Bike to Work Day

 

What is Bike to Work Day?

Bike to Work Day is an annual event held during National Bike Month in May. The event stretches from the United States to Canada, Europe, and even parts of Asia encouraging people to cycle to work on the third Friday of May.

While commuting to work on a bike isn’t a viable option for everyone, the primary goal of Bike to Work Day is to highlight cycling as a healthy, safe, and viable alternative to commuting by car. Increasing the visibility of cyclists while emphasizing the importance of sharing the road safely between drivers and cyclists makes it safer for everyone. The rest stops (also called pit stops) along Bike to Work Day routes allows cyclists, community leaders, law enforcement, and trail patrol to mingle, get to know each other, and share concerns.

The event encourages people who might not normally cycle to work to give it a try. Gathering with other bike enthusiasts over refreshments might just be the nudge needed. And finally, for those who regularly use the trail, the stops offer an opportunity to visit with friends and make new friends. It’s a party on the trail!

 

DC Metro Bike to Work Day

For the first time the DC Metro Bike to Work Day was moved to Thursday, a day earlier than the actual date. When I asked why, a volunteer said he thought it was because so few people in the DC metro area go into the office on Fridays and by moving it to a day earlier they’d get a better turnout.

In the DMV (District, Maryland, and Virginia), Bike to Work Day is a huge event organized by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and Commuter Connections with more than 100 pit stops in the metro area. Locally, the W&OD Trail goes all out with six rest stops along the 44.5-mile trail. Pit stop locations going east to west include:

  • • Falls Church (Little Falls Street) 6:30 – 9 AM
  • • Vienna (Town Green) 6:30 – 9:30 AM
  • • Reston (The Bike Lane) 7 – 9 AM
  • • Herndon (Town Hall Green) 6 – 10 AM
  • • Sterling (Ruritan Road) 6:30 – 9 AM
  • • Leesburg (Raflo Park) 6:30 – 9 AM

Advanced registration is required to receive a free cotton blend unisex t-shirt. During registration participants select their home stop where t-shirt sizes are handed out first come, first serve. The stops varied, but most provided breakfast foods, snacks, coffee, water, swag/prizes, bike mechanics, and music.

 

Ride Overview
  • • Location: W&OD Trail Reston/Leesburg loop
  • • Course Type: rail trail out and backs
  • • Course Surface: paved
  • • Bike: Specialized Roubaix Comp
  • • Distance: 44.14 miles
  • • Time: 3:03:41
  • • Average Speed: 14.4 MPH
  • • Maximum Speed: 27.9 MPH
  • • Elevation Gain: 1,348 feet
  • • Elevation Range: 194 to 390 feet
  • • Weather: 65° and drizzly, climbing to 69° and mostly cloudy
  • • What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey, and fingerless gloves
  • • Date of ride: May 15, 2025
  • • Start time: 5:36 AM

 

Not Biking to Work, Just Having Fun

After hearing my husband and Dawn Patrol friends say how fun this event has been over the last several years, I decided to take the morning off and tag along even though we weren’t riding to work, just enjoying a morning ride. On Thursdays my clients come to my home gym so I suppose that once I made the final turnaround, I actually did bike to work.

 

The Weather and Frequent Stops

It drizzled for the first 45 minutes, but by the time we got to our first stop the rain had moved out. I was surprised when we lingered at the stops for 15-30 minutes, but thoroughly enjoyed myself at each location. Even though my kit was slightly damp from the earlier morning drizzle, I was plenty warm while riding and even while stopped. Each time I rolled out of a pit stop, though, a chill would spread across my body as my bike and I created a slight breeze. By the time I’d ridden for just a few of minutes I’d be warmed up again… until the next startup.

 

First Stop: Herndon

We stopped in Herndon first which we’d chosen at registration as our home stop; and therefore, where we picked up our t-shirts. There we met our friend Tom (the only other Dawn Patrol member to make it out for the event), and while my husband enjoyed a coffee, I ate a banana.

 

Second Stop: Reston

Next we rode to Reston where we saw our friend and VeloPigs leader Kasey who was volunteering. This stop had delicious blueberry muffins from Costco so while my husband had another coffee, I enjoyed a muffin. I picked up a fanny pack which came in handy to carry my t-shirt and unused rain jacket which I’d forced-fit into one of my back pockets. Just before leaving we watched a guy ride in with a bubble blower attached to the front of his bike and a rubber ducky riding tandem.

 

Third Stop: Sterling

As we headed back west we pulled in at the Sterling pit stop and visited with our local bike shop manager/mechanic Oscar. Definitely not hungry at this point, I didn’t even look to see what food they were offering. This stop had a media team with very fancy cameras and big microphones roaming around interviewing participants.

 

Fourth Stop: Leesburg

And finally, we arrived in Leesburg where we saw our friend and VeloPigs ride leader Phil who also manages one of the local bike shops. I picked up a couple of mini Cliff bars, sunscreen, a first aid kit, and some bike safety coloring books and crayons. Just before leaving to head home, we saw Allen (who works with Oscar) pulling in and snapped a selfie.

 

So Much Swag!

I had collected so much fun stuff over the morning that my pockets and new fanny pack were stuffed to the gills. When I expressed interest in the coloring books at the Leesburg stop, the nice volunteer gave me a reusable shopping bag so I could carry everything home. With no other option, I swung it over my shoulders like a backpack and pedaled away happily with my loot.

 

Final Thoughts

I had an absolute blast at Bike to Work Day and will definitely plan to participate again next year! Had I known how much fun I’d have at this well organized event, I would have joined my husband and friends over the last several years.

 

Questions:
  • • Have you participated in Bike to Work Day or a similar running/walking event? ~ This was my first Bike to Work Day, but I’ve participated in many Global Running Day events over the years.
  • • If you were me, would you have stopped at all of the pit stops or just your home stop to pick up your shirt?
  • • Do you stop and relax occasionally to fuel or take pictures, or barrel on through when on a long run or ride? ~ pictures, always pictures, unless I’m racing

 

I’m linking up with Zenaida of The Running Teacher and Jenn from Runs with Pugs for Tuesday topics Link-Up. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!