Skyline Drive Endurance Ride
Date: Sunday, May 17
Departure from DC Area: No later than 6:00 AM
Ride Start: Before 8:00 AM in Front Royal (about 70 miles / ~1 hr 15 min from DC via I-66)
Expected Return to DC: Approximately 5:00–6:00 PM
Join us for a full-day endurance ride through Shenandoah National Park and the surrounding valleys. This scenic but challenging route includes long climbs, beautiful overlooks, rolling farmland, and a rewarding lunch stop in Luray. Raúl Fainchtein will be leading this event.
Ride Overview
The ride begins in Front Royal and immediately enters Shenandoah National Park, where riders will climb roughly 20 miles along Skyline Drive at a steady ~6% grade with frequent scenic viewpoints. We’ll stop at overlooks and at park waysides that offer water, food, and restrooms.
After exiting the park, riders descend into Luray for lunch at:
Broad Porch Coffee and Café
20 W Main St, Luray, VA
Following lunch, the route heads toward Massanutten Ridge, the steepest climb of the day: about 3 miles averaging 7%, with the final mile reaching ~10%. Riders regroup at the top before descending into Fort Valley and continuing through rolling countryside back to Front Royal.
Route Highlights
-
Mile 0 – Roll out of the Martin’s parking lot in Front Royal go just over a mile before you enter the park gate.
Mile 1.5 – Once through the gate dive right into 20 miles of mostly climbing up a gentle 6% average gradient with some spectacular views.
Mile 24.5 – Elk Wallow Wayside (Food + Water)
Mile 32 – Leave the park and enjoy a twisty 4 mile descent down US 211 into the valley.
Mile 41 – Luray, good opportunity for lunch. Bout halfway!
Broad Porch Coffee and Café
Address: 20 W Main St, Luray, VA 22835
Mile 45 – Cross the southern fork of the Shenandoah River then turn left and immediately start climbing 3 miles up the Massanutten ridge. The climb averages 7% and then kicks up to 10% for most of the final mile. Stop at the top, and take a look at the valley, and the Peaks you just rode across. Then chill out, but stay alert down the 2 mile descent into Fort Valley.
Mile 50 – Enjoy the rollers through the beautiful Fort Valley.
Mile 62.4 – Fort Valley Country Store
Mile 67 – Enter the George Washington National Forest, and enjoy some shade.
Mile 77 – Country Store
Mile 81 – Cross back over South Fork of the Shenandoah, and roll back into Front Royal.
Park Entrance Fee: $15 per person unless you have a National Park pass.
RSVP & carpooling:
Please RSVP by clicking ‘attend’ on this event and add your name to the ride coordination spreadsheet that can be found in the group linked on this page to offer a ride and/or to request a ride (for yourself & your bike).
Interested in a shorter option?
If you are interested in a ~40-mile adjusted route, please reach out to Raúl Fainchtein in the group or email [email protected]. If there is enough interest and we can find a ride lead, we will organize a 40-mile option.
This is an optional, monthly, all-members-welcome zoom call. During this call, board members will provide an outlook on upcoming club events, give brief orientation information for new members (e.g., navigating the website, RSVP’ing for events, etc.), and provide time for Q&A and connecting with other members.
Extra special this month and just in time for outdoor riding season, club member Bryan Frank will lead a webinar on how to explore and create new bike routes. He’ll go through using resources like RideWithGPS and other techniques to scope out new routes and paths for you to explore with your bike!
For current DC Tri Club members, please refer to the weekly newsletter for zoom link information or follow this link to the group for this event: https://www.dctriclub.org/groups/monthly-zoom-call-club-updates-and-member-connect/
If you are a prospective DC Tri Club member, please email [email protected].
Racing this event? Let us know that you’re coming by clicking on “attend” below the “Members Attending” button and connect with your other DC Tri Club racers (plus: get shout-outs in our weekly newsletters)!
Racing this event? Let us know that you’re coming by clicking on “attend” below the “Members Attending” button and connect with your other DC Tri Club racers (plus: get shout-outs in our weekly newsletters)!
Join DC Tri Club for the first bricnic of the season at Occoquan Recreation Park on April 18th.
For the Brick:
Clip-in times are as follows:
9:00 AM (41 mile ride): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54381148
10:00 AM (27 mile ride): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54407068
10:30 AM (10-12 mile ride): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54407273
Please download routes before arriving.
There are various run routes that you can take from the picnic area. Typically, the run is DIY – feel free to find a run buddy from your ride or go out and back the distance you would like to and come back for some grub!
For the ‘Nic:
The ‘Nic will start around 11:30 AM. Lots of tasty treats (burgers, dogs, veggie burgers, fixings) will be provided by the club, along with some fabulous volunteers to cook it all up. The rest (sides, desserts, etc.) is up to you!
Please help out by bringing something according to your last name:
Aa-Bu: Dessert
By-Du: Side dish (chips ok)
Dv-Ha: Dessert
He-La: Vegetarian option – side dish
Le-Mo: Fruit
Mr-Ri: Drinks (gatorade, juice, etc)
Rm-St: Side dish (no chips)
Su-Zy: Veggie side
We need volunteers!
Volunteers help make events like these possible! We need ride leads, a grill master and others! If you’re available to volunteer for the Bricknic, please reach out to [email protected].
Questions about the Bricnic? Feel free to post in the group (link can be found on this page under “Event Group” or visit this link: https://www.dctriclub.org/groups/occoquan-bricnic.
Address:
9751 Ox Rd, Lorton, VA 22079
Picnic Shelter 4
ACTIVE – Tuesday NoVa Track with Coach Kyoko
Tuesdays, 6:15 PM
Since track is very weather dependent, Coach Kyoko will message the group on WhatsApp and in the Group with information on the schedule for the day.
Washington-Liberty High School track, Arlington, VA
All levels welcome
Coached workout sessions.
Click here for Group communication
Click here to join the WhatsApp group!
February 2026 marks the conclusion of the Buddhist monks’ Walk for Peace. It is Black History Month, starting with National Freedom Day. It brings the start of Ramadan, Lunar New Year, Mardi Gras/Carnival, and Lent. There was a solar eclipse, Groundhog’s Day (whether or not Punxsutawney Phil delivered…), the Super Bowl — aka El Súper Tazón 😉 — Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, the Winter Olympics, and one you may not know: Random Acts of Kindness Day.
It is a month of reflection and renewal. Of honoring ancestors and celebrating culture. Of love, empathy, mourning, discipline, joy, and new beginnings. In the current political environment, it is also a time when the world can feel heavy and overwhelming.
And yet — February 2026 also holds hope.
It is one of our favorite times of year in the DC Tri Club!
This month we welcome a new wave of athletes into our New Triathlete Program and our Advanced Programs (ODP, HIP, IP). It was awesome to see so many new faces at the February New Member Happy Hour last week! There is nothing quite like that spark of possibility when someone decides to try something new.
For many returning members, this is the season of dusting off the bike after winter hibernation, finding rhythm again in the pool, or recommitting to a lifestyle that once lit you up — whether after a short break or a multi-year hiatus. Some of you are chasing warmer weather. Some are rebuilding consistency. Some are simply trying to keep your head above water in a complicated world.
Whoever you are. Wherever you are in your journey. Whatever your February looks like — we are so glad you’re here!
DC Tri Club’s all-volunteer Board of Directors meets every month with one goal in mind: to create meaningful opportunities for connection, growth, challenge, and joy in this club! We have an incredible 2026 season ahead, and we cannot wait to experience it with you!
Life can be a real a**-kicker sometimes. (That’s just true.) I know that for me, there is deep grounding in the moments on my bike, in the pool, on a run, or in a strength or yoga session. Training reminds me that I am investing in myself. Showing up for myself. Building resilience one workout at a time.
And it is always, always better in community.
- Whether you are brand new or a longtime member, we invite you to lean in.
– Read the weekly newsletter.
– Check the one-pager at the top of the events calendar and circle the marquee events.
– Join a monthly happy hour or a weekly workout.
– Hop on a monthly membership Zoom.
– Volunteer at an event.
- – Say hello to someone new at a workout.
– Reach out to a board member with questions — we want to hear from you!
This club is not just about swim, bike, run. It is about our mission to empower our members and living true to our values of inclusiveness, respect, community and encouragement. It is about sharing our struggles. Celebrating our wins. Investing in ourselves — and in each other.
In a month that holds so many stories, traditions, and turning points, may we choose to be a steady, supportive community for one another.
As President of the DC Tri Club, I’m wishing all 500+ of you an energizing, meaningful start to the 2026 training season.
Let’s go!!
This is an optional, monthly, all-members-welcome zoom call. During this call, board members will provide an outlook on upcoming club events, give brief orientation information for new members (e.g., navigating the website, RSVP’ing for events, etc.), and provide time for Q&A and connecting with other members.
For current DC Tri Club members, please refer to the weekly newsletter for zoom link information or follow this link to the group for this event: https://www.dctriclub.org/groups/monthly-zoom-call-club-updates-and-member-connect/
If you are a prospective DC Tri Club member, please email [email protected].
About the Race
Join runners from across the region for Washington, DC’s largest and oldest 10K. Trek across historic Capitol Hill, passing the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, the Folger Shakespeare Library, Lincoln Park, East Capitol Street, and RFK Stadium. There will also be a 3K and Kids’ Fun Run that will follow the 10K.
Racing this event? Let us know that you’re coming by clicking on “attend” below the “Members Attending” button and connect with your other DC Tri Club racers! Bonus: race shout-outs in our weekly newsletter.
About the Race
The PNC Alexandria Half is Northern Virginia’s marquee spring running event! Enjoy 13.1 miles through the heart of Old Town and out and back on the beautiful George Washington Parkway. Or, choose the 5K and exclusively experience the charm of Old Town. Post race party to follow.
Racing this event? Let us know that you’re coming by clicking on “attend” below the “Members Attending” button and connect with your other DC Tri Club racers! Bonus: race shout-outs in our weekly newsletter.
