Trail Building and Maintaining

Let's walk/hike around Rock Creek Park! This will be a figure eight trail featuring the Reservation 360 trail, Western Ridge trail, and Soap Stone Valley trail. **Millage:** 4.18 **Map:** [map](https://www.komoot.com/tour/3024583081?share_token=aoFToAWZIaF4dDGmT8zuTiTKNf8N6IpCsh8JL127RD8dn5CZix&ref=wtd&t_s=referral&t_cid=route_share&t_ref_username=5208720834658) (komoot), [map alt ](https://caltopo.com/m/C0NE6A2)(caltopo) **Start:** Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan metro **End:** Van Ness metro **Terrain:** There will a mix of paved surfaces and **unpaved hiking trails**, as well as some hills/stairs. \-\-\- 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)

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

Doubles Volleyball - Competitive BB-A level @Bluemont Park Let's get together to play some fun A level Doubles games at Bluemont. Format: Doubles COST: FREE Court Type: Outdoor grass Minimum Skill Requirements: BB-A level (click [here](https://docs.google.com/document/u/2/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/mobilebasic) for details) Attention: 1. This event is not always on a first come, first served basis. Those who can bring a net and ball, may get priority over others on the waitlist. 1. Since skill levels are self-reported, some attendees may not meet the expected level in reality, so we encourage you to choose a partner you can enjoy the game with, and since this is a competitive event, it is okay if you make a strong team and win all the games. 1. Since people arrive at different times, each group of 1. Players will set up and claim a net as they arrive, and may continue playing without rotating until all nets are set. ——— Smiley Social documents: [Group Rules](https://docs.google.com/document/u/2/d/1HrG35p_0M08leRvCp8XWG3CMkr_GL928XFabl5T6Dvg/mobilebasic) [Liability Waiver](https://docs.google.com/document/u/2/d/1W2mq-7m99lmvd7gdWYaSUFtvVg4UGnzV6koafAbHmco/mobilebasic) [Volleyball Levels](https://docs.google.com/document/u/2/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/mobilebasic)

Join us for this scenic 6-mile loop in Rock Creek Park averaging 2-2.5 miles per hour with an elevation gain of 740 feet. We will start at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center, and travel south past Pierce Mill, ascend up to the Pierce-Klingle Mansion, cross Rock Creek, and hike up the Valley trail, visiting Pulpit Rock and Boulder Bridge before returning to the Nature Center. The hike is generally considered a moderate route. It takes an average of 3 hours to complete the loop. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Toilets will NOT be available at the Nature Center, however the toilets at Pierce Mill will likely be open (about 2 miles into the hike). **Meeting Point:** The address is 5200 Glover Road, NW, at the Rock Creek Nature Center (no entrance fees, plenty of parking) **Meeting Time:** Plan to arrive at 8:15am so you will be able to meet everyone and sign the PATC waiver. Once the waiver is signed, we will begin the hike promptly at 8:30am. **Route:** Here is an AllTrails route in case you want to import this into a navigation device. [https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/activity-march-2-2025-36e51f2-2?u=i&sh=wugt2j](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/activity-march-2-2025-36e51f2-2?u=i&sh=wugt2j) **Contact Info:** Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions, and to arrange carpools. Call/text the hike leader (Allie) if urgent for day-of questions or issues 202-320-6103 **Important Notes:** RSVP here by 6pm the evening before; please do not show up unregistered. If you need to cancel, please change your RSVP by 6pm to allow others to move off the waiting list. Cancelling after 6pm may result in being designated a “no-show” which may affect your ability to sign up for future PATC hikes. In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting. \*\*Consider becoming a member of PATC to both enjoy the trails and support their maintenance. [www.patc.net](http://www.patc.net%2A%2A/)

We'll be advertising our club at the Captial Pride Festival again. Let everyone know what a great time they can have sailing with us! Volunteers can staff the table for just an hour or two, then cruise the rest of the festival. We can also use some help setting up the table and banners around 11:30 and packing up at around 4-4:30. Location TBA but we are usually in the Team DC Sports Village (across from Navy memorial fountain, Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Between 7th and 9th Street.) Please let us know which times you plan on volunteering.

I've got a three-day weekend for Juneteenth and I really want to hike the Loyalsock trail. Never been and I love PA in June. Please join me!! **Plan** This is a long drive with a shuttle at the end, so I'd like to meet at Grosvenor around 3pm. We'll drive up to Williamsport and leave a car at the western terminus, then drive another 45 minutes or so to the other end and hike westward, finishing Sunday morning. The splits will be 6/24/21/6 (with lots of elevation change!) and we'll need at least 3 vehicles. **Resources** Loyalsock SF Map: https://bit.ly/3DUvtgo CalTopo: https://caltopo.com/m/N3MMD Weather: https://bit.ly/45rpY4I Driving Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NiZzvC2DEkbJ8Q4T6 **Disclaimers** * Liability Waiver: *By RSVPing to this trip or any other DC UL trip, you agree to these guidelines and to DC UL's waiver liability terms: https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver/* * COVID-19 Policy: *https://dculbackpacking.com/about/covid-19-guidelines/* * Dues: *Members and above, don't forget to pay your annual dues. You can check 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. To pay your dues via PayPal, use this link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JenniferAdach/15 ($10 annual dues plus a $5 suggested donation to City Kids Wilderness Project.)* * Carpool: *As per our carpool policy, riders should pay drivers $0.10/mile.*

NW Branch Trail & Hike Adventure **\*\*Check back to see if the date or start time has changed. This ride will be postponed (possibly replaced with another ride) if the chance of rain is above 49%, or wind speed or wind gusts are above 15 mph (per Accuweather) \*\*** **TRAIN OR BUS STOPS** Silver Spring Metro Station **PARKING ADDRESS** Roscoe Nix Elementary School 1100 Corliss St Silver Spring, MD **PARKING AND MEETUP SPOT** As you enter the school entry road, make a left into the first parking lot (dilapidated swimming pool area). Meet us in the parking lot. After check-in, we’ll do an icebreaker question. **BIKE ROUTE SUMMARY** The NW Branch trail runs between the Layhill neighborhood of Silver Spring and runs south following the NW Branch of the Anacostia River, ending in Bladensburg, where it connects with several other paved trails that we have biked. This route will give us a bit more incline on the return trip. **Unique things about this bike trail:** 1. Since we're starting at the north end, we decided to make a little "duathlon" adventure by including the .25-mile river rock trail segment. Be prepared to walk your bike down and then up it when we return. 2. The water crossings: Be prepared to bike through about five water “streams.” If it rained the day before, there could be 2-4” water, causing splashes. 3. The bridges: Be prepared to slow down as you approach bridges and pass under via narrow riverside paths. 4\. The trail offers river views and a shady tree canopy\. We’ll bike .25 miles on a neighborhood street to the NW Branch trail head, which starts in a lush forest. Then we either walk or bike down a .25-mile river-rock trail to the Anacostia River level. Once there, we'll bike a paved trail along the river southbound towards Bladensburg. We'll stop to regroup a couple of times and to enjoy the river views. The trail pavement is smooth except for some tree root bumps. We'll stop at mile 7 to see if anyone wants to keep going down to Bladensburg Waterfront Park where we'll stop for another break before returning the same way. **TYPE OF BIKE:** Any bike will do. We rode it on our road bikes but we wished we had thicker tires for biking down the gravel trail segment. Ensure it is the correct frame size for your height so you can get maximum output. Participants are responsible for ensuring their bike tires, brakes, and chain are in good condition and they have a spare inner tube on hand. Organizers can try to help but aren't responsible for everyone's bike conditions. **SKILL LEVEL:** Beginner riders can enjoy this mostly flat and straight trail but there are few caveats; you need to be able to bike or walk your bike down the gravel segment described above. And then you need to be able to walk your bike up that gravel segment to the street level once you return. (It took us 10 minutes last time). Also, you need to feel comfortable with biking through small water runoff streams and getting splashed and/or wet shoes. **PACE:** It’s up to you. HOWEVER: The event organizers have fit legs (avg. 10-16 mph). We make stops at tricky points on the trail and /or to regroup every 2-4 miles. Since paved trails can sometimes be crowded, we don’t have expectations of being able to go very fast. Plus, they usually have a speed limit of 15mph. · If you prefer a **faster pace** than the lead riders, you can make stops to wait for them to catch up. · If you’re **not sure what your avg. speed** is, be prepared to use a nav app to ride solo in case you don’t catch up to us at our stops. **DISTANCE OPTIONS** Participants can choose to return at any point. These are just suggestions. Option A: From the parking lot to East West Hwy traffic light is 4.5 miles one way. Option B: From the parking lot to mile 0 is \~7.25 miles one way. Option C: From the parking lot to Bladensburg Waterfront Park is \~8.7 miles. (The organizers will probably be biking this option). Total 17.6 miles, +/- 373 ft. Option D: Continue on one of the adjoining trails to add more miles. **BATHROOMS (in order of appearance)** There is a Throne bathroom at Hyattsville local park, which we bike through. Bathrooms up Rhode Island Ave at Vigilante Coffee and other retail establishments. (Take a detour). Bathrooms at Bladensburg Waterfront Park **BIKE RENTALS** Unknown **BIKE REPAIR** Hyattsville Arrow Bicycle on Rhode Island Ave (not far from mile 7 exit) **FOOD & DRINK INFO** Franklin’s and Vigilante Coffee (not far from mile 7 exit) **OPTION TO SOCIALIZE AFTERWARDS** Participants are welcome to make suggestions **RECOMMENDATIONS** **Bring:** Water bottles, snacks, biking gloves, bike bell, bike lock, helmet visor, sunglasses, bike tube, pump, patch, first aid kit, mobile phone with nav app installed (e.g. Google maps, we use RidewithGPS). If you get leg cramps during or after a ride, take electrolytes before and during your ride (or add salt and magnesium to your water). A change of clothes for your ride home or a car seat cover to absorb sweat. Clothing: Wear biking gloves and durable clothing so that if you do fall, your skin is protected. Avoid wearing all black, all grey, all dark brown, or all dark blue, which blends in with pavement, especially while riding through a shady segment. Consider wearing something lighter to help others notice you. **REQUIREMENTS** **Participants must wear tightly secured helmets when on their bike.** **Be proactive to avoid a fall/crash and minimize injury:** · Keep a distance between yourself and other bikers. If the biker ahead of you suddenly stops, you should be able to avoid hitting them. · Don’t make stops on the trail. Pull over to the side and use hand gestures to let people know you’re slowing down to make a stop. · Yelling out “Passing on your left” and/or ringing a bike bell as you approach people ahead of you, so they don’t inadvertently move in your line of travel. · Slowing down to wait, rather than speeding up when trying to pass people at the same time walkers/bikers are approaching you from the opposite direction. · Avoid potholes and debris and slow down when approaching bumps · When approaching road crossings and iffy situations, triple-check before crossing and don’t let yourself be distracted by talking, etc. · Ensure your helmet is tightly secured so that it won’t move if you hit the ground. **MEETUP POLICIES** Participants should understand that biking is an inherently dangerous activity, and an accident could happen at any time. **Participation is at your own risk**. An RSVP of “Yes” to an event is your digital signature acknowledging that you have read, understood, and agree with Meetup’s and MD Rail Trail Biking’s policies, esp. section 6 “Release” and section 8.2 ” Limitation of Liability,” found at [https://www.meetup.com/terms/](https://www.meetup.com/terms/)

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

Grab a drink or some food and get to know each other. This is our first event and we can take it slow. I’d love to meet everyone and hear if there’s anything you like to get out of the group. Looking forward to meeting you all!

Join us for this free, in person meeting on the subject of betrayals, losses and how to get over them so you can build lasting relationships. Do you want more motivation and confidence to build lasting relationships? Are you burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse. Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival, while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well. Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship. Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action? Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships! Break free from self imposed limitations Here we will discuss: • How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes. • Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you? • Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it? • Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love? • Fights & arguments - what's really behind them? • What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others? • How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change? • Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them? • How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about? • How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career? Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general. Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person. Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life. We look forward to having you join us! This class is held at the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

**Hike the Scioto Audubon trail. All paved and flat!** **Plan on 3-4 miles. Hike at your own pace, no one left behind.** **Lunch after at Nocterra for those who wish.**

This is a free in-person meeting. Let's talk about relationships in such a way that you can really benefit from the knowledge. We can talk about * Soulmates * How to start a relationship * How to maintain a relationship * How to pick the right partner * How to recognize the red flags * How to improve communication * How to avoid argument and fights * How to increase trust You ask the questions, we'll talk about them. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is sponsored the Dianetics & Scientology Self-Improvement Center.

We are bringing Microsoft Build sessions to Columbus Ohio! The Central Ohio Azure Meetup and Central Ohio .NET Developer's Group (CONDG) are coming together to bring some of the labs and breakouts from Microsoft Build to your backyard. In this free, 1 day event, you are going to Build stuff with us! And yes, there will be free food. Please RSVP via [Microsoft Build //localhost:columbus | Microsoft Reactor](https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/reactor/events/27247/).