Northern Virginia Casual Bicycling Group (NoVA CBG)

SATURDAY AUGUST 9TH - We can see the weather for next weekend and it looks really nice so yeah, this is short notice but if you want to have a great day... let's do this.

Do you want turn by turn directions? NoVA CBG has a RideWithGPS club account that's free. Follow the instructions found here.
https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/events/271742916/

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The Ride: Summary
(Must Read)
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• RIDE NAME: 3 Covered Bridges & Springfield Manor
  (Cue Sheet/Navigation App)
• START LOC: Thurmont Community Park
• START GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/E2ijWcQEFbR2
• START PARKING PIC: https://bit.ly/Thurmont_Park_Parking
• ARRIVAL: 10:00am
• SPEECH: 10:15am
• ROLLING: 10:30am
• LEVEL: Medium
• DISTANCE: 41 miles · +-1,707 ft / Elevation Change
• DISTANCE: 30 miles · +-1,175 ft / Elevation Change
• DISTANCE: 21 miles · +-901 ft / Elevation Change
• PACE: 13-15+ mph (slower uphill, faster downhill)
• TERRAIN: Road Riding and Moderate Hills
• RIDEWITHGPS ROUTE:

CBG_3_COVERED_BRIDGES_21_2025
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43067646

CBG_3_COVERED_BRIDGES_30_2025
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28776561

**** NEW ****
CBG_3_COVERED_BRIDGES_41_2025
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50824943
(You asked for it, I delivered, more miles, more climbing, not-pre-reconned but info borrowed with permission from The Frederick Pedalers Bicycle Club)

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CBG_3_COVERED_BRIDGES_30_2023 CUE SHEET:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19NRqJ_MqiUriKiVosp-E26X99bm17lFN/view

NOTES:

• This is a "no drop" ride but being comfortable reading a Cue Sheet / Garmin / or a Navigation App on your Smartphone is required.
• It's a good hour-plus from DC so please plan your arrival trip accordingly.
• Bring two full water bottles and snacks, we are out in the country folks. CBG will supply Water and Gatorade at the Second Bridge Rest Stop.
• New for this trip, the 41 mile version

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The Ride : Detail
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New for this trip, the 41 mile version. You still get to see all three bridges, but we've added more miles and some more climbing. Thanks to the Frederick Pedalers Bicycle Club (whom we shared our Gatorade with last year) for giving us permission to "borrow" some of their route info to enhance our CBG ride.

For your riding pleasure, NoVA CBG presents 3 Covered Bridges.

Please join us for a challenging but lovely countryside tour of rural Maryland that includes the 3 Covered Brides of Utica, Loy's Station, and Roddy Road.

Being that we are in the countryside please note that this ride is moderately hilly and all road riding. The roads, for the most part, are winding country roads and some are without shoulders hence the Medium classification.

We will have three rest/regrouping stops at each of the covered bridges. Please bring two full water bottles and snacks as this is a rural location. CBG will have additional water / Gatorade on ice in a cooler at Loy's Station Covered Bridge (the 2nd one) the day of the ride.

Loy's Station (2nd) and Roddy Road (3rd) Covered Bridges have a restroom in the park. The restrooms at the starting location of Thurmont Community Park are also available.

This is a solid medium ride and a great one to do to add to your repertoire.

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The Meeting Spot:
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Thurmont Community Park
39 Frederick Rd.
Thurmont, MD 21788

• GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/E2ijWcQEFbR2
• PARKING PIC: https://bit.ly/Thurmont_Park_Parking

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The Ride After The Ride:
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Springfield Manor Winery Distillery Brewery
11836 Auburn Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788
Frederick County MD
(301) 271-0099
https://www.springfieldmanor.com/
GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/M8rrEUS4bmkZ8VXs9

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Extra Local Attractions
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Thurmont Kountry Kitchen
17 Water St.
Thurmont, MD 21788
https://www.yelp.com/biz/thurmont-kountry-kitchen-thurmont-2
GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/K4vghwYV51D2
ICE CREAM: Right around the corner (on your way home) you can get Ice Cream @ the Thurmont Kountry Kitchen

Catoctin Mountain Orchard
15036 N Franklinville Rd
Thurmont, MD 21788
http://www.catoctinmountainorchard.com/
GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/qAHhFyKTi535MoGB7
PIES: Since you are out here in Thurmont you might want a delicious homemade pie to bring home with you (made by an army of grandmothers)... if so please visit:

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Ride Level Chart
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NoVA CBG tries to accommodate all levels of cyclists by offering different types/levels of rides. We just ask that you come to the ride that suits your current riding ability the best.

• Introductory Level: If you haven't ridden a bike in a number of years (or are uncertain of your abilities on a bicycle).
• Beginner Level: You can ride for 10+ miles at a pace of 10+ to 12+ mph with potentially minor hills involved.
• Medium Level: You can ride for 20+ miles at a pace of 13+ to 15+ mph with potentially moderate hills involved.
• Advanced Level: You can ride for 20++ miles at a pace of 15+ mph with potentially major hills involved.

Both Medium and Advanced Levels might require handling various challenges such as reading cue sheets, using a Garmin or navigation app, night riding, out of town travel, or any other odd cycling situations.

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The Fine Print:
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An RSVP of 'YES' is your digital signature and means you have read and understood MEETUP.com's:

• "Terms of Service : Section 6. Release" found at https://www.meetup.com/terms/
• NOVA-CBG's "Assumption of Risk Agreement" found @ https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/pages/1942951/NOVA-CBG_Waiver/
• NoVA CBG's "COVID Policy" found @ http://bit.ly/2021_NoVACBG_COVID19_POLICY

Helmets are required to participate in all NOVA-CBG rides. All riders ride at their own risk and with the understanding that cycling is an inherently dangerous activity. When coming to the meetup you do so voluntarily and are ready and able to participate in the ride as described under the conditions of the day. Be on time for the "pre-ride" preparation. If you do not attend the pre-ride preparation you will not be allowed to participate on the ride. There are NO exceptions to the above.

Casual Brunch Group (CBG, get it?): A series of weekend rides with brunch as a feature. Some rides will be beginner rides (shorter), some will be medium (longer), all will be Casual pace. Bring a bike lock. Restaurant ONLY uses QR code for ordering!!

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The Ride: Summary
(Must Read)
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• RIDE NAME: Casual Brunch Group - The Garden
• START LOC: Shirlington Library
• START GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/y1K7iBorEgsTWBpaA
• START PARKING: Any Parking Garage
• ARRIVAL: 10:00am
• SPEECH: 10:15am
• ROLLING: 10:30am
• LEVEL: Beginner Level
• PACE: ~12+mph
• DISTANCE: 14 miles
• TERRAIN: trail, local streets
• RIDEWITHGPS ROUTE:
  CBG_BRUNCH_GARDEN_2024
  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46293924

NOTES:

• Bring a spare tube.
• Bring a bike lock.
• Brunch in the middle of the ride: The Garden
  https://www.thegardendelray.com/

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The Ride: Detail
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Ride is fairly flat. We ride to Jones Point Park, pause, then over to Brunch and then back to Shirlington.
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The Meeting Spot:
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Shirlington Library
4200 Campbell Ave
Arlington, VA 22206
GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/y1K7iBorEgsTWBpaA
We will meet in front of the Shirlington Library by the fountains.

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Brunch
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The Garden
1503 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, Virginia 22301
(571) 970-2791
https://www.thegardendelray.com/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zcK3C7LVnzV69pnv9

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Ride Level Chart
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NoVA CBG tries to accommodate all levels of cyclists by offering different types/levels of rides. We just ask that you come to the ride that suits your current riding ability the best.

• Introductory Level: If you haven't ridden a bike in a number of years (or are uncertain of your abilities on a bicycle).
• Beginner Level: You can ride for 10+ miles at a pace of 10+ to 12+ mph with potentially minor hills involved.
• Medium Level: You can ride for 20+ miles at a pace of 13+ to 15+ mph with potentially moderate hills involved.
• Advanced Level: You can ride for 20++ miles at a pace of 15+ mph with potentially major hills involved.

Both Medium and Advanced Levels might require handling various challenges such as reading cue sheets, using a Garmin or navigation app, night riding, out of town travel, or any other odd cycling situations.

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The Fine Print:
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An RSVP of 'YES' is your digital signature and means you have read and understood MEETUP.com's:

• "Terms of Service : Section 6. Release" found at https://www.meetup.com/terms/
• NOVA-CBG's "Assumption of Risk Agreement" found @ https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/pages/1942951/NOVA-CBG_Waiver/
• NoVA CBG's "COVID Policy" found @ http://bit.ly/2021_NoVACBG_COVID19_POLICY

Helmets are required to participate in all NOVA-CBG rides. All riders ride at their own risk and with the understanding that cycling is an inherently dangerous activity. When coming to the meetup you do so voluntarily and are ready and able to participate in the ride as described under the conditions of the day. Be on time for the "pre-ride" preparation. If you do not attend the pre-ride preparation you will not be allowed to participate on the ride. There are NO exceptions to the above.

.......

Loop the Lakes (LTL) - Ride is through biking trails around both Mercer and Burke Lakes with dirt, gravel, & paved surfaces. There are some hills on this ride. Helmets are required to participate in all NOVA-CBG rides.
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The Ride: Summary
(Must Read)
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• RIDE NAME: Loop the Lakes (11.0 Mile)
• START LOC: South Run Rec Center
• START GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/tac8sEttpFm
• START PARKING PIC: https://goo.gl/pz8LWb

Drive all the way to the very end and park directly in front of the South Run Field House at the very bottom of parking area.

• ARRIVAL: 6:15pm
• SPEECH: 6:20pm
• ROLLING: 6:30pm
• LEVEL: Medium (-) skill, ~50% packed gravel.
• PACE: 10+ mph
• DISTANCE: 11 miles
• TERRAIN: dirt, gravel, & paved trails
• RIDEWITHGPS ROUTE:
  CBG_LTL_11_2024
  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28697863

NOTES:

• It's cooler in the shade.
• This is not your normal CBG ride - READ THE MEETUP!
• Show up with FULL water bottles.
• Carry a spare inner tube that fits your bike.

(Restroom are open in South Run Recreation Center at the Start).

• Rocks, Roots, and Gravel-oh my

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The Ride : Detail
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For your riding pleasure, NoVA CBG presents Loop the Lakes.

Come on out and try a Medium(-) skill level trail and gravel ride.

Please note, this is not your normal CBG ride. If you are unsure of your riding ability in general, then this in NOT the ride for you.

However, if you are a solid beginner(+) cyclist and you can handle some hills and gravelly situations you will have to "up your game" a little but please come on out and give this ride a try!! It's really something different and fun!!

1. This ride loops around the mostly paved but hilly Lake Mercer (clockwise) but halfway through at the Dam we take a group picture and then...
2. We finish going around Lake Mercer (with some fun hills) and when done we...
3. Head over to Burke Lake to do a loop there (also clockwise and gravelly) and then...
4. Finish it all up back to where it started.

A hybrid, gravel, or mountain bike is required (NO SKINNY TIRES / NO ROAD BIKES).
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The Meeting Spot:
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South Run Rec Center
7550 Reservation Dr
Springfield, VA 22153

• GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/tac8sEttpFm
• PARKING INFO: https://goo.gl/pz8LWb

Drive all the way to the very bottom end of parking and park directly in front of the South Run Field House.
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Ride after the Ride
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Ride After the Ride (RAtR): TBD

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Ride Level Chart
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NoVA CBG tries to accommodate all levels of cyclists by offering different types/levels of rides. We just ask that you come to the ride that suits your current riding ability the best.

• Introductory Level: If you haven't ridden a bike in a number of years (or are uncertain of your abilities on a bicycle).
• Beginner Level: You can ride for 10+ miles at a pace of 10+ to 12+ mph with potentially minor hills involved.
• Medium Level: You can ride for 20+ miles at a pace of 13+ to 15+ mph with potentially moderate hills involved.
• Advanced Level: You can ride for 20++ miles at a pace of 15+ mph with potentially major hills involved.

Both Medium and Advanced Levels might require handling various challenges such as reading cue sheets, using a Garmin or navigation app, night riding, out of town travel, or any other odd cycling situations.
+++++++++++++++++++++
The Fine Print:
+++++++++++++++++++++
An RSVP of 'YES' is your digital signature and means you have read and understood MEETUP.com's:

• "Terms of Service : Section 6. Release" found at https://www.meetup.com/terms/
• NOVA-CBG's "Assumption of Risk Agreement" found @ https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/pages/1942951/NOVA-CBG_Waiver/
• NoVA CBG's "COVID Policy" found @ http://bit.ly/2021_NoVACBG_COVID19_POLICY

Helmets are required to participate in all NOVA-CBG rides. All riders ride at their own risk and with the understanding that cycling is an inherently dangerous activity. When coming to the meetup you do so voluntarily and are ready and able to participate in the ride as described under the conditions of the day. Be on time for the "pre-ride" preparation. If you do not attend the pre-ride preparation you will not be allowed to participate on the ride. There are NO exceptions to the above.
..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

* Different than usual starting point.
** Gravel sections on trail. See "Ride Detail" below please.
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The Ride: Summary
(Must Read)
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• RIDE NAME: The Koffee Klatch Ride - Off the Beaten Track (OBT) - Fairfax Bakery
• START LOC: Eakin Park, 8601 Tobin Rd, Annandale, VA 22003
• START GPS: The shelter at https://maps.app.goo.gl/vYeXf7W7z4YsgrrGA
• START PARKING: Eakin Park parking lot (no restrooms but the porta potty is back or restrooms at Wakefield Rec Ctr mile 4)
• ARRIVAL: 09:00am
• SPEECH: 09:10am
  **you must be present for the speech or no ride for you!**
• ROLLING: 09:15am
• LEVEL: Medium
• PACE: 11-13 mph (a "social" pace)
• DISTANCE: 20.2 miles
• TERRAIN: Paved & Compacted Gravel Bike Trail / Street
• Ride With GPS Route:
• CBG_KOFFEEK_OBT_FFXBAK_2025
• https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52102509

Notes:

• These rides are organized "lean" and may not have a sweep.
• Check your brakes and pump your tires on the morning of the ride and please have a spare tube that fits your tire.
• It is strongly suggested that you become a NoVA CBG RidewithGPS club member and download the route posted for each "Klatch".
• Loading the route onto your Garmin (or other Nav device) is also acceptable.
• NoVA CBG has a turn by turn RideWithGPS club account that's free. https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/events/271742916/

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The Ride: Detail
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Welcome to The Koffee Klatch! These rides are normally based off the Arlington Loop, but in our continuing effort to explore new routes and venues this ride is on the western side of the I-495. We will do a 20.2 mile medium level ride at a social pace (11-13 mph). You are not required to drink or even like coffee.

We will start from Eakin Park (Tobin Rd) on the Fairfax Cross County Trail (CCT) and ride clockwise through the Fairfax area to the Fairfax Bakery, by the Walmart off Main St (US 29). We then go through FFX City and connect again with the CCT at Blenheim Blvd which will take us back to the start.

GRAVEL NOTE: A little of the route is unpaved, so skinny tires are NOT recommended. This version has less gravel to avoid continuing work on the Long Branch Trail. There are two main unpaved sections: a quarter mile between Hallman St and Judicial Dr in FFX City and a half mile of compacted gravel/dirt on the Daniels Run Trail through Van Dyke Park, We’ve ridden theses section on 32mm tires without difficulty.

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The Meeting Spot:
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We will meet at the shelter close to the parking lot. https://maps.app.goo.gl/vYeXf7W7z4YsgrrGA

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The Ride After The Ride:
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This week's near mile is the Ride WITHIN The Ride!
Fairfax Bakery
11211 Main St,
Fairfax, VA 22031

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Ride Level Chart
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NoVA CBG tries to accommodate all levels of cyclists by offering different types/levels of rides. We just ask that you come to the ride that suits your current riding ability the best.

• Introductory Level: If you haven't ridden a bike in a number of years (or are uncertain of your abilities on a bicycle).
• Beginner Level: You can ride for 10+ miles at a pace of 10+ to 12+ mph with potentially minor hills involved.
• Medium Level: You can ride for 20+ miles at a pace of 13+ to 15+ mph with potentially moderate hills involved.
• Advanced Level: You can ride for 20++ miles at a pace of 15+ mph with potentially major hills involved.

Both Medium and Advanced Levels might require handling various challenges such as reading cue sheets, using a Garmin or navigation app, night riding, out of town travel, or any other odd cycling situations.

+++++++++++++++++++++
The Fine Print:
+++++++++++++++++++++

An RSVP of 'YES' is your digital signature and means you have read and understood MEETUP.com's:

• "Terms of Service : Section 6. Release" found at https://www.meetup.com/terms/
• NOVA-CBG's "Assumption of Risk Agreement" found @ https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/pages/1942951/NOVA-CBG_Waiver/
• NoVA CBG's "COVID Policy" found @ http://bit.ly/2021_NoVACBG_COVID19_POLICY

Helmets are required to participate in all NOVA-CBG rides. All riders ride at their own risk and with the understanding that cycling is an inherently dangerous activity. When coming to the meetup you do so voluntarily and are ready and able to participate in the ride as described under the conditions of the day. Be on time for the "pre-ride" preparation. If you do not attend the pre-ride preparation you will not be allowed to participate on the ride. There are NO exceptions to the above.
.