Our Youth Learn to Ride class is fun, intuitive, and a great way to introduce your child to bike riding! This class is for children aged 6-12* who have never ridden a bike before or have tried to learn and have not been successful. Our League certified instructors take students through a progressive curriculum, with the goal of riding with two pedals by the end of the session.
*If your child falls outside of the 6-12 age range please email us at education@waba.org.
All students are responsible for bringing their own bicycle and helmet. All students are required to wear a helmet for the duration of the class.
Our approach is fun and intuitive, but it also requires hard work. Your child will be riding for two hours. We take breaks every hour. Parents or guardians must stay for the duration of the class.
Please ensure that your child comes to class wearing comfortable clothes and close-toed shoes.
Please bring: a bicycle and helmet in good working order, water and snacks, and a mask. This class will be outdoors. Mask use is mandatory.
Only students who have reserved space in the class may attend. Unfortunately, walk-up students cannot be accommodated.
This class is for your child if:
They are between the ages of 6 and 12 years old
Your child has never tried to learn how to ride a bike; or
They have tried to learn and have not been successful.
Health and Safety Protocols
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. You can review WABA’s full guidelines for classes here.
Participants should not attend in-person events if they feel sick or show symptoms of illness. WABA will refund registration fees to individuals who cannot attend because they are sick on the day of an event. If you are sick and unable to attend an in-person event, contact WABA for a refund.
Classes will be limited to 10 participants and 4 instructors.
All instructors and participants are required to wear face masks for the duration of the class.
WABA requires participants to wear face masks in accordance with CDC and jurisdictional mask guidelines at all in-person events:
Masks must cover both the mouth and nose.
Masks must be secured below the chin.
Participants should sanitize their hands before and after touching their mask or face area.
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.
All instructors and participants are required to maintain social distancing (6 ft apart) for the duration of the class
In the event of a minor injury (cuts or scrapes) participants will be provided with first aid supplies to treat themselves. If an individual is unable to treat themselves, or if a more serious injury occurs, WABA will call for an ambulance for additional medical care.
Parents will be asked to wait away from the class and not participate.
Parking recommendations: Parking is located here, directly adjacent to the plaza. Additional overflow parking is located at Frank Mann Field which is a 0.7 mi walk.
Driving/Parking Parking is available at this location off of Mt. Vernon Avenue, either at the Four Mile Run Field Parking Lot or on adjacent side streets.
MetroBus Go multi-modal! The bus stop at the Plaza is served by buses 10A, 10B, 10E, 23A, and 23B. Not sure how to get your bike on a bus, check out our post on going multi-modal for tips and tricks.
Biking Four Mile Run Park is right off of Four Mile Run Trail and the Four Mile Run Park Trail, accessible via the Mount Vernon Trail. There is a Capital Bikeshare station at the plaza.
Our Youth Learn to Ride class is fun, intuitive, and a great way to introduce your child to bike riding! This class is for children aged 6-12* who have never ridden a bike before or have tried to learn and have not been successful. Our League certified instructors take students through a progressive curriculum, with the goal of riding with two pedals by the end of the session.
*If your child falls outside of the 6-12 age range please email us at education@waba.org.
All students are responsible for bringing their own bicycle and helmet. All students are required to wear a helmet for the duration of the class.
Our approach is fun and intuitive, but it also requires hard work. Your child will be riding for two hours. We take breaks every hour. Parents or guardians must stay for the duration of the class.
Please ensure that your child comes to class wearing comfortable clothes and close-toed shoes.
Please bring: a bicycle and helmet in good working order, water and snacks, and a mask. This class will be outdoors. Mask use is mandatory.
Only students who have reserved space in the class may attend. Unfortunately, walk-up students cannot be accommodated.
This class is for your child if:
They are between the ages of 6 and 12 years old
Your child has never tried to learn how to ride a bike; or
They have tried to learn and have not been successful.
Health and Safety Protocols
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. You can review WABA’s full guidelines for classes here.
Participants should not attend in-person events if they feel sick or show symptoms of illness. WABA will refund registration fees to individuals who cannot attend because they are sick on the day of an event. If you are sick and unable to attend an in-person event, contact WABA for a refund.
Classes will be limited to 10 participants and 4 instructors.
All instructors and participants are required to wear face masks for the duration of the class.
WABA requires participants to wear face masks in accordance with CDC and jurisdictional mask guidelines at all in-person events:
Masks must cover both the mouth and nose.
Masks must be secured below the chin.
Participants should sanitize their hands before and after touching their mask or face area.
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.
All instructors and participants are required to maintain social distancing (6 ft apart) for the duration of the class
In the event of a minor injury (cuts or scrapes) participants will be provided with first aid supplies to treat themselves. If an individual is unable to treat themselves, or if a more serious injury occurs, WABA will call for an ambulance for additional medical care.
Parents will be asked to wait away from the class and not participate.
Parking recommendations: Parking is located here, directly adjacent to the plaza. Additional overflow parking is located at Frank Mann Field which is a 0.7 mi walk.
Driving/Parking Parking is available at this location off of Mt. Vernon Avenue, either at the Four Mile Run Field Parking Lot or on adjacent side streets.
MetroBus Go multi-modal! The bus stop at the Plaza is served by buses 10A, 10B, 10E, 23A, and 23B. Not sure how to get your bike on a bus, check out our post on going multi-modal for tips and tricks.
Biking Four Mile Run Park is right off of Four Mile Run Trail and the Four Mile Run Park Trail, accessible via the Mount Vernon Trail. There is a Capital Bikeshare station at the plaza.
This annual event brings together passionate riders of all levels for a great cause: resources and scholarships for high school seniors with disabilities. The ride is fully supported with 10, 30, 60, and 100-mile ride options. Fundraise to earn more swag and prizes!
This ride is in partnership with the Hispanic Access Foundation’s Latino Conservation Week. Expect a low key, conversational pace on mostly flat, car free trails. We’ll stop at a few places to talk about this article about conservation and Latinx culture. We’ll be out for about 2 hours.
Note: This ride series is a part of WABA’s Women & Bicycles program and is only open to those who identify as woman/trans/femme/non-binary. If that’s not you, we have plenty of other events you should check out at waba.org/fun. Know someone who should come? Please share this event with them!
Join us for a ride along the W&OD and Four Mile Run Trails – both are quiet, scenic trails that run through the suburbs of Virginia. We’ll do a short, flat 4.2 mile ride on Piscataway land starting from Bluemont Park (601 N Manchester St Arlington, VA 22203). The ride is a round trip. We’ll depart from the public bathrooms at Bluemont Park (the Wilson Blvd side), make our way along the W&OD, take a break at Glencarlyn Park and talk about the article, and then circle back on Four Mile Run Trail to the start.
While riding, walking, or taking a break along the ride routes, participants must maintain 6 ft of distance between themselves and others not in their households. During the check-in, the chat, and while otherwise gathered as a group, participants must wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose. Helmets are required for this ride. If you don’t have one, email us and we’ll get you a loaner. We’ll be riding on a paved trail for the duration of the ride and welcome you to bring your own bike. Don’t have a personal bike? No worries. We’ll reimburse your usage fee of a Capital Bikeshare bike – just shoot us an email. It will likely be warm so please dress accordingly in comfortable attire and bring water to stay hydrated.
What We’re Reading:
This ride is in partnership with the Hispanic Access Foundation’s Latino Conservation Week. For this Trail Chat we’ll be reading Why Being Green Comes Naturally to Us Latinos from Grist. This article explores the intersection between climate change and culture and how marginalized groups, such as Latinxs, are often intentionally left out of policy decision making.
It is election season in Virginia! So where do the candidates stand on issues such as expanding bike and trail networks, transportation equity, and vision zero?
To find out where the candidates stand, WABA, Virginia Conservation Network, and Virginia Bicycling Federation sent a candidate questionnaire to all the registered Northern Virginia House of Delegate candidates (for strictly educational purposes only, no endorsement will be made).
Candidates who have registered as a Democrat, Republican, Independent, or 3rd party received a questionnaire. You can view the questionnaires submitted by candidates here:
The following graphs include the collective data from questionnaire questions that only required a yes/no response. This does not include data from questions that required a written response.
Also, as part of our 2021 VA General Session wrap-up, WABA hosted a virtual town hall for WABA members.
Speakers included Wyatt Gordon, Policy & Campaign Manager for Land Use & Transportation, Virginia Conservation Network; and Brantley Tyndall, President, Virginia Bicycling Federation.
During the Post-VA General Assembly town hall, our speakers reflected on the successes and lessons learned from this past session. We also discussed upcoming policies and initiatives that advocates should be pushing in upcoming general assemblies. You can view a recording of that town hall here.
Choose from a 16, 30, or 50 mile route and wind through Northern Virginia on a combination of bike lanes, quiet neighborhood streets, and trails. Enjoy, water, and WABA staff 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.
At registration, you’ll choose from two check-in/start locations:
Crystal City Water Park (1601 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202)
Jones Point Park (Jones Point Dr, Alexandria, VA 22314)
About the routes…
Sweet 16. ($35 members; $55 non-members)
Good for beginners or anyone looking for a more leisurely ride!
This 16 mile ride is mostly on trails but does involve a few turns through intersections where bicyclists share the road with motor vehicles.
This route is mostly flat, with a few small hills.
Participants will receive snacks and water at one pit stops
Includes lunch and Sweet Ride Bandana
Sweet 30 ($50 members; $70 non-members)
Good for experienced bicyclists
This 30 mile ride takes place on trails and in streets with varying levels of bicycle infrastructure (protected bike lanes, painted bike lanes, and roads without bike lanes where bicyclists share the road with motor vehicles.
This route has about +1400 ft of climbing total. There are a few short but steep climbs.
Participants will receive snacks and water at two pit stops
Includes lunch and Sweet Ride Bandana
Sweet 50 ($65 members, $85 non-members)
This ride is for a bicyclist looking for a challenge!
This 50 mile ride takes place on trails and in streets with varying levels of bicycle infrastructure (protected bike lanes, painted bike lanes, and roads without bike lanes where bicyclists share the road with motor vehicles.
This route has +2,654 ft of climbing total. There are a few very steep climbs.
Participants will receive snacks, water at three pit stops
This does not include access to the in-person event on June 13.
Registrants will receive digital access to all 3 Sweet Ride routes on Monday, June 14 and can do the ride(s) on their own at any date or time that’s convenient
There are no pit stops or amenities available to Solo Sweet Ride participants
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.
All participants in the June 13 event will receive a box lunch courtesy of our sponsors, Nandos Peri-Peri (vegetarian and vegan options available).
Here is how WABA is taking precautions and enforcing the above policies at the 2021 Sweet Ride to keep participants, staff, and volunteers safe.
All participants must follow the same mask and physical distancing guidelines, regardless of vaccination status.
Outside event.
The Sweet Ride is an outdoor event.
Restrooms (public park restrooms and/or portapotties) will be available at ride check-in, pit stops, and the finish line.
Designated check-in times and registration caps.
At registration, participants will select check-in times that cap at 20 people per 30 minute slot.
Registration for each ride will close the week before the ride. At check-in, participants will be required to show proof of registration.
Registered ride participants will receive wristbands at check-in. Participants must wear or show their wristbands to enter the pit stop and finish line areas and receive their box lunch.
Mask enforcement.
All ride and staff participants will wear masks covering their nose and mouth while at ride sites, in compliance with CDC guidelines for proper mask use.
WABA staff at check-in and pit stops will enforce mask use.
Participants who are not wearing a mask will be told to leave the event space. Masks may not be removed until they exit the pit stop area.
Masks may not be removed for eating or drinking in check-in, finish line, and pit stop areas— participants must consume snacks and water outside of the main pit stop area, maintaining 6 ft from fellow participants who aren’t in their household.
WABA has a zero tolerance policy for improper mask use (i.e., not wearing a mask, wearing a mask that does not cover both the mouth and nose or is not secured below the chin, pulling up part of a shirt over the face instead of a mask, etc.)
Physical distancing enforcement.
Check-in, finish line, and pit stops will be held at parks and other spacious sites with room for physical distancing.
While riding, walking, or taking a break along the ride routes, participants must maintain 6 ft of distance between themselves and others not in their households.
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.
No contact water and food.
At check-in and pit stops, all snacks will be single-serving items that participants take from a table one at a time before exiting the ride site area
Participants will take their food and water and eat it away from the ride site area so they can be appropriately distanced from others before removing their face mask to eat and drink.
Participants must bring their own water bottles. Participants can fill and refill their personal water bottles at the ride start, pit stop(s), and finish line.
All participants will receive a box lunch courtesy of our sponsor, Nando’s Peri-Peri. Box lunches will be pre-packed by Nando’s in keeping with their food safety guidelines.
No post-ride celebration.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 means we cannot hold a post-ride celebration.
At the finish line, participants can catch their breath, refill on snacks and water, and collect their box lunch.
There will be no finish line activities.
Refunds in case of exposure or illness.
In the case that a participant is sick or has been exposed to COVID-19 in the two weeks before the event, WABA will offer refunds, transfer registration to a future event, or convert your registration fee to a tax-deductible donation.
This is a good faith policy. Participants who are sick or exposed to COVID-19 in the two weeks before the event should email events@waba.org to request their refund or transfer
WABA will remind participants of this policy in emails in the days leading up to the event
Solo ride option.
For those who don’t feel comfortable doing the group event, we will have Solo Sweet Kits available for purchase so folks can do the ride FOLLOWING the June 13th event.
Routes will be released on Monday, June 14.
Participants who have purchased Solo Ride Kits will NOT be able to join the in-person event on June 13th.
Frequently Asked Questions
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?
At registration, participants select a check-in time and location according to route and preference.
Participants will choose from two check-in locations:
Crystal City Water Park (1601 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202)
Jones Point Park (Jones Point Dr, Alexandria, VA 22314)
When is this event?
The Sweet Ride will take place on Sunday, June 13, 2021.
What time does this event start?
Participants will select a check-in window for this ride based on route preference:
For the Sweet 50, choose from:
7:30 AM
8:00 AM or
8:30 AM
For the Sweet 30, choose from:
9:00 AM
9:30 AM
10:00 AM
10:30 AM, or
11:00 AM
For the Sweet 16, choose from:
11:30 AM or
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 three routes are on a combination of bike lanes, quiet neighborhood streets, and trails.
All three routes have places where participants will share the road with cars
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.
Each check-in group will haveRide Marshals: a Lead Ride Marshal and a Sweep Ride Marshal.
Lead Ride Marshals will lead an optional group start for those in the check-in group who wish to ride together.
Sweep Ride Marshals will bring up the back of each check-in group.
Where can I find information about the routes?
WABA will release the 2021 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 2021 routes will be similar but not identical.)
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.
I selected a check-in time/location but now I want to change it.
Please email Anna at events@waba.org. If registration for the ride is still open, it is possible (but NOT guaranteed) that we will be able to move you.
Can I check-in at a time/location other than the time/location in my confirmation email?
No. You will have to show your confirmation email to gain admittance to check-in on the day of the ride. If you are at the wrong location or too early or too late, you will not be able to check in to the ride.
Why are you being so strict about check-in times and locations?
Making sure we have an accurate registration list and knowledge of who will arrive where at what time is part of our policies and procedures for holding events during COVID-19. It helps us keep crowd size down, and it is also necessary in the case of contact tracing after the event.
Why are there a limited number of registration slots?
For these rides, participants select specific check-in windows, so we can make sure there aren’t too many people at check-in at one time. This is so we can ensure appropriate space for physical distancing.
We can only have 20 people per check in slot, which means registration has a firm cap based on check-in slot capacities.
The check in slot I wanted is full and I can’t register.
Sorry about that, but registration is first come, first serve. Please select a different slot.
The ride I want to register for is full and I can’t register.
I’m sorry. The registration cap is firm.
However, you can still access the ride route by purchasing a Solo Ride Kit, which will give you access to the digital cue sheets, maps, and files for all 3 ride routes so you can ride them another time. We’ll even mail your swag item to your door.
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!
When I enter my email into the membership lookup box, it says I am not a member. But I am!
Sorry about that! Please email Jeslyn at membership@waba.org and she’ll help you get that cleared up so you can register for the ride.
What is your refund policy?
Because this is a fundraiser there will be no refunds or transfers 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 Anna know you cannot come because you are sick, and we will process your refund.
This is a good faith policy. If you say you cannot attend because you are sick, we will believe you and process your refund.
Is there a youth rate for this ride?
No.
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 Anna 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?
No. There is no onsite registration for any of these 3 rides.
I purchased a Solo Ride Kit. Where are my route files?
The digital cue sheet, map, and route file for each ride will be emailed to you on Monday, June 14th 2021.
If the date has passed and you still don’t have your route file, please email Anna at events@waba.org.
I purchased a Solo Ride Kit option that includes ride swag mailed to me. Where is my ride swag?
We are getting ride swag in the mail just as quick as we can! You should have it by mid-July. Thank you for your patience.
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 here. 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. This includes a measure that staff are not required to work at any in-person events, period, during COVID-19.
The staff who are working at the Sweet 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.
Come learn how your membership dues make an impact on WABA’s work! This once-a year event is a chance to hear how 2020 went for WABA, learn what’s on the horizon, and meet and ask questions of WABA’s leadership.
At the meeting, you and your fellow members will vote on the nominated slate of incoming board members, hear from our Board of Directors and Executive Director about our work, and have opportunities to ask questions.
Agenda:
2020 Updates & Wins
Transportation equity and antiracism at WABA
Q&A
Recognition of outgoing board members
Nomination of slate of 2021-2023 board candidates
Vote
The meeting will be closed captioned but not be recorded. If you’re not able to attend and would like to see the presentation after the 16th, drop us a line at membership@waba.org.
Register
All current WABA members are invited to the annual member meeting. WABA launched a pay-what-you-can membership model last year, so any personally meaningful contribution makes you a dues-paying member for one year.
To register for the meeting, first confirm your membership by entering your email into the lookup box:
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