The The Northern Neck River Ride is a cycling event held on Saturday, October 10, 2026. It is located at Kilmarnock, Virginia in Kilmarnock, Virginia.
Fri, Jun 19, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Gain the skills and confidence to ride further, explore new roads, and create your own two-wheeled adventures!
The Open Road Weekend is designed to help cyclists learn how to plan rides in new
places, prepare their bikes, gear, and bodies for the adventure, and to safely and confidently explore new roads. We're riders, adventurers, and bike nuts who want to share our love of two-wheeled exploration and inspire you to take on your own grand adventure!
This event is a combination of workshops, discussions, and riding, all based in the scenic river town of Kinsale, VA.
Friday features workshops on bike prep, route planning, and safe riding, followed by happy hour and a farm-to-table dinner.
On Saturday, participants will ride 15-35+ scenic miles near Kinsale, then enjoy food, music, and shopping at the Kinsale Watermen’s Market.
What does my registration cover?
All registrations cover event insurance, ride-day swag bag, advertising and event logistics.
Full-access registration also includes all Friday workshops and Friday night’s dinner/panel discussion, as well as a roadside essentials kit.
Wait a minute, where’s the T-shirt?
Every ride gives you a T-shirt, so we wanted to try something different. Full-Access tickets for the Open Road Weekend include a roadside essentials kit featuring a Planet Bike CO2 inflator, Park Tool tire levers, and a SpeedSleev Ranger 2.0 saddlebag to keep your gear organized.
The Schedule
Friday, June 19
Noon – 5 pm: Check-in with the RBC team at The Slips // Kinsale
2:00 – 3:00: Bike Setup and Maintenance workshop
3:00 – 4:00: Route and Trip Planning workshop
4:00 – 5:00: Staying Safe and Fun on the Road: riding safe practices discussion and roadside repair workshop
5:00 – 6:00: Happy Hour @ Lucky’s in Kinsale
6:00 - ???: Dinner and cycling adventure show-and-tell (dinner by Lucky’s in Kinsale & Garden Party Cocktail Catering)
Saturday, June 20
6:30: Rider check-in opens (please start your ride no later than 9:00 am)
?:00: Kinsale Watermen’s market opens
Sunday – Monday
It’s all you: ride new routes? Hang out in Kinsale? Explore Rivah Life in the rest of the Northern Neck? Enjoy the rest of the long summer weekend your way!
The Routes
The event will feature a number of routes you can ride on Friday: the routes range from 15 to 35+ miles. Riders will receive maps and turn sheets in their registration packet, and all routes will be available on RideWithGPS.
In keeping with the spirit of independent bike-based travel, the routes will not be marked with road signs. We will mark turns with paint blazes on the pavement, but please plan to use your map and/or mapping app to stay on your chosen route.
Treats and Ride Support
Although the ride is intended to be self-supported (see above about keeping with the spirit of independent travel), riders will receive an assortment of ride snacks (gels, etc) in their swag bag at registration. For additional snacks on ride day, the Kinsale Market offers a wide range of snacks and other groceries. If you have specific nutritional needs during your ride, please plan to bring appropriate nutrition.
While the ride is designed to be self-supported, on-call support will be available during the ride.
When can I check in on Friday?
Please plan to check in at The Slips // Kinsale between noon and 2:00 pm on Friday. The first workshop begins at 2:00 pm. Registration will be open until 5:00 pm for late arrivals, but we will not be able to provide refunds or discounts to All-Access ticketholders who check in after the workshops have started.
When can I check in on ride day?
Check-in opens at 6:30am at The Slips // Kinsale.
When can I start the ride?
Check-in opens at 6:30am and closes at 9:00 am.
After checking in, riders depart at their own pace. Plan your ride to finish no later than 3:00pm.
Where do I park?
Parking signs will indicate where to park on Friday and Saturday.
Are restrooms available at the start?
Yes, The Slips // Kinsale has restrooms and showers available.
Refunds/Referrals/Transfers
As with most events of this caliber, there are no refunds. This is a rain or shine event. In the unlikely event that the ride must be canceled due to extreme weather (hurricanes, flooding, etc.), participants may receive credit toward registration for upcoming RBC events.
Are e-bikes allowed?
Yes. Class 1 and Class 3 e-bikes are allowed because they are pedal-assisted. Mopeds, scooters, and throttle-only Class 2 e-bikes are not allowed.
Are helmets required?
Yes. An ANSI or SNELL certified helmet is required when riding a bike during this event. All Virginia traffic laws must also be followed.
Can young children participate?
Sorry, but no. The Open Road Weekend routes are self-supported rides on open public roadways. These routes are not appropriate for young children.
Is food provided?
All-Access tickets include a farm-to-table dinner Friday night.
On Saturday, the ride itself is designed to be a self-supported event. While the swag bag will include some ride snacks, and there are convenience stores along the longer routes, there is no organized food stop on Saturday. There will be food available for purchase at the Kinsale Watermen’s Market and at Kinsale Market on Saturday.
Who do I contact in case of a challenge along the route?
Please note: in the spirit of independent bike-based adventure, riders are expected to be self-supporting for minor issues: plan to carry food, water, and equipment to deal with changes in weather and minor roadside issues (i.e. flat tires, minor repairs).
In the event you need assistance beyond a minor issue, call the number on your wristband at 804-480-2776. Our team will locate and support you.
Because cell service can be limited, we strongly encourage riders to stay in groups.
Where can I stay overnight?
Kinsale has a wonderful variety of lodging options, and this is a great long weekend to spend in the Northern Neck! Visit The Kinsale Foundation and Virginia’s River Realm to learn more about lodging options in the area.
Can I volunteer to help?
Absolutely! We’d love your support. Please click here to contact the team.
Cycling Road