2026 Cider Ride Guide

Ride date: Saturday, November 7th, 2026

The Cider Ride is one of fall’s best traditions—a scenic bike ride that invites cyclists to experience the beauty of the season on trails and quiet roads throughout DC and Prince George’s County.

The ride is a fundraiser which supports WABA’s work in the DC region and our mission of empowering people to ride bikes, build connections and transform places. Thank you for taking part!

The 2026 Cider Ride will take place rain or shine on Saturday, November 7th starting at the Bryant Street NE development in Edgewood, DC near the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station.

The Honeycrisp Route (60 miles): Venture out on a rewarding 60-mile journey along scenic trails that takes you as far as the Patuxent Research Refuge. This route weaves through beautiful parks, serene neighborhoods, and fantastic trails like the Anacostia Riverwalk, delivering an unforgettable fall adventure for seasoned cyclists.

The McIntosh Route (30 miles): A refreshing 30-mile ride that takes you around Lake Artemesia, up to College Park, and down the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. With a balance of trails and calm streets, this route is a rewarding way to soak up the season’s colors and savor a day of autumn cycling.

The Candy Apple Route (10 miles): A relaxed, family-friendly 10-mile route along low-traffic roads and a levee-top trail on the banks of the northwest branch of the Anacostia River. This scenic option is ideal for those who want a leisurely, enjoyable ride that’s big on autumn scenery with a super fun pit-stop.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Interested in becoming a sponsor for the ride? Contact us at events@waba.org

Timing/Check-In

Check-in Location

Bryant Street NE (524 Rhode Island Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002) map

Check-in Schedule

Honeycrisp Route (60mi.) –
Check-in: 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM;
Group start: 9:30 AM;
No Drop Groups start: 9:35 AM

McIntosh Route (30mi.) –
Check-in: 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM;
Group start: 10:30 AM;
No Drop Groups start: 10:35 AM

Candy Apple Route (10mi.) –
Check-in: 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM;
Group start 11:00 AM
No Drop Groups start: 11:05 AM

Getting to the Event

Each ride route starts and finishes at Bryant Street NE:
524 Rhode Island Avenue NE, Washington DC 20002. map

We encourage participants to reach the ride by bike or public transportation if possible. The venue is directly adjacent to the Metropolitan Branch Trail and the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station on the red line. Please note that Metro opens at 6am on Saturdays.

Free Parking:

If you plan to drive, there is free parking at the nearby Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station. Additionally, you may choose to seek street parking in a nearby neighborhood. This could make it possible to park and then ride a short distance to get to the event. Ideally, you will scout this out in advance to have a plan.

Paid Parking:

Slightly more convenient, there is a paid parking lot directly in front of the venue with 250 spaces. This should in all likelihood accommodate all people who may wish to park here and could be a very convenient option since it is right at the ride start and finish point but there is no reserved parking for the event and all parking is first come, first serve. To use this parking lot, you will need to pay online here: https://www.premiumparking.com/P2425. They do not collect money on site. You can pay in advance or when you arrive (look for the qr code on posted signs). We recommend either the 9hr or 12 hour rates, depending on how long you will stay at the post-ride party. Keep in mind that enforcement is extremely strict at this parking lot and there are very stiff penalties for not paying or overstaying.

Event Code of Conduct

WABA’s first priority is to provide a fun, inclusive and safe environment for all participants. Below is the Code of Conduct that you commit to when you enter a WABA space. Learn more at waba.org/code.

“As a member of the WABA community, I commit to the following whenever I am in a WABA space:

I acknowledge that I exist in a society built on unequal, and unjust power structures. I agree that I have a responsibility to interrogate my privileges and use my power to help make WABA spaces increasingly safe, inclusive, and supportive for everyone.
I acknowledge that WABA has a zero-tolerance policy for racist behavior, sexual harassment, physical or verbal abuse, microaggressions, tokenism, and all other harmful actions. I agree that these actions have no place in a supportive, inclusive community, and to make it a priority to never harm another person in any of these ways.
I acknowledge that my behavior — not my intentions—is what affects the people around me, and that it is possible for me to harass or otherwise harm others even when I don’t mean to. I agree to be respectful, kind, compassionate, and supportive to those around me in both word and in action—and, if someone lets me know that my behavior is harmful, to immediately adjust that behavior with the goal of preventing future harm.
I acknowledge that the work of mitigating the harmful effects of unjust power structures is never done. I agree to take on the responsibility of speaking out against instances of racism, sexism, ableism, and other discrimination or manifestations of prejudice, whenever I have the power to do so.
I acknowledge that if I cannot adjust a behavior that is harming other community members, it makes sense for WABA staff to ask me to leave the community space. I agree that if WABA staff asks me to leave a WABA space because of a Code of Conduct violation, I will do so. “

If you experience a code of conduct violation at the hands of another participant, staff member or volunteer, or witness unjust behaviors by another individual, please notify a WABA staff member.

Ride Support

The Cider Ride is generally an unsupported ride. This means:

Streets are not closed for this ride. You will ride on streets with motor vehicle traffic.
The route is unmarked.

But, there will be a SAG vehicle patrolling the course. If you are in need of assistance, you can call a WABA hotline [(202) 425-0627 ] which will be posted at the start of the event. Calling this number should be limited to cases of emergency or a stranded participant.

During the ride, we can drive three people at a time and their bikes to the Metro or ride start (their choice)
The SAG vehicle will have water, snacks, and a first aid kit
The SAG vehicle will be available from the start of the ride to 4:00 pm

Participants are expected to:

Call 911 in case of an emergency.
Have an emergency-contact who is not a ride participant “on call” during the ride.
Carry a charged cell phone (and charged battery pack for the longer rides).

Ride Safety

Ride participants have a responsibility to bicycle safely, respectfully, and lawfully to maximize safety for all trail and road users.

We ask you to:

Wear a helmet
Stop at all red lights and stop signs as appropriate. Cyclists can use the leading pedestrian interval at stop lights and yield at stop signs except when others have right of way at the intersection.
Always yield to pedestrians.
Follow posted signs.
Use hand signals when turning.
Communicate verbally with other riders.
Do not ride more than two abreast, and do not take up more than one lane of travel. When riding on sidewalks, trails, or paths, be cautious when passing other users and slow down.

*Furthermore, we ask you to be especially mindful and considerate of other users while on trails. Practice etiquette and exercise patience!

Inclement Weather

The Cider Ride will go on rain or shine except in the case of dangerous conditions such as lightning or high winds.

In the event of conditions that would cause the event to be unsafe to happen, we will contact participants by email, so have your phone handy.

Ride Routes/ Navigation

The 2026 Cider Ride routes are now available here on RideWithGPS!

At ride check-in, you will have the option to take a printed cue sheet for your route. However, many people will opt to navigate using the RideWithGPS app that provides audible directions through your phone.

Ride with GPS

To get free Ride with GPS turn-by-turn navigation on your smartphone, you will to do a few things, all pretty easy:

Sign up for a free RideWithGPS account on your web browser and log in. You can close a pop-up that encourages you to sign up for a premium account– unless you want to, don’t input any credit card information!
Join the WABA RideWithGPS club by clicking here while logged into your account on your web browser.
Install the mobile app on your phone and open it. Skip any initial pop-ups or settings prompts and sign in.
On the web browser, go to the ride routes and it will show you the ride routes in the app. Select the correct route for your ride.
It’s a good idea to click “Save” and then “Download for Offline”.
Click “Navigate” to start the ride.

To download gps files to another device:

From the app on your phone:

Open the route on your phone and click the three dots in the upper right corner while you have the route displayed.
Click through to export a GPX file.

On a computer while viewing the route in your web browser:

Click on “More” in the gray box above the route name/title.
Click on “Export as File”.
Select the appropriate file type.

Tips:

Follow all the instructions above. If you do not join the WABA club, you will get pop-ups to prompt you to purchase a paid plan.
Some people opt to wear an ear bud (in one ear) to hear the audio cues. Do this at your own risk– you should be able to hear traffic around you.
Check your settings in the RideWithGPS app. Select “More” at the bottom of the screen, then click on “Settings”. Under “Navigation”, you can ensure you will get audio cues and alerts. “Handlebar Mode” can prompt your phone to wake when nearing turns– this can save on battery.
Check your phone settings. Consider adjusting the brightness of the phone to make it more visible or a dimmer screen can save battery.

Ride Marshals

Ride Marshals are WABA volunteers who are there to help you navigate and offer encouragement and support. Marshals receive training from WABA staff before the event and know participants may look to them with questions, for assistance, or to be a buddy. Marshals carry basic first aid supplies, and are instructed to call 911 in the case of an emergency on the ride.

Pit Stops

Enjoy carefully considered on course support at each of our awesome pit-stops so you can refuel with snacks and hydration (including donuts and cider) as well as high-fives.

60-mile Honeycrisp Route

Proteus Bicycles- Mile 14 (9:00 AM – 12:30 AM)
Buddy Attick Lake Park- Mile 36.5 (10:30 AM – 2:30 PM)
Bladensburg Waterfront Park- Mile 45 (11:00 AM – 3:30 PM)

30-mile McIntosh Route

Proteus Bicycles- Mile 14 (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM)
Bladensburg Waterfront Park- Mile 20 (11:00 AM – 3:30 PM)

10-mile Candy Apple Route

Bladensburg Waterfront Park- Mile 6 (11:00 AM – 3:30 PM)

New this year! Learn about the importance of advocacy and education! See WABA and featured partners tables to learn more at pitstops!

Time Limits

There is no time limit for the ride — since this is an unsupported ride and no roads are closed for the ride, WABA will not ask anyone to stop riding. However, you will not be able to get snacks or water at any of the ride pit-stop sites after they close— see preceding pit stop schedule (or in your cue sheet on ride day!) for details.

What to Bring

Bike
Helmet (Required by our insurance. You can’t ride without one.)
Bike lock (It’s good to have a lock with you, in case of an unanticipated or emergency stop. Also, at the post-ride party, we will have a bike valet monitored by attendants, but you still may want to have a lock.
ID (For an emergency and needed to access the post ride party at metrobar)
Credit card (For anything that could cause you to stop along the ride and for the post-ride party which will have drinks and food available)
SmartTrip card
Weather appropriate clothing (consider bringing some rain gear!)
Water bottles (you can fill it at the check-in area if you need to)
Saddle bag (to carry spare tube, tire levers, and pump or patch kit)
Spare tube (especially if you have a non-standard rim size!)
Charged cell phone and charger
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Additional snacks
An adventurous spirit!

Food and Water

Water

There will be water jugs from which you can fill your reusable water bottle at check-in, pit-stops, and the finish line. Bring your own bottles to fill up!

Cider

Each pit-stop will also offer warm apple cider. You will be provided with a commemorative Cider Ride mug at the start of the ride that has a carabiner so you can clip it to your bike, a bag, or your clothing. Fill up your mug at the pit-stops!

Snacks

Snacks at pit stops will be vegetarian. There will be fresh fruit including apples and bananas as well as pre-packaged, single serving snacks with sweet and salty, vegan, and gluten-free options. Additionally, seasonal treats including donuts will be available!

Food and Drinks at the Post-Ride Party

At the post-ride party, metrobar will offer a variety of drinks including beer, wine, and a special selection of cider. And, El Jefe Wood Fired Pizza will be on hand to provide food options. Consider bringing an id and credit card to access the bar and purchase these items.

Restrooms

There will be restrooms (either public restrooms or port-a-potties) available at or nearby all ride sites (start/end points and pit stops).

Finish Line and After-Party

After completing the ride, you’ll finish at the same spot where you started. There, you will be greeted by WABA staff and volunteers and you can leave your bike in a securely attended bike valet station.

You will then be directed to metrobar where you can socialize and celebrate your experience with other riders. You’ll need an ID to enter. Kids can enter with a parent or guardian.

Consider bringing a credit card to purchase any drinks and food.

After Party Location

metrobar (640 Rhode Island Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002) map

Please post great moments from the event to social media using #CiderRide while tagging @wabadc.

FAQs

What is this event?

The Cider Ride is a bicycling event to raise funds for the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA)’s work in the DC region and our mission: empowering people to ride bikes, build connections and transform places.

Do I have to follow traffic laws?

Yes. WABA asks and expects all participants to ride lawfully and with respect for other road users. This means:

Stop at all red lights and stop signs as appropriate. Cyclists can use the leading pedestrian interval at stop lights and yield at stop signs except when others have right of way at the intersection.
Always yield to pedestrians.
Use hand signals when turning.
Follow all posted signs.
Communicate verbally with other riders.
Do not ride more than two abreast, and do not take up more than one lane of travel. When riding on sidewalks, trails, or paths, be cautious when passing other users and slow down.

Do I have to wear a helmet?

Yes. WABA’s insurance requires that everyone riding a bicycle on a WABA ride wears a helmet while riding.

Can I ride my e-bike?

WABA welcomes e-bikes on our ride. We ask that you choose a route that is suitable for your bike and have a fully charged battery the day of the event.

I selected a ride route but now I want to change it.

No problem! Please email events@waba.org and we will get you switched to the route of your choice.

Note: You will be responsible for paying the registration fee difference if switching from a shorter route to a longer route. We are not able to issue refunds for any registration.

Do you issue refunds?

This ride is a fundraiser. We will not be issuing refunds. Registration fees directly support WABA’s work in the DC region and our mission of empowering people to ride bikes, build connections and transform places—thank you!

I have a question that you haven’t answered here.

We are happy to help! Email your question to events@waba.org.