
What we’re about
NoVA CBG About Page
NoVA CBG Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/NOVACBG)
Welcome to the Northern Virginia Casual Biking Group (NOVA-CBG). For your cycling pleasure, please join us for various casual bicycle rides around the area. **************************************
How Do We Define "Casual"? : *************************************** Well, we really don't pressure anyone to be a professional cyclist.* We don't ask you to own any special gear (except for a helmet).* We don't ask you to wear special outfits (unless you want to).* All we ask is that you come as you are comfortably with a bike that is in well-tuned shape and a helmet. We ride with a "no man left behind" philosophy so that everyone can enjoy themselves without fear of getting lost or left behind. So the ride may have a few extra "re-grouping" stops if that is required due to various riding skills. Because of this philosophy we really try to ask that the cyclist's riding skill matches the ride they are on.
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Ride Levels: ************************************** 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 easily ride your bike for 10 miles with some minor hills at a comfortable pace of 12+ mph.
*Medium Level:
You can do 20 miles pretty easily at a moderate pace of 13 to 15+ mph.
*Advanced Level: You can do 20++ miles easily at a 15+ pace and / or handle various challenges as rain, night riding, or other odd cycling situations.
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Riding Requirements: ************************************** Just like every other group we DO have some riding requirements: 1) Helmets are mandatory for every ride we do, no exceptions... period.
2) All riders ride at their own risk and with the understanding that cycling is an inherently dangerous activity. Participating in a NoVA-CBG ride is voluntary and riders must be ready and able to participate in the ride as described in the meetup and under the conditions of the day. Riders have read and acknowledged by an RSVP 'YES' MEETUP.com's "Terms of Service : Section 6. Release " found at https://www.meetup.com/terms/ and NOVA-CBG's "Assumption of Risk Agreement" found @ https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/pages/1942951/NOVA-CBG_Waiver/.
3) Just in case there is an emergency situation you should always have on you Identification, Insurance, and any other important medical information.
4) All riders must be at least 18 years of age.
5) No music is allowed on any of the rides. Headphones or otherwise.
6) We have a "three strikes" NO SHOW policy, so please honor your RSVP or change it accordingly as soon as your situation changes.
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Membership Dues: ************************************** Your first two months in the group are free, after that we have an annual $10.00 membership fee. This fee helps defer the cost of the MEETUP fees and facilitates our Annual "Company" Picnic and Annual Holiday Party. In addition these dues allow us to perform our Tire Changing and Gear classes and our Bike In Movies series during the winter.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- NoVA CBG's Annual "Company" Picnic @ Fort Hunt Park 2025Fort Hunt Park Picnic Area B, Alexandria, VA
Here it is... the CAN'T MISS event of the summer!! I miss the days when you could get your family together and go to the "company" picnic. So I decided to create my own. This meetup is open to all our members, their significant's, and families!!
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PICNIC INFO: SUMMARY
+++++++++++++++++++++- EVENT NAME: NoVA CBG's Annual "Company" Picnic
- EVENT DATE: 08/02/2025
- EVENT LOC: Fort Hunt Park - Picnic Area B
- EVENT GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/L3MFqNtmEV12
- EVENT PARKING: Don't park on the grass, DO park in the parking lot.
- EVENT STARTS: 9:00am
- EVENT FINISHES: 5:00pm
- EVENT WEATHER: Rain or Shine (We have a pavilion)
- EVENT ATTENDANCE: CBG Members, Significant's, & Families !!
- EVENT COST: Free if your annual $10 dues are paid up. If you are brand new to the group, pay your dues after you've met us.
- DISH TO PASS: Bring a dish to pass (one that feeds 2-3 people)
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PICNIC INFO: SCHEDULE
+++++++++++++++++++++- 9:30am Beginner & Medium Level River Farm Bicycle Rides: Arrive at the picnic at 9:30am and get yourself sorted and ready for "Da Speech" at 10:00am. We will roll when the speech is concluded. We are adding a 1/2 an hour River Farm stop to both rides this year since the farm is now OPEN on Saturdays. Please do not be late as you will not be allowed to ride if you miss it.
CBG_PICNIC_MEDIUM_2023 - 15 miles
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43744736
CBG_PICNIC_BEGINNER_2023 - 10 miles
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43744833 - 12:30pm Lunch (approx): If you're not participating in the morning bike rides, my suggestion is to get there around 11:30am to get settled and mingle and play some games. All the hot-dogs, hamburgers, and corn you can handle. Don't forget to bring a dish to pass (one that feeds 2-3 people).
- 1:00pm Mr. Softee Arrives!! All the ice cream you can handle!!
- 2:30pm Picnic Speech: Gary loves to hear himself talk.
- All Day - Bicycle Maintenance: Ted Marz and Ronne Irvine will once again offer up their professional services to work on your bicycle throughout the day. If you need anything done BEFORE the morning bicycle ride, be there by 9:00am.
- All Day - CBG SWAG (Jerseys): Once again we will have the CBG Jerseys and Socks and Hats for sale at the picnic. Most will be in stock for you to try on. Gary will be manning the table after lunch.
- All Day Games - Corn Hole, Jenga, Ladder Toss with mini "beer tents" set up this year at each end for shade.
- All Day Swap Meet - We will have a spot for all your old bike stuff, bring it, and swap for someone else's old bike stuff.
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PICNIC INFO: DETAILED
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For your riding and picnicking pleasure, please join us for our Annual NoVA CBG's "Company" Picnic (& Bicycle Ride)!!This is our way of saying "Thank You" for being an active member of our Casual Bicycling Group and a way for those that haven't ridden with us yet to come out and meet us. It will be a great day of socializing and bicycle rides.
NoVA-CBG has reserved Picnic Area B in Fort Hunt Park just for us which allows up to 350 people to attend with 140 parking spaces. Picnic Area B also has a solid pavilion, baseball diamond, and actual "flush toilet" bathrooms.
NoVA-CBG will provide the following for the picnic:
- Reservation of the Picnic Area B
- Beer / Water / Gatorade / Soda / Ice
- Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, and Corn on the Cob
- Unlimited Ice Cream.
- Games (Corn-hole, Ladder Toss, Giant Jenga, etc)
- Bike Rides
- Bike Maintenance
Things you should bring:
- A Dish to Pass (one that feeds 2-3 people).
- Chairs
- Bug Spray / Sunscreen / Whatever else you need for the great outdoors.
- Camera
- Bike Lock
- Any personal items (Specific Beverages / Whatever you need or want).
- NO PARKING ON THE GRASS!!
If anyone wants to help setup, Gary will get there at 8am, you can arrive anytime after 8am.
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RideWithGPS Routes:
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CBG_PICNIC_MEDIUM_2023 - 15 miles
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43744736CBG_PICNIC_BEGINNER_2023 - 10 miles
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43744833+++++++++++++++++++++
The Meeting Spot:
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Fort Hunt Park : Picnic Area B
Alexandria, VA
https://goo.gl/maps/L3MFqNtmEV12Holds 350 people and 140 cars !!
NO PARKING ON THE GRASS!! - The Legend of the NoVA CBG "Company" PicnicFort Hunt Park Picnic Area B, Alexandria, VA
RSVP AT THE LINK BELOW FOR THE
2025 NoVA CBG "COMPANY" PICNIC:
https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/events/309026522/+++++++++++++++++
The Legend:
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The NoVA CBG "Company" Picnic is coming up soon on Saturday August 2nd and whether you are coming to the picnic or not I like to send out to everyone annually the story of why I call our summer picnic the "Company Picnic".My father in his early family years worked for Spaulding Fibre, essentially the company made fibre based products (if you know what Fibre Board is, you get it). Blue collar upbringing... all that jazz... typical of the Buffalo NY area.
But once a year there was the Spaulding Fibre Company Picnic. Much buzz and commotion happening in the Wolanske household as the weekend approached. My father always would explain to me that this is how companies say "thank you" to their employees. While the company may not be able to say thank you all the time, or acknowledge the worker's efforts day after day, at least once a year the company made sure that they showed how much everyone was appreciated. Not just their employees were thanked but their families also.
The Company Picnic had Beer on tap for the adults, and Birch Beer on tap (like Root Beer) for the kids, hot dogs, hamburgers, oysters on the half shell, and for dessert ALL THE ICE CREAM YOU COULD EAT. When you arrived you could see the smoke from the grills getting fired up. You could see the barrels of Ice Cream in the truck (that's what I'm staring at in the picture if you follow the link). And it was held in a park where there were pavilions and play grounds.
*** CLICK HERE to see for my Parents in all their 70's glory ***
As a child, it was the one day you could be an adult. You could walk up and ask for a hamburger without your parents around. You could eat all the ice cream you wanted (that was my dad's rule, he would say "let the boy enjoy himself"). And the balloon toss, it was open to EVERYONE regardless of age. The one game that anyone could play. They wouldn't let me play horseshoes unfortunately, probably for the best. I simply remember thinking "this is AWESOME" always remembering what my father explained to me. This was because his company was saying thank you to him for doing such a good job and in turn thanking his family as well.
Of course times changed, and that "company" attitude migrated to one of expecting more and thanking less. So the Company Picnic went by the side of the road to save a few dollars. I think that is not how it should be. I wanted to do something about it. So I made my own picnic.
It has taken me a number of years to get this picnic to where it is today (we have plenty of stories along the way) and it has taken a lot of help from those that I'm trying to thank... but I wanted you to know I do this to say THANK YOU ... to all of you ... for being a part of this bicycling group, and for helping out in all the large and small ways that you do.
All of what every one of you do is important to me and the group, honoring your RSVP (showing up for a ride when you say you're going to), experienced riders helping new riders, new riders showing up for the first time even though they don't know what to expect, swapping war stories, long time riders becoming organizers and leading rides so we have plenty of rides to offer new riders, helping out on the rides, communication like telling me you don't WANT to work a ride and just ride instead, great new ideas for rides, having a drink with me after a ride even when you should be going home, knowing when us organizers are stressed, knowing when I'm stressed, knowing when we are kidding, forgiving us when we do something wrong, reminding me why I do what I do when I forget, and the list goes on and on and on.
No organizer gets paid for what they do, they do this out of the goodness of their heart so please, when you see an organizer at the picnic walk up to them and say THANK YOU... thank them for all they do. Share with them a story of a ride you did that meant something to you. It's not easy being an organizer because let's be honest they all have to put up with me (and that is no small feat let me tell you). I do double their salaries every year just so you know.
And remember, as you're enjoying yourself at the picnic and meeting new people and hanging with the usual suspects please try and think the same thoughts I did as a small boy "This is because your company (NoVA CBG) is saying THANK YOU to you for doing such a good job as a member of CBG".
Cheers everyone, see ya at the picnic :)
Oh, and DON'T PARK ON THE GRASS !!!
Gary Wolanske
gary@novacbg.org
703-568-1550Not open - Medium Level: The Koffee Klatch Ride : Coffee Republic National LandingBluemont Park Tennis Courts, Arlington, VA
NOTE: SUMMER RIDE TIME START 9 AM
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The Ride: Summary
(Must Read)
++++++++++++++++++++- RIDE NAME: The Koffee Klatch Ride - Coffee Republic National Landing
- START LOC: Bluemont Park Tennis Courts
- START GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/6VkzVaS72LKGn9nr5
- START PARKING: Bluemont Park Tennis Parking Area (with Restrooms)
- ARRIVAL: 9:00am
- SPEECH: 9:10am
**you must be present for the speech or no ride for you!**
- ROLLING: 9:15am
- LEVEL: Medium
- DISTANCE: 16.9 miles
- PACE: 11-13 mph (a "social" pace)
- TERRAIN: Trail / Street / Cyclepath
- RIDEWITHGPS ROUTE:
CBG_KOFFEEK_COFREP_2025
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51958936
Notes:
- This ride is organized very "lean" and may, or may not, have a sweep.
- Pump your tires on the morning of the ride, please.
- 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, where we visit different area coffee shops or bakeries for a cup and/or treat if desired but you don't have to drink or even like coffee to participate.The ride is a 16.9 mile medium level ridden at a social pace (11-13 mph). We will ride an Arlington Loop Variant Route clockwise starting from the Bluemont Tennis Courts on Wilson at 4 Mile Run. From the start we will take the Bluemont Junction Trail to the Custis Trail. We will exit the Loop at the Long Bridge Connector and ride Crystal Dr/Potomac Ave to 33rd. Our coffee stop is at Coffee Republic located at about mile 10.3. It's at the NE corner of 33rd and S Ball in the Azure complex. After the stop we will ride Ball St to Glebe to the 4 Mile Run Trail and continue the loop. We will also use the 4MRT instead of the W&OD for shade between Shirlington and George Mason Dr. You are not required to drink or even like coffee.
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The Meeting Spot:
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Bluemont Tennis Parking Area (with Restrooms)
Wilson Blvd & N Manchester St
Arlington, VA 22203
GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/6VkzVaS72LKGn9nr5
We will meet in the parking lot.+++++++++++++++++++++
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.
- **New Route** Medium Level (B Group): Tues. (TNR) - River FarmShirlington Library, Arlington, VA
Tuesday Night Rides (TNR) B-Group Edition with Mark, Bonnie and Jordan.
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The Ride: Summary
(Must Read)
++++++++++++++++++++- RIDE NAME: Tuesday Night Ride (TNR) - River Farm
- START LOC: Shirlington Library
- START GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/GXU2cMAG7672
- START PARKING: Any Garage in Shirlington
- ARRIVAL: 6:00pm
- SPEECH: 6:15pm
- ROLLING: 6:30pm (or earlier if everyone is present)
- LEVEL: Medium
- PACE: 13-15mph
- DISTANCE: 12.5 or 15 miles (Based on Where We Turn Around)
- TERRAIN: Trail / Street
- RIDEWITHGPS ROUTE:
CBG_TNR_RIVER_FARM_B_2025
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50977831 - Mandatory: Bring two bottles of ice water! Recommend fill bottles with ice and top off with water.
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The Ride: Detail
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For your riding pleasure NoVA CBG presents: Tuesday Night Rides (TNR) B-Group Edition with Mark and Bonnie.We'll start in Shirlington and ride down Mt. Vernon Trail, and come home through Old Town Alexandria, to the legendary hill "Medusa", and back to Shirlington.
- The "B" group will go out to Jones Point or Belle Haven Park and turn back with a total of 12.5 miles or 15 miles (Based on where we turn around).
- The "A" group will go out to River Farms.
This is a fairly flat route with one short but challenging hill, and we will be traveling on some streets in Old Town Alexandria. Riders must be aware & comfortable with vehicle surroundings!
This is the Medium level ride because we're going to keep a pace of 13-15mph on flat stretches (slower on streets) and the total distance is approximately 12.5 or 15 miles.
This is a NO DROP ride so you will not be left behind but you are expected to try to keep a B-Group level pace (13-15mph).
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The Meeting Spot:
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Shirlington Library
4200 Campbell Ave
Arlington, VA 22206
GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/GXU2cMAG7672We will meet directly in front of the library by the fountains.
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The Ride After The Ride:
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We’ll head to Samuel Beckett’s after the ride for a drink and food. We sit outside so we can bring our bikes and keep an eye on them. Join us if you like!++++++++++++++++++++
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/
Helmets are required to participate in all NOVA-CBG rides. NO exceptions. 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. Again, no exceptions.Not open