a 50 mile tour of the forts that were part of the southern defenses of Washington DC. With a shout out to the Potomac Pedalers Touring Club, I'm dubbing this ride the "Four Forts Tour" (they have a 3 Forts Tour). I started at Fort Hunt and hit Fort Willard, Fort Foote, and Fort Washington.
Fort Hunt is a great park with a 1.25 mile loop that I ride often. Here's a picture of the remains of one of the batteries built after the Civil War:
From Fort Hunt, I rode up to Fort Willard. Fort Willard sits in the middle of a residential neighborhood called Belle Haven just south of Alexandria. It's was an earthen-works fort that was used by the Union Army to defend DC during the Civil War. Here's a shot of one of the preserved earthen walls.
From Fort Willard, I crossed the Potomac and headed south to Fort Foote. Fort Foote protected the river approach to Washington during the Civil War. The main attraction is the two huge 15" Rodman guns. These bad boys could fire a 350 pound shell for 5,000 yards!
From Fort Foote, I rode south to Fort Washington. Fort Washington was built in 1809, destroyed during the War of 1812, and rebuilt in 1824. It was the main defensive fort protecting Washington DC. I took a break on top of the hill overlooking the Potomac river and Fort Hunt. Kind of cool being able to take a break at the half-way point and see where I started!
Today's ride turned into a 50 mile tour of the forts that were part of the southern defenses of Washington DC. With a shout out to the Potomac Pedalers Touring Club, I'm dubbing this ride the "Four Forts Tour" (they have a 3 Forts Tour). I started at Fort Hunt and hit Fort Willard, Fort Foote, and Fort Washington.
Fort Hunt is a great park with a 1.25 mile loop that I ride often. Here's a picture of the remains of one of the batteries built after the Civil War:
From Fort Hunt, I rode up to Fort Willard. Fort Willard sits in the middle of a residential neighborhood called Belle Haven just south of Alexandria. It's was an earthen-works fort that was used by the Union Army to defend DC during the Civil War. Here's a shot of one of the preserved earthen walls.
From Fort Willard, I crossed the Potomac and headed south to Fort Foote. Fort Foote protected the river approach to Washington during the Civil War. The main attraction is the two huge 15" Rodman guns. These bad boys could fire a 350 pound shell for 5,000 yards!
From Fort Foote, I rode south to Fort Washington. Fort Washington was built in 1809, destroyed during the War of 1812, and rebuilt in 1824. It was the main defensive fort protecting Washington DC. I took a break on top of the hill overlooking the Potomac river and Fort Hunt. Kind of cool being able to take a break at the half-way point and see where I started!
Last edited by Redskin8006; 11-07-09 at 09:08 PM.
11-08-09, 06:31 AM
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Triathlon in my future???
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Thanks for the pictures and the report.
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2007 Jamis Ventura Comp
2006 Jamis Explorer 2.0
2000 Specialized Hardrock (bought used)
Swim, Bike, Run and sounds like fun
2007 Jamis Ventura Comp
2006 Jamis Explorer 2.0
2000 Specialized Hardrock (bought used)
Swim, Bike, Run and sounds like fun
