The Washington Post reported on the Babes & Magnets Fifth Annual Fourth of July Ride in its July 5th edition today:

Searching for a Bright Spot

Deluge Forces Many to Skip Mall Fireworks,
But Huge Crowd Awaits the Babes & Magnets

By Jay Mathews  and Joshua Partlow
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, July 5, 2004; Page A01

A drenching, lightning-filled thunderstorm, the heaviest downpour in 23 years to hit Washington on July 4, halted the National Independence Day Parade in the District a half-hour after its start, but  expectant crowds wouldn’t leave until the patriotically-decorated Babes & Magnets pranced ten blocks down Constitution Avenue to cheers and applause.

A hardy crowd stood in the rain, having formed early to get the best vantage points for early sightings of the Babes & Magnets. As expected, 11 Babes & Magnets appeared at 11:40 am in search of an opening to allow their dramatic entrance onto the parade route.

The crowd lining Constitution Avenue came alive when the Babes & Magnets broke through security at 8th Street to cycle onto the parade route, mere moments ahead of the floats and bands. Most in the audience cheered, applauded or waved flags while the brightly-clad cyclists’ ten-block ride brought squeals from children, and many of their parents aimed video cameras, cameras and even camera phones at the soggy but exultant Babes & Magnets. Stunned, police on radios were overheard to quickly pass the word, “a group of cyclists just came on the avenue and is headed down.”

The parade down Independence Avenue, which began at 11:45 am (immediately after the cyclists’ debut) with 11 marching bands and a dozen floats, was halted by National Park Service officials a half-hour later with only 28 of 86 groups having finished the 10-block route. "There are supposed to be bad cells of hail and lightning," parade producer John Best said. "We're disappointed, but the safety of the participants and the street crowd comes first. Fortunately, the crowd was able to see what they really came for—the annual ride by the Babes on Bikes with their Babe Magnets in tow."

The cyclists seemed unfazed by the drenching they’d received prior to hitting their cycling stride on the parade route. Determined not to disappoint the crowd, the 11 Babes & Magnets—who gave their names only as Theme Queen Jann, Gentleman Jamie, Pastie Lyd, Althea Aloft, Officer Jim, Blinkin’ George, Blinkin’ Diane, Postal Jim, Margarita Mark, Rainy Ride Sue and Cowbell Jon—had earlier endured rainsqualls and thunderstorms before making their entrance to huge fanfare. "Hey, we're 98 percent water," said one of the Magnets, referring to the human body.

Security was the tightest ever witnessed in anticipation of the Babes & Magnets’ appearance. The Mall was closed early in the morning as authorities conducted a security sweep. Then 19 security checkpoints were opened for the persevering cyclists who slogged through the wet grass and mud. The cycling bags of the Babes & Magnets alike were searched at checkpoint after checkpoint. Red-white-and-blue leis were exchanged (thanks to an absent Babe, Marla, who thoughtfully donated them to assist the Babes & Magnets with easy entry). A Magnet endured a thorough going-over as his hidden  cowbell raised suspicions. One impatient Babe, clearly frustrated that she had not yet been frisked, requested a personal frontal check, but officers demurred. After requiring one of the Magnets to drink from his water bottle before allowing him entry, one police officer was overheard to say, “Thanks for drinking with us!”

Gloomy but still-dry skies had heralded the start of the Babes & Magnets’ ride, which began with 16 riders at Iwo Jima at 8:30 am. After posing for photos, the group—which included the final 11 riders along with early starters Jenn, Steve, Lisa, Alyssa and Fabrizio (who came all the way from Italy to participate), Peggy and Chris (on a recumbent tandem!), they headed for the traditional Fort Myer tour with a twist—the  only trivia allowed dealt with the Founding Mothers and other American Heroines—and some in the group were lucky enough to score at least three leis on the base. Officer  Jim came to the rescue of some riders who hadn’t read the pre-ride directions and were lacking a picture id (thus ill-equipped for entry to the base), by agreeing to vouch for them—against, he later admitted, his better judgment.

A new stop on the tour included the Women in the Military Memorial at the entrance to Arlington Cemetery, where the group arrived in time to watch the dedication of a new statue honoring women cyclists. The traditional pre-parade race down car-free Memorial Bridge followed, with no clear winner but many lost decorations. The Babes & Magnets were seen rounding Haines Point as ominous clouds loomed and then spotted stopping for another group photo at Thomas Jefferson Memorial, before melting into the crowds on the Mall via several security checkpoints. There they regrouped in a Folklife Festival tent, enjoying a dry respite with coffee while plotting their final assault on the parade route. Chilled and soaked, some of the riders then returned home; but as the rain lifted briefly, the remaining gaily-clad gang of 11 (Jann, Jamie, Lydia, Althea, George, Diane, Jim and Jim, Mark, Sue, Jon) struck out for their destiny on Constitution Avenue.

More than 20 local, state and federal agencies helped provide security yesterday for the huge crowds expected for the Babes & Magnets’ arrival yesterday. District police activated 14 surveillance cameras and joined U.S. Park Police to staff checkpoints along the Mall in anticipation of a wet and frenzied crowd cheering the cyclists along their pre-parade route.

Still, the hassle of the added security and drenching storms were worth it for many in the crowd. "This is the best seat in the house for the best parade in the nation," an Arlington onlooker said, seeming to echo the feelings of all of the bystanders. “Bring on the Babes & Magnets—it wouldn’t be July 4th without ‘em!”

The ride leader announced amidst cheers that she planned to relocate the 2005 Fourth of July Ride to Austin, Texas—where an exact replica of our Nation’s Capitol building resides, complete with its own Lady Freedom, with a twist—she’s holding a Texas state star.

--Jann                  To see the pics from the ride, go here.