What we’re about
Become a member of the FREE RideWithGPS E-bike Lovers Club. https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/, support E-bike Lovers, and enjoy the largest and most exclusive repository of curated trails designed for e-bikers in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
WHY? Because we don't have biking leads. You follow the ride in the GPS app to avoid getting lost and being dependent on someone else.
Ebike Lovers on BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-57279844
Want to be an e-bike star? Check out the upcoming documentary: https://ebikedocumentary.com
IMPORTANT: We don't have bike leads or trip coordinators. We strictly organize self-guided e-biking events. We don't have biking leaders, as E-bike Lovers is based on the philosophy that we are all leaders, responsible for our happiness and well-being.
About
Get on your electric bicycle - E-bike and join others in exploring the DC metropolitan area. We use our electric bicycles between 15-25 miles (sometimes longer) in DC, Virginia, and Maryland. We normally start from Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, Fletcher's Cove, Haines Point, or another park in the District. We also e-bike outside the District on longer trails within an hour's drive from DC.
Facebook
Join us on Facebook for the latest E-bike news in the region: https://m.facebook.com/EBikeLoversDC
Easy going
This is an easy-going group and we are not training for the Olympics. We use our electric bicycles to bike around 12 mph and enjoy navigating the hillsides with our modern marvels of transport technology. The group is a great way to share your experience with an electric bicycle - E-bike.
Everyone is welcome, including riders on non-assisted bikes.
Plan 2-3 hours for each trip. You can stop at any time and return home. There is no requirement to finish the trip. We participate in the trips to have fun, to be outdoors, to get exercise, and to meet other wonderful people.
Normally, participants will wait at some points of interest to allow slower riders to catch up, although this cannot be guaranteed. On nice weather days, riders normally plan for lunch halfway through the trip. This is another great opportunity for riders to catch up with the group.
A great opportunity to learn more about E-bikes
Learn more about electric bicycles - E-bikes from those who actually use them daily or weekly. What is their experience? What to avoid when you are in the market for an(other) electric bicycle - E-bike? How to manage batteries? How to integrate your electric bicycle - E-bike with navigation systems? How to secure your electric bicycle - E-bike with locks and register it online? These are just some of the questions you may ask other members while we peddle with electric bicycles - E-bikes.
I have no Electric Bicycle - E-bike. Am I welcome to join this group?
Absolutely. Everyone is welcome, even if you do not ride an electric Bicycle - E-bike.
Weather and cancellation
There is never a bad biking day, there are only bad biking clothes. We plan to bike year-round, also in the winter (but within reason). With the right clothing and protective gear, this can be a great experience.
What you need to know
We always follow traffic rules and stop for stop signs. Safety and fun first.
We will use biking lanes (class I permissible) as much as possible, but will frequently ride on roads with other traffic. You need to feel comfortable doing this.
You join this Meetup group at your own risk, and you are solely responsible for your own safety.
You cannot sell merchandise or engage in any commercial activity during events and through our online platforms, including MeetUp and Facebook unless E-bike Lovers authorizes this. You cannot contact other members to solicit merchandise of any kind using any of our systems. If you do so, as some have done, your membership will be revoked.
SUPER IMPORTANT: See https://ebikelovers.com/code-of-conduct-ebike-lovers/
Photos
If you post photos on our Meetup page, you give us permission to use them in any E-bike Lovers' related publications and the rest.
Website
www.ebikelovers.com
Costs
Participation is free. If we organize extracurricular activities, we will inform you of any costs involved.
Become a member of the RideWithGPS E-bike Lovers Club. More information about club benefits and using our curated GPS files is available here: https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/
DISCLAIMER
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER NATHAN MERRIS, GREGORY MAASSEN, TRIP COORDINATORS, THEIR AFFILIATES, FAMILY AND FORMER AND CURRENT EMPLOYERS NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS IS LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF A USER’S ACCESS TO, OR USE OF THE E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS.
See for the full disclaimer: https://ebikelovers.com/disclaimer
E-bike Lovers is an activity of Wandel Guides LLC.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- E-biking From Washington Sailing Marina to Fort Foote with E-bike Lovers.Potomac Yard Marina, Alexandria, VA
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34803272
This trail is 22 miles long. Toilets are at the beginning, end, and near the middle of the route. There are plenty of opportunities to find a restroom elsewhere along the route.
PDF with points of interest and more details
https://ebikelovers.com/2021/01/23/trail-2-virginia-and-maryland-e-biking-from-washington-sailing-marina-to-national-harbor-fort-foote-and-old-town-alexandria-waterfront/
This trail is 22 miles in flat terrain with a fantastic view from the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and a lovely picnic area at the Potomac River.
We arrive at 10:00 AM and leave at 10:15 AM. The meeting place is at the parking lot on the left near the public restrooms of the marina.
The group stops a few times for slower riders to catch up. The distance will be 22 miles or shorter any time you are fully satisfied with biking for the day.
Our bikes will always be in our sight. No additional locks are required to keep your bike safe on this trip.
As usual, non-assisted bikers are most welcome.
About Jones Point Lighthouse
The lighthouse is one of the last riverine lighthouses in the country and the only one still standing in the Chesapeake Bay area. It was first lit on May 3, 1856 by keeper George L. Deeton.
Today it is the focal point of Jones Point Park and a clue to area's history as a busy commercial center and naval base.
Whale oil lamps were originally used to power the beacon at Jones Point, but in 1858 the Lighthouse Board allowed an Alexandria gas company to extend lines to the station.
The land included one of the original District of Columbia boundary stones, which was installed by George Washington and marked the southern point of the ten-mile-square district.
The stone is still visible today in the seawall just south of the lighthouse, and to the north of the lighthouse a marker designating the boundary between Maryland-Virginia can be seen.
About Fort Foote
Fort Foote was constructed in 1863 atop Rozier's Bluff to strengthen the ring of fortifications that encircled Washington, D.C. Two of the Guns that protected Washington are still there along with the remains of the fort's earthworks.
About the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge
Also known as the Woodrow Wilson Bridge or the Wilson Bridge, the bridge is a bascule bridge that spans the Potomac River between the city of Alexandria, Virginia, and Oxon Hill in Prince George's County, Maryland. The original bridge was one of only a handful of drawbridges in the U.S. Interstate Highway System.
About National Harbor
National Harbor is situated on the banks of the historic Potomac River, just minutes from the nation’s capital. Featuring 350 acres of waterfront resort space, National Harbor is a destination unlike any other. The harbor is home to 160 stores, 40 restaurants, the Capital Wheel, and the best sunsets in the area.
Free Ride With GPS for E-Bike Lovers
Membership of the Ride With GPS E-bike Lovers club is now free as www.ebikelovers.com is generating sufficient income from ads to cover the costs.
Here is the link to activate your free membership:
https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbN
More information about using GPS files: https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/
More information about e-bike ranges:
https://ebikelovers.com/2020/12/31/e-bike-longer-and-happier-15-smart-strategies-to-reduce-your-e-bike-range-anxiety/
DISCLAIMER
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER GREGORY MAASSEN, NATHAN MERRIS, TRIP COORDINATORS, THEIR AFFILIATES, FAMILY AND FORMER AND CURRENT EMPLOYERS NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS IS LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF A USER’S ACCESS TO, OR USE OF THE E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS.
See for full disclaimer: https://ebikelovers.com/disclaim
- E-biking the South Mtn Civil War Trail Around Myersville, Boonsboro, and BeyondDoub's Meadow Park, Myersville, MD
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38624802
35 miles. Picnic at Devil's Backbone County Park, 15.8 miles into the route.
Toilets are at the beginning, middle, and end.NOTE: BRING AN EXTRA BATTERY. STEEP HILL ALERT!
Description
This route covers a variety of terrain through the hills of South Mountain and it's surrounding valleys. South Mountain was a battlefield during the Civil War, and we will bike through some of the locations where fighting occurred.This is a very hilly ride and it will be a great way to add some elevation to your EBL Five Mile High Club!
https://ridewithgps.com/challenges/26795Highlights include stops at Washington Monument State Park, the Civil War Reno Monument, historic Boonsboro, Devil's Backbone Park, South Mountain Creamery (which has fresh homemade ice cream), and miles of soul nourishing country scenery that will put a smile on your face, even as you climb some of the steep hills.
We will ride through many farmsteads surrounded by relaxing pastoral scenery. There's also plenty of mountain riding (especially if you opt for the longest route). The ride goes up and over the mountain on the way out, then we meander through the valley for a while, and then back up and over the mountain again on the way back to Myersville. The longest route makes a 3rd climb up and down the mountain, just for fun, on a secluded set of seldom traveled mountain roads.
There are FOUR versions of this ride, and they all start and end at the same location. Bring an extra battery if you have one, because you will want to cover as much terrain as possible in this picturesque wonderland. There are no gravel roads on any of the routes.
The longer two routes have a lunch stop in Devil's Backbone Park. There are many lovely places to stop for lunch on the shorter routes: Boonsboro or the Reno Monument would both work well. All 4 routes have a stop at South Mountain Creamery, if fresh home made ice cream is on your menu.
There are all season heated indoor restrooms at the parking area. There are a lot of other restrooms along this route but most are only open seasonally. There is a public library in Boonsboro that has year-round restrooms. Every route has the restrooms marked, with notes about if it's closed for the winter.
Here's the previous Meetup for this ride if you want to check out pics:
https://www.meetup.com/electric-bicycle-e-bike-lovers-washington-dc/events/284193505/The Routes
41 miles, 4300 feet elevation gain:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/3862480035 miles, 3400 feet elevation gain:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/3862480229 miles, 3100 feet elevation gain:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/3862480822 miles, 2600 fee elevation gain:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38624816Hungry for more?
If the roughly 4300 ft elevation gain isn't enough for you, you could add MD Trail 19A "The Hills of Catoctin Mountain West Backroad Tour" which starts at the same parking lot as this ride. This will add another 4300 ft elevation gain over an additional 35 miles.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36966242Free Ride With GPS for E-Bike Lovers
The Ride With GPS E-bike Lovers club membership is now free as www.ebikelovers.com generates sufficient income from ads to cover the costs.
Here is the link to activate your free membership:
https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbN
More information about using GPS files:
https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/
More information about e-bike ranges:
https://ebikelovers.com/2020/12/31/e-bike-longer-and-happier-15-smart-strategies-to-reduce-your-e-bike-range-anxiety/Further reading
Battle of South Mountain:
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/south-mountainReno Monument:
https://stonesentinels.com/less-known/south-mountain/general-jesse-reno/Washington Monument State Park:
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/western/washington.aspxDevil's Backbone County Park:
https://www.washco-md.net/parks-facilities/county-park/parks-devils-backbone/Historic Boonsboro:
https://www.town.boonsboro.md.us/DISCLAIMER
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER GREGORY MAASSEN, NATHAN MERRIS, TRIP COORDINATORS, THEIR AFFILIATES, FAMILY AND FORMER AND CURRENT EMPLOYERS NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS IS LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF A USER’S ACCESS TO, OR USE OF THE E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS.See for the full disclaimer: https://ebikelovers.com/disclaimer
- E-biking from Sterling to Purcellville on the W&OD with E-bike LoversPacific Blvd W&OD access parking lot, Ashburn, VA
We'll ride on the W&OD (Washington & Old Dominion), a paved multi-use rail-trail. We'll meet at the W&OD parking lot off of Pacific Blvd in Sterling, VA at 10:00 am and start out riding west on the trail at 10:15 am.
Free Ride With GPS for E-Bike Lovers
The Ride With GPS E-bike Lovers club membership is now free as www.ebikelovers.com generates sufficient income from ads to cover the costs.
Here is the link to activate your free membership:
https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbN
More information about using GPS files:
https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/
More information about e-bike ranges:
https://ebikelovers.com/2020/12/31/e-bike-longer-and-happier-15-smart-strategies-to-reduce-your-e-bike-range-anxiety/As usual, non-assisted bikers are most welcome.
REMEMBER: This is a self-guided event. Remember that this event empowers each participant to take the lead, as there are no designated bike leaders within E-bike Lovers. We all embrace the role of leaders in this self-guided experience.
See our article about NOVA parks:
https://ebikelovers.com/2021/12/05/why-e-bike-lovers-love-virginia/
The GPS file is available at: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35168228The group will e-bike some 20-40 miles for the day. The 20 mile ride is to the Town of Leesburg and back. You can stop at Raflo Park or continue into the town for restaurants, snacks or even an early beer at the many spots. The 40 mile ride continues on the W&OD to the Western trail head in Purcellville, VA. There you will find a charming old town and several places for snacks or a meal as well.
The ride will be out and back on the same trail so you can make it as long or short as you want, but we'll aim for 20 or 40 miles with the group. We will travel somewhat slowly, at averages speeds of about 12 mph to accommodate other trail traffic.
The group members may make their own meal plans. Please bring snacks and lunch if you don't want to stop at one of the restaurants in Leesburg or Purcellville for lunch.
We follow trail etiquette: Please respect the right of way of horses and pedestrians while on the trail, and give plenty of warning and space when passing. (ie, don't squeeze in between the people you're passing and oncoming traffic.) Our route is a little less congested than some areas on the W&OD, with few street crossings, and a good amount of shade, so it's a very nice ride.
See map for location - it's doesn't have a street address, but the Plus Code (use with Google Maps) is:
2H76+RR Sterling, Virginia
or the GPS coordinates are 39.015811, -77.437044In general, the directions from DC are:
West on 66 to VA-28 north,
Left exit on Waxpool Rd (VA-625 west)
Right (N) on Pacific BlvdThere is a small sign for the parking lot entrance which will be on your left after the Honda dealership and surrounded by data centers, after you go over the bridge that crosses the W&OD trail.
The ride will be out and back on the same trail so you can make it as long or short as you want, but we'll aim for 20 or 40 miles with the group. We will travel somewhat slowly, at averages speeds of about 12 mph to accommodate other trail traffic.
The group members may make their own meal plans. Please bring snacks and lunch if you don't want to stop at one of the restaurants in Leesburg or Purcellville for lunch.
For the E-bike Lovers group to be successful, we need to grow our membership carefully with those interested in proliferating positive impressions about e-biking by being responsible and considerate citizens on the trails and roads. Please feel free to invite other E-bike lovers, spread the word and let's have fun.
As usual, non-assisted bikers are most welcome.
Please only RSVP if you are coming, so we know how many E-bike Lovers will participate. We enjoy a nearly 100% RSVP success rate. Thank you so much for your help!
DISCLAIMER
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER GREGORY MAASSEN, NATHAN MERRIS, TRIP COORDINATORS, THEIR AFFILIATES, FAMILY AND FORMER AND CURRENT EMPLOYERS NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS IS LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF A USER’S ACCESS TO, OR USE OF THE E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS.See the full disclaimer: https://ebikelovers.com/disclaimer/
- NEW: E-biking on Rural Roads to Mallows Bay in Nanjemoy Wildlife AreaFriendship Landing, Nanjemoy, MD
New fabulous ride. 33.6 miles. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48834852
Picnic at Mallows Bay 26 miles into the route. Toilets are at the beginning, middle, and end of the trail.A shorter 25.8-mile version is available: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48871246 Picnic at Mallows Bay 18 miles into the route.
The ride from Friendship Farm Park in Maryland to the Nanjemoy Wildlife Management Area takes you through a scenic part of southern Maryland, blending rural roads, quiet countryside, and immersion into natural landscapes.
Starting at Friendship Farm Park and the landing, which is known for its serene atmosphere and views of the majestic Nanjemoy Creek at the Potomac River, you'll begin on flat, smooth asphalt, typical of well-maintained local roads.
As you head out from the park, you pass through stretches of farmland, dotted with occasional clusters of homes.
Depending on the season, you might encounter deer grazing near the edges of the forest or hawks circling above. The shade from the trees lining the roads provides natural cover, making it a pleasant ride during warmer months.
The stretch into the Nanjemoy Wildlife Management Area is a highlight of the ride. This route offers tranquility, beautiful scenery, and the opportunity to connect with nature, making it a rewarding journey for E-bike Lovers who appreciate both ease of riding and the beauty of the natural world.
About Mellows Bay: A new national marine sanctuary has been established to preserve the remnants of over 100 abandoned steamships and vessels constructed during America's involvement in World War I. Situated along an 18-square-mile section of the Potomac River coastline in Charles County, Maryland, this sanctuary is home to a remarkable collection of historic shipwrecks, some dating as far back as the Civil War. Beyond its maritime heritage, the sanctuary also safeguards archaeological artifacts that are nearly 12,000 years old. The surrounding landscape is steeped in cultural significance, representing the history of Native American communities, the once-thriving Potomac River fishing industry, and the impact of the Civil War on the region. This sanctuary serves as a testament to the area’s rich historical and cultural legacy, offering a unique glimpse into the diverse layers of its past.
Free Ride With GPS for E-Bike Lovers
Membership of the Ride With GPS E-bike Lovers club is now free as www.ebikelovers.com is generating sufficient income from ads to cover the costs. Here is the link to activate your free membership:
https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbN
More information about using GPS files: https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/
More information about e-bike ranges:
https://ebikelovers.com/2020/12/31/e-bike-longer-and-happier-15-smart-strategies-to-reduce-your-e-bike-range-anxiety/
The group stops a few times for slower riders to catch up.
Our bikes will always be in our sight. No additional locks are required to keep your bike safe on this trip.
For the E-bike Lovers group to be successful, we need to grow our membership carefully. Please feel free to invite other E-bike lovers, spread the word, and let's have fun.DISCLAIMER
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER GREGORY MAASSEN, NATHAN MERRIS, TRIP COORDINATORS, THEIR AFFILIATES, FAMILY AND FORMER AND CURRENT EMPLOYERS NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS IS LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF A USER’S ACCESS TO, OR USE OF THE E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS.
See for the full disclaimer: https://ebikelovers.com/disclaimer
