About the Ride
Welcome to the 2nd Annual Waterford Bicycle Classic!
We warmly invite you to join us for a one-of-a-kind gravel cycling experience through the stunning landscapes of Northern Loudoun county!
This very special event, hosted by the Waterford Bicycle Club and held at the scenic Wheatland Spring Farm and Brewery, promises to be a fantastic day of outstanding cycling, camaraderie, festivities, and craft beer - all to support the essential work of the Waterford Foundation and other local non-profits in the region.
According to our riders last year, our first event was a smashing success and generated much appreciated stoke. We received top scores for the whole event, with special appreciation for our routes, festivities, volunteers, aid stations, support, communications, and more. So we're doing it again, but even better. Join us!
About the Ride
Incredible Routes - Whether you’re in for a quick spin, a hearty challenge, or the full gravel epic with our new big 100 miler, we’ve got you covered. Our 20, 40, 60 and 100-mile routes are carefully designed by WBC members and gravel enthusiasts in the region to balance fun, safety, and the right amount of challenge (especially for the 40, 60 and 100s). Expect a mix of terrain that keeps things interesting (and exhilarating) from start to finish. We take pride in our routes, and we know you'll love them.
** NEW THIS YEAR: 100-mile "Growler". We had a LOT of riders on our 40 and 60 mile routes, but a number of you wanted the same thoughtful route design applied to 100 miles for an even bigger challenge. Like suckers, we're going to do it. But you asked for it! This century will be the first organized gravel century in our area for as long as we can remember, and we view this distance as a precursor to a larger event we're envisioning. So we'll be paying close attention to how you destroy it (or the reverse).
Festive Atmosphere - Celebrate after your ride with us and our hosts, Wheatland Spring Farm and Brewery, with music, local food vendors, and craft beer brewed right on-site. Wheatland does it right which is why they're our unofficial official HQ.
Beautiful Gravel - In case you haven't actually heard by this point in your reading/searching/ChatGPT-ing, our gravel roads are second to none, and they wind through beautiful scenery through farmlands, forests, over bridges and past really old churches and barns and old shops (!). You will be riding on gravel roads that are over 300 years old in some stretches. Rider feedback said these were some of the best routes they've ridden in the region. Expect "not insignificant" elevations for the 40, 60 and 100 routes.
Generous Aid Stations - All routes include fully-stocked rest stops staffed by friendly volunteers and tons of food and drink. Our 2025 rider feedback conveyed major stoke relating to our rest stops.
Route Support - All routes benefit from SAG vehicle support upon request. If you need help with a flat or if you want to tap out due to lock jaw on account of beautiful scenery, we got you (in some parts of the routes, 10-15 minute waits might be required).
** NEW THIS YEAR - Timing Chips - We will be providing timing this year for those eager to set new PRs, brag at the office on Monday, or generally (not) compete with friends. This is not a race, however. But still...fun to time thy self and thy others.
** NEW THIS YEAR - A MAJOR AWARD (Raffle) - We're going to be raffling off a few big prizes and lots of little prizes towards the end of the day. Stick around and enjoy Wheatland while riders trickle in (that's the actual point) and potentially be rewarded with bike stuff. More on the raffle later in the year.
** NEW THIS YEAR - Strava Integration - Later in the year we will launch a Strava integration for those of you who want to engage with the WBC community, our route designs, etc. We're going to make all of it as fun as possible.
No Price Increases - We're sticking with our pricing from last year in hopes you'll buy an extra t-shirt, pizza or pint! But also to actually just be cool to our supporters. We appreciate you.
Commemorative Swag - Every rider receives a custom-made wooden medallion celebrating the 2nd annual event, as well as a free beverage ticket for redemption at Wheatland post-ride and one free raffle ticket.
Commemorative Merch - Custom event merchandise is available online for event-day pick-up, and select merchandise will be available for sale day-of. Merch is a source of much love and discussion, but thankfully, Chris, co-director and merch master, after letting us talk about it in circles like we know what we're doing, politely nods, takes the ball, and dunks. You win!
Historical/Inaugural Merch - Last year's merch was special beloved. We will be bringing back certain items for those who want the OG merch that inspired so many to love Waterford and this ride.
Routine, Clear Communications - While not normally listed as a benefit, we pride ourselves on clear, routine communication with you in the run-up to the event (and at the event). You'll feel part of the event the minute you sign up!
"THE KNOWLEDGE" - We published a thorough ride guide called THE KNOWLEDGE (after the famed London taxi cab test). That will be published about a month before the ride and will be the definitive guide to the event.
Doing Good by Riding With Us - All proceeds from the event directly support the Waterford Foundation and other regional non-profits working in preservation, conservation and community development. You're doing good by joining us for this event.
Event Cancellation - This is a rain or shine event. As we're a non-profit, we will not be able to provide refunds. If we do have to cancel, we will ensure your medallion, beer ticket, and any purchased merch gets to you, so don't worry about that.
Risk - Riding any type of bicycle on pubic roads can be dangerous. You ride at your own risk at all times throughout this event. We will not be held liable Courses are open to traffic (e.g. not closed to traffic). You are responsible for your safety, and you should only ride if you're willing to accept that.
About How All of This Got Started
The first Waterford Classic, held in October of 2025, was organized by four of us volunteers within four months of another major cycling event being canceled. We strongly believe that our region has some of the best gravel in the nation, and we believe a premier gravel event in the fall season belongs here in rural Northern Virginia to serve all gravel riders. We also want to shamelessly use this here premier event to attract riders to our community to benefit historic conservation and community development. When you join us, you benefit, but our area's small businesses, local non-profits and community groups do, too.
Our first event was a smashing success. We were humbled to have so many of you join us (250 more riders than we had targeted) and even more humbled to receive such outstanding support and feedback after the ride. We've absorbed all of it and are working on putting on another outstanding event for you this year.
Just know that when you sign up for this ride, you're joining our community of fun, positive people who love this community, so don't sign up if you don't like fun, positive people. :)
If you have any questions, feel free to email us at waterfordclassic@gmail.com and a real human will respond promptly!
See you soon!
Grey, Mark, Marty, Chris and 40+ wonderful volunteers