[RECON] Medium Level: National Arboretum Ride (BYOBike-Snack)

Here's another one that we haven't done since 2019!
Anyone up for a RECON adventure? Bring your own bike snack and let's go explore the National Arboretum.

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The Ride: Summary
(Must Read)
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• RIDE NAME: National Arboretum Ride
• START LOC: Columbia Island Marina George Washington Memorial Pkwy, Arlington, VA 22202
• START GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/gcQe4oH6rWN7Lqy9A
• START PARKING: Near the restroom building.
• ARRIVAL: 10:00am
• SPEECH: 10:15am
• ROLLING: 10:30am
• LEVEL: Medium (DC streets)
• PACE: 13ish mph
• DISTANCE: 15 miles (DC streets - Stop/Go traffic).
• TERRAIN: Trail / Street
• RIDEWITHGPS ROUTE:
  CBG_ARBORETUM_2025
  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50833731

NOTE:

• Bring a Bike Lock (very important).
• Bring TWO Full Water Bottles
• Bring a good snack to enjoy while we are at the Arboretum, I don't think they sell any food or anything but that is part of the recon.

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The Ride : Detail
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Here's another route that we haven't done since 2019! It's "bascially" the Union Market ride, but we head to the National Arboretum instead.

Once inside the Arboretum we will ride our bikes to a number of sites to stop and check them out:

• Capitol Columns
• Ruins of the Maryland Avenue Gate
• Lilac Hill
• Coy Pond/Bonzai Garden

If you don't want to ride your bike around inside the Arboretum you can park/lock it and walk/explore some areas you may want to pay more attention to.

It's a RECON so we will see how this goes.

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The Meeting Spot:
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Columbia Island Marina
George Washington Memorial Pkwy
Arlington, VA 22202
GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/gcQe4oH6rWN7Lqy9A
PARKING: Near the restroom building.

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The Ride After The Ride:
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Columbia Island Marina
Island Time Bar & Grill at Columbia Island Marina
HOURS OF OPERATION
Wednesday – Friday 12:00pm – 7:00pm
Saturday – Sunday 11:00am – 7:00pm
https://www.facebook.com/IslandTimeBarGrill/

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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:](http://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.