Dirt Biking

The weather is looking great so let's take advantage of it while we can. Join VVCC for a Morning Pop Up Ride. This is a 36 mile route beginning in the parking lot of Anacostia Skate Pavilion. We will be riding through parts of DC, Riverdale, College Park, Maryland University, Greenbelt and Beltsville. We will also be stopping at Proteus Bike shop for a short coffee break. \*\**Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54154322* Meetup at 9:30a. Rollout at 10a This is a casually paced ride with estimated averages not exceeding 17 mph. This ride is not S.A.G supported. This is a "Ride at your own pace" ride so it is important that everyone download the route. PACE: A = 19+mph B = 17-19mph C = 15-17 D = 12-15 AMS (Average Moving Speed) may vary depending on terrain, traffic, and the ability of riders. Be sure to check in when you arrive. Please Read: To maintain safety on the road and to be respectful of motorists the following simple set of guidelines are asked to be followed: * Yellow Line rule on two lane roads must be obeyed. (NEVER EVER to be crossed) * White Line rule when we have ample shoulder or an adequate bike must be obeyed. * Broken Line rule, we do not take up more than one lane except when safely transitioning for a left turn. * Slower riders in the Free Ride sections should move to the far right to allow faster riders to go by on the left. * 2x2 Paceline at all other times. No wheel overlapping of the rider in front. * The large peloton will NOT stop for flats. If you are with a friend that flats, we suggest that you stop and ride in with them. Be sure to know the route and how to short cut or get back and how to change a flat. * NO "in ear" or "over the ear" Headphones of any kind allowed. * Experienced cyclists are asked to help first timers with route info When you RSVP to participating in this or any VELO VELO Cycling Club ride or event you are acknowledging that you take sole and full responsibility for your own health and safety. Helmets are a must. No helmet-No participation. Please be sure to have all proper equipment and supplies to help ensure a safe and pleasant ride. Two spare inner tubes, CO2 cartridges, patch kit and pump. Front and rear lights Eye Protection Gloves Proper hydration Water bottles that fit your bottle cage ID and money Obey all traffic laws including stopping at red lights.

Come join us for a 11-12 mile ride at a Fairland. We normally average 9-10mph. This is now a night ride and lights are required. Wheels rolling at 6pm unless someone texts me they're running a little late. We normally do 10-12 miles, and average 10mph. This ride is more for faster than average riders due to the pace. We wait up at intersections to let all riders catch up. If you have a good amount of rides under your belt and can average 8mph or better on singletrack trails, and take small brakes, then you will probably will be able to hang but it will be a challenge. About Fairland: 90% non-technical ride with few major climbs and no mandatory obstacles (they all have ride-arounds). Promise, no rocks. None! (there is one section of busted-up concrete, but it's not rocks, and it's only 10-15 feet long). Anyway, there are a couple good places to stop and practice log-overs, and balance on the boardwalks, and some good flow trails. We will visit the skills pit but be advised, there are drops, jumps, skinnies, and overall technical features that will require the appropriate experience. Always take caution and know your technical ability limits. Video of our ride at Fairland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1-b0EDVb08 What to bring: Plenty of water, helmet (no helmet no ride), your mtb of course!, multi-tool (although you can borrow mine), patch kit, extra tube (make sure it has the same valve you need for your wheel), a snack if you're doing both loops. Here at MVD MTB'ers meetup page, we always appreciate any feedback, write a group review!( Here (http://www.meetup.com/MVDMountainBikers/about/comments/?op=all)

The weather has been amazing, so why stay inside? We'll meet at the trail head to Gorman Stream Valley Park which is just south of the intersection of Old Columbia Road and the Middle Patuxent River. We'll start promptly at 5:30 and turn around at 6:10 so we're back before sunset. Hiking boots are a good idea since the trail is likely to be muddy. Meet in the dirt parking lot at the trail head which is just south of where the road crosses over the water. If there is no parking in the lot, you can park across the street along the road and cross carefully.

If you’ve already learned the basics of volleyball and want to keep improving your skills while having fun, this event is for you! **Number of Nets:** 3 **How to find us:** Park in the South Bluemont Parking Area and walk toward the south end of the lot. Near the end, you’ll see a bridge on your left—cross it. We’ll be on the field to the left of the picnic pavilion. **Skill Level:** Advanced Beginner (click [here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/mobilebasic) for details). **Reminders** 1. Attendance: We’ve noticed that the waitlist is growing, so please make sure your name is on the Going list if you plan to play. Our number of nets is limited so this helps avoid too many rotations. If your name is on the list but you don’t show up, it will count as an absence according to Smiley Social rules. Please update your RSVP at least 12 hours in advance if your plans change. 2. Injuries: Play safely and be mindful of others on the court. Respect positions and avoid risky moves that could lead to injury. If you’re not sure the ball is yours, call it before going for it to avoid collisions. 3. Game Rules: Let’s follow the basic volleyball rules, especially the three-touch rule so we can play properly and improve as a team! **Smiley Social documents:** 1. [Group Rules ](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HrG35p_0M08leRvCp8XWG3CMkr_GL928XFabl5T6Dvg) 2. [Liability Waiver ](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W2mq-7m99lmvd7gdWYaSUFtvVg4UGnzV6koafAbHmco) 3. [Volleyball Levels](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/)

We will have open shop hours for anyone to bring their bikes to work on or need help fixing your own bike. We will also have bikes that need to be fixed so you can learn if you like. We will need everyone to sign in when arriving and sign out when leaving so we can keep track of volunteer hours and shop times. Suggested donation of $15 per hour for use of tools and space would be appreciated. Thank you!

Come volunteer with us refurbishing donated bicycles so that they can be used again by the community! This event is open to both new and existing volunteers. No mechanical experience is necessary. Note: The warehouse location is in the alley behind 1502 Mt Vernon Ave. Enter through the gray door next to a roll-down garage door. If you drive to the location, be sure to park in the street, not in the alleys or parking lots surrounding the warehouse. And wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty with bicycle grease! Please be aware that volunteers under 18 need a parent or guardian to accompany them to their first volunteer experience and sign a liability waiver, while volunteers under 16 need a parent or guardian to accompany them at all times while volunteering with Vélocity.

Please read for the safety of those participating on this ride and on the trails, we will not be doing this ride if it is raining or if the trails and bridges are slippery due to previous rain. **Meetup time is 9:30am and the Pre-ride briefing is at 9:45am, and the roll out time will be 10:00am. Be sure to check in when you arrive.** Join **"Vintage Steel Cyclists"** for an (Easy Like Sunday Morning Ride) for a partial Trail and Street ride from Hains Point out to "The Village at Shirlington and back. This is a no drop ride, at a social party pace average between 12 to 15 mph on flats, and it will be slower on hills, and we'll wait and regroup at the top of all hills. We'll make sure no one is left behind. You must have a steel bike to participate in this ride. This ride will be approximately 25 to 30 miles round trip, and we'll grab a bite to eat at one of the many places in Shirlington. **Please Read:** **When you RSVP to participate in this or any "Vintage Steel Cyclist" ride or event, you are acknowledging that you take sole and full responsibility for your own health and safety. Helmets are a must and required to participate in any of our events event, and you ride at your own risk. Please be sure to have all proper equipment needed in case of flats or mechanical issues. Multi-tool, two spare inner tubes or CO2 cartridges, patch kit, and pump. Front and rear lights, eye protection, gloves, water bottles that fit your bottle cage or camelback, ID and money. Also please make sure that your bike is in good working condition before the ride. After all, these are Vintage Bikes.**

Meet in the parking lot of the Handy Bikes Service Center. At the start of each ride, we'll go over introductions to have a sense of participants' cycling experience. Over the course of our rides, we'll address the following: group riding dynamics; safety (ABC check & trail hazards); gear shifting; hill climbing; audible and hand communication within the group, with other trail users, and automobile drivers; what to bring on each ride; etc... Bring your questions, water & a snack. When it starts getting dark earlier, we'll need lights as well. Helmets a MUST. If you can, and especially if you've had issues with your bike, come a bit early to have it looked at ahead of the ride. PS - all levels are welcome to join, however, be mindful that if you are an experienced rider, please be prepared to ride at the pace of the newest rider in the group. Each week, depending on who's in attendance, and participants' riding ability/comfort level, we may do skills practice as a group in the parking lot or at the west end of Wheeler Ave. Once everyone is comfortable, we'll go for a ride on local trails and neighborhood streets and finish back at the shop. Happy Pedaling !! \~Maya

Weekly Saturday group ride, starting at Handy Bikes Retail Showroom. Come ride with locals in the area! This group ride is for average folks who want to go for an average ride. It's not quite a coffee ride, but it's definitely not a race! Routes will vary around the area, with an average speed around 14 mph (minimum of \~10 MPH) for around 15-30 miles. We'll be on pavement so bikes with smooth tires are encouraged, **helmets are mandatory**. Open to any riders who are willing and able to ride with a group including Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes. No speed demons please! Good group ride etiquette is a requirement. Shop opens at 10:00 am Show up and sign in by 10:15 am Roll out 10:30 am Please RSVP in advance, so that the ride leaders can prepare for the group's size. [Handy Bikes on Strava](https://www.strava.com/clubs/737920/leaderboard) [Handy Bikes on RideWithGPS](https://ridewithgps.com/organizations/14675-handy-bikes)

Similar to our "Beginner Ride", a casual, on-road-avoiding, cycle-path-winding, beginner friendly, group ride. The ride will be led by Maya and Angie, who have a combined 50 years of cycling experience. This is a no drop ride with an average speed of 7- 12 mph. Please bring a helmet, lights, a snack, hydration and wear appropriate clothing for cooler weather (cotton is not your friend in cooler temps and we will be riding in the dark). The ride can be tailored to the skills that attendees want to master, i.e- drinking from water bottle while riding, making tight turns, riding in a small group and cycling etiquette. We will be riding mainly on trails, streets as minimally as possible, and sidewalks only when necessary. This ride is perfect for someone who hasn't ridden in a while and wants to get some easy miles on the saddle; not just for newbies. If you have not ridden your bike in several weeks, months or years, please have a safety check done before the day of the ride. We are just here to have fun.

The weather forecast says it's going to be 84F so let's go play in the Gravel. Join VVCC as we gravel the C&O to Great Falls. We will leave from Anacostia Park Skate Pavilion and ride to Georgetown to pickup the C&O trail. Although this is not a technical trail the terrain is a mix of various types of gavel. This is a "ride your own pace" ride and there will be no sweeper. The route is a simple 44 mile down and back but you are more than welcome to do more or less miles. Meetup is 9:30a and we are on the pedals at 10a. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53650639 When you RSVP to participating in this or any VELO VELO Cycling Club ride or event you are acknowledging that you take sole and full responsibility for your own health and safety. Helmets are a must. No helmet-No participation. Please be sure to have all proper equipment and supplies to help ensure a safe and pleasant ride. Two spare inner tubes, CO2 cartridges, patch kit and pump. Front and rear lights Eye Protection Gloves Proper hydration Water bottles that fit your bottle cage ID and money

We are recruiting new group leaders for virtual men's groups! Our primary groups are outdoor movement groups, but we are launching virtual groups for the state of Ohio and beyond and the groups will move outside in the spring, creating room for men's groups, women's groups and coed groups all over the country. Read below to learn about our groups and click the links at the bottom to apply. ### **What is an Outdoor Empowerment Group?** Our Outdoor Movement & Community Empowerment Groups are simple, guided experiences designed to help people reconnect with nature, themselves, and others. We combine some form of movement (hike, walk, run, bike, yoga, workout) and meaningful conversation within a simple community circle to create a space where individuals can support each other while prioritizing mental and physical well-being. Whether you’re seeking stress relief, personal growth, or community, our groups offer everyone a unique and welcoming environment. ## **Why Join?** * **Improve Mental & Physical Well-Being** – Movement, nature, and supportive conversations reduce stress and promote balance. * **Feel Less Alone** – Build genuine connections with like-minded people in a safe, welcoming space. * **Gain Clarity & Perspective** – Step outside daily routines and into a space designed for personal growth and reflection. ## **The Ideal Group Leader** The ideal group leader * Has a born-in passion for mental health, movement, connecting with nature and building community. * Has 5 extra hours per week to dedicate to a meaningful cause for at least one year. Yes, you can leave any organization at any time and we can also ask you to leave, but we are building with legacy in mind and we need people who can commit and be ALL IN on this mission to build with us. * Is independently financially stable with the ability to volunteer with no expectation of pay. This is a deeply beautiful journey of service that all participants commit to at Speak Your Mind. * An ability to manage groups with high emotional intelligence and desire for human connection. * An ability to self-motivate and market/promote their group on Facebook and other social platforms. * Nature informed therapy or clinical therapists/psychologists a plus. ## **Our Impact**  Since launching, we have helped thousands find support, connection, and healing through our Outdoor Movement Groups. 100% of participants surveyed have reported: * A noticeable improvement in mental clarity and emotional well-being. * An increase in social connection and a sense of belonging. * Said they would return again. We believe mental health should be accessible, community-driven, and rooted in nature. Join us and take the first step toward a more connected, grounded, and supported version of yourself. ### **Why Our Groups are Donation-Based** Our Outdoor Movement Groups are made possible through a donation-based model. This approach allows us to keep our events accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, while also ensuring that we can continue expanding our reach. It’s a great way to pay it forward and support the growth of this beautiful mission! Every contribution helps us: * **Cover Essential Costs** – Donations allow us to pay essential legal, marketing, insurance, and admin costs as well as nourish the important people who run the organization. * **Grow Our Mission** – With your support, we can bring these healing experiences to thousands more people in the future and execute our long term plan to expand across the USA, affecting up to 500,000 people per year. By choosing to contribute, you’re not just leading an event—you’re helping build a mental health movement that supports long-term well-being and connection for all during a severe mental health epidemic. ## **Come Join Us!** We’d love to have you be part of this growing community of people prioritizing their mental health, movement, and connection. 🔹 **Visit Our Website to Learn More:** https://speakyourmind.men/joinusoutside 🔹 **Apply Here to Lead Your Own Group!** – https://form.jotform.com/taketimespeakyourmind/sym-group-leader-application 🔹 **Support the mission**: If you resonate with the mission and want to support, feel free to join a group before applying or donate to help us reach our goals to help more people! You can donate here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/angels-for-angels/speak-your-mind Please text Mario with any questions: (808) 855-8831

Are you passionate about supporting other men on their mental health journey? We’re building a movement of virtual and in-person men’s groups across Ohio — and we’re looking for group leaders who want to make a real difference with us. As a group leader, you’ll create a safe space where men can connect, reflect, and grow together. Training and support are provided — you just need heart, presence, and a willingness to lead. **Apply now to lead a group in your area:** 👉 https://form.jotform.com/taketimespeakyourmind/sym-group-leader-application Speak Your Mind is a mental health non profit dedicated to bringing our community together to end the isolation that leads to mental struggle and suicide. Learn more about them here: https://linktr.ee/taketimespeakyourmind