Join us for our second running of the Campfire Grind - a monthly overnight bicycle adventure up the C&O canal with friends. This one is sure to be a cold one but the campfire and company will help keep us warm. Received some fun new winter camping gear for the holidays? This is a great opportunity to test it out.
There are some special considerations for the weather. Please be sure to read through the packing list below and contact us with any questions. Hope you can join us!
Care to join us?
This will be a low-key community ride, with a focus on fun, food, and friends. We will meet at 3210 Grace Street NW DC at 5:00 pm, and roll out on the trail starting at 5:30 pm. We believe that making biking better in DC requires injecting a dose of whimsy and warmth into the everyday. Sharing a meal over a campfire, surrounded by trees and fresh air; a short gravel grind with a sweet reward at the end.
Sunset is creeping earlier these days, so be sure to bring along a front headlight for your bike that is 200 lumens or brighter. You'll also want a few solid warm layers for the winter temps. A further packing list can be found below.
Our recommended packing list:
A bike in good working order, that you feel comfortable riding on gravel. Your aero road bike is a blast, but something with tread and 28mm+ tires is going to be a lot more fun here. Trust us on this one.
A bright (200 lumens or more) bike headlight, capable of illuminating your path in the dark. Bonus, this can double as a camp flashlight! Make sure it has enough charge to last for a few hours.
A multitool and flat repair kit (tire levers, patch kit, spare tube, pump or CO2 cartridge).
Water: You’ll want to bring about 2 liters of water - approximately 3 reusable water bottles - as after mile 3, there are no further water refill spots on the trail.
Food & cooking supplies: you have two options here.
If you are planning to join in on our shared dinner and/or breakfast (highly recommended), you’ll just need to pack your favorite trail snacks, along with metal or plastic reusable dishes/cutlery, and a spare cup for shared hot drinks!
If packing your own food, you'll want to bring a solid meal for dinner and breakfast, along with ample snacks, and dishes/cutlery needed to cook and eat! (See above.) We'll have a few treats to share with you at the campfire, but bank on DIY for the rest.
Shelter and sleeping arrangements: a tent/hammock/bivy/tarp, and sleeping bag rated for 15℉ or below. A sleeping pad for extra insulation is essential for this trip.
Rain gear, just in case: a waterproof jacket with a hood or hat, waterproof pants and shoes with quick-dry clothing underneath. You’ll also want a rainfly and ground cloth for your tent, and waterproof panniers or bike-packing bags (or your normal pack lined with a trash-bag)
Warm layers to keep you comfortable off the bike: Fuzzy sweaters, blankets, windproof jackets, puffy vests, beanies, neck warmers, and winter gloves encouraged. Temps will potentially be dropping to the 30s and below after midnight.
Missing any items on this list?
Before you head online or to REI, give us a holler at the shop! We may be able to help you find what you need. If we don’t have an item currently in stock, please place your order with us by Thursday December 19th to ensure it arrives on time for the trip.
Camping gear: We are a dealer for Big Agnes, Nemo, Black Diamond, and MSR, makers of some of the best sleeping bags, tents, stuff sacks, and camping accessories on the market.
Bike-packing and touring bags: If we don’t have it in stock, we can help you order a perfect-fit Ortlieb, Revelate, Salsa, or Axiom bag and rack system for your bike.
Any remaining questions?
Ask us here, give us a call, or swing by the shop. We can’t wait to adventure with you.
Leave No Trace
We will be following the 7 principles of Leave No Trace. For this short overnight camping trip, the main thing to remember is “pack it in, pack it out": there won’t be a place for trash disposal at the campground or on the trail - so bring along a plastic shopping bag to pack out your waste. The good news is all campgrounds on the C&O do have chemical toilets, so no need to worry about learning how to dig a “cat hole."
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