Today we met with Congressman Peter DeFazio at the Rayburn House Office Building.
The other folks in our group took a taxi from where the Summit is taking place (which is just a mile or two down Pennsylvania Ave.). I of course hopped on the tikit and made my way over in the increasingly warm and humid DC air.
It’s quite a sensation pedaling down the middle of Pennsylvania Ave. with the Capitol in the distance. I try not to get lost in the view of that regal building because I’ve also got tour buses and DC taxi-drivers to think about. Suffice it to say I use the cool twisty grip bell on the tikit a lot.
As I pulled up to the Rayburn building the thought crossed my mind that I did not bring a lock. Either they would let me take it through the security checkpoint or I couldn’t attend the meeting (not an option).
through security?
The security line was long (as usual) and full of dark, serious suits.
At first, I wrapped the bike up in its “shower cap” bag. But, as I got closer to the x-ray and conveyor belt, I thought that looked like I was hiding something, so I decided to unwrap it.
When it was my turn, I just put it up there like it was totally normal. They stared. It went through…and they were smiling on the other end! I didn’t want to push my luck and go for a photo near the security area.
So there I was, wheeling my bike through the halls of Congress. I even brought it into DeFazio’s office.
Back at the Summit location (the Reagan Trade Building), I finally got them to let me photograph it on the conveyor belt.
Here it is:
OK, more to come. Have you checked the recently uploaded photos?