Ride Calendar > Monthly Rides in April

Note image Notes

April 1 (Sunday) 9:30 am

Mount Vernon Trail
[38-12-S-S/M]

Leader: Bud Vye, 262-9544

Here's our annual quest to catch the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Meet at the Mount Vernon parking lot (approx. 1 hr. 40 min. driving time from the north side of Richmond --- N on I-95 to Ft. Belvoir/Mt. Vernon exit, [do not get on the HOV lanes, since they have no exit for Ft. Belvoir/Mt. Vernon], N on Rt. 1 thru Ft. Belvoir to a right on Mt. Vernon Parkway) to ride the famed Mount Vernon Trail. We'll stop at the Gourmet Deli in Alexandria to get sandwiches and drinks to take with us, so no need to bring your lunch from home, but better have a pannier or knapsack to carry it in. As usual, we'll have lunch in front of the Lincoln Memorial, and will stop at the Viet Nam Wall, the Einstein statue, the Korean War, World War II, FDR, George Mason, and Jefferson Memorials, plus whatever special event may be taking place that day. We'll also check out the location of the Martin Luther King Memorial, and see what progress has been made there.

Bring your camera! Road bikes, hybrids, and mountain bikes are all OK on this one, but I wouldn't try it with a tandem. If you are interested in carpooling, call Bud prior to the ride, since he may be able to take you in his car, or hook you up with someone else.

April 8 (Sunday) 9:30 am

Caroline County Cruise
[61-15 -18-S-S/M]

Leader: Champe Burnley, 358-6697 champe_burnley@hotmail.com

Ready to start picking up the miles for the summer? Join us for a great metric century cruise. The terrain is relatively flat so if you are looking for an early season metric, this is the ride! We'll meet at the Ruritan building (an old school house located on Route 648 at Doggetts Fork, VA.)

There are NO store stops on this route, but there are two water stops where water bottles can be filled. One stop will be at the fire station in Newtown where there is a spigot. Come prepared with extra power gel and provisions. There will be no place to purchase food or sports drinks.

Directions to the start: from Richmond, take I-95 north to Route 30 (Exit 98), east on Route 30 to 301 at Dawn, north on 301 approx. 4.5 miles to Rt. 647, right on 647 approx. .2 miles to Rt. 648, left on 648 and park at the Ruritan building (former Pendleton School House). The Ruritan building (school house) is about fifty or seventy five feet down the road (648) on the left. One can't miss it. I will arrive early so riders will see me.

14 (Saturday) 8:00-8:30 am

Group Rides for New Riders
[20/30 miles – 12-20 mph- S-S-M]

Leader: Champe Burnley, 358-6697 champe_burnley@hotmail.com

Please join us to assist with the Group Ride for New Riders. This ride is aimed at attracting new cyclists to RABA. We are expecting all levels of cyclists; those who are new to the Richmond area as well as those new to cycling. This ride will depart from Laurel Park and follow the normal ABC route with a stopover at Ashland Coffee and Tea. For stronger riders, we'll offer a 30 mile extension.

If you would like to assist with this ride, please contact Champe Burnley 358-6697. champe_burnley@hotmail.com.

MEMBERS: PLEASE GO OUT OF YOUR WAY MAKE THESE RIDERS FEEL WELCOME AND THEIR RIDE ENJOYABLE!

14 (Saturday) 9:30 am

Waverly to Spring Grove
[48 miles-15 mph -S-F/G]

Leader: Jack Huber, 282-3872

Meet at the parking lot behind the former Coppahaunk Tavern in Waverly (intersection of Rts. 460 and 40). The route will head north into Surry County to a rest stop at the country store Jack's grandparents operated from 1938 to 1965.

To get to Waverly take I-95 or I-295 south from Richmond to Route 460 east (toward Norfolk). After the ride participants are welcome to eat lunch together at a restaurant in Waverly.

April 15 (Sunday) 9:00 am

quick as a bunny Dorey Park
[50-18-S-S/M]

Leaders: Mike & Kim Moore 358-0935

Come out and ride the eastern area of Richmond in preparation for the upcoming Capital-to-Capital Century in May. Social riders are welcome to attend. Meet at Dorey Park, at the back picnic shelters. Please bring extra fluid and food in case stores may be closed. Take I-64 East until you reach the Laburnum Ave exit. Take a right at the stoplight onto Laburnum Ave. Continue on Laburnum Ave, crossing Williamsburg Rd, then Charles City Rd, and then pass Nabisco manufacturing plant. Continue on to Darbytown Rd. Take a left onto Darbytown Rd and stay on it for approximately 1.5 miles. Dorey Park will be on your right.

April 15 (Sunday) 9:30 am

Halifax History Ride and Meander
[69/54/24-14-S-S/M]

Leader: Dave Strickland, 434-594-5371, skimohop_99@yahoo.com

Meet Dave for one of his rides in Halifax County with level and smooth roads with low traffic and a tour of Halifax County. The participants on the October ride last year really enjoyed the countryside and this ride is more rural and traffic free than the last one. Starting at the Boat Landing at Weldon, North Carolina, the tour goes to Enfield, Scotland Neck and Halifax, where there are store stops, each about 20 miles apart. The Williamsburg and the Greenville NC(EC Velo) Bicycle clubs are also invited. This is a social ride but faster riders are welcome. Cue sheets will be available to those who wish to ride at their own pace. After the ride those who wish may join the group for lunch at Ralph¹s Barbeque or Mayflower Seafood. To get to the Boat Landing, take Interstate 95 South to Exit 173 at Roanoke Rapids. Follow 158 East for 2 to 3 miles and you will see the boat landing on your right. The drive is about an hour and a half from Richmond and about the same from Greenville, NC

21 (Saturday) 8:30 am

Mayor's Walk & Roll and Earth Day Ride
[approx. 25 miles @ 13 mph]

Leader: Bud Vye, 262-9544

As we've done in past years, RABA riders will ride from Laurel Park shopping center downtown to take part in the Mayor's Walk & Roll festivities, which again have been combined with the Earth Day events. Wear your RABA jersey and join Bud for the ride down to Old Manchester, which is on Hull St., just on the south side of the Mayo/14th St. Bridge. Once there, we will ride down the Floodwall/Slave Trail to the Old Manchester landing and back before taking in the festivities which will include music and entertainment from two stages, an art exhibit at Art Works, exhibits and food vendors. Last year our group followed all of this with a pleasant lunch at Plant Zero before riding back to Laurel Park. If you haven't seen all the restoration in this area yet, here's a great chance to do so. You'll be impressed and will help RABA make a good showing on Earth Day.

April 21 (Saturday) 10:15 am, April 22 (Sunday ) 9:00 am

The C&O and W&OD Loop
(www.bikewashington.org/routes/wodco/wodco.htm)
[40 on Saturday, 35 on Sunday - All Speeds - S - S/M]

Leaders: Hugh Aaron, 804-690-9720 or mailto:hugh@theaarons.com and Joe Hazel, 804-746-9248 or JLHazel@comcast.net

This is a 2 day loop ride. We will meet in Leesburg, VA at the Town Municipal Garage (www.leesburgva.com/pdfs/Community_outreach_parking_map2.pdf) at 10:15 am Saturday morning. Leesburg is approximately 125 miles from Richmond. Weekend parking in the garage is free.

On Saturday we will ride from Leesburg to Georgetown via the C&O Towpath (about 40 miles). Saturday night we will spend the night at a hotel in Georgetown. Sunday morning we will all meet at a designated spot in Georgetown at 9:00 am for the return ride to Leesburg via the WO&D (about 35 miles). Please let Hugh or Joe know if you plan to join us so that we can be sure to look for you at the garage in Leesburg.

April 22 (Sunday) – 9:30 am

quick as a bunny Gum Spring to Columbia
[55ish-16 to 18-S-S/S]

Leaders: Mike & Kim Moore 358-0935

While the hilly terrain may be a little more challenging, the scenery makes the effort worth it. Plus riders will have many chances to practice their hill climbing skills. Please bring extra fluid and food in case stores may not be open. To get to the start, take I-64 West to the Gum Spring exit. Take a left turn at the end of the exit. Drive approximately ¼ mile and park at the graveled lot on the right (former Park & Ride).

April 29 (Sunday) 9:00 am

Strong and Steady    quick as a bunny Frog Level Metric Century
[62/55/30 miles - 14 to 18 mph-S-S/S]

Leaders: Bobby Weitzel, 484-0054 and Mike & Kim Moore 358-0935

This is a joint social/fast ride. Meet Bobby, Mike & Kim at the Hanover Courthouse on Rt. 301, 10 miles north of I-295 to do a long time club favorite ride up into Caroline county and through Milford. Shorter options available of 55 and 30 miles. Store stops available.