What we’re about
Are you looking to do some casual bicycle riding on scenic trails in the MD, DC, VA, DE, and PA area? Do you look at a bicycle ride as more of a social event that includes exercise rather than the other way around? If so, this group is for you.
We tend to target rail and greenway trails, which are bicycle-friendly trails that tend to parallel old train tracks, canals, and rivers. Since trains did not do well on anything over a 3% grade, these trails are amazingly flat. They go through some beautiful areas and quaint towns, often where food and drink are plentiful.
We avoid streets as much as possible, although some of the trails may include a bike lane or shoulder for a small portion of the ride. Only a small number of routes use roads more than 25% of the time.
To summarize: this is not a cardio ride, we'll ride for enjoyment, socializing, and a nice food establishment at the halfway point or endpoint.
Although we are mainly interested in "day trips," We would also like to schedule at least one overnight each year.
Most rides will be about a 20-miles round trip and we'll range between 8 - 15 mph (some of us are slower, some are faster). This will make for a pretty laid back ride and riders of just about any skill level should be fine. This is not about performance!
You cannot be too old to join this group. We are all about enjoyable bike rides in scenic locations. Stop, take pictures, socialize, smell the roses on the way.
Volunteer organizers are needed
If you’re in the mood to ride a particular trail and would like to let others join you, let me know and I’ll gladly add your event and put you as the organizer - even if there’s already a bike trip listed the same day. The more the merrier!
What do I need to bring?
Bike details: Hybrid tires, mountain bikes, and road bikes (as long as they don't have the ultra-thin tires); the trails tend to be a mixture of asphalt, crushed limestone, and gravel.
Helmet: Required to be work when seated/riding a bike.
Some other gear that is almost mandatory:
- Mask (still sometimes required for entering establishments, optional for riding)
- Water (water bottles or a backpack style hydration system)
- Spare tube: Even if you don't know how to change a flat, someone in the group will be able to do it for you and it's MUCH easier to change a tube than to patch one
- Bike tools (a tire repair and patch kit and spare tube is always a good idea)
- Bike lock (we do stop for food and drink and the bike is not always in view)
- A payment method
- Good attitude (we're fun people!)
Other things to consider:
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Small first aid kit
- Bike bag to hold everything
- Biking shorts (padded shorts may look strange to the uninitiated, but they sure do the trick)
- Please read our group rules
Please Note
We place limits on the number of riders that can join any single ride. Please be aware of this when you join a ride. If you find you will not be able to make the ride, please move yourself from ‘Going’ to ‘Not Going’ as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours before the event start time to give others the chance to join. If you wait till the day of the event then you’re not giving others the time to take your place. Please don’t RSVP to an event just to add it to your calendar; only RSVP if you truly feel you will make it.
The start time of each ride is the time we expect to hit the trail. Please make sure you get to the Meetup location before start time. Give yourself enough time to get your bike off/out of the car and ready by the start time (at least 15 minutes). Especially in summer, it’s too hot to stand around waiting for late arrivals to get ready. If you’re running late, please message the group on Meetup so we know whether to leave or wait a bit.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- WABA Fundraiser: Annual Cider RideMetrobar, Washington , DC
This ride is a fundraiser for WABA (Washington Area Bicycle Association), a very active organization that continues to work for the benefit of bikers.
Volunteers are needed - see the second event.
Registration fees support WABA’s work in the DC region and our mission empowering people to ride bikes, build connections and transform places.
- Please note, the routes are subject to change.
Final route maps will be released in the week prior to the ride
All details, including maps, can be found on the WABA webpage: The Cider Ride
Ride Information
Saturday, November 2nd.
Each ride route starts and finishes at metrobar:
640 Rhode Island Avenue NE, Washington DC 20002. mapCHOOSE YOUR ROUTE AND REGISTER EARLY…
Honeycrisp Ride (60 miles)
Youth $40, Adult $90
Ride on trails that take you up to the Patuxent Research Refuge and all the way back past Kenilworth Gardens on the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail before winding north through the neighborhood streets of South and Northeast DC.Check-in time: 8:30 AM
Group Start: 9:30 AMMcIntosh Ride (30 miles)
Yourh $40, Adult $75Cruise around Lake Artemesia to College Park and then back down to the Anacostia River Trail, ending with a ride through the neighborhood streets of DC.
Check-in time: 9:30 AM
Group Start: 10:30 AM**Candy Apple Ride (10 miles) **
Yourh $30, Adult $65Explore trails and neighborhood streets with a stop at Bladensburg Waterfront Park.
Check-in time: 10:30 AM
Group Start: 11:00 AM - Please note, the routes are subject to change.
- WABA Fundraiser: Annual Cider Ride VOLUNTEER GROUPMetrobar, Washington , DC
This is a WABA fundraiser event.
Ride marshalls and volunteers are needed. I’m hoping some of you will volunteer with us.
()We haven’t decided which type of volunteeringg we will do yet - we will update here soon
See the WABA webpage for more details: Volunteer info
Ride marshalls are needed for each of the three routes.
Volunteer Roles
A. Pit-stop helper: Proteus Bikes
B. Pit-stop helper: Buddy Attick Lake
C. Pit-stop helper: BladensburgRide marshalls and volunteers are needed.
See the WABA webpage for more details: Volunteer info
Ride marshalls are needed for each of the three routes.
Volunteer Roles
A. Pit-stop helper: Proteus Bikes
B. Pit-stop helper: Buddy Attick Lake
C. Pit-stop helper: Bladensbug Waterfront Park
D. Bike Valet helper: Metrobar