What we’re about
The purpose of this group is to give our fellow Maryland bike riders opportunities to:
- explore familiar and new bike trails mostly in MD, and occasionally in DC, VA, DE, PA, NJ and NY.
- socialize and make new friends.
- have fun while exercising.
- travel with a familiar group to participate in day trips and weekend getaways for bikers
- travel with a familiar group to participate in larger bike events such as "Bike Philly"
- volunteer for bike events
- support bike advocate groups such as Bike Maryland and WABA.
Although most participants have been in the over 40+ age range, we welcome bikers of all ages, as well as all skill levels, gender identifications, ethnicities, races, etc.
Most of the events are for casual bicycle riding on scenic trails. We 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. Any route that is mostly on roads will be titled with "ROAD RIDE " so they can be easily identified.
Although we are mainly interested in "day trips," We also like to schedule at least one overnight each year.
Most rides will have distance options such as 10, 15, 20, etc., that you can choose from. 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!
Group Fees
At this time there is no event fee or annual group fee. But please consider making a small donation to offset the $300 annual Meetup fee, the $80 annual Ride with GPS fee, and the huge number of hours the organizer's use to research destinations, check for trail construction, parking, writing, answering member questions, etc. in lieu of doing their personal errands.
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: A proper-fitting bike that has had a maintenance check. Hybrids, 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 worn when seated/riding a bike.
Some other gear that is almost mandatory:
- 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)
- In cooler seasons, wear an upper layer that can be removed when you get warmed up.
- Please read our group rules
Please Note
We place limits on the number of riders that can join any single ride. Be aware of this when you join a ride. If you find you won't be able to make the ride, please move yourself from ‘Going’ to ‘Not Going’ ASAP 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.
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- Metropolitan Branch Trail from Fort Totten to DC + MetrobarFort Totten Metro Station, Washington, DC
**Check back to see if the date or start time has changed. This ride will be postponed (possibly replaced with another ride) if the chance of rain is above 29%, or wind speed or wind gusts are above 14 mph (per Accuweather) **
EVENT SUMMARY
We will start from the Fort Totten Metro Station and bike straight down along the Metrorail and CSX tracks to Union Station - about 4.6 miles. We’ll break here for water/bathroom/ a visit inside. Participants can return from there or continue biking with us. Next, we'll bike over to the Capitol, National Mall, and some surrounding points of interest. We'll take a break, and then return the same way. We expect to do about eight miles each way.Option to join us at the very cool Metrobar (right off the trail) for a lunch break. It's the 2024 winner of Best Bar in DC. You can opt to eat/drink in the refurbished metro car or outside in cozy seating areas. They have food trucks and the Bryant Market is 1/2 a block away,
TRAIL DETAILS AND FEATURES
When completed, the Metropolitan Branch Trail will start further north, from the Silver Spring Metro station down to Union Station, for eight miles. It is very flat, maybe 40 feet of elevation change. To learn about the history of how this trail was conceived, see Metropolitan Branch Trail - WikipediaThis is a very different type of bike route compared to the usual rail trail because the trains are still running and it’s more urban. I cant compare it to any other trail in the area. From Fort Totten south, the paved trail is well established. It mostly runs between the train tracks and the backs of warehouses. It connects several neighborhoods. We'll see: graffiti wall art, urban art, a dog park, outdoor movie area, and garden areas, and restaurants along both sides of the path.
PARKING
Park at the Fort Totten parking lot across the street from the station. Arrive by 11:15 so you have time to prepare your bike, helmet, water bottles, etc. Meet us at front of the station at 11:00BATHROOMS
Breweries on the way
Museums
Union Station,
REQUIREMENTS
You need to be comfortable riding on paved trails and crossing streets in an urban environment while negotiating pedestrians, cars, and scooters.
Helmets are required while seated on a bike.RECOMMENDATIONS and TRAIL ETTIQUETTE
Water bottles, backpack, bike lock, sunglasses, sunscreen, money.Staying below the speed limit (usually 15 mph). Staying to the right in general. Using a bike bell and saying "Passing on your left" when approaching pedestrians and bikers from behind.
