Let WABA send you on a Sweet Ride on Northern Virginia trails!

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How does it work?

Sweet Ride Kits are available for purchase—see below.

Every Ride Kit includes PDF cue sheets, route maps, route files, and Ride Prep Guide by email, so you can ride as soon as you’re ready.

Some kits include exclusive swag mailed to your door! If you purchase a Baby Sweet, Sweet, Sweeter, Sweetest, or Bespoke Ride Kit you choose, we’ll mail you a package of exclusive ride swag. Mailings begin the first week of July and continue through August.

Where do I ride?

All registration levels include cue sheets and route files for FIVE ride routes (6 mile, 10 mile, 16 mile, 28 mile, and 45 mile) connected by Northern Virginia trails, so you can ride all summer long.

All the ride routes start and end at The Grounds in Crystal City, but you can hop on and off the routes wherever you want. 

Pack a picnic — these routes take you to destinations in Arlington and Alexandria where you’ll want to stop and take in the sunshine, like Teddy Roosevelt Island, Columbia Island, Glen Carlyn Park, and more.

We are grateful for your support.

While we’re disappointed we can’t celebrate the second Sweet Ride in person, we want to celebrate in spirit. In addition to getting you some great custom swag that won’t be sold again, your Sweet Ride Kit purchase supports WABA and better biking across the region.

Public Health Note

* These rides are meant to be done solo or with members of your household. Please be sure to follow guidelines for physical distancing, and stay home if you are sick. WABA will make reasonable efforts to communicate changes under COVID-19 restrictions, but may not provide an update to registrants with every change to local government policies and recommendations.

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Ride Kits

Digital Kit — $10

Simple and sweet! This package will come to your email, and includes:

• PDF cue sheet with five ride routes 
• Digital route files (GPX, TCX, Ride with GPS) and maps 
• PDF Ride Prep Guide, including guidelines for biking during COVID-19

Baby Sweet Ride Kit—$25

Digital Kit sent to your email, plus, mailed to your door:

• Exclusive Sweet Ride spoke card

Sweet Ride Kit — $50

Digital Kit sent to your email, plus, mailed to your door:

• Paper cue sheets with maps and directions for five ride routes
• Exclusive Sweet Ride spoke card 
• Blue and white gingham Sweet Ride bandana
• WABA patch kit
• Single-serving lemonade packet
• Hand sanitizer
• Voucher for a free chicken, sandwich, wrap, or pita from Nando’s Peri Peri 
• Voucher for a 32 oz crowler of Port City Brewing Co’s Beach Drive Golden Ale

Sweeter Ride Kit — $95 (while supplies last!)

Digital Kit sent to your email, plus, mailed to your door:

• Everything included in the Sweet Ride Kit

PLUS

• Gift card for specialty drink from Commonwealth Joe (fuel your ride!)
• Gift card for a milkshake from Good Stuff Eatery (cool down after a hot day in the sun!) 
• Gift card to Los Tios Grill (nachos or margaritas, anyone?)

Sweetest Ride Kit — $150 (while supplies last!)

Mailed to your door:

• Everything included in the Sweet and Sweeter Ride Kits

PLUS

• Cotton Sweet Ride cycle cap

Bespoke Ride Kit—$250 (while supplies last!)

Mailed to your door:

• Everything included in the Sweet, Sweeter, and Sweetest Ride Kits

PLUS

• A bespoke route designed for by WABA’s Event Coordinator, customized to your desired start location and comfort level
• A 30-minute call to discuss the route map and cues and how to prepare for your ride

Note: want a bespoke ride route designed especially for you… but not the other things that come with the Bespoke Ride Kit? Email events@waba.org to add a bespoke ride route to any level Ride Kit for $100.

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Get your kit!

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Thank you to these awesome sponsors!

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Frequently Asked Questions

I don’t understand what this is.

Because COVID-19 crisis means we cannot gather in person, WABA is offering Sweet Ride Kits: an alternative to a group ride so you can take a sweet summer ride on your own or with members of your household. We’ll be selling kits all summer so you can take the ride anytime, but some will sell out. 

Kits include ride routes, swag, and other goodies (differing based on registration level).

All Sweet Ride Kits include PDF cue sheets, route maps, route files, and a Ride Prep Guide. Some include physical items mailed to your door!

When does the ride take place?

There is no set date or time for this ride; you do it on your own time, any time after you register! 

You will receive PDF cue sheets, route maps, route files, and Ride Prep Guide by email when you purchase your Ride Kit, and can do the ride whenever you’d like after that. 

Sweet Ride Kits are for sale until August 31.

Our Baby Sweet Ride, Sweet Ride, Sweeter Rider, Sweetest Ride, and Bespoke Ride Kits include physical items mailed to your door. We will mail Ride Kits starting the first week of July, and then weekly through July and August. The last mailing will be the week of August 30 or when Ride Kits sell out. 

When will I receive my Ride Kit?

The date you receive your Ride Kit will vary based on when you purchase it.

We will mail out ride packages starting the first week of July. We are a small team being careful about social distancing, so thank you for your patience!

Kits will be mailed at the beginning of the week every week through July and August. The last mailing will be the week of August 30 or when Ride Kits sell out. 

You will receive the digital items (PDF cue sheets, route maps, route files, and Ride Prep Guide) when you purchase your Ride Kit, so you can start enjoying the ride routes as soon as you purchase your Ride Kit, even if your physical package hasn’t arrived yet.

If you have purchased a Ride Kit and have not received the digital items, or if you’d like to check on the status of your Ride Kit, check your spam folder and then email events@waba.org.

Where does the ride take place?

All of the ride routes included with Sweet Ride Kits begin and end at The Grounds in Crystal City (1102 S Eads St, Arlington, VA 22202)

Do I have to be a WABA member to purchase a Sweet Ride Kit?

Nope! But we hope you’ll consider becoming one at waba.org/join.

Is it ok to go for a bike ride during COVID-19?

So far throughout the COVID-19 crisis, bicycling has been  included in lists of allowable recreation in Maryland, DC, and Virginia.  

WABA will make reasonable efforts to communicate changes under COVID-19 restrictions, but may not provide an update to registrants with every change to local government policies and recommendations.

If you have symptoms or believe you may have been exposed to the Coronavirus, please stay inside. 

If you go for a ride, please be vigilant about observing social distancing guidelines. When biking, leave a lot of room for passing, stop 6 ft behind others at intersections, and plan to ride more slowly than you usually might. See our blog post about Biking during COVID-19 for more details.

What is your refund/transfer policy?

Because this is a fundraiser there will be no refunds, exchanges or transfers for this event. 

All proceeds from this event benefit WABA and the work that we do to make bicycling safer and more fun in the region. 

Don’t know much about our work? Read about our latest projects on our blog, and follow along on Twitter @WABADC.

Is there a youth rate for this ride?

No.

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. This is standard for organized rides across the country. Learn how to properly fit your helmet here. 

Is this ride supported? 

No. When you purchase a Sweet Ride Kit, you receive several different ride routes you can do solo or with members of your household.

There is no set date or time for this ride; you do it on your own time, any time after you purchase your Sweet Ride Kit. 

There are no ride marshals, pit stops, or emergency support staff to assist with this activity. 

This means:

• In case of an emergency, call 911.
• There are no bathrooms or venues involved in this ride.
• There is no food provided on this ride; please bring your own snacks and water. (Some of our ride packages do include vouchers for food items at businesses near the ride route start/end point!)

This ride is meant for individuals or people from the same household. Please follow developing CDC recommendations and guidelines from local jurisdictions, and do not gather in groups in private or public space.

Where can I find information about the routes?

You will receive PDF cue sheets, route maps, route files, and Ride Prep Guide in an email after you purchase your Sweet Ride Kit. Some Kits also include paper cue sheets and maps, which will be mailed to you.

If you are curious about where the routes go and would like to get an idea before you purchase a Ride Kit, you can check out last year’s Sweet Ride routes here.

The Sweet Ride Kit routes won’t be identical to the 2019 Sweet Ride Routes, but there will be similar options in terms of distance and difficulty.

Is the route marked with signs or arrows?

No, but we do our best to make the route directions clear and comprehensive. If you get lost, you can check the map on your phone, or (if your package comes with one) on the cue sheet you received from WABA in your Ride Kit.

Do I have to follow traffic laws?

Yes. We can’t control what you do on the roads, but, we ask you to ride safely, respectfully, and lawfully to maximize safety for all trail and road users. When you are on this ride, you are a representative of WABA. We ask you to:

• 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.

Will you feed me?

No. You should bring snacks and water to keep yourself fueled on your ride. Some of our ride packages do include vouchers for food items at businesses near the ride route start/end point!). Keep in mind that many businesses (and bathrooms) might be closed or operating through curbside pickup. 

Will there be marshals?

No. There are no ride marshals, pit stops, or emergency support staff to assist with this activity. 

In case of an emergency on the ride, please call 911.

Should I bring a lock?

Yes. Even if you don’t plan to stop during the ride, it’s good to have a lock with you in case of an unanticipated or emergency stop.

Don’t know the best ways to lock up? Check out this handy guide on preventing bicycle theft.

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