RECON Koffee Klatch Medium: Using Loop the Lakes Variant (Burke & Mercer)

This week is biking trails around both Burke and Mercer Lakes with gravel & paved trails, and roads to coffee. There are some hills on this ride. Helmets are required to participate in all NOVA-CBG rides.
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The Ride: Summary
(Must Read)
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Drive all the way to the very end and park directly in front of the South Run Field House at the very bottom of parking area.

• Definition of "Klatch" /kläCH/ noun = A gathering characterized by informal conversation
• RIDE NAME: The Koffee Klatch Ride: Loop the Lakes and Tous les Jours Bakery
• START LOC: South Run Rec Center
• START GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/tac8sEttpFm
• START PARKING: https://goo.gl/pz8LWb
• ARRIVAL: 10:00 am
• SPEECH: 10:10am

—> **you must be present for the speech or no ride for you!**

• ROLLING: 10:15am
• LEVEL: Medium
• PACE: 10-13 mph (Social Pace)
• DISTANCE: 15.6 miles
• TERRAIN: dirt, gravel, paved trails, roads
• Ride-with-GPS Route:
• CBG_KOFFEEK_LTL-TLJ_2025
• https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50927676

NOTES:

• It's cooler in the shade.
• This is not your normal CBG ride - READ THE MEETUP!
• Show up with FULL water bottles.
• Carry a spare inner tube that fits your bike.
• This ride is organized "lean" and 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/

(Restroom are open in South Run Recreation Center at the Start).
Rocks, Roots, and Gravel-oh my (but it's not toooo bad)
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The Ride : Detail
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For your riding pleasure, NoVA CBG presents a variant of Loop the Lakes (idea credit to Dave and Kevin).

Come on out and try a Medium skill level but an entry level trail/mountain biking ride.

Please note, this is not your normal Koffee Klatch CBG ride. If you are unsure of your riding ability in general, then this in NOT the ride for you.

However, if you are a solid beginner(+) cyclist and you can handle some hills and gravelly situations you will have to "up your game" a little but please come on out and give this ride a try!! It's really something different and fun!!

1. This ride starts around Burke Lake to do a mostly gravel loop there
2. On the northeast side we head east on Burke Lake Rd (side path and then take-the-lane) over to Rolling Valley Shopping Mall and Tous les Jours Bakery & Café
3. Head on the road to Mercer Lake clockwise, and
4. Finish it all up back to where it started.

A hybrid, gravel, or mountain bike is required (NO SKINNY TIRES / NO ROAD BIKES).
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The Meeting Spot:
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South Run Rec Center
7550 Reservation Dr
Springfield, VA 22153

• GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/tac8sEttpFm
• PARKING INFO: https://goo.gl/pz8LWb

Drive all the way to the very bottom end of parking and park directly in front of the South Run Field House.
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Ride after the Ride
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Is the coffeeshop within the ride:
Tous les Jours
9278 Old Keene Mill Rd Unit A
Burke , VA 22015

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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:

• "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.
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