Cycling & Cycle Touring

**NOTE: \*New start Point at Major Lansdale Blvd in the Parking Lot behind Hungry Bowl\*** Meetup is at 5:30p and on the pedals at 6:00p. This "**IS"** a SAG supported ride. Please bring 5 exact change or CashApp: ***ZOAROO***. SAG number will given at the pre-ride briefing. With the exception of flats, NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND. Rather than the typical free-for-all, this ride is governed by Ride Marshalls who controls the pace at certain points in the route. Speeds vary from 15-19mph on rollers to 20+mph on the flats. Not to worry, at no time will you be required to ride at the front to pull the group. A 16 mile beginners route has been added which will be marshaled by EORO. For those that have the need for speed, there is are sprint sections throughout the 21 mile route where you can test your fitness. Riders are allowed to go as fast or as easy as they like through these sections. Also on the 21 mile route there will be one optional regroup after crossing 202, near Walgreens off of Apollo Dr. After the regroup everyone will continue to ride at their own pace. cue sheet: 21 miler [https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54019095](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54019095) 16 miler https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54581189?privacy_code=sQOSI5slVrEhuzBCOATMqc4gelchQaXk PACE: A = 19+mph B = 17-19mph C = 15-17 D = 12-15 AMS (Average Moving Speed) may vary depending on terrain, traffic, and the ability of riders. **Please Read**: To maintain safety on the road and to be respectful of motorists the following simple set of guidelines are asked to be followed: Do not pass the guide in the non Free Ride sections. Yellow Line rule on two lane roads must be obeyed. (NEVER EVER to be crossed) White Line rule when we have ample shoulder or an adequate bike must be obeyed. Broken Line rule, we do not take up more than one lane except when safely transitioning for a left turn. Slower riders in the Free Ride sections should move to the far right to allow faster riders to go by on the left. 2x2 Paceline at all other times. No wheel overlapping of the rider in front. The ride will NOT stop for flats. If you are with a friend that flats, we suggest that you stop and ride in with them. Be sure to know the route and how to short cut or get back and how to change a flat. NO "in ear" or "over the ear" Headphones of any kind allowed. Experienced cyclists are asked to help first timers with route info When you RSVP to participating in this or any VELO VELO Cycling Club ride or event you are acknowledging that you take sole and full responsibility for your own health and safety. Helmets are a must. No helmet-No participation. Please be sure to have all proper equipment and supplies to help ensure a safe and pleasant ride. Two spare inner tubes, CO2 cartridges, patch kit and pump. Front and rear lights Eye Protection Gloves Proper hydration Water bottles that fit your bottle cage ID and money Obey all traffic laws including stopping at red lights.

Meet in the parking lot of the Handy Bikes Service Center. At the start of each ride, we'll go over introductions to have a sense of participants' cycling experience. Over the course of our rides, we'll address the following: group riding dynamics; safety (ABC check & trail hazards); gear shifting; hill climbing; audible and hand communication within the group, with other trail users, and automobile drivers; what to bring on each ride; etc... Bring your questions, water & a snack. When it starts getting dark earlier, we'll need lights as well. Helmets a MUST. If you can, and especially if you've had issues with your bike, come a bit early to have it looked at ahead of the ride. PS - all levels are welcome to join, however, be mindful that if you are an experienced rider, please be prepared to ride at the pace of the newest rider in the group. Each week, depending on who's in attendance, and participants' riding ability/comfort level, we may do skills practice as a group in the parking lot or at the west end of Wheeler Ave. Once everyone is comfortable, we'll go for a ride on local trails and neighborhood streets and finish back at the shop. Happy Pedaling !! \~Maya

We will have open shop hours for anyone to bring their bikes to work on or need help fixing your own bike. We will also have bikes that need to be fixed so you can learn if you like. We will need everyone to sign in when arriving and sign out when leaving so we can keep track of volunteer hours and shop times. Suggested donation of $15 per hour for use of tools and space would be appreciated. Thank you!

Join us for the Friday Night Fitness Skate! A 12 or 8 mile fitness skate that skates the same route each week so you will know the route and pavement hazards (since it is dark) and be able to work on form, endurance or speed as the cold wind is pushing against you! ;) The route has nice long stretches of uninterrupted skating, open roads with very few cars and the regroups are short and infrequent. We will meet at Freedom Plaza at 7pm as long as it is not raining, snowing and the pavement is not wet or icy. We’ll warm up with a skate to the Capital and then skate along the mall and museums to the National Monument. We will then head to the Lincoln Memorial through the World War II Memorial. From the Lincoln we will proceed to Haynes Point down Ohio Drive with the option to take the 3 mile Haynes Point loop (12 mile total skate) or practice stops or stunts at the regroup spot while others skate the loop (8.5 mile total skate.) The skate is mostly flat on good pavement with a small slope coming down from the Washington Monument and a 40 yard small slop from the Lincoln to Ohio Drive and a couple patches here and there. The wind can be very strong and cold especially on Ohio Drive and Haynes Point as we skate adjacent to the water. Please feel free to jazz up your gear with lights, I wear a helmet bike light (since it is pretty dark) and a set of body lights. Most of the regulars skate with lighted wheels for fun! Wear your lights so you have fun, can see and be seen! In case of bad weather, I will update this post via the comment section around 6pm on Friday. Of course, all skating is at your own risk. Hope you will come join us!

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54518186 18.5 miles. Picnic at Washington Sailing Marina (approx. 11 miles). Bathroom/port-a-potty at beginning middle and end. This ride is a variation on the classic and well-traveled Arlington Loop, starting at Bluemont Park and riding clockwise. We will ride first on the W&OD trail and then make our way to the the Custis and Mount Vernon Trails along the Potomac River and past Reagan National Airport. We'll stop at Gravelly Point to watch a few take offs and landings, then lunch at Washington Sailing Marina. We get on the Four Mile Run Trail (not previously included in E-Bike Lovers rides) and then back to the W&OD trail and the start. We will pass Theodore Roosevelt Island (feel free to park your bike and walk the causeway; no bikes allowed.) There will also be ample DC skyline views. A highlight will be a stop at Gravelly Point, which affords a close-up view of planes landing at National Airport. We lunch at the Washington Sailing Marina, which features a marine convenience store with snacks and soft drinks and pizza. We'll also pass by the Weenie Beanie half smoke/hot dog stand -- an Arlington institution. The meeting place is Bluemont Park. There are multiple parking areas, so do not be fooled. We will meet at the parking area at 325 N Manchester St Arlington, VA 22203. (This is actually the address of the house directly next to the entrance to this parking lot.) Use the pin in the Location Map. Bring plenty of water and snacks or lunch. Don’t forget your bike lock if you plan to stop along the way! The group stops a few times (certainly before tricky turns) for slower riders to catch up. **Please charge your battery, pump your tires, and check your breaks. The ride is on paved trail and asphalt roads, but there are a few hilly segments. As usual, analog bike riders are most welcome.** We highly recommend that you dowbload the Ride With GPS route map. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54518186 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! **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/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbN](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/](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/](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

Weekly Saturday group ride, starting at Handy Bikes Retail Showroom. Come ride with locals in the area! This group ride is for average folks who want to go for an average ride. It's not quite a coffee ride, but it's definitely not a race! Routes will vary around the area, with an average speed around 14 mph (minimum of \~10 MPH) for around 15-30 miles. We'll be on pavement so bikes with smooth tires are encouraged, **helmets are mandatory**. Open to any riders who are willing and able to ride with a group including Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes. No speed demons please! Good group ride etiquette is a requirement. Shop opens at 10:00 am Show up and sign in by 10:15 am Roll out 10:30 am Please RSVP in advance, so that the ride leaders can prepare for the group's size. [Handy Bikes on Strava](https://www.strava.com/clubs/737920/leaderboard) [Handy Bikes on RideWithGPS](https://ridewithgps.com/organizations/14675-handy-bikes)

Allen Pond Park, 3330 Northview Dr, Bowie, MD \*\*\*PLEASE DOWNLOAD ROUTE PRIOR TO MEETUP. NOT A BEGINNER'S RIDE. Beginners please join us on Wednesdays at Paceline Meetup 8:30 am Ride off 9:00am A/B Group Route (40 miles, 1,900 ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44688420 A Group average moving speed = 20+ mph B Group average moving speed = 17-19 mph \*\*\* C-Group Route (20 miles, 854 ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47505625 C-Group average moving speed = 14-16 mph \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \*\*\*PLEASE DOWNLOAD NEW ROUTE PRIOR TO MEETUP. NOT A BEGINNER'S RIDE. Beginners please join us on Wednesdays at Paceline \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- This is a self-supported ride. No SAG. No Sweepers. Group Ride Guidelines: 1\. Safety first is the primary tenet of DMVCR\! 2\. Bicyclists who participate on DMVCR club rides are required to wear a properly fastened helmet\. 3\. Bicyclists may not ride more than two \(2\) abreast and may not impede traffic\. 4\. Bicyclists must come to a complete stop at all stop signs and traffic lights displaying a red signal\. 5\. Bicyclists are expected to have their bikes in proper working order\. 6\. Bicyclists are expected to ride with repair equipment in the event for flat tire\, etc\. 7\. Bicyclists should bring adequate nutrition to include enough hydration and snacks\. 8\. At night\, bicycles must be equipped with a front white light and a rear red reflector or red light visible\, both visible from 600 feet away\. Disclaimer: \*\*\*Please note DMVCR is not responsible for any accidents, injuries and/or damages or any combination thereof, which may occur to you and/or your bike. If you decide to participate on the ride, it means that you have read, understood and agreed that you are riding at your own risk and you waive all claims against all other riders who participate or organize the group.\*\*\*

Joins us for a 3 mile hike this Friday evening along the beautiful Alum Creek Trail. This fully paved trail is pretty flat and winds along Alum Creek. We will travel 1.5 miles south along the trail to a scenic bridge before turning around. Hope to see you Friday!

***High Bank Distillery tours*** walk you through our story, our process, and a tasting of our spirits (and maybe a few in the works). We end in the Barrel Room for a wonderful tasting of their best sellers! The tours *cost $10/person* and we ask that you *arrive 10 minutes prior* to the start of the tour. **3pm PRETOUR**: We'll grab a bite to eat there. **4:30pm TOUR** **5:30pm POST TOUR**: We'll try a drink made with your favorite spirit you tasted on tour. **PARKING**: Street parking and Ohio Power Tool parking lot nearby. **[High Bank Distillery](https://www.highbankco.com/)** is your destination for great food, cold drinks, and fun times in Columbus, OH. We pride ourselves in the quality and flavors of our spirits, distilled and prepared in house, and perfect for any occasion. Pair our creative cocktails with some traditional pub food, and you have the recipe for a perfect night out.

Our Sewing & Crafting Activity Group is gathering to connect, serve, and create together in a Christ-centered environment. Whether you’re experienced or brand new, all skill levels are welcome. No supplies needed, but sewing machines are appreciated if you’re comfortable bringing one. Join us January 20th, February 17th & 24th, March 17th & 24th, and April 21st from 1–6 PM in the Youth Building at Village Chapel as we begin with prayer, enjoy fellowship, and work on meaningful service projects together. You are welcome to drop by anytime!