Benefits of Membership

PPTC offers numerous rides each year in a wide variety of cycling abilities. More than one thousand Saturday and Sunday rides are offered each year, comprehensively covering the variable terrain of the Washington DC area and the surrounding suburbs and countryside. Distances range from 10 miles to 600 kilometers and speeds range from eight to more than 20 miles per hour. Weekday rides are also offered, usually in the evening. The club sponsors several overnight, out-of-town special weekend events as well as a well-supported annual Century ride (the Potomac Pedaler 100) and several club events that include all ride classes.

So to summarize some of the membership benefits:

  • Thousands of rides each year
    • encompassing all skill levels
    • all around the Washington DC region
    • on weekdays and weekends
  • Pedal Patter, our monthly newpaper
  • Discounts at local bike shops
  • Bicycle travel box rental
  • Cycling video rental
  • Website features (e.g., Cycling Forums)
  • Special events
    • Weekend getaway rides
    • Club's Century - Potomac Pedaler 100
    • Multi-class rides (e.g. New Member Rides)
  • Cycling camaraderie
  • Cue sheet library

100 Additional Back Roads Century Registrations Go On Sale 9/8, 9:00 am

100 additional Back Roads Century registrations will go on sale Wednesday September 8th at 9:00am!

We know that many of you are disappointed that you weren't able to register for the Back Roads Century before we closed registration. This was due to an overwhelming number of riders signing up just before our August 31st deadline. We've been working diligently to find a way to accommodate additional riders and we have some good news for you.

In the past four days we've leased additional parking space; procured additional rest room facilities at each of our rest stops; added more volunteers; and worked with our suppliers to deliver additional products. With all of this work completed, we feel comfortable in adding 100 more riders for the Century. Because of the added cost to accommodate additional cyclists, the registration fee will rise to $65.00.

Here are the details:

Number of additional riders accepted: 100

  • Price: $65.00 for all riders
  • Registration Opens: Wednesday September 8th at 9:00am
  • Registration Closes: Saturday September 11th at midnight or when we reach 100 riders (whichever comes first)
  • Registrants will pick up their rider numbers on the morning of the Century at Clarke County High School
  • There will be NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION option
We hope that these measures can accommodate everyone who wants to join us.

On Wednesday September 8th at 9:00am, go to our Registration page.

City Expertise? History, Architecture et al.

PPTC Needs Your Help
 By Neal Grotenstein, Recording Secretary

PPTC has partnered with CulturalTourismDC.com, who is funded by groups seeking to make DC a more attractive place to visit by tourists.

PPTC's role is to offer bike rides. These would differ from our usual rides. They'd have to include someone knowledgeable with an aspect of life in DC. That could be lifestyle, history, architecture, knowledge of museum content( art, dinosaurs), et al. The expert needn't actually be a cyclist, but would only be needed at the right place and time in DC. Interesting places in MD or VA are n/a here. There are no rules on anything else. Start/finish locations can be anywhere. Rides would be a 'D' pace and something like 20 miles total. Food stop[s] would be needed. Rides should be timed so that they end by sunset. Ride attendance would be limited to about 25. These rides may not be listed in the Pedal Patter, but would be on the CultutralTourismDC.com web site.

Specifically, we need about 'D' ride leaders on Sept 25 and 26.

Thus, the needs are for folks who can lead a 'D' ride and also for people with expertise in some aspect of life in DC that would appeal to tourists.

The two skill sets can be separated, so if you know about an aspect of life here, but have never lead a ride, one will be found. If you can lead a 'D' ride, there will be an effort to find a specialist.

Either way, you'd help publicize your club and meet new people.

Looking ahead, the next weekend is Sept. 25 and 26. The decision deadline is early June. When we get an exact date, it'll be posted here.


This partnership is part of PPTC's ongoing effort to generate publicity and increase membership. Volunteers will meet new people, and ride leaders will increase their knowledge of DC. Everyone benefits.

Companies giving PPTC discounts

Many cycling-related companies offer discounts to PPTC members. If you don’t see your favorite store or tour company listed here, just ask them!
Thanks to all companies who support PPTC. Please bring a recent Pedal Patter with the imprinted mailing label to verify that you are a current member or say you saw it in Pedal Patter.

Bike-related Services

Bike Shops and Retailers

Tour Companies

Hospitality

Help needed for Bike to Work Day

PPTC Needs Your Help
 By Neal Grotenstein, Recording Secretary
      PPTC needs your help for Bike to Work Day. E-mail the author to volunteer.

      A major annual event here is Bike-to-Work, on Friday, May 21. The main activity is to help PPTC by running a PPTC table there, providing information, and recruiting new members. This means 2-3 volunteers at each location, from about 8AM – 9:30AM.
      There are 3 locations, Freedom Plaza, the Nationals Baseball Park and Buzzard’s Point, by the Navy Yard.
      The main aspect of the event is to have cycling convoys come to each location. Each of the destinations has 15-20 Commuter Convoy Leaders biking in from a variety of directions. Convoy leaders will be provided with a cue sheet and times to arrive at each pick-up point. PPTC members leading convoys will aid relations with WABA. PPTCs first goal is booth staffers. Details are here.

Help Needed for Club Century

PPTC Needs Your Help
 By Neal Grotenstein, Recording Secretary
    PPTC needs your help for the Club Century. E-mail event leader to volunteer.

    PPTC’s 2010 Century is September 19, in Berryville, VA. About 100 people are needed to help run the event. Available resources include a cue sheet, maps, and defined rest stops. Also available are lists of 2009 volunteers. The volunteer lists Include food crew, and the four rest stop leaders. Help your club and learn something new.

PPTC Needs Your Help


PPTC Needs Your Help
 By Neal Grotenstein, Recording Secretary
    PPTC needs your help for 4 upcoming events. E-mail the author to volunteer for an event that interests you.

    PPTC’s 2010 Century has a leader. It is September 19, in Berryville, VA. About 60 people are needed to help run the event. Available resources include a cue sheet, maps, and defined rest stops. Also available are lists of 2009 volunteers. The volunteer lists Include food crew, and the four rest stop leaders. Help your club and learn something new. I'm an MBA and still learn new things.


    A far smaller task is the one day GreenFest sponsored by the United States Patent & Trademark Office. You’ll have a handout, as well as Pedal Patters to give out. PPTC will have a table at this event. It is Wed, 4/21,10 AM to 2 PM. The location is the Madison Building Auditorium, a semi-public building. You will need to bring a picture ID, such as a driver's license or passport. The Auditorium is at 600 Dulany St, Alexandria, VA, 10 minutes of walking from a Metro Stop. Still need 2 more people, 2 hours each. Your handout will include PPTC info and commuting by Bike. Resources include AC Power & Wi-fi, and an OK to sell PPTC memberships.
    It’ll be an interesting event, with about 10 companies, including an electric car.


      The Bike Lane in Reston Town Center is sponsoring its 4th Annual Cyclefest Expo. It'll be held at the Reston Town Center Pavilion on Saturday, April 24.
      The event will kick off with Paul's Ride for Life, benefiting the Washington Regional Transplant Community. The Ride will have a 10 and 35 mile ride option along the WO&D. This fundraiser doesn't have a minimum donation but helps spread the word on having the living change their driver's license so they contribute body parts after their lives end.
      Mountain bike pioneer Gary Fisher will be the special guest for the day! Once the ride are off and running at 10 AM, the Expo will open. The day will be filled with road, mountain and triathlon bike demos, professional BMX Stunt shows, kids safety rodeo; as well as vendors, local clubs, and riding organization information booths. Mix 107.3 will be there from Noon-2 pm with Jimmy McFly as DJ. The day will end with The Bike Lane Fashion Show and the Give Up Your Car for a Year bike presentation!
      Since the event is in The Reston Town Center there is no telling how many people will show up. If it is a nice day, there could be more than 1000 people come through, so this is a good opportunity to spread the word about PPTC!
      PPTC wants about 4 people to operate a PPTC booth, a 10'x10' area with a table and chairs. you'd hand out information sheets, including Pedal Pattersr, and answer questions. The goal is to recruit new members.


    A major annual event here is Bike-to-Work, on Friday, May 21. The main activity is to help PPTC by running a PPTC table there, providing information, and recruiting new members. This means 2-3 volunteers at each location, from about 8AM – 9:30AM.
    There are 2 definite locations, Freedom Plaza, and the Nationals Baseball Park. A possible third location is Buzzard’s Point, by the Navy Yard.
    The main aspect of the event is to have cycling convoys come to each location. Each of the destinations has 15-20 Commuter Convoy Leaders biking in from a variety of directions. Convoy leaders will be provided with a cue sheet and times to arrive at each pick-up point. PPTC members leading convoys will aid relations with WABA. PPTCs first goal is booth staffers. Details are here.

City Expertise? History, Architecture et al.

D Ride Leaders needed - on Sept 25 and 26. CulturalTourismDC.com will splash PPTC's name (but not yours) all over town - we need to supply 2 ride leaders to create, lead and manage 20-30 cyclists through two cultural tours of DC. Details are here. This is a twice a year event. The next time is in late September, the weekend after our Century. We'll be looking for ride leaders, and those with expertise in some aspect of life in DC.

PPTC Needs Your Help

PPTC needs your help on upcoming projects: Details are here.
      PPTC only achieves when folks volunteer. Have fun, new faces to meet, and learn things that help with work life.