The Sweet Ride

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Launch summer with a sweet bicycle ride through Northern Virginia!

Choose from a 5, 15, 30, or 50 mile route and wind through Alexandria and Arlington on a combination of bike lanes, quiet neighborhood streets, and trails. Enjoy snacks, lemonade, water, and WABA staff and volunteers cheering you on at pit stops along the way. 

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

Ride Information:

Choose your route! (Note: 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.

Ride Start Location

Check-in and the start location for all routes is Jones Point Park (Jones Point Dr, Alexandria, VA 23242)

Jones Point Park is a 1.6 mile bike ride from the King Street Metro (Blue/Yellow lines), and is accessible via bike on the Mt Vernon Trail. There is some parking available in the park parking lot.

Short & Sweet 5

• $15 youth; $25 with member discount code; $35 non-member
• Good for those with young kids or anyone looking for an intro into riding with traffic, and those looking for a short casual bike ride 
• The route is mostly flat, with a few small hills
• Includes 1 ice cream token and Sweet Ride Bandana

Sweet 15

• $25 youth; $40 with member discount code $50 non-members
• Good for advanced beginner bicyclists or anyone looking for a more leisurely ride!
• This route has about +352ft of climbing in total. A few steep climbs
• Includes 1 ice cream token and Sweet Ride Bandana

Sweet 30

• $25 youth; $40 with member discount code; $50 non-members
• Good for intermediate to experienced bicyclists.
• This route has about +744 ft of climbing total. There are a few short but steep climbs.
• Participants will receive snacks and water at two pit stops 
• Includes 1 ice cream token and Sweet Ride Bandana

Sweet 50

• $25 youth; $40 with member discount code; $50 non-members
• This ride is for a bicyclist looking to sweat it out on a more challenging ride!
• This route has +2,534 ft of climbing total. There are a few very steep climbs.
• Participants will receive snacks, water at three pit stops
• Includes 1 ice cream token and Sweet Ride Bandana

Other Important Details…

• The Sweet 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 check-in group will have an optional group start led by a Ride Marshal: a WABA volunteer who is there to help you navigate and offer encouragement and support. 

Route Maps:

Curious about where you’ll be riding? Check out the 2019 Sweet Ride routes! (The 2022 routes will be similar but not identical.)

Thank You to our Sponsors!

Volunteer

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Ride Marshal

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COVID-19 Notice

COVID-19 Precautions during the 2022 Sweet 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 proof of vaccine to attend this event, although we strongly encourage all participants to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

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! 

What is this event?

The Sweet 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.

Where does this event take place?

Ride check in will take place at Jones Point Park (Jones Point Dr, Alexandria, VA 23242).

When is this event?

The Sweet Ride will take place on Saturday, June 18 2022. 

What time does this event start?

Sweet 50:

• Check-in: 8:30 AM
• Marshal-led group start: 9:00 AM

Sweet 30:

• Check-in: 9:30 AM
• Marshal-led group start: 10:00 AM

Sweet 15: 

• Check-in: 10:30 AM
• Marshal-led group start: 11:00 AM

Sweet 5: 

• Check-in: 11:30 AM
• Marshal-led group start: 12:00 PM

Are the roads closed for this ride? Are there cars? 

Roads are NOT closed for this ride. This means:

• The route is NOT closed to motor vehicle traffic. 
• All four routes are on a combination of bike lanes, quiet neighborhood streets, and trails.
• All four routes have places where participants will share the road with cars

Is this ride supported? 

No. All four 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.
• WABA staff will have basic first aid materials at the check-in, finish line, and pit stop areas. Staff will make these materials available to participants in case of minor injury. In case of an emergency, WABA staff or volunteers will call 911.

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 start with the group

Sweep Ride Marshals will bring up the back of each group. 

Want to stick with a Ride Marshal for the whole ride? Look for the “ride with buddies!” sign at check-in (or ask at the info table) to find a Ride Marshal designated to stick with a smaller group. 

Where can I find information about the routes?

WABA will release the 2022 Sweet Ride routes in an email to registrants the week of the ride.

In the meantime, you can check out the 2019 Sweet Ride routes! (The 2022 routes will be similar but not identical.)

https://ridewithgps.com/events/90649-2019-sweet-ride

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. 
• 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.

Will food and drink be provided?

There will be a selection of snacks provided at registration, pit stops and the finish line. We will also have water stations available for you to fill your water bottles. WABA will not be providing water bottles so please make sure you bring your own bottle with you for the ride. 

Each registered rider will also receive a coupon redeemable for ice cream after the ride.

Questions about Registration and Check-in

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

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

Note: We are not able to offer refunds for participants switching to the Sweet 5 from a longer route.

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 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. Participants age 15 and under are eligible for the youth rate.

You must purchase ride registration for all individuals who will ride their own bicycle in the event.

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 Akyra at 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?

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. .

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

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

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

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Register

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