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The 2021 50 States Ride
Saturday, September 11, 2021, 8:19 PM — Washington, DC
The 2021 50 States Ride was Saturday, September 11.
Ride Information
Explore DC by bike on one of three ride routes during the 2021 50 States Ride:
- 50 States Classic — This 62 mile ride is a DC tradition and bucket-list challenge that takes you all over the city on the 50 streets named for the 50 States.
- Low Stress Network Route — a 30 mile tour of DC’s protected and painted bike lanes that will touch on some parts of the 50 States Route (minus some of the hills). Learn more about WABA’s Low-Stress Network Campaign here.
- Joy Ride — a breezy 10-mile ride in protected and painted bike lanes.
Register for the ride!
This ride was September 11, 2021. Join WABA and sign up for our events newsletter so you never miss another ride.
Thanks to our ride sponsors:
Situated between the peaceful flow of the Anacostia River and the bustle of the Capitol Complex, Capitol Riverfront is a 500-acre vibrant urban waterfront neighborhood smartly designed to give businesses, residents, retail, and guests an exciting environment to explore, connect, and thrive. New restaurants, retail, hotels, residences, and office spaces are opening every month in Capitol Riverfront, DC’s fastest growing neighborhood and a destination for urban living, dining, and recreational experiences. Year-round, visitors flock to Capitol Riverfront to take advantage of its various amenities including world-class parks, restaurants, river activities, and sports venues—including the Nationals Park and the newly opened Audi Field, home to D.C. United. There is always something new to discover in DC’s largest and most dynamic riverfront community. For more information, visit ww.capitolriverfront.org.
Bike Shop Partner
Ride Location
Check-in for all three ride routes is at Yards Park (355 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003) in Capitol Riverfront. Click here to see this location on Google Maps.
Yards Park is about a half mile from the Navy Yard metro station (green line). There are several pay-to-park lots in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood vicinity.
All three ride routes will end in Capitol Riverfront, near the ride start.
Check-in
Check-in and group starts is as follows:
50 States Ride Route
- Check-in: 7:00 AM-8:15 AM
- Group Starts: 7:30 AM, 8:00 AM, 8:30 AM
Low Stress Network Ride Route
- Check-in: 8:30 AM-9:45 AM
- Group Starts: 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM
Joy Ride Route
- Check-in: 10:00 AM-10:45 AM
- Group Starts: 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM
Route Maps
Curious about where you’ll be riding? Check out last year’s 50 States Ride Routes routes! The 2021 ride routes will be different, but they will be similar in terms of difficulty and distance.
Registrants will receive digital ride routes for the 2021 event the week of the ride.
COVID-19 Notice
Policies and Procedures for WABA Events during COVID-19
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic affects the way WABA runs our in-person events. As we plan for the 2021 50 States Ride, we are taking into account regional case and vaccination trends; current CDC guidelines; evolving understanding of COVID-19 and how it spreads; and WABA staff comfort.
Vaccination Policy
WABA does not require participants to be vaccinated in order to attend the 2021 50 States Ride. However, we strongly encourage all participants to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. You can find information on how to get the vaccination here:
- Get vaccinated in Washington, DC
- Get vaccinated in Maryland
- Get vaccinated in Virginia
Mask Policy
- WABA is requiring staff, participants, and volunteers to wear masks at the outdoor ride sites during the 2021 50 States Ride.
- You may remove your mask to eat or drink while you are a safe distance from others who are not in your household.
- You are not required to wear your mask while riding.
Physical Distancing Policy
- Ride Sites (check-in, pit stops, and the after party) will have space for physical distancing. This is so folks who wish to maintain their distance may do so.
- Please be cognizant of the distance between yourself and others when you are waiting in the check-in line, at snack tables, etc. and do your best to maintain 6 ft of space from other participants who are not in your group.
- Please seek consent before entering another person’s space, and be respectful if asked to stay farther away.
Hand Hygiene
- Hand sanitizer will be available at all ride sites and restrooms.
- Please sanitize your hands before touching shared items (eg. water jugs).
Food and Drink
- Most snacks and the post-ride meal will be pre-packaged and single-serving.
- Staff will sanitize hands before handling food items.
- A water jug will be available for participants to refill their personal water bottles.
Sick Policy
Participants should not attend in-person events if they feel sick or show symptoms of illness.
If you are sick the week before the event, WABA can either:
- Convert your registration fee to a tax-deductible donation (thank you for your support!)
- Defer your registration to the 2021 Cider Ride, tentatively planned for November 7, 2021 (if the 2021 Cider Ride is cancelled, we will defer your registration to the next ride).
If you are sick the week of the event, please contact WABA’s events team at events@waba.org.
Guidelines May Change
WABA reserves the right to update these guidelines and expectations if regional case trends or CDC guidelines changes make that appropriate.
Volunteer
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Be a Ride Marshal
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Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about who, what, where, when, and why. You may want to check out this blog post about What to Expect at a WABA Ride as well!
What is this event?
The 2021 50 States Ride Series is a fundraising ride for the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA). It gives participants a choice of three ride routes exploring Washington, DC by bike.
When is this event?
Saturday, September 11, 2021.
Where does this event take place?
Check-in for all three ride routes is at Yards Park (355 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003) in Capitol Riverfront.
All three ride routes will end in Capitol Riverfront, near the ride start.
What time does this event start?
Check-in and group starts is as follows:
50 States Ride Route
- Check-in: 7:00 AM-8:15 AM
- Group Starts: 7:30 AM, 8:00 AM, 8:30 AM
Low Stress Network Ride Route
- Check-in: 8:30 AM-9:45 AM
- Group Starts: 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM
Joy Ride Route
- Check-in: 10:00 AM-10:45 AM
- Group Starts: 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM
Are the roads closed for this ride? Are there cars?
Roads are NOT closed for this ride. We do our best to plan the rides on low-stress streets, but you will be sharing the road with motor vehicles.
Feel like you want to practice before the ride? Sign up for a Confident City Cycling Class. Or, for a refresher, watch this webinar on How to Ride in Traffic.
Is this ride supported?
No. All three ride routes are unsupported. That means:
- Streets are not closed for this ride. You will ride on streets with motor vehicle traffic.
- The route is unmarked.
- There is no support and gear vehicle to pick you up.
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).
Is the route marked with signs or arrows?
No. The route is unmarked.
Participants should navigate using the physical cue sheet provided in their check-in packet, or with free turn-by-turn navigation on their smartphone using the Ride with GPS app.
Will there be ride marshals?
Yes. Ride Marshals are volunteers who are there to help participants navigate and offer encouragement and support.
Lead Ride Marshals will lead an optional group start for those who wish to ride together.
Sweep Ride Marshals will bring up the back of each check-in group.
Do I have to ride with a group?
Nope! There will be two or three group starts for each group (see timing above), but once you’ve checked in you can start your ride any time you’d like.
Where can I find information about the routes?
WABA will release the 2021 50 States Ride routes in an email to registrants the week of the ride.
In the meantime, check out the 2019 50 States Ride routes! (The 2021 routes will be different, but similar in difficulty, distance, and elevation.)
I’m not sure which route is right for me!
We’d love to talk to you about this and help you pick the route that is the best fit for the ride you want to have! Email Anna at events@waba.org if you’d like to chat about it.
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.
- Always yield to pedestrians.
- 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.
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.
Click this link for a resource on how to properly fit your helmet.
What should I bring to the ride?
- Bike
- Helmet (Required by our insurance. You can’t ride without one.)
- Bike lock (Even if you don’t plan to stop during the ride, it’s good to have a lock with you during the ride, in case of an unanticipated or emergency stop along the ride route.)
- SmartTrip card (in case you decide you’d like to take the metro during or after the ride)
- 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!)
- Charged cell phone and charger
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Additional snacks
- An adventurous spirit!
Will you feed me?
There will be snacks and water available for registered attendees at the ride start, ride finish, and pit stops along the way.
There will be water jugs from which you can fill your reusable water bottle. WABA does not provide cups or plastic water bottles—bring your own!
There will be hand sanitizer by the water jugs and provided in your check-in packets. Please sanitize your hands before and after touching the water spout. Event staff will disinfect the water spout between check-in groups.
Snacks will be vegetarian. There will be vegan and gluten-free options.
Snacks will be single-serving and pre-packaged (you can have more than one! This preparation is part of our COVID-19 safety procedures).
All snacks will be served in a no-contact fashion—you can pick up what you want from the snack table. Please touch only the snacks you will take.
Questions about Registration
Do I have to be a WABA member to register for this ride?
Nope! But current members can receive a discount on ride registration by using a discount code. WABA emailed this code to members.
If you haven’t received it, email events@waba.org and we’ll be happy to help!
If you’d like to become a member, visit waba.org/join!
What is your refund policy?
This is a fundraising event for WABA. We do not offer refunds or transfers for this ride except in case of illness.
Participants should not attend in-person events if they feel sick or show symptoms of illness.
If you are sick the week before the event, WABA can either:
- Convert your registration fee to a tax-deductible donation (thank you for your support!)
- Defer your registration to the 2021 Cider Ride, tentatively planned for November 7, 2021 (if the 2021 Cider Ride is cancelled, we will defer your registration to the next ride).
If you are sick the week of the event, please contact WABA’s events team at events@waba.org.
Is there a youth rate for this ride?
No.
You must purchase ride registration for all individuals who will ride their own bicycle in the event.
I am riding a tandem bike with another individual! Do we need two registrations?
Yes, unless riding solo is not an option available to one of the participants. If so, please register for one person and send us an email with contact information for the other rider so we know who is coming at events@waba.org.
Can I register a guest for this ride?
Yes. You can register multiple people at one time. However, you must provide the name and email address of every attendee.
I want to register a child or person who does not have their own email address.
Please email events@waba.org and we will get this worked out.
Is there a wait list for the ride?
No. Registration will close when registration reaches its limit.
Can I register onsite the day of the ride?
No. As of 9/7/21, this ride is sold out.
Can I switch routes on ride day?
Yes. Please arrive during the check-in window for the route you wish to ride, and we’ll get you set up.
If you are switching to a longer route, you may need to pay additional fees to cover the cost.
Questions about COVID-19 Safety
What precautions are you taking to mitigate risk from COVID-19 during this event?
You can read our full policies and procedures for this event above. Still have questions? Please email Anna at events@waba.org.
Is WABA requiring staff to work at this event?
Safety policies and procedures were developed in a collaborative staff working group and approved by WABA’s leadership. The staff who are working at the 50 States Ride have opted in.
I have a question that you haven’t answered here.
We are happy to help! Email your question to Anna at events@waba.org.
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