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Details

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

This ride is a special commemoration and will only be cancelled on account of rain (not drizzle), snow, ice, or below freezing temperatures. Participants of this ride need to have a higher level of self-sufficiency since we have fewer ride organizers (read: sometimes no sweep). You must be comfortable adjusting your clothing layers for cooler weather and to winter trail conditions.

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The Ride: Summary
(Must Read)
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  • RIDE NAME: International Women's Day Commemoration
  • START LOC: Workhouse Arts Center (Main parking lot)
  • START GPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/J7EqYBmVjL4CzaVi9
  • START PARKING: In public parking lot on the left at the Entrance on Workhouse Wy
  • RESTROOMS: Available at the Start = Bunnyman Brewery. Another restroom 7 mins into the ride at Occoquan Regional Park
  • ARRIVAL: 11:00am
  • SPEECH: 11:20am
  • ROLLING: 11:30am
  • LEVEL: Medium Level
  • PACE: 12-15 mph
  • DISTANCE: 12.3 miles
  • TERRAIN: Mostly paved bike trail (about 1/10 of a mile smooth very light gravel) and about 2 miles in the street with a few rolling hills. Skinny tires will work.
  • RIDEWITHGPS ROUTE:
    CBG_FC50_WOMENSHISTORY_2025
    https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49943440

NOTES:

Always Do's:

  • Always have a spare tube with you, seriously it is needed.
  • Always know your air pressure PSI and have your tires fully inflated.
  • Always wear appropriate clothing for the weather (think layers).
  • Always eat before & have water/snack with you

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The Ride: Detail
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The ride is a 12.3 miles medium level ridden at a social pace (12-15 mph). We start out at the Workhouse Art Center and do a loop down to the Occoquan Regional Park with a visit to the Suffragist Memorial. Back at the Workhouse we follow the Cross County Trail (CCT) through the old Lorton Jail property and then do a larger loop through the northern part of Lorton and eventually loop back to the Workhouse on the Rt 123 sidepath.

Some background:
The Occoquan Workhouse in Lorton, was a jail that imprisoned hundreds of women suffragists in 1917. The prison is now part of Occoquan Regional Park, and the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial honors the women who were jailed there.

HISTORY

  • The Occoquan Workhouse was built in 1910 as a work camp to rehabilitate prisoners through hard labor.
  • In 1917, the prison held dozens of suffragists who were arrested for picketing the White House.
  • The suffragists endured poor conditions, violence, and were locked in solitary confinement.
  • The suffragists' experiences helped to turn public opinion in favor of suffrage.

MEMORIAL

  • The Turning Point Suffragist Memorial is located in Occoquan Regional Park.
  • It honors the women who were imprisoned at the Occoquan Workhouse.
  • You can learn more about the memorial and take a tour at [turningpointsuffragistmemorial.org](https://suffragistmemorial.org/).
  • The gate at the memorial is the original one from the White House when the suffragists protested in front of it.

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The Meeting Spot:
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Workhouse Art Center (Parking Lot on the left at the entrance)
9518 Workhouse Wy, Lorton, VA 22079
GPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/J7EqYBmVjL4CzaVi9 (Parking lot on the left at the entrance)
Bathroom available at the Start = Bunnyman Brewery. Another restroom 7 mins into the ride at Occoquan Regional Park

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The Ride After The Ride
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Bunnyman Brewing Cafe - Lorton (At the Workhouse property)
9514 Workhouse Wy, Lorton, VA 22079

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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:

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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Related topics

Events in Lorton, VA
Bicycling
Outdoor Fitness
Outdoors
Healthy Living
Wellness

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