Medium Level: The Koffee Klatch: The Original Off the Beaten Track (OBT)

Starting point is different than usual.
\ Some gravel sections on trail. See "Ride Detail" below please.
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The Ride: Summary
(Must Read)
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RIDE NAME: THE ORIGINAL -- Off the Beaten Track (OBT) by Kevin Quin
START LOC: Eakin Park, 8601 Tobin Rd, Annandale, VA 22003
START GPS: The shelter at https://maps.app.goo.gl/vYeXf7W7z4YsgrrGA
START PARKING: Eakin Park parking lot (no restrooms but normally a porta potty available)
ARRIVAL: 10:00am
SPEECH: 10:10am
\you must be present for the speech or no ride for you!\
ROLLING: 10:15am
LEVEL: Medium
PACE: 11-13 mph (a "social" pace)
DISTANCE: 18.4 miles
TERRAIN: Dirt & compacted gravel Bike Trail / Street / Short heavier gravel section
Ride With GPS Route: CBGKOFFEEKOFFTHEBEATENTRACKV42025 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52950504

Notes:

This ride is organized very "lean" and will have a sweep.
Pump your tires on the morning of the ride, please.
It is strongly suggested that you become a NoVA CBG RidewithGPS club member and download the route posted for each "Klatch".
Loading the route onto your Garmin (or other Nav device) is also acceptable.
NoVA CBG has a turn by turn RideWithGPS club account that's free. https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/events/271742916/

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The Ride: Detail
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Welcome to The Koffee Klatch! These rides are normally based off the Arlington Loop, but this week our ride is on the western side of the I-495. We will do an 18.4 mile medium level ride at a social pace (11-13 mph). You are not required to drink or even like coffee.

We will start from Eakin Park (Tobin Rd) on the Fairfax Cross County Trail and ride counter clockwise bordering the Army Navy Golf Club as well as George Mason Campus via Fairfax. Turning eastwards our coffee stop is at the midway point at Fair City Mall after which we will get onto the Long Branch Trail until we connect again with the CCT at Wakefield Park which will take us back to the start.

GRAVEL NOTE: About 1 mile of the route is unpaved, so skinny tires are NOT recommended. There is an unpaved section of about a mile of compacted gravel/dirt through Van Dyke Park. We’ve ridden this section on 32mm tires without difficulty. There is also a short (about 100 yards) section of much coarser gravel (typically ¾” pieces) that may require you to push if you have skinny tires. ALSO, Ride with GPS shows gravel along Long Branch Trail, BUT it’s out of date.

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The Meeting Spot:
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We will meet at the shelter close to the parking lot.
DO NOT use Apple Maps to navigate. GOOGLE MAPS works best https://maps.app.goo.gl/vYeXf7W7z4YsgrrGA

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The Ride After The Ride:
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This week's Foundation Coffee Roaster is the Ride WITHIN The Ride!
9650 Main St 46, Fairfax, VA 22031

This coffee shop uses warehouse space CREATIVELY in the Fair City Mall.

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Ride Level Chart
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NoVA CBG tries to accommodate all levels of cyclists by offering different types/levels of rides. We just ask that you come to the ride that suits your current riding ability the best.

Introductory Level: If you haven't ridden a bike in a number of years (or are uncertain of your abilities on a bicycle).
Beginner Level: You can ride for 10+ miles at a pace of 10+ to 12+ mph with potentially minor hills involved.
Medium Level: You can ride for 20+ miles at a pace of 13+ to 15+ mph with potentially moderate hills involved.
Advanced Level: You can ride for 20++ miles at a pace of 15+ mph with potentially major hills involved.

Both Medium and Advanced Levels might require handling various challenges such as reading cue sheets, using a Garmin or navigation app, night riding, out of town travel, or any other odd cycling situations.

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The Fine Print:
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An RSVP of 'YES' is your digital signature and means you have read and understood MEETUP.com's:

"Terms of Service : Section 6. Release" found at https://www.meetup.com/terms/
NOVA-CBG's "Assumption of Risk Agreement" found @ https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/pages/1942951/NOVA-CBGWaiver/
NoVA CBG's "COVID Policy" found @ http://bit.ly/2021NoVACBGCOVID19POLICY

Helmets are required to participate in all NOVA-CBG rides. All riders ride at their own risk and with the understanding that cycling is an inherently dangerous activity. When coming to the meetup you do so voluntarily and are ready and able to participate in the ride as described under the conditions of the day. Be on time for the "pre-ride" preparation. If you do not attend the pre-ride preparation you will not be allowed to participate on the ride. There are NO exceptions to the above.