Horse Riding Trails

Join us for a 5k run alternating between Harris Teeter/NIH loop and Chopt/Capital Crescent Trail.

Continue on the Potomac chapter's leg of the AMC 150th Relay, riding your bike with us on a stretch of the W.B.A trail between Bowie and the Baltimore Harbor. This is the 19th day of the 1,500-mile journey from Virginia to Maine starting in March and concluding in October. The segment will travel about 25 miles on a fairly level paved multi-use trail. Registration is required, you can sign up and get more info at the following link through Outdoors Connector: https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UUN00000264vp2AA/act00018149 Email the co-leaders if you have any questions after signing up. [About the AMC 150th Relay](https://www.outdoors.org/AMC150/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=sfmc&utm_campaign=May+2025+VR+Newsletter&utm_content=5/15/2025&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.outdoors.org%2fAMC150&email_audience=Volunteers%20AMC%20-%20Auto%20Refresh): Since 1876, AMC has connected people to the outdoors through recreation, education, and conservation. In 2026, we celebrate 150 years of that legacy with the AMC 150th Relay—a 1,500-mile journey from Virginia to Maine. Each leg of the relay contributes to a continuous route across the Northeast, showcasing the diversity of AMC’s outdoor legacy. Join the celebration by participating in a relay segment, attending a local event, or sharing your AMC story. Together, we’ll honor the past and shape the future of outdoor adventure.

Everybody knows about the cherry blossoms now in full bloom around the Tidal Basin. But there's an equally extravagant display of cherry blossoms each year in the Kenwood neighborhood of Bethesda, MD. We will gather after work at 5 p.m. next Monday evening March 30 at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Old Georgetown Road, near the entrance to the Bethesda Metro Station. From there we'll walk through downtown Bethesda to pick up the paved Capital Crescent Trail that soon delivers us directly to Kenwood. Once we arrive, we'll scatter through residential streets for about an hour to ooh and ah; Kenwood is a very fancy neighborhood, so its homes and manors are quite impressive in their own right. We should be back in Bethesda by sunset; there will be an optional dinner in one of the many local establishments before we return to the Bethesda Metro station. Total length of our round-trip on the paved and level Capital Crescent Trail should be about 2 miles, plus whatever mileage we rack up roaming the streets of Kenwood. Bring beverages, snacks, and $5 for the Adventuring trip fee. Please [click here](https://adventuringlgbtq.com/Adventuring_Release_Form.pdf) to review our release form. When you **RSVP** to an event, you affirm that you have read and agree to the terms of the release. Every participant must RSVP on their own behalf.

*You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf) and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.* This is a 7.8 mile hike along the Potomac River, with 300’ elevation gain. We will begin at the River Bend Nature Center on Jeffery Road and hike down to the Potomac Heritage Trail where the hike follows the Potomac up river. **Hike Rating:** C-Moderate *[7.8 mi + 300/400ft/mi = 8.5 equiv mi (C-hikes are between 7-10 equiv. miles)](https://nvhc.com/hikeinfo/ratings/)* **Leader:** Harvey **Meet at 9:00am** at the parking lot in front of the Nature Center. *This is not the usual parking lot in Riverbend. Instead continue on Jeffery Road past the normal park entrance until the road bends right and then left and ends in a parking lot.* GPS Coordinates: 39.0220, -77.2507 **Fee:** $3 Because this event originates at Riverbend Park please bring $3 to contribute to a $30 group fee for events held at the park. I will have a bucket for contributions and cannot guarantee change so please bring small bills. [https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend/hours](https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend/hours) *(any extra will be donated to the park)* **Maps for the hike:** [https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/0HUAtKhXPvx2_p9Svd8OCAZ9Q#River_Bend_Park_-_Potomac_Heritage_Trail](https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/0HUAtKhXPvx2_p9Svd8OCAZ9Q#River_Bend_Park_-_Potomac_Heritage_Trail) GaiaGPS map: [https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=13.8/-77.2578/39.0290&pubLink=fqDM6B3xCVxc3kTBimld0a4G&trackId=0893e039-f597-4317-9e22-c728a3b00801](https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=13.8/-77.2578/39.0290&pubLink=fqDM6B3xCVxc3kTBimld0a4G&trackId=0893e039-f597-4317-9e22-c728a3b00801) gpx file for import into your favorite mapping program:

On Monday, we'll meet in front of 2100 Clarendon Blvd (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=2100+Clarendon+Blvd&ll=38.889847,-77.084005&spn=0.009704,0.017531&hnear=2100+Clarendon+Blvd,+Arlington,+Virginia+22201&gl=us&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=38.890666,-77.085485&panoid=Vy-Mbkk_fU1USwuw4_R6SQ&cbp=12,140.28,,0,0) around 6:50pm and head out for a nice hilly run at 7pm. We usually head out for a drink after the run. So if you're planning to stay after for drinks, bring your ID/etc. Notes: If you're not familiar with the area, please review the routes. If it's cold, take cover inside the foyer area of 2100 Clarendon Blvd. Photos taken during the event may end up on Instagram, Meetup, Strava and similar platforms. Routes: We'll alternate between the following routes. Both routes are hilly. We'll run 20 minutes out and then turn around and run 20 minutes back to Courthouse. Everyone runs at his/her own pace, so the distance will depend on your speed. 1. Courthouse to Georgetown Waterfront (one giant hill) (https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6264227038/) Veitch St. to the Custis Trail; downhill to Key Bridge; over to the Georgetown Waterfront. 2. Courthouse to Custis Trail West (rolling hills) (https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6600124130) Veitch St. to the Custis Trail; West toward Glebe Rd. Pace: All paces are welcome! We'll be doing an out and back route, so everyone will just turn around at the halfway time marker. That way we should all start and end at the same time. Free Parking at Courthouse Plaza: The underground garage (http://tiny.cc/OmKZx) is on Clarendon Blvd btwn Wayne and Veitch Sts. (near Strayer/CVS and the AMC Theater). If the first 2 levels on the left are full, you can park on the lower levels to the right. Street and Surface Parking lots should be free in the area as well. Metro: Orange or Silver line to Courthouse Station.

Between cathedrals, city parks, historic row homes, embassies, and more this walk has a bit of everything and includes some favorite spots and streets in the heart of DC. We will start by meeting at Dupont Circle. From there we will walk towards Adams Morgan via Columbia Rd with a detour to hit the Spanish Steps in Kalorama. Then we will walk down 16th all the way to M. This stretch contains a large amount of stunning churches. Then we hop over to Logan Circle and take Q back to Dupont which is a street lined with historic DC row homes. Start Location: Meet at the fountain in Dupont Circle park End Location: Dupont Circle Map: [Komoot](https://www.komoot.com/tour/2853044206?share_token=aM6zAfIxeK6o6NUEGagGcOAhorfKlxH4EbYyYahcJPBulRHvC5&ref=wtd), [Caltopo](https://caltopo.com/m/D7676S1), [Google](https://maps.app.goo.gl/fafVgru2rDrABGMx6) Milage: 5mi

16.7 miles. [https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34512774 ](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34512774)Picnic is at the Potomac Overlook 13 miles into the trail. Toilets are in the beginning, middle and end of the ride. We meet at the parking lot at Abner Cloud House at Fletcher's Cove. The group stops a few times for slower riders to catch up. The distance will be around 17 miles or shorter any time you are fully satisfied with biking for the day. Did you know that E-bike Lovers is an Amazon Affiliate? [https://ebikelovers.com/reviews](https://ebikelovers.com/reviews) FYI: Ride With GPS E-bike Lovers club membership is now free as [www.ebikelovers.com](http://www.ebikelovers.com/) is generating sufficient income from ads to cover the costs. Here is the link to activate your free membership: [https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbN](https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbN) The group stops a few times for slower riders to catch up. Please bring some snacks, lunch and plenty of water. Our bikes will be always in our sight. No additional locks are required to keep your bike safe on this trip. However, perhaps some people will decide to stop in Georgetown for a snack or lunch after the ride- so bring a lock just in case you would like to do that. For the E-bike Lovers group to be successful, we need to grow our membership carefully. Please feel free to invite other E-bike lovers, spread the word, and let's have fun. **Hill Alert: As usual, non-assisted bikers are most welcome, but be aware of the hills on this route.** About Fletcher's Cove: Fletcher's Cove, called by many customers "Fletcher's Boathouse", has been in this location since the 1850s and is renowned as a fishing and recreational area. The nearby Abner Cloud House is the oldest building on the canal, dating back to 1802. After 145 years of business, the fourth generation of the Fletcher family retired in 2004, and Guest Services Incorporated, a National Park Service concessionaire, assumed responsibility for the operation of the concessions. The area surrounding the boathouse was then officially named Fletcher's Cove, though most people still call it Fletcher's Boat House. About the C&O Canal: The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal operated from 1831 until 1924 along the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland. The canal's principal cargo was coal from the Allegheny Mountains. The canal’s roots begin with George Washington’s dream of a waterway trade route. 74 locks were built. About the Labyrinth: One of the most interesting features in the park is the labyrinth, located towards the western end of the park. Labyrinths, which date back to ancient times, encourage contemplation on the journey from the outer edge along a circular path to the center. The TKF Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes urban green spaces to facilitate community healing, provided funds for constructing the labyrinth and for a teak bench and a diary for visitors to use to record their experiences there. DISCLAIMER LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER GREGORY MAASSEN, NATHAN MERRIS, RICHARD CAMER, TRIP COORDINATORS, THEIR AFFILIATES, FAMILY AND FORMER AND CURRENT EMPLOYERS NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS IS LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF A USER’S ACCESS TO, OR USE OF THE E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS. See for the full disclaimer: https://ebikelovers.com/disclaimer

Questions/lost? Call 240-447-4796 Meeting place - https://maps.app.goo.gl/MQDKDrnVosSTp7Z69 https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington-dc/national-arboretum-east-side 2.8mi Length 229ft Elevation gain 1–1.5hr Estimated time Loop This route is mostly paved roadway but there are more natural areas. The National Arboretum is 446 acres.

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

**Join the District Cycling Collective for a scenic spring ride through some of the DMV’s best cherry blossom spots. This 40-mile loop takes us from DC out through Hyattsville and College Park, circling Lake Artemesia before heading back through the National Arboretum and along the Anacostia.** **Expect a mix of city riding, smooth trails, and a few rolling sections to keep things interesting. The Arboretum stretch brings some short climbs, but nothing crazy—just enough to wake the legs up.** **📍 Distance: ~40 miles** **⛰️ Elevation: ~700 ft** **🛣️ Surface: Mostly paved** **🌸 Vibe: Scenic, social, steady pace** **🚴🏽‍♀️ Rolling 10 am sharp!** **This is a great ride to enjoy the blossoms, build endurance, and roll with the crew. We’ll keep things together, but come ready to ride.** **Community in Motion.** **Link to route.** **https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54408449**

Join us for a flat 2.6 mile hike along the Alum Creek Trail from the rear parking lot of the Easton Hilton Garden Inn to the Strawberry Farms Park and back. This scenic trail along Alum Creek is a gem. Come and hike it with us!

Hi ladies. We will meet in front of the Nature Center and head to the two Observation decks. We will then hike Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook and Sugarbush trails to get approximately four miles total distance. We will walk approximately a 18 minute mile pace. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes.