Hey, I'm a DC native too. I'm currently down here in Melbourne since January. I've ridden the loop numerous times over years of touring. My preference for this time of year is to take the ferry and ride North. But I also prefer to detour to Flamingo. The wind this year has been going in terrible directions. Usually it's blowing out of the south. This week and last is been coming from the northeast. This is causing some crazy storms between noon and 2pm, also from 1am to about 3am. If you wanna go light, it's balmy and warm through to February. I say shower curtain, netting, silk sheet or hammock. The bugs aren't so bad with these 20 mile wind blowing about. When will you be heading down? I'd be up to show you some detours. I prefer wide tires, especially with the drifty sand that's gets blown around onto the roads.