Long Distance Walking

Let's explore the Petworth neighborhood in DC! **Time:** \~6pm-8:15pm **Start/End Location:** Georgia Ave-Petworth metro station **Map/Route:** [Kamoot](https://www.komoot.com/tour/2788247707), [Caltopo](https://caltopo.com/m/02HA9KE) **Millage:** 4.25 **Terrain:** There will mostly be paved and level ground. \-\-\- We try to be punctual with our event times so please be respectful to others and show up a few minutes early. Note, we often limit the RSVPs to keep group sizes manageable. If you are on the waitlist but would really like to join, reach out to the organizer. Our events prioritize metro accessibility by meeting and ending at metro stations. Sometimes we start/stop at the same station, sometimes we do not. Please double check the event description to see if you can manage transportation. If you've enjoyed our walks please consider donating a few bucks to help us keep this group running (meetup is expensive!). [Donation Link](https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2158403661070336114)

**SHORT RIDE - SMALL GROUP** **[NATIONAL PINK SHIRT DAY](https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pink-day/)** **+++++++++++++++++++++++++++** **Ride: Summary - Click Read more** **+++++++++++++++++++++++++++** RIDE NAME: The Koffee Klatch Ride: Paris Baguette Falls Church START LOC: Bluemont Park, Manchester & Wilson, Arlington, VA * START GPS: [[https://goo.gl/maps/2sMA3jhGSgdS4fJj9](https://goo.gl/maps/2sMA3jhGSgdS4fJj9)] * START PARKING: Tennis Courts Parking lot (restroom available) * ARRIVAL: 12:00pm * SPEECH: 12:10pm ***—> \*\*you must be present for the speech or no ride for you!\*\**** * ROLL: 12:15pm * LEVEL: Medium * PACE: 11-13 mph * DISTANCE: 10 mi * TERRAIN: Trail / Street / Cyclepath * RIDEWITHGPS ROUTE: **CBG_KOFFEEK_PARISBGFC_2026** [https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54023719](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54023719) **Notes:** * This ride is organized "lean" * **The parking by the Bluemont tennis courts has not been closed yet so we still plan to meet there. I will check daily and update here if that changes** * 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/](https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/events/271742916/)** **+++++++++++++++++++** **The Ride: Detail** **+++++++++++++++++++** Welcome to The Koffee Klatch! These rides are generally based off the Arlington Loop where we will visit different area coffee shops or bakeries for a cup and/or treat if desired. You don't have to drink or even like coffee to participate. This will be a shorter than usual 10 mile ride mostly on trails, but some roads with Paris Baguette, at mile 5. After the rewarding stop we head through Falls Church to the W&OD at west St, then back to Bluemont. **+++++++++++++++++++++** **The Ride After The Ride:** **+++++++++++++++++++++** This week's Coffee Shop is the Ride WITHIN The Ride! **[PARIS BAGUETTE](https://parisbaguette.com/locations/va/falls-church/169-hillwood-ave)** **Tower Square Shopping Center** 169 Hillwood Av Falls Church, VA 22046 **+++++++++++++++++++++** **Ride Level Chart** **+++++++++++++++++++++** 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. **+++++++++++++++++++++** **The Fine Print:** **+++++++++++++++++++++** 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.

I’m planning on posting a lot more city visit walks for 2026. Let’s start the year doing a quick trip down to Fredericksburg! Route: The route meanders through the city. Highlights include \- Chatham Manor \- Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Battlefield \- Historic Downtown Fred \- Rappahannock River \- Mary Washington House \+ Mary Washington Monument Logistics This walk requires more than just metro. You may drive if you would like, but I'm assuming most (including myself) will be taking the train to Fredericksburg. We will meet at Union Station at 11:30 and take the 79 Carolinian leaving at 12:10. The train also stops at Alexandria if that is more convenient. For the trip back to DC we will take the 124 Northeast Regional leaving Fred at 6:34 PM. I HIGHLY recommend booking your train ticket ASAP as prices do increase as we get closer to the date. You can book your train tickets at [amtrak.com](amtrak.com). Outbound Train: 79 Carolinian Inbound Train: 124 Northeast Regional Start Location: Union Station (Main Hall) End Location: Union Station Distance: Approx 5-7 miles Route: This will be more of a meander to various cool spots in the city. There’s no set route, so we can play it by ear. Terrain: Mostly Paved/brick sidewalks. Potentially minimal bushwhacking to get to Chatham Manor. \-\-\-\-\- Our events prioritize metro accessibility by meeting and ending at metro stations. Sometimes we start/stop at the same station, sometimes we do not. Please double check the event description for start/end locations to see if you can manage transportation to them. We try to be punctual with our event times so please be respectful to others and show up a few minutes early, because we will leave without you. We're always looking for new leaders who can showcase their neighborhood or any cool places they know, so please reach out either at an event or on meetup if you are interested. If you've enjoyed our walks please consider donating a few bucks to help us keep this group running (meetup is expensive!). [Donation Link](https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2158403661070336114)

Join us for a **scenic, social hike at Rock Creek Park** as we explore the "Southern Loop," starting from the Nature Center. Starting at the **Nature Center**, the "Southern Loop via Western Ridge Trail, Rock Creek, and Valley Trail" is a well-loved route. With over 2,700 glowing reviews on AllTrails, it offers beautiful scenery, well-maintained paths, and a refreshing escape close to the city. This **easy hike** winds through lush forested trails, showcasing the beauty of Rock Creek Park. While the trail is mostly straightforward, please note that sections may be **slippery**, so wear sturdy, grippy shoes. To learn more about the trail, click the link in the **Trail Map section below**. Get ready for fresh air, great conversations, and plenty of scenic moments! This hike is perfect for all levels, so bring your good vibes and let’s hit the trail together! **Meeting Time & Location:** Meet us at 9:30 AM at the **Rock Creek Park Nature Center,** located at 5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, DC 20015. There’s plenty of parking available at the Nature Center. We’ll gather right in front of the building to start the hike. **Distance:** 5.6 miles **Elevation Gain:** 685 feet **Difficulty:** Moderate Walk/Hike This hike is a moderate walk with natural trails and a few gentle inclines to get your heart rate up. The terrain includes some uneven sections, and the fallen leaves can make it a bit slippery in spots. With sturdy footwear, it’s an enjoyable and accessible hike for most levels. **Estimated Duration** This hike is expected to take approximately 2.5 hours. **Pace:** Moderate Pace We'll walk a steady, comfortable pace that’s manageable for most hikers with a reasonable fitness level. Breaks are regular but not overly frequent, allowing for a balanced experience of exercise and enjoyment. **Parking** Ample parking is available at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center, with additional overflow parking located across the street. **Trail Map (AllTrails)** [Rock Creek Park - Southern Loop](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/rock-creek-park-nature-center-a2f0474?u=i&sh=ylk43q) With over 2,700 reviews on AllTrails, this popular route offers insights into the trail’s conditions and highlights. Click the link above to learn more and prepare for your hike! **Restrooms** Restrooms are available at the Nature Center, our meeting point at the start of the hike. They open at 9:00 AM. Additionally, there are restrooms approximately 1 hour into the hike, where we’ll take a brief break. **Dog Attendance** For everyone’s comfort and enjoyment, we kindly ask that you leave your dogs at home for this hike. Thank you for understanding! **Lunch After the Hike** After the hike, join us for an optional lunch at **Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza** (4940 Wisconsin Ave. NW), an affordable, counter-service spot just a 10 minute drive away. They serve New England-style pizza, pastas, salads, antipasti, and local brews—something for everyone!

Let's go backpacking on a barrier island! I have wanted to do this trip since I missed it last year. \-\-\- below mostly copied from last time\-\-\- Assateague Island is a 37-mile long barrier island. It is known for its undeveloped beaches, wild horses, waterfowl, and the Assateague Lighthouse. This stretch of beach walking is some of the most pristine anywhere, at times veering into an almost meditative quality as you walk along the sand. And, oddly, even though it is essentially flat and a straight line, walking in sand is not exactly easy. You'll find yourself aiming for firm footing, and your feet (and everything else) will be sandy. Best to avoid heavy footwear here. Caveat; I've never done this trail before Updated 2/5: Trip rank is tentatively MO W1. It may be warm by end of Feb or it may still be cold as hell. If it looks like another W2 type of weekend, I will give up on the trip for the year lol. You can read more about trip ranks [here.](https://dculbackpacking.com/about/tripranks/) **Plan (Updated 2/5)** We have postponed again due to bad weather on 7th. Hoping to have better luck on Feb 28th (fingers crossed) \-\-\- Here's what got so far (special thanks to Andrew for tips): We are planning to do a key swap shuttle. Looks like we have enough drivers at this point. I will rent a car if necessary. For now we'll assume all of the DC based car pool crew will meet at the Greenbelt Metro Station at \~7:45-8am. This may change as we figure out car pool configurations closer to the hike and/or if folks self-organize in comments. All drivers will then meet at Maryland District Ranger Station/Campground Office. **We need the entire group assembled here before noon to pull the permit.** **\- Located** in the Maryland District of Assateague Island on west side of Bayberry Drive, after the entrance station. The GPS address is 6633 Bayberry Drive, Berlin, Maryland 21811. * https://maps.app.goo.gl/k5JNnJBgsP2Q1jUFA We'll get our permits, \- Note that the park service won't issue the permit in case of bad weather\. Will call if it seems necessary\. Half group will stay and start in MD (SOBOs). The other half of hikers will go to the VA side (NOBOs, preferably the faster hikers). We can do the swapped leg up front. After pulling the permit, NOBOs will drive SOBOs’ cars to the VA southern terminus to stage them. When the groups meet at the campsite, we’ll swap keys. That way each person finishes at their terminus with their own car + keys. Parking: \- For those starting in Maryland\, park at North Beach \(not far from ranger station\); \- For those starting in Virginia\, go to Herbert H\. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center\. Staff will provide parking information\. Vehicles must display parking tag obtained with permit\. https://maps\.app\.goo\.gl/scc77myoRAD5nBzM8 * Side note: Tom's Cover visitor center in VA is permanently closed (Nov 2025). Will be demolished We'll do splits of about 14 / 14. There is no freshwater on the island so plan to start will all the water you'll need for the trip. Depending on wind, we'll either camp at Stateline (on the beach side) or Pope Bay (on the bay side). Expect the camp ground to be sand. **Resources** Caltopo TBD (this is 99% walking in a straight line but I'll probably still make one) Locations: [Greenbelt Metro](https://maps.app.goo.gl/FWTMyBM5Qpy1CNLe6) [Ranger Station for Permit and MD Parking](https://maps.app.goo.gl/k5JNnJBgsP2Q1jUFA) [Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center (for those starting in VA)](https://maps.app.goo.gl/scc77myoRAD5nBzM8) Past trips: \- https://dculbackpacking\.com/2022/03/29/trip\-report\-hiking\-on\-the\-beach\-in\-winter\-assateague/ \- https://www\.meetup\.com/dc\-ul\-backpacking/events/304254668/?eventOrigin=group_events_list Weather - [NOAA](https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?w0=t&w1=td&w2=wc&w3=sfcwind&w3u=1&w4=sky&w5=pop&w6=rh&w7=rain&w8=thunder&w9=snow&w10=fzg&w11=sleet&w13u=0&w14u=1&w15u=1&AheadHour=48&FcstType=graphical&textField1=37.94&textField2=-75.36&site=all&unit=0&dd=&bw=&AheadDay.x=58&AheadDay.y=12) - [Accuweather](https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/assateague-state-park/21842/daily-weather-forecast/19678_poi?day=7) From NPS: \- https://www\.nps\.gov/asis/planyourvisit/backcountry\-camping\.htm **The Fine Print** * By RSVPing to this trip or any other DC UL trip, you agree to DC UL's liability waiver terms. ([https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver](https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver/#more-110)) * If you are a member, don't forget to pay your annual $10 dues. You can check to see if you need to pay dues by seeing if the current year is listed next to your name in your DC UL profile. Applicants do not need to pay dues for their first trip with the group. To pay your dues via PayPal, use this link: [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JenniferAdach/15](https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JenniferAdach/15) * All non-drivers should expect to pay $0.10 per mile to their driver, in accordance with the DC UL carpool policy.

Join us as The Washington Area Roadskaters lead you on a different adventure every week, skating through and around our Nation's Capital! For current details, check Facebook and Instagram. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WashingtonAreaRoadskaters/events Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareskatedc/ We hope to see you soon!

We meet on Sundays at 8 a.m. for training runs on some of DC's best trails, including Rock Creek Park and the surrounding area. We typically meet at either Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, or Roosevelt Island, depending on the route. Details of the weekly schedule can be found here: https://new.vhtrc.org/runs/sip We hope you can join us for a run! All paces and levels of trail experience are welcome for these runs, which range in distance from 6 to 9 miles.

[The Board Walks](http://www.theboardwalks.com/) are for curious people who love deep conversations. If that sounds like you, **bring a thoughtful topic** and join us for a 5-mile walk (10,000+ steps!). **HOW IT WORKS** **Step 1: Bring a topic** Before you arrive, think of **one** topic you want to explore. A question. A thought that's been on your mind. An obsession you want to geek out on. This is your ticket to the event. **Step 2: Circle up & share** We gather in a circle. Your friendly walk host gives a speech to set the tone. Everyone shares: your name, what you're grateful for, and your topic. That's it. 60 seconds. **Step 3: Walk, talk & float** We walk 5 miles. You naturally drift into conversation with 2-3 people at a time, pulled by topics that spark your curiosity. When you're ready to move on, just say: "I'm going to float!" **Step 4: Feel more alive** Two hours flies by. You're back where you started — but you feel different. More alive. More energized. More connected to yourself and others. That's why regulars join 20+ times. *For more details, read our [Orientation Guide.](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation)* **HOW TO BRING A GREAT TOPIC** A great topic = something you're genuinely curious about. Recent topics include: * "What are you passionate about right now?" * "What makes a good friend?" * "What's a belief you used to hold that you've completely changed?" * "How do you want to be remembered?" * "What would you do if money wasn't a factor?" Think of your topic like the dish you're bringing to our conversational potluck. If everyone brings an A+ dish (i.e. energizing, uplifting, expansive), we'll all walk away feeling lighter and brighter. **WHAT TO EXPECT** This isn't a fitness event with casual chitchat. It's a walking think tank where we explore life's big questions together, beyond small talk. *If you're looking for light banter or a standard networking event, this probably isn't the right fit.* But if you crave depth, genuine connection, and conversations that make you feel alive? You'll love it here. **FAQ** * Wear casual athletic attire and sneakers. It's a long walk! * We have multiple first-timers at each event. We work hard to create a welcoming, inclusive, clique-free space. * We welcome people of **all** ages, backgrounds, and industries who align with the [intention](https://www.theboardwalks.com/ground-rules) of this space. * Rain or shine, we've been out here nearly every week since July 2022. If the event is cancelled, we'll let you know. * Dogs, babies in strollers, parents, and friends are welcome — please text/email them the event link so they can RSVP and prepare a topic! **LOGISTICS** * If you'll arrive over 10 minutes late, we suggest skipping the event. It's hard to find us once we start walking, and your host can't answer messages during the event. * This walk is designed for everyone to *move together at the same steady pace* (about 20 min/mile). This format works best when the whole group moves in unison. If you have mobility limitations, we kindly encourage you to find an event better suited to your needs. * Read our [Orientation Guide](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation) for full details. * If you enjoy the event, send **[this](http://www.theboardwalks.com/)** to a friend or sign up for our **[newsletter](https://theboardwalks.beehiiv.com/)**. We're in multiple cities with more on the way. **IF YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER...** [The Board](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board) is the next step: a high-trust collective for renaissance people devoted to creating, connecting, and building lives that light us up. * This is a global HQ for people who crave big talk, deep connection, and dream collaborations with people across industries. If the walks feel like a spark... The Board is the fire. Apply [here](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board).

**Caller: Frank Buschelmann** **Band: The Rosenthorns** **Big Scioty Contra Dance** **temporarily returning to our long ago location for Jan-March - First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad St., Columbus 43215** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 7:30 - 8:00, followed by dancing 8:00 - 10:30. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. For more information contact me or check out our website: [www.bigscioty.com](http://www.bigscioty.com/) Please bring your own refillable water bottle. Snacks to share are always welcome!