What we’re about
Are you looking to do some casual bicycle riding on scenic trails in the MD, DC, VA, DE, and PA area? Do you look at a bicycle ride as more of a social event that includes exercise rather than the other way around? If so, this group is for you.
We tend to target rail and greenway trails, which are bicycle-friendly trails that tend to parallel old train tracks, canals, and rivers. Since trains did not do well on anything over a 3% grade, these trails are amazingly flat. They go through some beautiful areas and quaint towns, often where food and drink are plentiful.
We avoid streets as much as possible, although some of the trails may include a bike lane or shoulder for a small portion of the ride. Only a small number of routes use roads more than 25% of the time.
To summarize: this is not a cardio ride, we'll ride for enjoyment, socializing, and a nice food establishment at the halfway point or endpoint.
Although we are mainly interested in "day trips," We would also like to schedule at least one overnight each year.
Most rides will be about a 20-miles round trip and we'll range between 8 - 15 mph (some of us are slower, some are faster). This will make for a pretty laid back ride and riders of just about any skill level should be fine. This is not about performance!
You cannot be too old to join this group. We are all about enjoyable bike rides in scenic locations. Stop, take pictures, socialize, smell the roses on the way.
Volunteer organizers are needed
If you’re in the mood to ride a particular trail and would like to let others join you, let me know and I’ll gladly add your event and put you as the organizer - even if there’s already a bike trip listed the same day. The more the merrier!
What do I need to bring?
Bike details: Hybrid tires, mountain bikes, and road bikes (as long as they don't have the ultra-thin tires); the trails tend to be a mixture of asphalt, crushed limestone, and gravel.
Helmet: Required to be work when seated/riding a bike.
Some other gear that is almost mandatory:
- Mask (still sometimes required for entering establishments, optional for riding)
- Water (water bottles or a backpack style hydration system)
- Spare tube: Even if you don't know how to change a flat, someone in the group will be able to do it for you and it's MUCH easier to change a tube than to patch one
- Bike tools (a tire repair and patch kit and spare tube is always a good idea)
- Bike lock (we do stop for food and drink and the bike is not always in view)
- A payment method
- Good attitude (we're fun people!)
Other things to consider:
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Small first aid kit
- Bike bag to hold everything
- Biking shorts (padded shorts may look strange to the uninitiated, but they sure do the trick)
- Please read our group rules
Please Note
We place limits on the number of riders that can join any single ride. Please be aware of this when you join a ride. If you find you will not be able to make the ride, please move yourself from ‘Going’ to ‘Not Going’ as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours before the event start time to give others the chance to join. If you wait till the day of the event then you’re not giving others the time to take your place. Please don’t RSVP to an event just to add it to your calendar; only RSVP if you truly feel you will make it.
The start time of each ride is the time we expect to hit the trail. Please make sure you get to the Meetup location before start time. Give yourself enough time to get your bike off/out of the car and ready by the start time (at least 15 minutes). Especially in summer, it’s too hot to stand around waiting for late arrivals to get ready. If you’re running late, please message the group on Meetup so we know whether to leave or wait a bit.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- C&O Canal - Dargan Bend to Bavarian InnDargan Bend Boat Ramp, Sharpsburg, MD
—— The date may change due too weather or other circumstances —-
We will meet at the parking lot at Dargan Bend on the C&O Canal Trail at Sharpsburg, MD and ride about 9 miles to Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, WV.
This will be about an 18-mile round trip, extremely scenic, with the mighty Potomac on one side and mostly wilderness on the other, where the canal used to be. There are some gorgeous rocky outcroppings just behind the trees, some old furnaces cut into the cliff faces (see photo), and some nice paths winding down to the river.
The trail is very flat with a slight uphill grade on the first leg and a slight downhill grade coming back. The surface is the new crushed limestone so almost any bike will be fine, although bikes with ultra thin street tires are not recommended.
When we get to Shepherdstown, we will need to cross a bridge over the Potomac River to get to the Bavarian Inn. There is a winding paved bike ramp to tackle, which some may find challenging but the option to get off and walk works, too. The views from the bridge are worth the effort!
At the top, we will cross the street and ride on the bike shoulder over the bridge to the Inn entrance. We will then turn right into the Inn. The short driveway to the dining area is rather steep and again some might want to walk it. At this point, great beer and food are awaiting and you can pretend you're in a little German village. It is truly a lovely setting and a great place for a mid-ride respite.
Bavarian Inn serves German style beers (and some IPAs) and quality German food (see menus). The appetizers are especially wonderful and very reasonably priced. There is a lot of nice outdoor seating and the view is fantastic. I imagine we'll hang here for a bit and enjoy.
Please make sure to bring the following:
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Bike lock - your bike may not be visible to us at the pubs
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Spare tube - even if you don't know how to change one, someone else will. Please don't expect others to provide a tube if/when you get a flat. We may not have one and patch kits are a pain
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Cash, ID, etc.
Please arrive early enough to get your bike and gear together so we can all depart on time for our adventure. Make sure to take care on the beautiful but windy road that leads to Dargan Bend. We intend to hit the trail at 11:00.
Please look at the following links. In the end, it's up to you to determine if this ride is right for you.
At the starting point, look for Keryn, with a white helmet, and Muddasar, with a red helmet, with two black bikes.
The start time of each ride is the time we expect to hit the trail. Please make sure you get to the Meetup location before start time. Give yourself enough time to get your bike off/out of the car and ready by the start time (at least 15 minutes). Especially in summer, it’s too hot to stand around waiting for late arrivals to get ready. If you’re running late or find you can't make it, please message us on Meetup so we know whether to leave or wait a bit.
If you find you can't make the ride, please give at least 24 hours notice, especially if there's a wait list. This is so people on the wait list know that they've made the ride and can plan accordingly.
Thank you for your cooperation!
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