Organizing for Justice: Women in the Civil Rights Movement Bike Tour

March 3, 2020March 12, 2020 | Patricia Miguel

Hello!

We’ve postponed this event to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. If you’re already signed up, we’ll send you an email when we have arranged a new date. Otherwise, check back here for updates.

We are sincerely grateful for everyone’s patience and understanding. Please take care of yourself and your community.

❤️,
The WABA Team

Note: This event is only open to women/trans/femme-identifying folks.

Join us for a tour of African American women civil rights activists who left their mark on Washington, D.C. and the rest of the nation. This ride will start at the O Street Mansion, take us on a tour of the homes and statues of African American women civil rights activists, and end at the Library of Congress for the exhibit Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words. Along the route, we’ll make brief stops to talk about the notable work these women have done and provide historical context for the Rosa Parks exhibit.

We will start our ride at the O Street Mansion (2020 O St. NW, Washington, DC 20036) and end at the Library of Congress (101 Independence Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20540). We will be biking for roughly 40 minutes and our route will not contain challenging riding. Please bring water, a lock for Library of Congress parking, and a helmet, which is required by our insurance (email us for a loaner).

Note: The Library of Congress has an “airport-like” security process; dangerous weapons (including pocket knives) and oversized (not exceeding 25”W x 15”H) bags are prohibited. Open food and drink are not allowed in public areas. The Library of Congress will not hold prohibited items so please plan accordingly. There is bike parking to the right of the main entrance and directly across the street.

Need accommodations, have questions about access, something the organizer should know about you (ex: severe peanut allergy) or have questions about the event? Send us an email at patricia.miguel@waba.org. As a part of WABA’s Women and Bicycles program, this event is only open to anyone who identifies as women/trans/femme. Not you? Lots of other WABA events at waba.org/fun. Know someone who should come? Please share this event with them!

WABA in the Wild was AWESOME!

November 3, 2016March 30, 2017 | Michelle Cleveland

A few weeks ago, we held our very first WABA in the Wild, a three and a half day bike tour and camping trip from Cumberland, Maryland at one end of the C&O Canal Trail to Georgetown, Washington, DC at the other end of the C&O Canal Trail.

A wet but happy start in Cumberland, MD

Simply put, WABA in the Wild was epic.

Take a look at the adventure below and read on to hear what a few ride participants had to say about their experience. Plus, this event was a peer-to-peer fundraiser ride that raised almost $14,000 for WABA! A huge thank you and props to all of our WABA in the Wild riders.

Here’s what people said about the trip:

Waba in the Wild was an incredible experience for more reasons than I even anticipated.The ride itself was an extraordinary immersion in nature and cycling all day; the WABA crew was amazingly hospitable and thought every detail through, allowing us to just ride, make friends and marvel at the scenery; and I got to try a short bike tour with all the logistics taken care of- and instead of paying a tour company, I got to raise money for an organization that directly makes me safer and happier on my bike.

I’m so happy WABA decided to organize this trip because I’ve wanted to bike the entire C&O canal for years but was having trouble with logistics. WABA arranged everything seamlessly and gave me the opportunity to do this not just for myself and my own achievement but also to raise money to support making biking safer. I learned so much about what I can do in my community, it was so inspiring!

Favorite parts of the event for me were the camaraderie and moments to ride and chat with both the riders and the WABA crew; Camping, campfire and camp meals; Learning more about the WABA mission and goals. Lastly, being completely consumed in the event from start to finish.

I am still basking in the WABA in the Wild afterglow! I’ll start by expressing my appreciation for the way you handled the logistics for this event. The guidance you provided in advance of the trip from fundraising through packing lists and daily schedules were thorough and immensely helpful. I felt a part of the WABA team in reaching the goals and from wheels up at Walter Pierce Park I also felt that friendships were formed among the WABA crew and all of the riders. I feel a connection to everyone who participated. There are many challenges presented in riding and camping the C&0 canal. Conditioning, hydration, nutrition, recovery are all a part of what each rider has to do. WABA injected massive amounts of fun into every aspect of this adventure. I truly felt like i was being taken care of throughout. WABA in the Wild was a memorable experience. Thank you!

Interested in WABA in the Wild 2017?!

Like what you hear? Are you up for the challenge? Join us for WABA in the Wild in 2017!

If you’d like to be the first to know about when information and adventure dates are available for the 2017 event, and to find out when registration opens, sign up for the WABA in the Wild C&O Canal Tour interest email list here.

Photo credit: Cassie Hoffman

Photo credit: Jeremy Schneider

Photo credit: Michael Avilez

Join us for WABA in the Wild: our first overnight bike camping tour!

August 17, 2016 | Michelle Cleveland

It’s about time WABA was a bit more adventurous: WABA in the Wild is about better bicycling through 184.5 miles, fireflies, and coffee outside.

We are super excited to announce that registration for WABA’s first overnight event, first bike camping tour, and first peer-to-peer fundraiser event to support our advocacy and outreach work is now open. The WABA in the Wild tour includes three nights of camping, three days of bicycling along the towpath, and a guided scenic journey by bike from Cumberland, MD to Washington, DC. This adventure is a peer-to-peer fundraiser ride to support WABA’s mission to get everyone within one mile of a safe, dedicated place to ride a bike.

Tour Dates:

When: Friday, October 7th through Monday, October 10th, 2016
Where: Bike from Cumberland, MD back home to Washington, DC (transportation from DC to Cumberland is included)
Learn more about the WABA in the Wild Towpath Tour here.

We’ll provide everything you need to fundraise for this tour: your own fundraising webpage, email templates, postcards, strategy session at the WABA office, a fundraising happy hour you can invite your friends to, and of course a Bike Camping 101 Workshop. Transportation, gear support, food, snacks, and tons of awesome programming are included on the tour. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today. Each rider will raise $1,250 from friends and family to support WABA’s advocacy and outreach mission. In return, they get to join us for a wild weekend outside connecting with WABA staff, trail experts, and their bicycles.