WATR News

Fall Trail Ride 2025

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 02:17:11 GMT

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2024 Shenandoah 500 - Thanks!

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 02:59:33 GMT

A heartfelt thank you to the nearly 300 riders who came out for this year's Shenandoah 500. Since its inception decades ago - money raised from the S500 have gone to the local community - through donations to the South Fork Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, local food banks, and other nearby fire departments. Your participation makes all the difference.

Behind the scenes - WATR club members worked tirelessly to prepare and support the event. A special note of thanks to our course marking and pre-ride crews - who ensured the route was in tip-top shape.

The S500 is made possible through our long-standing partnership with the U.S. Forest Service - see everyone next year!

Registration is Open! - 2024 Shenandoah 500

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 02:53:25 GMT

It’s the day you’ve been waiting for! Space is limited, so grab your S500 tickets today! See comments for a link to the event page & more details. We can’t wait to see you there!

2024 S500 Flyer

Event Registration: https://2024-s500.eventbrite.com/

Thanks for Coming Out - Spring Trail Ride

Fri, 10 May 2024 00:04:11 GMT

Thanks everyone that made it to this year’s Spring Trail Ride. It’s all the riders that make the trek and hit the trails that really make these events great.

Spring Trail Ride Event Posted

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:47:06 GMT

Info link: WATR Spring Trail Ride

Eagle Bay Work Day - March 10

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 02:45:13 GMT

The Sunday work party at Eagle Bay was small but very effective. The group worked the first 3/4 mile and last mile. Lots of puddles were drained and several water holes were bypassed. Look for pink tape marking the bypasses. Original routes were left open with some repair. The longest bypass was a new trail starting a mile 1 going around many holes.

[Words mostly by Joe E, Photo by Paul N]

WATR at the Three Springs Enduro

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 16:30:00 GMT

Three Springs Enduro

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 18:21:56 GMT

Three Spring Enduro Flyer

Short Loop Cleared

Sat, 08 Jul 2023 16:00:00 GMT

A blockage on the Short Loop was cleared.

New Bridge Built

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 02:11:47 GMT

An Eagle Bay workday was held to build a bridge at mile 1.

Thanks to all those that showed up and helped out!

(Picture added to "What is WATR" slide show)

Weather Station is Up!

Sat, 12 Nov 2022 02:30:55 GMT

The club has purchased a weather station for Eagle Bay. The data can be viewed through Weather Underground:

https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KVAKINGG25

Supporting Our S500 Partners

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 02:10:33 GMT

Several WATR members did a little ADV ride out to the Shenandoah Valley and delivered WATR shirts to the “lunch ladies” that coordinate the meals for the S500 participants. One club member braved the fog and rain to help out and ended up with a 400+ mile day on his GS.

Donations for Shenandoah Valley Charitable Organizations

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 02:55:46 GMT

Washington Area Trail Riders (WATR) is sorry that we had to cancel the Shenandoah 500 (S500) this year. We intend to hold the event in 2021, if conditions allow. We really hope there is a COVID-19 vaccination that will allow the 2021 event to happen.

All of us have been affected by COVID-19, some of us much more than others. Certainly COVID-19 has not improved things for the Shenandoah community and we need to do what we can to continue our financial assistance to the organizations that benefit from the S500. The organizations that we have routinely donated to are:

South Fork Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary
Riverside United Methodist Church

If you are in a position to make a donation, we will distribute all donations (minus credit card fees) to the organizations listed above. WATR will be doing a dollar for dollar matching donation up to $2,500. This is a community that supports the S500 and we are happy to support them. It is truly heart-warming to read the thank you cards we receive each year from the individuals who rely on the local food pantries.

We would like to recognize those who donate at least $25 by upgrading their event t-shirt at the next running (hopefully 2021) of the S500. The upgraded shirt would be long-sleeved instead of short with a special graphic.

That said, any donation will be appreciated. Please use the following PayPal link to donate. You DO NOT need to create a PayPal account to donate. If you do want the upgraded S500 event shirt please include your name and email address in the comments box when you donate. This will be the only way we can track who gets the upgraded event shirts.

https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=SBW99PNQHGXYU

Donations will be accepted through October 5th.

If you’d like to stay informed about the S500 please join this Google Group. You can actually read all the messages without joining the group.

https://groups.google.com/g/shenandoah-500

Thanks for your support of the S500 and the Shenandoah community!