WABA hosts bike rides and social events throughout the year to bring together the bicycling community. We host fun rides that create a safe and welcoming space for you. WABA’s signature events, which are member-only, paid registration rides, are fundraisers. The money we raise directly supports our advocacy, education, and outreach work. More simply: when you participate in a WABA event, you fuel our efforts to build a more bike-friendly region.
See the event listings below for registration information and details for upcoming events. To learn more about sponsoring a signature event, email business@waba.org. If you’d like to advertise your own event, please click here. For any other event questions, email events@waba.org.
Events Highlights
The Sprouts Ride
April 28, 2019 — The Sprouts Ride is WABA’s brand new signature ride! It’s a two-wheeled urban outing for people that want to experience the simple joy of springtime biking in the city. Taking place on Sunday, April 28th, the ride offers 15- and 5-mile routes, so it’s the perfect chance to bring along your kiddos, or invite a friend who’s new to biking. And the fun won’t stop after the ride—REI is hosting a bike-friendly afterparty. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
The Tree House Tour de Cookie
May 4, 2019 — The Tree House Tour de Cookie is an exciting, fun-filled, and delicious bike ride from one cookie stand to the next. Choose among four different routes, including a scenic NEW Extended Short route, with distances ranging from 12 to 43 miles. The aim of the event is to raise awareness of child abuse prevention and promote the free services offered by The Tree House Child Advocacy Center, services that provide hope and healing to sexually abused, physically abused and neglected children. All proceeds from the Tree House Tour de Cookie will help The Tree House CAC better serve its clients. It is a wonderful occasion during which individuals, families, and groups can enjoy a day of fun, festivities, philanthropy, and COOKIES!
Bike to Work Day 2019
May 17, 2019 — Whether it’s your first ride to work, or you ride every day, don’t miss the best commute of the year!
DC Bike Ride
May 18, 2019 — On May 18, take advantage of your only opportunity to cruise safely through the streets of DC without the worry of cars and enjoy seeing the most iconic views of the city. A portion of proceeds benefit WABA and our Vision Zero advocacy and community outreach programs.
Breaking the Cycle Ride
April 28, 2019 — Join The Dwelling Place for Breaking the Cycle: a ride through Montgomery County to support homeless families. With multiple route options and multiple brewery/pit stops, you’re sure to find the right combination of miles, refreshments, and fun. The half-century route will take you through the farmlands of Gaithersburg with a midpoint stop at Brookeville Beer Farm. The Rockville Loop will give you 35 miles in the saddle with a break at True Respite Brewery Co. Or keep the finish line in sight with a 9 mile fun ride instead! All riders will receive a commemorative metal pint glass and a ticket for their first pour at Denizen’s Brewing Company at the end of the ride. All proceeds go to benefit The Dwelling Place, Inc. a 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving homeless families in Montgomery County.
Register here.
Tour de Chesapeake
May 18, 2019 —Located in Mathews, VA, on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay, the Tour de Chesapeake cycling event, now in its 21st year, offers rural, flat roads that all lead to water. There are 4 concise routes ranging from 23 to 101 miles in length, which take cyclists from our own Gwynn’s Island to Bethel Beach to the New Point Lighthouse. Each route has fully stocked rest stops, SAG support and lovely views galore! We are the only ride that offers a WATER TAXI on an authentic Chesapeake Bay Deadrise within one of the routes! Our ride culminates on Saturday evening with a Seafood Feast and Party at the Wharf, at the Riverfront Pavilion at historic Williams Wharf Landing.
8th Annual Broad Creek Bike & Brew
June 1, 2019 — Please join the Western Sussex Chamber of Commerce for the 8th Annual Broad Creek Bike & Brew! We offer 15-mile, 25-mile, 50-mile, metric century and century routes. Rides include historic attractions, beautiful waterways, the Woodland Ferry, Trap Pond State Park and more! Finish Party features live music, barbecue chicken and beer samples from local breweries.
The Great Bicycle Tour of the C&O Canal (TGBT)
July 13, 2019 —San Mar Family and Community Services announces The Great Bicycle Tour (TGBT) of the C&O Canal. The 184.5 mile tour begins in Cumberland, MD and follows the C&O Canal Tow Path for four days, ending at mile marker 0 in Washington, DC. Don’t miss this opportunity to join the 32nd riding of this fundraiser to support children, families and communities in the region. The ride is fully supported: all meals, lodging, and transportation included. Adventure and staff who aim to please are included free of charge, but fair warning, this ride has been known to be habit forming! Riders from 7 to 70+ have enjoyed raising funds and awareness of San Mar’s programs for years.
2019 Firefighter 50 Bike Ride
July 21, 2019 —The 8th Annual Firefighter 50 cycling event will be held on Sunday July 21,2019. Again this year we are offering GREAT cycling in Carroll and Frederick County, Md and in Adams County, PA. For 2019 we have five outstanding routes. We offer fully supported road rides of 35 miles,50 miles, new for 2019 Metric Century loop and a full Century route. We also provide a 30 mile combo paved and dirt road ride called the “Dirty 30”. On the Dirty 30 for 2019 we offer a primitive road option on private farm roads. Registration cost is $35 and include a full “all you can eat” lunch. The Firefighters of Pleasant Valley are looking forward to providing you a fun day of cycling.