Join the movement!

Before we get to upcoming events, WABA wants you as a member! It's only $35 for the year. As a member, you will enjoy discounts at most local bike shops, discounts on events and classes, a subscription to our quarterly newsletter and so much. With your help, we are creating a healthy, more livable region by promoting bicycling for fun, fitness, and affordable transportation. Learn more on the WABA website.

50 States & 13 Colonies Ride
Saturday, September 24th, 2011

Less than 80 spots remaining! Gear up for the most unique and challenging bike ride in DC! This 60+ mile ride is for cyclists experienced and comfortable with riding through the city streets with traffic. The 50 States Ride covers all 50 state streets in all 8 Wards in search of the District of Columbia's statehood. This is WABA's signature ride, and has been lovingly described as "brutal," "insane," and "engrossing." For anyone interested in a less intense, but equally enjoyable ride, our 13 Colonies Ride is for you! Ride on the iconic DC streets named for each of the 13 original colonies of the United States. This ride is a little under 15 miles and is also for cyclists who are comfortable with riding on city streets with traffic.

Celebrate the day's feats at the The 51st State Party sponsored by New Belgium Brewing at The Grill From Ipanema. Stop by with your fellow comrades for a frosty Fat Tire and a delicious bite to eat. The first 400 guests will take home special prizes! Check out the event Facebook Page for more information.

For more information on the 50 States Ride, please visit the event webpage or register now!

Gears for Good. HFA Bike Ride
WABA Partnered Event
Thursday, September 15th - 17th, 2011

Join The Hemophilia Federation of America and Get Out & Go Tours on a three-day tour to raise money for Helping Hands, an emergency financial assistance program that aids hundreds of people with bleeding disorders each year.

This ride is fully supported; gear shuttle, lodging, meals, cue cards, and mechanical support are all included. This means you can ride the whole daily distance, or just a portion of it! Daily mileages are 32 (Paw Paw to Hancock), 64 (Hancock to Harpers Ferry, WV), 60 (Harpers Ferry, WV to Washington, DC). Minimum sponsor pledge (which is tax deductable and can be made via the website) is $750.00.

Further details, sign-up, and sponsor pledging can be found at the event page. For more information, or with questions contact the ride coordinators at ride@hemophiliafed.org or call (202)-675-6984.

Ride for Research
WABA Partnered Event
Sunday, September 18, 2011

WABA is proud to partner with the Lymphoma Research Foundation for the 5th Annual Lymphoma Research Ride. This noncompetitive bike ride brings together survivors, family, friends, individuals, community teams and corporate teams to ride in honor and in memory of those whos lives have been touched by Lymphoma. Riders have the choice if a 25 or 50 mile route geared to riders of all experience levels. Join hundreds of cyclists at the Barnesville School in Northern Montgomery County and ride for a great cause! To register go to www.lymphoma.org/ride2011. For more information, or with questions, contact the ride coordinators at ride@lymphoma.org or call (732) 828-6100.

Solar Decathlon Bike Valet
West Potomac Park, Ohio Dr SW, Washington, DC
September 22 - 25 & September 30 - October 2, 2011

Save some Metro fare money, get a little exercise and reduce your carbon footprint by biking to the US Department of Energy's 2011 Solar Decathlon. The Washington Area Bicyclist Association will be providing on-site bike valet services during the event.

More info about the bike valet / Solar Decathlon / Sign up to volunteer!

Car Free Day
September 22, 2011
 
Go Car Free or Car-Lite and make a difference for a day by bicycling, walking, teleworking, carpooling, vanpooling or taking transit. Pledge today and you're automatically entered into a raffle for cool prizes! This year you can win a free Apple iPad or a bike! You can still pledge even if you're already car free.

http://www.carfreemetrodc.com/ 

World Wide Day of Play 2011 Bike Rodeo
Saturday, September 24, 2011

Nickelodeon will bring its flagship Worldwide Day of Play event to Washington, D.C. for its biggest celebration of active play in the eight-year history of the initiative. The network will host an entire day of activities and games for kids and their families to encourage active and healthy lifestyles. WABA will be providing free bicycle youth education as part of the festivities.

Learn More

Brita Climate Ride California
October 2-6, 2011

Join the National Bike Ride for Sustainable Solutions Take! Climate Ride is not only a fully-supported, 5-day charitable bike ride, but it's also the one and only multi-day charitable bicycling event that supports green causes.

Proceeds from Climate Ride events support important projects at a collection of nine organizations focused on green jobs, clean energy, climate education, and bicycle infrastructure. Get to know the 2011 Climate Ride beneficiaries including WABA.

Climate Ride is your chance to learn more about sustainability and the green energy future from our expert speakers, network with others who are passionate about renewables and the climate, and most importantly take action, all while experiencing an exciting cycling adventure through some of the nation's most beautiful countryside. Learn more at www.climateride.org

Ride Allegheny - "Helping Heroes Move On"
WABA Partnered Event
Wednesday, October 5, 2011 through Sunday October 9th, 2011

Ride Allegheny is a 320-mile bicycling fundraiser for Operation Second Chance, dedicated to helping injured soldiers transition back to active duty or civilian life. The ride begins on Thursday, October 6th on the Steel Valley Trail in Pittsburgh, PA, connecting with the C&O Canal in Cumberland, MD, and finishing on Sunday, October 9th at Smokey Glen Farm in Gaithersburg, MD. The ride will take place over four days and average about 80 miles a day. Registered riders will have three options to choose from (4-day, 2-day, and 1-day rides). Accommodations will be designated for each overnight stay, along with the best in local dining establishments. Ride Allegheny is also looking for volunteers who are interested in making the ride a success.

For more information and to register, go to RideAllegheny.org.

Law Enforcement Ride & Run to Remember
WABA Partnered Event
Sunday, October 16th, 2011

The Law Enforcement Ride & Run to Remember is an exciting and inspiring community-oriented event designed to honor the contribution and sacrifice law enforcement officers make every day. It includes a Metric Century Bike Ride (62 miles), Half Metric Century Bike Ride (31 miles), Quarter Century Bike Ride (15 miles), 5K Run and Family Festival. Bike routes start at the National Harbor and end at the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. Visit www.RideandRuntoRemember.org for route maps and schedule of events.

Register today: www.RideandRuntoRemember.org

Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Washington DC
WABA Partnered Event
October 22, 2011

The Audi Best Buddies Challenge: DC takes place on October 22 and will feature an amazing route on closed roads in downtown DC, starting and ending at the Washington Monument. Cyclists will get to enjoy the sights that make the Nation's Capital one of the most beautiful cities in the country, then head out into the scenic landscape of Montgomery County. With 100K and 20 mile cycling options, and a 5K run/walk, there is an event for everyone. Upon completion of your athletic event participants will celebrate their accomplishments with a gourmet lunch at the foot of the Washington Monument and an exclusive concert to cap it all off. Best of all, your participation ensures you are supporting the Best Buddies movement and changing the lives of people with and without IDD. Click here for pictures from last year!

For more information go to about the Audi Best Buddies Challenge please go to: www.DCchallenge2011.org. Also see below for more info about training rides, shop nights and meet-ups with this partner – all are welcome!

Regional Call to Action Summit
November 3rd, 2011
Waterview Conference Center, Arlington, VA

We need your help in shaping the future of bicycling in DC, Maryland and Virginia region. The Washington Area Bicyclist Association is hosting a regional Call to Action Summit on November 3, 2011 at the Waterview Conference Center in Arlington, VA. The one day summit will be a culmination of weeks of local meetings in all six jursidictions that WABA represents and it will include a presentation of plan for the the next five years of advocacy for the region.

More information and to RSVP

WABA's Brown Bag Commuting Seminar
In 2011, WABA wants to help you and your coworkers bike to work! If your organization or company is interested in encouraging more bike commuting, WABA's Brown Bag Commuting Seminar that might be just what you're looking for.

The seminar is basically a short version of our popular Confident City Cycling Classes. Designed to be taught over the course of a lunch hour, the basics of safe bicycle commuting, vehicular cycling and route choice are covered. WABA literature such as our Safe Bicycling in the Washington Area, pocket DC Bike Law guides and area bike maps are available free and distributed at the seminars.

Here is the standard Bike Commuting Seminar package:
• Hour-long Bike Commuting Seminar includes safety video and slideshow presentation
• Free literature from WABA and partner organizations about events, safety and special offers
• Free maps for all attendees of DC, Arlington & Alexandria (subject to availability)
• $10 off of a 1-year WABA membership for all attendees
Free League of American Bicyclists Commuter Manual for all attendees
• Price: $195

Please email daniel@waba.org or call 202-518-0524 x200 to arrange a seminar or with any questions.

WABA's Bike Education Fall 2011 Schedule
Want to use your bike to get where you need to go? Learn to safely share the road with cars, other bikes, and pedestrians. All classes are taught by League of American Bicyclist Cycling Instructors (LCI).

Learn to Ride Class
L2R (3 hr.) is the entry class to bicycling. This class is designed for adults who have never learned to ride a bicycle. We will employ a special technique for teaching balance, steering, starting, stopping and pedaling. We use a technique that is very successful and use friendly and encouraging trained instructors. Bikes and helmets provided.

Confident City Cycling classes
CCC1 (2 Hours) - covers basic bicycling information and on-bike skills such as: bicycle selection, fit, inspection, gearing, cadence, clothing, accessories, and bike handling basics like starting and stopping, riding straight, scanning and signaling. Half of this class will be an on-line course and half will be on-bike practicing bike handling skills. Participants must bring their own bikes, helmets, and water. Participants will be required to sign liability waivers. This class is a great way to get reacquainted with your bike after a long winter.

CCC2  (4 Hours)- Covers more advanced cycling techniques such as: vehicular cycling principles, roadway positioning, lane changes, turns and parking lot drills to learn avoidance maneuvers. Half of this class will be an on-line course and half will be on-bike practicing avoidance maneuvers and finally a supervised group ride on open streets with motorized traffic. CCC1 is a prerequisite for new or beginning riders. Participants must bring their own bikes, helmets, and water. Clipless/SPD shoes/pedals are not recommended for this class. Participants will be required to sign liability waivers. Even veteran commuters learn some new tricks in this comprehensive class.

Registration and More Information!

Other Events
Be sure to bookmark our main events page at waba.org/events. We also post other area events on our website at waba.org/events/other.php.

Manage Your WABA Profile (address, email subscriptions, event registration and more) online with our new Profile Manager.