Quick Links

Ride Route — Navigation — Getting There — Check In —

Ride Support — Ride Safety— Pit-stop — Ride Finish & Festival— 

What to Bring — Food and Water —Bathrooms— FAQ

Ride Route

The Bike to the BBQ Battle Route is a fun, 10-mile ride that begins at Gearin’ Up Bicycles and winds through the neighborhoods of Shaw and Columbia Heights before heading downtown to the BBQ Battle Festival on Pennsylvania Avenue, just steps from the National Mall. Around mile 7, riders will enjoy a pit stop—back at Gearin’ Up Bicycles—for a quick break and refreshments before the final stretch to the festivities.

View 2025 Bike to the BBQ Battle Route Map

Navigation

The ride will be led by members of Streets Calling Bike Club with assistance from WABA volunteers. It will proceed as one large group that will stick together throughout.

However, you can follow along with the route and be sure of where you’re going by using free RideWithGPS turn-by-turn navigation on your smartphone.

To set this up, you will need to do a few things, all pretty easy:

  1. 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!
  2. Join the WABA RideWithGPS club by clicking here while logged into your account on your web browser.
  3. Install the mobile app on your phone and open it. Skip any initial pop-ups or settings prompts and sign in.
  4. On the web browser, go to the ride route and it will show you the ride route in the app.
  5. It’s a good idea to click “Save” and then “Download for Offline”.
  6. Click “Navigate” to start the ride.

Already have RidewithGPS and a member of the WABA RidewithGPS Club?

To download gps files to another device:

From the app on your phone:

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

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

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

Tips:

  1. 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.  
  2. 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. 
  3. 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. 
  4. Check your phone settings. Consider adjusting the brightness of the phone to make it more visible or a dimmer screen can save battery.

Venue/ Getting There

The ride route starts at Gearin’ Up Bicycles:
10 Harry Thomas Way NE, Washington DC 20002. map

The venue is conveniently located downtown and generally accessible by bicycle. It is a block away from the Metropolitan Branch Trail.

It is also accessible within a few blocks by Metro at the NOMA- Gallaudet U / New York Avenue Station on the Red Line. Keep in mind that Metro opens at 7am on Saturdays.

If you plan to drive, there is some street parking nearby. You should be able to park fairly close, and can plan to ride your bike a short distance to the venue. Consider doing some advance scouting or planning.

Check In

Following is the schedule for checking in and starting the route:

  • Check in: 9:30am- 10:00am
  • Group Start: 10:15am

Upon checking in, participants will be given a bracelet and an event t-shirt. And, those that are attending the BBQ Battle festival after the ride will be prompted to use their smartphone to:

  • Redeem a ticket for the festival using Eventbrite
  • Make an advance reservation for a space at the festival’s bike valet station

Participants will be able to get snacks and water. And, a restroom will be available inside Gearin’ Up Bicycles.

Ride Support

The Bike to the BBQ Battle 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, Ride Marshals from Streets Calling Bike Club and WABA will help lead the ride and will be on course with you. 

Ride Marshals are volunteers who are there to help you navigate and offer encouragement and support.  However, you will need to be mindful of your own safety and the safety of all others on the ride.

Ride Safety

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

We ask you to:

  • Wear a helmet.
  • Communicate verbally with other riders. 
  • Do not take up more than one lane of travel.
  • Be especially mindful and considerate of pedestrians and other users of the road.

Pit-stop

On the route after the 7 mile mark, there will be a pit-stop at the along the way at Gearin’ Up Bicycles, where the ride started.

The pit-stop will feature snacks and refreshments. WABA staff will be able to provide mechanical support. And, a restroom will be available inside Gearin’ Up Bicycles.

To avoid a rush of cyclists arriving at once and to minimize the strain on the bike valet team, participants will be split into waves to depart in staggered groups for the last section of the ride. This way, riders will show up to the bike valet in a more manageable and orderly fashion.

Ride Finish and Festival

The ride will conclude at the BBQ Battle festival’s bike valet station located at 3rd St and Jefferson Drive SW.

Participants will be assisted with parking their bicycles as efficiently as possible, but the bike valet team will appreciate your patience!

Once your bike is parked, you may proceed north on 3rd Street to the gated entrance at the intersection with Pennsylvania Avenue to access the festival. You will need to check in with the Eventbrite ticket you received at the ride start and NOT the WABA Eventbrite ticket you used to register for the bike ride.

What to Bring

  • Bike
  • Helmet (Required by our insurance. You can’t ride without one.)
  • Charged smartphone (You will need to show your Festival ticket using your mobile device)
  • ID, credit card, SmartTrip card (for an emergency)
  • Weather appropriate clothing
  • 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!)
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • An adventurous spirit!

Refreshments

Water
There will be water jugs from which you can fill your reusable water bottle at the ride start and pit-stop. Bring your own bottles to fill up!

Snacks
At the ride start and pit-stop, there will be pre-packaged, single serving snacks with sweet and salty, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Food and Drinks at the Festival
At the BBQ Battle festival, brands will be providing some free samples. There will also be a selection of food trucks and other vendors providing food options for purchase.

Bathrooms

There will be a restroom available at the ride start and pit-stop inside Gearin’ Up Bicycles and an additional “Throne” restroom down the block at Alethia Tanner Park.

Port-a-potties will be available at the BBQ Battle festival.

FAQ

Questions about who, what, where, when, and why! 

What is this event?

The Bike to the BBQ Battle is a bicycling event to raise funds for the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA)’s youth education programming, and particularly the earn a bike program through Gearin’ Up Bicycles. Participants will enjoy a fun ride through the city, free bike valet, and access to the BBQ Battle festival all while supporting WABA’s work.

Where does this event take place?

This event starts at Gearin’ Up Bicycles– 10 Harry Thomas Way NE, Washington DC 20002. (map)
The ride route will have participants travel through streets in DC on the way to the BBQ Battle festival on Pennsylvania Avenue by the National Mall.

How should I get there? Is there parking?

Gearin’ Up Bicycles is conveniently located downtown and generally accessible by bicycle. It is a block away from the Metropolitan Branch Trail.

It is also accessible within a few blocks by Metro at the NOMA- Gallaudet U / New York Avenue Station on the Red Line. Keep in mind that Metro opens at 7am on Saturdays.

If you plan to drive, there is some street parking nearby. You should be able to park fairly close, and can plan to ride your bike a short distance to the venue. Consider doing some advance scouting or planning.

When is this event?

The Bike to the BBQ Battle will take place on Saturday, June 21, 2025. 

Check-in will be open from 9:30am – 10:00am and the ride will start soon after at around 10:15am.

Will I receive a refund if it rains?
No. The Bike to the BBQ Battle will take place rain or shine. In the case of extreme inclement weather, we may adjust this however it is very unlikely.

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.

Questions about Registration and Check-in

Do I have to be a WABA member to register for this ride? 

Nope! If you’re not a WABA member, you’ll get the non-member rate. It includes an annual Digital Membership. So if you’re not a member before you register, you will be one after! 

What is your refund policy?

Because this is a fundraiser there will be no refunds for this event.

If you cannot attend the event, email events@waba.org and let us know you cannot come, and we will transfer your registration fee to a 100% tax deductible donation or put your registration fee towards a future WABA ride.

Can I register onsite the day of the ride?

Yes!  You can register yourself on your phone or with WABA staff at the info table who can help you register.

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

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