W&OD Trail Shirlington to Vienna

**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 49%, or wind speed or wind gusts are above 15 mph (per Accuweather) **

TRAIN OR BUS STOPS unknown

PARKING ADDRESS
W&OD Rail-Trail trailhead in Shirlington

South Four Mile Run Dr. & Shirlington Rd, Arlington, VA. Jennie Dean playground is opposite the trailhead. It has public bathrooms.

Take Interstate 395 to the Shirlington Exit; bear right to head north and drive to the second stoplight. Turn left here on South Four Mile Run Drive. The W&OD Trail will be on the right, paralleling the road. You can park along the side of the road. Parking is only on adjacent streets. You will see the trail head and info boards at the end.

The W&OD Trail runs parallel to Four Mile Run. You can park along the Jennie Dean playground area (has bathrooms) or on the side of the roads that parallel the trail.

If you’re running late, let us know. Put in this end point address and try to catch up: Whole Foods, 143 E Maple Ave, Vienna, VA 22180. That is adjacent to where we get off the trail for a lunch break.

MEETUP SPOT
We’ll be at the trailhead.

BATHROOMS
Jennie Dean playground, Whole Foods, Vienna, VA and food establishments.

TYPE OF BIKE: Any kind of bike frame and tires. Ensure it is the correct frame size for your height so you can get maximum output. Participants are responsible for ensuring their bike tires, brakes, and chain are in good condition and they have a spare inner tube on hand. Organizers can try to help but aren't responsible for everyone's bike conditions.

SKILL LEVEL: All levels can enjoy this trail. It is well marked and mostly flat, and there are several road crossings that give opportunities to stop and regroup. Although, there are two noticeable inclines.

PACE:
It’s up to you. HOWEVER: The event organizers have fit legs (avg. 10-16 mph). And some of us like to do a cardio workout at some point. We make stops at tricky points on the trail and /or to regroup every 2-4 miles. Since paved trails can sometimes be crowded, we don’t have expectations of being able to go very fast.

· If you prefer a faster pace than the lead riders, you can make stops to wait for them to catch up.

· If you’re not sure what your avg. speed is, be prepared to use a nav app to ride solo in case you don’t catch up to us at our stops.

(My main incentive for riding this trail is so I can get my annual dose of British pasties from The Pure Pasty Co. www.purepasty.com They are similar to pot pies, samosas, calzones or empanadas. It’s very near the trail end point where we get off for a lunch break. There are other food options right off of the trail, so feel free to go wherever you like or join me (unfortunately, there's only one bench seat outside the pasty shop so we sometimes go to Panera Bread to accommodate a larger group.)

ROUTE SUMMARY
Riding the W&OD Trail from Shirlington to Vienna gives you a smooth, paved, gently rolling ride that transitions from urban energy to leafy suburban calm. It’s one of the most popular stretches of the trail—busy at times, but full of scenery, parks, and small‑town charm. It’s one of those rides where the scenery changes just enough to keep you engaged the whole way.

Why This Ride Stands Out
· Smooth, predictable pavement the entire way
· Frequent amenities—water, restrooms, benches, parks
· A satisfying mix of nature, neighborhoods, and lively town centers
· Clear signage and mile markers that make navigation effortless

DISTANCE OPTIONS
Participants can choose to return at any point. These are just suggestions.

OPTION A: Bike out a shorter distance and return.

OPTION B: ~ 12 miles on way. Bike out to Vienna, Va with the event organizers. Stop for lunch (optional) and return with the group.

OPTION C: Bike out further on the W&OD trail towards the western end.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Bring: Water bottles, snacks, biking gloves, bike bell, bike lock, helmet visor, sunglasses, bike tube, pump, patch, first aid kit, mobile phone with nav app installed (e.g. Google maps, we use RidewithGPS). If you get leg cramps during or after a ride, take electrolytes before and during your ride (or add salt and magnesium to your water). A change of clothes for your ride home or a car seat cover to absorb sweat.

Clothing: Wear biking gloves and durable clothing so that if you do fall, your skin is protected. Avoid wearing all black, all grey, all dark brown, or all dark blue, which blends in with pavement, especially while riding through a shady segment. Consider wearing something lighter to help others notice you.

REQUIREMENTS

Participants must wear tightly secured helmets when on their bike.
Be proactive to avoid a fall/crash and minimize injury:

· Keep a distance between yourself and other bikers. If the biker ahead of you suddenly stops, you should be able to avoid hitting them.

· Don’t make stops on the trail. Pull over to the side and use hand gestures to let people know you’re slowing down to make a stop.

· Yelling out “Passing on your left” and/or ringing a bike bell as you approach people ahead of you, so they don’t inadvertently move in your line of travel.

· Slowing down to wait, rather than speeding up when trying to pass people at the same time walkers/bikers are approaching you from the opposite direction.

· Avoid potholes and debris and slow down when approaching bumps

· When approaching road crossings and iffy situations, triple-check before crossing and don’t let yourself be distracted by talking, etc.

· Ensure your helmet is tightly secured so that it won’t move if you hit the ground.

MEETUP POLICIES

Participants should understand that biking is an inherently dangerous activity, and an accident could happen at any time. Participation is at your own risk.

An RSVP of “Yes” to an event is your digital signature acknowledging that you have read, understood, and agree with Meetup’s and MD Rail Trail Biking’s policies, esp. section 6 “Release” and section 8.2 ” Limitation of Liability,” found at https://www.meetup.com/terms/