Halloween Costume Mural Tour of Downtown, Logan Circle, U Street Corridor, Shaw, Truxton Circle, NoMa, Mt Vernon Square! – eWheel Going Out Group
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Get ready for our FINAL tour of the year — and let’s make it a Halloween to remember!
Throw on your best costume and join us for an epic ride through the streets of DC, exploring some of the city’s 150 incredible murals. (Dress code includes costumes, did I mention costumes, just to be clear costumes.)
Swag alert! Everyone who RSVPs and joins the ride will get a special item, plus we’ll have a raffle for those who stick with us until the end. New riders, come experience the fun, and veterans, we’d love to see you again! Riders from previous Meetups, come join us again (Adolphus, Adrian, Aian Neil, Aiden, Alejandra, Ali, Alina, Alphonso, Amelia, Amy, André, Anibal, Arturo, Ben, Benen, Benicio, Bird, Bob, Brad, Brandon, Brian, Brooke, Chad, Chris, Christina, Claire, Clarissa, Claudia, Connor, CY, Daniel, Darryl, Dave, Declan, Denis, Diane, Dilraj, Don, Ecca, Edwin, Ekaagar, Eli, Emmanuelle, Eric, Erwin, Gary, Gav, Gemma, Geoff, Greg, Francis, Haitao, Heather, Jackson, James, Jan, Janis, Janovah, Jason, Jay, Jeff, Jenna, Jennifer, Jenny, Jeremy, Jessica, Joe, John, Johnny, Jonathan, Kevin, Kim, Kris, Lam, Laura, Lauren, LeRoy, Loren, Lori, Lutalo, Maggee, Mark, Maureen, Mayu, Megan, Melissa, Michael, Mikel, Nancy, Nathalie, Nick, Olga, Paul, Phil, Rakesh, Rahul, Raul, Raymond, Reyna, Ricardo, Richard, Riley, Rob, Robert, Rodney, Ron, Saiju, Saphal, Sasha, Sean, Sergey, Shelly, Soo, Steve, Steven, Tim, Zobair, Zoltan)!
No e-wheel? No problem! You can easily rent an e-scooter or e-bike via Lime, Bird, Spin, Lyft, or Capital Bikeshare (the latter with a day pass starting at just $8 + a discounted rate of $0.10 per minute… for an estimated $25 – 30 for our tour length). Since the tours are free, it’s way cheaper than a Segway tour. Lime also offers Day Pass options (as of the date of this event announcement).
Our ride will cover Downtown, Logan Circle, U Street Corridor, Shaw, Truxton Circle, NoMa, and Mt. Vernon Square with plenty of photo ops along the way. I’ll share insights about each landmark as we ride through DC’s best spots. Note that this route contains 90% bike lanes. Let’s roll — see you there!
We’ll meet up in the center of Franklin Park next to the water fountain at 2pm. Then we’ll ride south on 13th Street NW for ~0.1 mile, at 2:30pm.
Along the way, we’ll first come across the “Reseeded: A Forest Floor Flow” (1 block, New York Avenue NW, left-hand side). “Reseeded: A Forest Floor Flow” is a stunning four-story mural by D.C. artist Cita Sadeli, aka MISS CHELOVE, printed on mesh fabric. Commissioned by the National Museum of Women in the Arts in 2022, this artwork features a woman adorned with traditional Javanese elements, surrounded by Indonesian botanicals. Inspired by Javanese wayang kulit shadow puppets, the mural’s intricate details include magnolia flowers echoing the grace of Javanese dancers and jackfruit leaves symbolizing cultural sustenance. The mural reflects the resurgence of the natural world during the pandemic and highlights the critical role of women in ecological activism. Drawing from the mysticism of Java, Sadeli’s ancestral home, this piece showcases her unique blend of local storytelling and street art techniques. MISS CHELOVE, an independent art director, muralist, designer, and illustrator, has been a fixture in D.C.’s art scene since age 4. Her vibrant murals, celebrating women’s empowerment, nature, and Indigenous cultures, can be found throughout the D.C. metro area and beyond.
From here, we’ll head back north on 13th Street NW for ~0.1 miles. When we reach at I (eye) Street NW (1 block), we’ll turn left and travel west for ~0.3 miles. Once we arrive at 15th Street NW (3 blocks), we’ll turn right and ride north for ~0.2 miles. Upon coming across L Street NW (2 blocks), we’ll turn right and go east for ~400 feet. When we reach Vermont Avenue NW (1/2 block), we’ll turn left and travel northeast for ~250 feet.
Next, we’ll stop by the “Guardians of the Four Directions” mural (Thomas Circle, 1 block, right-hand side). The “Guardians of the Four Directions” mural is a striking seven-story artwork on the Zena Hotel in Thomas Circle. Created by artist Cita Sadeli, aka Miss Chelove, it features two powerful women of color in warrior poses, each holding a spear and adorned with bold jewelry, gazing in opposite directions as if standing guard over the city. The mural celebrates women as leaders and symbolizes the connection to nature, with the figures emerging from giant flowers. Skillfully painted around the building’s windows, the mural covers nearly half of the 14-floor facade. Miss Chelove completed the mural solo, starting on March 1st 2020, just as the city began shutting down due to the pandemic. From her high vantage point, she witnessed the city transform, saying, “I saw people dragging their office chairs across the square, realizing they wouldn’t be coming back.” This mural is a powerful tribute to resilience and change, embodying strength and protection over the city.
We’ll veer north around Thomas Circle and continue north on 14th Street NW for ~0.8 miles. Upon reaching U Street NW (9 blocks), we’ll turn right and go west for ~150 feet.
Our next stop is the “All My Hopes & Dreams” mural (14th Street, 1/2 block, left-hand side). “All My Hopes & Dreams” is a colorful mural, looming 2 stories tall over U Street, that was completed by Cita Sadeli, aka MISS CHELOVE, in April 2019. It depicts a young Black teen gazing at a thistle flower that she holds in her hand. Several doors surround her head, representing different paths she could take in life. Cool shades of blue in the background that signify tranquility and groundedness lead into bright yellow, indicating a bright future. Her rose-colored glasses, a symbol of optimism, reflect the pink-hued blossom in her hand and suggest that she, too, is in bloom. The artist states the teen is “navigating life’s obstacle course, with grace and fortitude… with fearless beauty inside and out.” MISS CHELOVE is a muralist / designer / art director. Her work “straddles the urban art, illustration, and interactive design worlds.”
We’ll now reverse back on U Street and ride west for ~150 feet. When we reach 14th Street NW (1/2 block), we’ll turn right and go north for ~0.2 miles. At W Street NW (2 blocks), we’ll turn right and travel east for ~0.2 miles. Once at 12th Place NW (1.5 blocks), we’ll turn right and ride south for ~175 feet.
We’ll next come across the “Kindred” mural (V Street NW, 1/2 block, left-hand side). Completed in 2017, the “Kindred” mural is a commentary on seeing no evil. The work stretches many stories high, depicting two young women of different races, in soothing grays and greens, with a horizontal bar across their eyes. After 5 days of hard work on this brick wall, the message behind this mural by the artist Alberto “Sabek” Clerencia falls along the lines of that we may fall in the opposite ends of the spectrum, but beneath the stereotypes and prejudices of our outer layers, we are all still humans. That we’re connected by our shared humanity — not by how we’re seen, but by who we are. The neighborhoods of Madrid, Spain were the first to have the artist’s work on their walls. Having a quick mind and an accurate stroke are two virtues that Sabek, who describes himself as self-taught, says helped make the city landscape his own.
From here, we’ll reverse back on 12th Place NW, traveling north for ~50 feet. Upon reaching V Street NW (1/2 block), we’ll turn left and ride west for ~220 feet. When we get to 13th Street NW (1/2 block), we’ll turn left and go south for ~0.2 miles. Once at T Street NW (2 blocks), we’ll turn left and travel east for ~0.5 miles.
Along the way, we’ll come across the come across the “Stella Artois” mural (7th Street NW, 6 blocks, left-hand side). Created in 2017, the “Stella Artois” mural is a colorful piece situated across from Howard Theatre in the eclectic Shaw neighborhood. The mural was created by No Kings Collective in collaboration with Stella Artois (notice the hops); note that there are also features of the Washington Monument and the District of Columbia flag. Some say that murals add color and art to DC neighborhoods. However, others have noted that there is a hierarchy of public art and that branded works like the Stella Artois mural are considered “artwash,” which is a term referring to public art funded by a business improvement district with the sole goal of encouraging development, like many of NoMa’s murals.
We’ll continue east on T Street NW and when we reach Wiltberger Street NW (1/2 block), we’ll turn right and travel south for ~0.1 miles. Upon reaching S Street NW (1 block), we’ll turn right and go west for ~300 feet. Once at 7th Street NW (1/2 block), we’ll turn left and ride south for ~0.2 miles. When we reach Q Street NW (2 blocks), we’ll turn left and travel east for ~0.6 miles. Upon reaching Florida Ave NW (7 blocks), we’ll turn slight right and go southeast for ~250 feet. We’ll quickly turn right onto North Capitol Street NW (1/2 block) and ride south for ~200 feet.
Our next stop is the “Fresh Cuts” mural (Bates Street NW, 1/2 block, right-hand side). The “Fresh Cuts” mural graces the outer wall of the Fresh Cut Barber Shop and Salon in Truxton Circle, blending art, music, and community. Painted in 2015 by Michael Anthony Hammond, the mural subtly nods to the barbershop with images of scissors, a comb, and a barber pole, but its true focus is music. It features soulful depictions of legends like Donnie Hathaway, Boz Scaggs, and Jimi Hendrix—a reflection of shop owner Bernard Fernandez’s love for music. More than just a place for haircuts, Fresh Cut was a gathering spot for locals of all ages to discuss everything from current events to neighborhood history. Fernandez’s commitment to the community made the shop a cornerstone of the area, embodying the timeless role of barbershops as hubs of connection and conversation. Sadly, as of September 2024, Google lists the salon as permanently closed, but its impact on the neighborhood remains strong.
We’ll continue south on North Capitol Street NW for another ~0.2 miles. When we reach N Street NE (3 blocks), we’ll turn left and travel east for ~0.2 miles. Upon reaching 1st Street NE (1 block), we’ll turn left and ride north for ~275 feet. When we come across the McDonald’s parking lot (1/2 block), we’ll turn left and go west ~75 feet.
Once we enter the McDonald’s parking lot, we’ll immediately come across the “Return of the Shaolin Pencil” mural. An updated version of the saying “The pen is mightier than the sword,” the “Return of the Shaolin” mural depicts a Black feminine presenting person in a power stance with a pencil in each fist, reminiscent of a comic book superhero’s nunchucks. Known for the Ben’s Chili Bowl mural and countless more throughout the city, the artist Aniekan Udofia is highly respected for his portraiture. The artist says “This mural was created as part of the annual PowWow DC mural fest in 2019. I had free reign to create what I wanted so I used a character from my personal series titled ‘Return of the Shaolin Pencil’ the concept is inspired by my love for movie poster art, in this case the movie was ‘Enter the Dragon.’ I work in series, where I get to develop a specific theme over a course of several paintings. Each one of these represents my own journey in life, my growth, and the progress of my career. Since these works are usually commissioned, my focus is on capturing the essence of DC, its unique energetic tone, and rich cultural history.”
Right next to the “Return of the Shaolin Pencil” mural is the “Blue Bird” mural. The “Blue Bird” mural by French artist Stom500 (Locatelli Thomas) is a playful, vibrant work created during the Pow Wow international street art festival in May 2019. Known for his animal-themed art, Stom500 cleverly combines humor and symbolism in this piece. His signature totem animal, the bee, leads a flock of “blue birds” wearing aviator helmets, referencing then-President Donald Trump’s prolific use of Twitter. The helmets emphasize their role as messengers, while a hidden panda, a recurring motif in Stom500’s work, adds a playful touch. Stom500, a self-taught artist from a small village near Basel, Switzerland, now based in Strasbourg, France, is celebrated for his whimsical, cartoon-inspired style. His murals, sculptures, and illustrations radiate energy and humor, creating a “delirious universe” that captivates audiences worldwide. This mural is a prime example of his ability to blend satire, creativity, and charm into a unique street art masterpiece.
From here, we’ll reverse back out of the McDonald’s parking lot and turn right onto 1st Street NE, traveling south for ~0.2 miles. When we reach M Street NE (1.5 blocks), we’ll turn right and ride west for ~300 feet.
Next up is the “AVA NoMa” mural (1st Street NE, 1/2 block, left-hand side). The “AVA NoMa” mural, a striking piece from the 2017 Pow! Wow! DC street art festival, might give you pause at first—what looks like a woman falling from the AVA apartment building is actually part of a larger playful scene. Upon closer inspection (depending on your viewpoint), you’ll notice she’s holding onto a rope, with three grinning children below on an adjacent building tugging the other end. Created by DC-raised artist James Bullough, the mural masterfully captures the human form with lifelike highlights and contours, bringing the scene to life. It stands as Bullough’s largest mural to date, blending the raw energy of urban graffiti he grew up admiring in DC with the refined techniques of classical oil painting, inspired by the Old Masters. The result is a vibrant, dynamic piece that bridges street art with traditional artistry, leaving a lasting impression in the NoMa neighborhood.
We’ll now reverse back on M Street NE, traveling east for ~300 feet. When we reach 1st Street NE (1/2 block), we’ll turn right and ride south for ~0.2 miles. Upon reaching K Street NE (2 blocks), we’ll turn right and go west for ~0.9 miles. Once at 7th Street NW (7 blocks), we’ll turn left and travel south for ~150 feet. At K Street NW (1/2 block), we’ll quickly turn right and ride west for ~0.1 miles. When we reach New York Avenue NW (1 block), we’ll veer left and go southwest for ~0.1 miles. Upon reaching I (eye) Street NW, we’ll veer right and travel west for ~0.2 miles back to Franklin Park (13th Street NW, 2 blocks, right-hand side).
Come join us as we spend an afternoon together exploring the amazing murals Downtown, Logan Circle, U Street Corridor, Shaw, Truxton Circle, NoMa, and Mt Vernon Square have to offer. Also, please help spread the word of our group and the tour.
I look forward to seeing you there!
– J.T.
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METRO & PARKING
We’ll meet at Franklin Square. The closest Metro stations are Metro Center (Blue, Orange, Red, Silver lines) and Gallery Place – Chinatown (Green, Red, Yellow lines). I suggest taking Metro / taxi / ride-share services if you can. I also recommend using wmata.com for travel planning. Don’t forget to account for Metro, traffic, and parking delays. If you are driving, you will need to find street parking or a garage. For Sunday events, street parking is typically free in DC. I recommend using parkopedia.com for garage parking planning.
EWHEEL RENTAL
Don’t own an e-wheel? You can rent one (e-scooter, e-bike) using a micromobility app (e.g. Lime, Bird, Spin, Lyft, Veo, Capital Bikeshare). Capital Bikeshare offers an e-bike Day Pass option that will end up costing an estimated $25 – $30 for our tour length ($8 day pass + a discounted rate of $0.10 per minute); Lime also offers Day Pass options (as of the date of this event announcement). Since the tours are free, the cost is significantly less than a comparable Segway tour (that uses older technology). Join us for some or all of the tour! If you plan to rent an e-wheel, some members have run out of charge in the past. Please try to find one with as full of a charge as possible. Also, some people have had challenges with Capital Bikeshare bikes, and some have not.
DONATIONS
My e-wheel tours have always been FREE (since inception in 2016)! Full transparency, it costs me ~$650 annually to run the group (~$300 of which are Meetup fees alone; other costs include website fees, swag items, raffle items, GPS tracker app fees for creating videos of each tour, etc.). I only have time to host 3 tours a year (I have 2 little ones that I take care of), so each tour costs me ~$215 to run. I also spend roughly 40 person-hours to put together each one (finding interesting spots to visit, mapping out a route, creating a detailed tour description, doing a dry-run, hosting the tour itself, uploading pictures, creating a video of the tour, etc.). If you like what we’re doing, you can support the eWheel Going Out Group by donating any amount you feel comfortable. It’s completely optional and greatly appreciated. Click the “Donate Now” button on the Meetup event page. A couple of notes when donating: (1) The “tip” part of the donation is optional and 100% of it goes to Meetup proper and to Pledge (the payment processor), not me (they already take a percentage of the donation for themselves). You can bypass that amount by clicking “Enter custom tip” and zeroing it out. (2) You have the option to donate anonymously by withholding your name and email. Ideally, I’d like know who’s contributing to the group so I can acknowledge those that do and to show my appreciation!
DRESS
Please dress appropriately for the weather. For those with problems having their feet go numb or tired during long rides, I recommend wearing shoes with a stiff and flat sole.
RIDING ETIQUETTE / RULES
Please be as courteous as possible to other pedestrians, bicyclists, etc. Based on personal experience (I’ve been riding daily since 2015), I’ve noticed some general good practices and rules to follow. 1) ALWAYS give pedestrians the right of way. 2) When riding on a narrow sidewalk, and you’re coming up behind a pedestrian and you need to pass them, either a) wait until there’s an opening, or b) clear your throat and say “excuse me” or “on your left” in a *gentle* manner (I’ve noticed people tend to get startled / surprised when they see and hear a tall figure behind them on a wheel) before passing them. 3) SLOW DOWN to a pedestrian’s walking pace (until you are completely clear of them) whenever approaching or passing (whichever direction they are walking). Only after passing a pedestrian for a little distance is it a good idea to go faster than walking pace. Whatever you do, please do NOT wiz by them. 4) Thank the pedestrian as you are passing. 5) Slow down as you are going around a turn (whether there are other pedestrians in sight or not) with a lot of bushes or other obstacles next to the sidewalk, as they can be coming from the other end of the turn (and not be visible initially). 6) Ride single file whenever pedestrians are around (on the sidewalk), or cars are around (in the bike lane). 7) Dismount when in the official memorial areas, such as the FDR Memorial (it’s the law). 8) Please stay behind me since I know the route and may be turning left or right at any time.
RIDING SKILL
For the safety of others and ourselves, we will all be required to be able to: (1) comfortably balance on the wheel while riding straight and turning left or right (2) ride at a snail’s pace and (3) start and stop comfortably without the need to hold onto any wall, post, or similar structure.
LEGALITY
People have asked me questions regarding the laws pertaining to riding our e-wheels in the DC metro area. I did a lot of research before purchasing my e-wheel to ensure I could make use of it. In short, they are generally considered Personal Mobility Devices or Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device. (1) Virginia: “An electric personal assistive mobility device or motorized skateboard or foot-scooter may be operated on any highway with a maximum speed limit of twenty-five miles per hour or less. An electric personal assistive mobility device shall only operate on any highway authorized by this section if a sidewalk is not provided along such highway…” See link here. (2) Washington DC: “Personal Mobility Device (“PMD”) means a motorized propulsion device designed to transport one person, OR a self-balancing, two non-tandem wheeled device, designed to transport only one person with an electric propulsion system. Permitted on Sidewalk – Yes, except PMDs are generally not permitted on sidewalk space in the Central Business District. Permitted on Bike Lanes – Yes.” See link here. (3) Maryland: “‘Bicycle’ means […] an electric low speed scooter […]” and “has the rights and is subject to the restrictions applicable to pedestrians […]: (i) on a sidewalk or sidewalk area; or (ii) in or through a crosswalk[…]. At an intersection, a person […] is subject to all traffic control signals […].” See link here and here. “Green” devices for the win!
RAIN
If there’s a greater than a 35% chance of rain, we’ll cancel or reschedule. Having hosted over 1000 events since 2007, when the percentage chance of rain is below 35% at the event start time for the location’s zip code, I’ve observed that 95% of the time, we’ll get no rain. I’ll post an update to the top of the event posting by 11:30am on the day of the event, and also send an email out to the yes RSVPs.
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