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The 50 States Ride is an annual recreational social ride that invites over 700 riders to join WABA on 1 of our 3 routes: the breezy, 10 mile Joy Ride; the 25-30 mile Low Stress Network Ride, emphasizing some of DC’s newest bike infrastructure, and the headline 62 mile 50 States Ride—a challenging route that takes riders on every state named avenue in the District. The 2022 50 States Ride will take place on Saturday, September 17th starting in Yards Park.

This ride is a fundraiser. Registration fees support WABA’s work in the DC region and our mission of empowering people to ride bikes, build connections and transform places.  

Ride Information:

Choose your route…

Explore DC by bike on one of three ride routes during the 2022 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.

Route Maps: 2022 Route Maps will be posted the week of the ride. In the meantime, check out the 2021 50 States Ride routes! (The 2022 routes will be different, but similar in difficulty, distance, and elevation.)

50th Anniversary Celebration VIP Package

Riders have the option of adding on a special VIP package in honor of WABA’s 50th anniversary. The package includes a coffee from Compass Coffee, lunch from Agua 301, drink voucher, and a 50th anniversary cycling cap.

Other Important Details…

• All rides take place on streets with varying levels of bicycle infrastructure: protected bike lanes, painted bike lanes, and slower-speed roads without bike lanes. Participants will share the road with motor vehicle traffic.

• The 50 States Ride is self-guided. Participants will be spread out along the route (not in a big group) and navigate using the provided physical cuesheet, or with free turn-by-turn navigation on their smartphone using the Ride with GPS app. 

• Each route will have an optional ride buddy group  led by a  Ride Marshal: a WABA volunteer who is there to help you navigate and offer encouragement and support. 

Register

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Thank You to our Sponsors!

Exclusive Bike Shop Sponsor:

COVID-19 Notice

COVID-19 Precautions during the 2022 50 States Ride

Due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19, all participants are expected to adhere to WABA’s health and safety guidelines for in-person events. Thank you for your patience and compassion as we continue to navigate this pandemic together.

COVID-19 Vaccines

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

Masks 

This event is mask optional. WABA respects anyone’s decision to wear a mask and encourages all people to advocate for themselves. WABA will not tolerate any disrespect towards WABA staff or participants who choose to wear a mask for their own safety and peace of mind.

If you feel sick…

Participants should not attend this event if they feel sick or show symptoms of illness. Because this is a fundraising event we do not offer refunds. You will have the options of converting  your registration fee to a 100% tax deductible donation or transferring the fee to another WABA ride. Please reach out to Akyra at events@waba.org to discuss your options.

Contact tracing

Participants will provide their contact information at event registration. Participants consent to WABA contacting them and/or releasing their contact information to necessary authorities if there is a need for contact tracing following an event to contain an outbreak of COVID-19.

Guidelines May Change

WABA reserves the right to update these guidelines and expectations if regional case trends or CDC guidelines changes make that appropriate. 

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 2022 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 17, 2022.

Where does this event take place?

This event will begin and end at Yards Park (355 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003) in Capitol Riverfront.

What time does this event start?

Check-in and group starts is as follows:

50 States Ride Route

• Check-in: 7:00 AM-7:45 AM
• Group Start: 8:00 AM

Low Stress Network Ride Route

• Check-in: 8:00 AM-8:45 AM
• Group Start: 9:00 AM

Joy Ride Route

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

Buddy Group Ride Marshals will lead and stay with those individuals that would like to ride with other bikers or feel that they will need a little encouragement along the way.

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 2022 50 States Ride routes in an email to registrants the week of the ride.  

In the meantime, check out the 2021 50 States Ride routes! (The 2022 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 Akyra 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. 
• Following 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.

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. If you’d really rather not carry your lock during your ride you can leave it with WABA staff at check-in and collect it at the finish line.)
• SmartTrip card (in case you decide you’d like to take the metro during or after the ride)
• Weather appropriate clothing (the 50 States Ride is rain or shine!)
• 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!

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!) 

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?

Because this is a fundraiser there will be no refunds for this event except in case of illness.

If you are feeling sick or have symptoms of an illness, do not come to the event. Email events@waba.org and let Akyra know you cannot come because you are sick, 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 transfer my registration to another individual?

Yes. However, there is a $25 admin fee for transferring registration. Please email Akyra at events@waba.org to make your transfer.

Is there a youth rate for this ride?

Yes.  Joy ride $20 Low-Stress Networks $30

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.

Can I register onsite the day of the ride?

Yes! Ride registration will be open until check-in closes. You can register yourself on your phone or WABA staff at the info table can help you register at check-in.Please arrive during the check-in time for the route you wish to ride, and we’ll get you set up. 

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.

I have a question that you haven’t answered here.We are happy to help! Email your question to Akyra at events@waba.org.