Rides

All group rides leaving from Maverick Bikes & Cafe parking lot are at your own risk. Depending on numbers that show up we may split up and go in smaller groups. Stay safe folks.

Spring is here!!

Casual Rides for Fun and Exercise with our friends at Loudoun Meet Up

Click the link below for a full season of riding. These rides are fun social rides that are “no drop” and include many fun destinations.

https://www.meetup.com/Greater-Loudoun-Bicycling-Meetup/

Weekly Afternoon Ride from Smith Switch Station, ASHBURN

Starting Tuesday April 11, 2023

Details

Join us for the Weekly Tuesday Intermediate Ride on the W&OD from Ashburn. Address for meet up is 21315 Switch Station Ashburn.

Ride pace will be 14-15 mph ~ 20 miles.

Plan to arrive at 4:15pm for a prompt 4:30 pm departure.

For this week’s ride, meet at Hampshire Park parking lot adjacent to the W&OD, off Smith Switch Rd.

For those just getting started for the season, feel free to turn back at any time, but please let the ride leader know.

Road and hybrid bikes are appropriate.

Bring water.

Carry a spare inner tube that fits your bicycle’s tires, even if you don’t know how to change it.

Helmets are required.

Cyclists ride at their own risk.

Ride will be canceled in the event of inclement weather or winds of 20+ mph.

Hope to see you there!

Middleburg Bike Tour

Saturday, April 22, 2023 8:45 AM – 10:45 AM

Arrive at 8:45am, leaving at 9:00am.
Leaving from Middleburg Community Charter School.

Intermediate level rider – ride pace will be 14-15 mph. For those just getting started for the season, feel free to turn back at any time, but please let the ride leader know.

Road and hybrid bikes are appropriate.

Bring water.

Carry a spare inner tube that fits your bicycle’s tires, even if you don’t know how to change it.

Helmets are required.

Cyclists ride at their own risk.

Ride will be canceled in the event of inclement weather or winds of 20+ mph.

Hope to see you there!

Beginner Ride Along the C&O Canal Ride – Point of Rocks to Harpers Ferry

Sunday, April 23, 2023 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Join us for a 25 mile beginner level ride on the C&O Canal.

Our ride will take us from Point of Rocks, MD to Harpers Ferry. The canopy of trees and the proximity of the Potomac River keeps the temps cooler on the towpath.

Meet us at 8:45 am at the boat ramp parking lot at Point of Rocks.

Sometimes Amtrak, or CSX with a LOT of cars, is rolling through, preventing cars and bikes from crossing the tracks at Point of Rocks to the parking lot and trail, so give yourself a little extra time. We don’t want you to miss the ride!

Directions rom Leesburg: take Rt 15 north. After crossing the Potomac River make an immediate right at the light on Rt 28, then your second right to the parking area for the train station. Make a right along the tracks to the road crossing the railroad tracks, and then over a bridge to the parking area. We will be in the upper parking lot.

The ride to our destination is 12.5 miles each way. Average 10 mph.

The National Park Service has installed a temporary bridge at the washout east of Brunswick. The temporary bridge is accessed on a path off the trail. Everyone will need to walk their bikes down the incline to the 4 ft. wide bridge.

The towpath along this section is flat with a crushed limestone surface that is suitable for most all types of bikes including Hybrid, gravel, mountain, and yes, even road bikes are appropriate.

Riders ride at their own risk. Helmets required.

Please bring a spare inner tube that fits your bicycle’s tires even if you don’t know how to fix a flat.

Please bring plenty of water and a snack for a break at Harpers Ferry.

National Park rules require helmets, and a bell or horn on your bike.

Ride will be canceled in the event of inclement weather or winds of 20+ mph.

Hope to see you there!

Porto, Portugal to Galícia, Spain: 5-day Bike Trip ~170mi

May 24

This is a fun self-guided 5-day bike trip from Porto, Portugal, to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. This is an intermediate, no-drop ride, and we will ride together for the entire trip. Please make sure you will be able to complete a 40-mi bike ride each day for 5 consecutive days at ~11-14 mph pace. You can also rent an e-bike to make this trip easier. We are aiming for a leisurely ride with various stops along the way. Max 8 people.

The link to the complete itinerary is accessible to group members who express an interest in attending this event.

We will be meeting in-person on Friday, February 17, 6:30pm to discuss the trip itinerary, flights, expenses, accommodations, etc. A meetup event has been scheduled, so please feel free to RSVP if you are interested in learning more.

COST (estimate): The cost of this trip depends on the type of accommodation you prefer, the bike you choose to rent, and whether you want to participate in the Porto tours before the ride. We are estimating ~$1,400- $1,500+, not including flights (we will go over the budget in our Feb 17 prep meeting).

ITINERARY (tentative):

  • Thursday, May 25 – Saturday, May 27: touring Porto
    – Thursday, May 25 – Arrival; meet group;
    – Friday, May 26, touring Porto – explore Porto and sunset tour;
    – Saturday, May 27, all-day tour to Douro Valley.
  • Sunday, May 28 – Thursday June 1: 5-day bike tour
    – Bike along the north coast of Portugal to Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. This is known as the pilgrimage of the Camino de Portugal (or the Portuguese Trail).
    – Check out the YouTube channels on the Camino. The rout is also available in Bike with GPS.
  • Friday, June 2 – Return to Porto from Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
  • Saturday, June 3 – depart Portugal – on your own

Lastly, because we need a disclaimer: Riding a bicycle carries a risk of injury. By participating in this event you assume all risks associated with it. You should not participate in this activity unless you are physically and mentally capable of doing so. The group and leaders of this event shall not be liable for any injuries or damages you may incur as a result of participating in this activity.

Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 7:00 PM to Saturday, June 3, 2023, 7:00 PM EDT

Annual 3-Day Trip to Williamsburg

Saturday, June 24, 2023

3-day riding event for intermediate to advanced riders.

The French frigate Hermione sailed into Yorktown Virginia. The Hermione, also called the Frigate of Freedom, delivered the young Marquis de Lafayette in1780 to General Washington with full French aid. (Photo By Douglas Graham/WLP)

We will be riding the Virginia Capital Trail trail from Richmond to Williamsburg and back, a 51.7 one-way, fully-paved trail that runs through 4 jurisdictions (City of Richmond, Henrico County, Charles City County, and James City County).

Jamestown, VA Tourist Attractions. At the west end of the Colonial Parkway is Jamestown, the oldest British settlement on North American soil. It was established on Jamestown Island on May 13th 1607 by Captain John Smith. Not much is left of the original settlement apart from the foundations of the church tower (1639), the churchyard (probably the oldest British churchyard in North America) and the outlines of a few other buildings. (Photo By Douglas Graham/WLP)

Day 1 (Saturday)**: Drive on your own to Richmond (~ 2-2.5 hrs) to starting location: Overnight parking: Great Shiplock Park, 2803 Dock St., Richmond, VA, 23223.

  • We will start our ride promptly at 10:00am and ride the entire 52-mi trail to Williamsburg. Note that depending on the location of your accommodation in Williamsburg, there will be an additional 5-10 mile ride.
  • We will stop for lunch along the way.
  • This is a “no-drop” ride. Ride leader will stop every 10-15 miles to regroup. We may end up with 2 groups depending on rider levels.
  • Dinner with group.

Day 2 (Sunday): Yorktown Battlefield Loop 37

  • 37.3mi; Elevation: +1,131ft, -1137 ft; Grade: +4.7%, -7.3%
  • Historic Colonial Parkway from downtown Williamsburg along the the York River through Yorktown Battlefield Colonial National Park and the town of Yorktown, and then back to Williamsburg.
  • Lunch and dinner with group (time and location TBD)

Day 3 (Monday): return to Richmond via the VCT

  • Bring snacks. No lunch stop.

Lodging:
You are responsible for booking your own lodging. There are several options depending on your preference:

Search for Lodging Options. A few options below:

Take a ride with the old pro!

Every Saturday unless otherwise noted at 8:30

A brisk ride with the old pro Nigel Chinemilly!! Every Saturday unless otherwise noted at 8:30 leaving from our parking lot at Maverick Bikes. Nigel will be headed out for a 20 to 30 mile ride. After the ride you can enjoy refreshments at our Cafe.

Saturday Morning Ride with Nigel
When – Saturday’s / wheels down at 8:30 am
Where – Maverick Bikes and Cafe parking lot
Ride profile – Contact Nigel at chinemilly@aol.com for details. This ride is always 2 to 3 Hours of Zone 2 base. 16-17 MPH average with a few short tempo and sweet spot efforts to keep it lively.

I also ride with my 11-year boy at least twice per week and other kids are welcome to join and normally start from the trail in Purcellville if any interest please let the folks at the shop know. We can tweak the rides to accommodate other riders’ levels and strengths if needed. Or maybe organize some clinics or hear from other riders on what goals they might have in mind moving forward for the next season.

Looking forward to meeting some new riders and also to see some old familiar faces.

RSVP 703-777-6126.

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