What we’re about
Become a member of the FREE RideWithGPS E-bike Lovers Club. https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/, support E-bike Lovers, and enjoy the largest and most exclusive repository of curated trails designed for e-bikers in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
WHY? Because we don't have biking leads. You follow the ride in the GPS app to avoid getting lost and being dependent on someone else.
Ebike Lovers on BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-57279844
Want to be an e-bike star? Check out the upcoming documentary: https://ebikedocumentary.com
IMPORTANT: We don't have bike leads or trip coordinators. We strictly organize self-guided e-biking events. We don't have biking leaders, as E-bike Lovers is based on the philosophy that we are all leaders, responsible for our happiness and well-being.
About
Get on your electric bicycle - E-bike and join others in exploring the DC metropolitan area. We use our electric bicycles between 15-25 miles (sometimes longer) in DC, Virginia, and Maryland. We normally start from Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, Fletcher's Cove, Haines Point, or another park in the District. We also e-bike outside the District on longer trails within an hour's drive from DC.
Facebook
Join us on Facebook for the latest E-bike news in the region: https://m.facebook.com/EBikeLoversDC
Easy going
This is an easy-going group and we are not training for the Olympics. We use our electric bicycles to bike around 12 mph and enjoy navigating the hillsides with our modern marvels of transport technology. The group is a great way to share your experience with an electric bicycle - E-bike.
Everyone is welcome, including riders on non-assisted bikes.
Plan 2-3 hours for each trip. You can stop at any time and return home. There is no requirement to finish the trip. We participate in the trips to have fun, to be outdoors, to get exercise, and to meet other wonderful people.
Normally, participants will wait at some points of interest to allow slower riders to catch up, although this cannot be guaranteed. On nice weather days, riders normally plan for lunch halfway through the trip. This is another great opportunity for riders to catch up with the group.
A great opportunity to learn more about E-bikes
Learn more about electric bicycles - E-bikes from those who actually use them daily or weekly. What is their experience? What to avoid when you are in the market for an(other) electric bicycle - E-bike? How to manage batteries? How to integrate your electric bicycle - E-bike with navigation systems? How to secure your electric bicycle - E-bike with locks and register it online? These are just some of the questions you may ask other members while we peddle with electric bicycles - E-bikes.
I have no Electric Bicycle - E-bike. Am I welcome to join this group?
Absolutely. Everyone is welcome, even if you do not ride an electric Bicycle - E-bike.
Weather and cancellation
There is never a bad biking day, there are only bad biking clothes. We plan to bike year-round, also in the winter (but within reason). With the right clothing and protective gear, this can be a great experience.
What you need to know
We always follow traffic rules and stop for stop signs. Safety and fun first.
We will use biking lanes (class I permissible) as much as possible, but will frequently ride on roads with other traffic. You need to feel comfortable doing this.
You join this Meetup group at your own risk, and you are solely responsible for your own safety.
You cannot sell merchandise or engage in any commercial activity during events and through our online platforms, including MeetUp and Facebook unless E-bike Lovers authorizes this. You cannot contact other members to solicit merchandise of any kind using any of our systems. If you do so, as some have done, your membership will be revoked.
SUPER IMPORTANT: See https://ebikelovers.com/code-of-conduct-ebike-lovers/
Photos
If you post photos on our Meetup page, you give us permission to use them in any E-bike Lovers' related publications and the rest.
Website
www.ebikelovers.com
Costs
Participation is free. If we organize extracurricular activities, we will inform you of any costs involved.
Become a member of the RideWithGPS E-bike Lovers Club. More information about club benefits and using our curated GPS files is available here: https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/
DISCLAIMER
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER NATHAN MERRIS, GREGORY MAASSEN, TRIP COORDINATORS, THEIR AFFILIATES, FAMILY AND FORMER AND CURRENT EMPLOYERS NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS IS LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF A USER’S ACCESS TO, OR USE OF THE E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS.
See for the full disclaimer: https://ebikelovers.com/disclaimer
E-bike Lovers is an activity of Wandel Guides LLC.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- NEW: E-biking on Rural Roads to Clifton Beach in Nanjemoy Wildlife AreaFriendship Landing, Nanjemoy, MD
New fabulous ride. 32 miles. Route https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48834852
Picnic at Clifton Beach 23 miles into the route. Toilets are at the beginning and the end of the trail.The ride from Friendship Farm Park in Maryland to the Nanjemoy Wildlife Management Area takes you through a scenic part of southern Maryland, blending rural roads, quiet countryside, and immersion into natural landscapes.
Starting at Friendship Farm Park and the landing, which is known for its serene atmosphere and views of the majestic Nanjemoy Creek at the Potomac River, you'll begin on flat, smooth asphalt, typical of well-maintained local roads.
As you head out from the park, you pass through stretches of farmland, dotted with occasional clusters of homes.
Depending on the season, you might encounter deer grazing near the edges of the forest or hawks circling above. The shade from the trees lining the roads provides natural cover, making it a pleasant ride during warmer months.
The stretch into the Nanjemoy Wildlife Management Area is a highlight of the ride. This route offers tranquility, beautiful scenery, and the opportunity to connect with nature, making it a rewarding journey for E-bike Lovers who appreciate both ease of riding and the beauty of the natural world.
Free Ride With GPS for E-Bike Lovers
Membership of the Ride With GPS E-bike Lovers club is now free as www.ebikelovers.com is generating sufficient income from ads to cover the costs. Here is the link to activate your free membership:
https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbN
More information about using GPS files: https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/
More information about e-bike ranges:
https://ebikelovers.com/2020/12/31/e-bike-longer-and-happier-15-smart-strategies-to-reduce-your-e-bike-range-anxiety/
The group stops a few times for slower riders to catch up.
Our bikes will always be in our sight. No additional locks are required to keep your bike safe on this trip.
For the E-bike Lovers group to be successful, we need to grow our membership carefully. Please feel free to invite other E-bike lovers, spread the word, and let's have fun.DISCLAIMER
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER GREGORY MAASSEN, NATHAN MERRIS, TRIP COORDINATORS, THEIR AFFILIATES, FAMILY AND FORMER AND CURRENT EMPLOYERS NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS IS LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF A USER’S ACCESS TO, OR USE OF THE E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS.
See for the full disclaimer: https://ebikelovers.com/disclaimer - E-biking on rustic country roads near Damascus and Little Bennett Regional ParkMoyer Road, Damascus, MD
Summary
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36006139
27.3 miles. Picnic is at Rally Point, 19.2 miles into the route
Toilets in the beginning only!NOTE: WATER CROSSING ALERT!
E-bike Lovers is going to e-bike on rustic country roads from Damascus to Little Bennett Regional Park in Maryland. The route is on wide country roads and offers excellent views of the hills in the area.
It starts at Moyer Road Community Park with plenty of parking and a public toilet.
The Ford
For those who are up for it, there's a water crossing on Prices Distillery road where it crosses Bennett Creek, which is marked on the route. When we rode this route last year, Nate and Tate made the plunge and successfully crossed. The creek is slow moving, but the ground is gravely, and the water is likely to be a least a foot deep, so it's not for the faint of heart! If the water is high or fast moving, it's best not to try to cross. It's a pretty area near the creek, so do consider checking it out... you can always turn around if you decide it's a bit much. Another thing to consider: some e-bikes are more water resistant than others, and it is highly likely that your motor will sustain heavy splashing.One way to avoid the water crossing is to stay on Green Valley Rd instead of turning on Prices Distillery Rd, then go left on Lewisdale Rd, and you'll soon be back on the route on Clarksburg Rd.
This route is available at:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36006139 (27mi, 22ft elevation gain)Free Ride With GPS for E-Bike Lovers
Membership of the Ride With GPS E-bike Lovers club is now free as www.ebikelovers.com is generating sufficient income from ads to cover the costs. Here is the link to activate your free membership:
https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbNMore information about using GPS files: https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/
More information about e-bike ranges:
https://ebikelovers.com/2020/12/31/e-bike-longer-and-happier-15-smart-strategies-to-reduce-your-e-bike-range-anxiety/The group stops a few times for slower riders to catch up.
Our bikes will always be in our sight. No additional locks are required to keep your bike safe on this trip.
For the E-bike Lovers group to be successful, we need to grow our membership carefully. Please feel free to invite other E-bike lovers, spread the word, and let's have fun.
As usual, non-assisted bikers are most welcome.
About Little Bennett Regional Park
The park is the largest natural gem of Montgomery County. It lies just a few miles from Interstate 270. Spread over 3,700 acres, the park offers beautiful scenery, a large campground, a small playground, more than a dozen historic sites and over 25 miles of scenic natural surface trails. Little Bennett Regional Park also features an 18-hole golf course, operated by MCG.Explore the park’s many natural wonders by foot, mountain bike, or horseback on over 25 miles of natural surface trails. Be sure to be on the lookout for the eastern bluebird and timberdoodle if your journey through our forests, meadows, and streams takes you through the wetland area on the Western Pihedmont Trail.
In addition to an abundance of native plants and animals, this park features 14 historical sites and points of interest – including the Hyattstown Mill and the one-room Kingsley School House – which preserve the memories of rural life in Montgomery County through the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.
DISCLAIMER
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER GREGORY MAASSEN, NATHAN MERRIS, TRIP COORDINATORS, THEIR AFFILIATES, FAMILY AND FORMER AND CURRENT EMPLOYERS NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS IS LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF A USER’S ACCESS TO, OR USE OF THE E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS.
See for the full disclaimer: https://ebikelovers.com/disclaimer - Rock Creek Nature Center Loop to Georgetown and Back with E-bike LoversRock Creek Park Nature Center, Washington, DC
Download the trail here:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/4134236917.8 miles paved; lunch @ 9.5 miles @ Fletcher's Boathouse. Bathroom at start, Peirce Mill, Fletcher's boathouse; Bethesda outdoor pool.
Note: Wednesday Rides always meet at 10:30, and we bike at 10:45!
For this Mid-Week Wednesday Extravaganza we begin at the Nature Center in Rock Creek Park and e-bike down Beach Drive, which is closed to cars. After a short stop at the waterfall and Peirce Mill, we continue on the trail past the National Zoo, take the Zoo Loop, and follow the trail toward the Potomac. After an optional stop at the Georgetown Waterfront, we'll wind our way onto the Capital Crescent Trail going north. Then on to Fletchers Boathouse for lunch in the park.
After lunch we head north toward Bethesda, then make our way east through Chevy Chase and back to the Nature Center.
The ride affords ample scenic vistas, multiple Kodak moments, and dare we say it, abundant E-Bike love.
Please bring some snacks, lunch and plenty of water. Our bikes will be always in our sight. No additional locks are required to keep your bike safe on this trip.
The group stops a few times for slower riders to catch up. The distance will be around 18 miles or shorter any time you are fully satisfied with biking for the day.
Hill Alert: As usual, non-assisted bikers are most welcome. While much of the ride is flat or a gentle grade, be aware there are some hills on this route.
Free Ride With GPS for E-Bike Lovers
The Ride With GPS E-bike Lovers club membership is now free as www.ebikelovers.com generates sufficient income from ads to cover the costs.
Here is the link to activate your free membership:
https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbNMore information about using GPS files:
https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/
More information about e-bike ranges:
https://ebikelovers.com/2020/12/31/e-bike-longer-and-happier-15-smart-strategies-to-reduce-your-e-bike-range-anxiety/
DISCLAIMER
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER GREGORY MAASSEN, NATHAN MERRIS, RICHARD CAMER, TRIP COORDINATORS, THEIR AFFILIATES, FAMILY AND FORMER AND CURRENT EMPLOYERS NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS IS LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF A USER’S ACCESS TO, OR USE OF THE E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS.See for full disclaimer: https://ebikelovers.com/disclaimer
- E-biking on scenic country roads from Leesburg to PurcellvilleRust Library, Leesburg, VA
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40075678
29.6 miles. Picnic at W&OD Western Terminus, 13.9 miles into the route.
Toilets are in the beginning, middle, and end.Summary
This ride follows the prettiest section of the (paved) W&OD rail trail between Leesburg and Purcellville, VA, which is where the trail terminates. We will also explore some of the beautiful rural roads in the surrounding area.In addition to the two shorter options, there is an extended 67 mile version. The 67 mile version will be an all day adventure, with a planned stop at Dirt Farm Brewery for lunch in Bluemont, VA. I would be happy to adjust the shorter route one the fly 67 miles is a bit more than folks comfortable with.
Lunch is in Purcellville, VA for the shorter routes. There are many options for food (711, Subway, fast food, etc) within a few minutes ride of the trail head.
The two shorter routes are identical, except the middle route does an out and back to Ball's Bluff National Cemetery. The longer route breaks away from the shorter routes at about mile 9. All routes end with a nice easy 'cool down' on the W&OD trail.
The Routes
VA Trail 11A, 24 miles, 82% paved, 1300 ft elevation gain:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40075568VA Trail 11B, 30 miles, 82% paved, 1500 ft elevation gain:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40075678VA Trail 11C, 67 miles, 50% paved, 4200ft elevation gain:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40074103Notes on riding long distances
A 67 mile ride takes most of the day, so plan for many hours on the saddle. In this case, the long route will traverse many scenic gravel roads in the area, amongst rolling hills. The elevation gain is not actually very much for 67 miles. Every rider and bike is different, but personally I expect to use most of my two large batteries.Parking
Parking is at the Rust Library parking lot in Leesburg. There are two lots for this library that are right next to each other, but you can't drive between them, although you can walk between them quickly as they are very close.Rest Stops and Amenities
There is a restroom, and a water fountain, at the trail head in Purcellville (see Points of Interest on the map). There is an indoor restroom at the parking area in the library. We'll break as needed on the longer route, with planned stops at the Philomont General Store and Dirt Farm Brewery.Free Ride With GPS for E-Bike Lovers
Membership of the Ride With GPS E-bike Lovers club is now free as www.ebikelovers.com is generating sufficient income from ads to cover the costs.Here is the link to activate your free membership:
https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbNMore information about using GPS files: https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/
More information about e-bike ranges:
https://ebikelovers.com/2020/12/31/e-bike-longer-and-happier-15-smart-strategies-to-reduce-your-e-bike-range-anxiety/A NOTE ABOUT RIDING ON GRAVEL ROADS
If you are riding a new bike, are new to biking generally, or have little experience on gravel roads, you should plan on taking your time. Please understand that gravel roads must be respected and navigated with an extra level of care, or you can seriously injure yourself. The key is to just take your time. We are never in a hurry, and you should go at a pace you are comfortable with.DISCLAIMER
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER GREGORY MAASSEN, NATHAN MERRIS, TRIP COORDINATORS, THEIR AFFILIATES, FAMILY AND FORMER AND CURRENT EMPLOYERS NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS IS LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF A USER’S ACCESS TO, OR USE OF THE E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS.
See for the full disclaimer: https://ebikelovers.com/disclaimer
