Hey gals, 

This is Ellen Oshinsky, Circle and Spoke's Founder, dropping a line! Pedal, Paddle and Pause has sold out. We are limited in tickets for this gathering due to rafting space in the boats.

If you are interested in joining, please email me at [email protected] and I can see if we can add additional slots in the boats, per the rafting outfitter's capacity. 

And to stay in the loop about our upcoming offerings, visit https://bit.ly/m/circleandspoke to connect to our Instagram, Newsletter and our guide "Pumping the Brakes: 4 Ways to Bring Pause, Presence and Play to your Rides and Life" 

Wheels up, 

Ellen

If you’re an outdoorsy woman who is ready to slow down, then join us for an escape where you are going to come away with new friendships and nourishing time in nature to feel more grounded  in a supportive community of active gals.


Standing on the bank of the picturesque Shenandoah River, a profound awe surrounds you. The sunlight dances on the rapids and along your skin, as you spot a Great Blue Heron stretch its grand wings wide and fly downstream. Your heart begins to open as wide as this rambling river, as a wonderful joy washes over you and you feel a sense of peace and adventure. You smile and share in laughter with these incredible women you are surrounded by, ready to raft. 

As you grab your paddle and begin to ramble down the river,  you sense a shift in your energy to awe and peace. The river ignites your sense of adventure and play, as if each rapid pulsated ease and connection. 

Back on the shore, as you hop on your bike, your feet gently pedal along the historic C&O Canal. The path shaded by oak trees and sycamore trees, feels alive with the energy of countless travelers who’ve boated and biked this path below. You feel soothed by nature, community and adventure.

Welcome to Pedal, Paddle and Pause! Your adventure has just begun! 


Harpers Ferry, WV 

Sunday, July 14th, 9:30am-5:00pm

  • Feeling renewed and recharged through nature, community and movement. 
  • New gal pals that are tap into their adventurous, outdoorsy energy and excited to connect and go out and explore! 
  • Tools to help you slow down and destress in and out of the bike saddle
  • Deeper connection to yourself through authentic sharing and reflection.

Cycling & Supporting you to Slow Down

I'll take you on a personal journey along the C&O Canal near the Harpers Ferry area, taking in the confluence of the picturesque Potomac & Shenandoah Rivers. As we bike along, we’ll have pause points to authentically connect with new friends and community and find moments of tranquility through tools I teach to help you pause and slow your roll in nature. It’s going to be a soul nourishing, leisurely two hour ride.

Indulging our Senses

Over a delectable vegan lunch of fresh greens with berries and a hearty sandwiches, we’ll indulge our senses and soak in the sun and shade and you'll get to slow down and vibe with fellow outdoorsy gals.


Wet and Wild Rafting 

Then, we’ll get wet and wild on the Shenandoah River as we raft and tackle the rapids surrounded by a guide and boat of all women. You'll return home with your soul enriched, carrying playful memories, and lasting connections with the wonderful people you'll pedal and paddle with.

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS IN:

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What’s Included:

Wet & Wild Rafting: Rafting along the Shenandoah River with tips for our female guides. 

Shifting Gears along the C&O Canal: Guided, leisurely Bike Ride along the C&O Canal to help you slow your roll with guided activities and circle shares to spark a-ha’s led by women, for women! 


Catered Lunch & Non-alcoholic beverage: A vegan lunch, salad and drink prepared by a local restaurant. 

What's Not included:

  • Transportation to and from Harpers Ferry (If you are carpooling, please make arrangements amongst your car splitting costs)

  • Bike and/or helmet rental (That can be arranged with a local outfitter for approx $27)

  • Water shoes or sneakers to raft in

  • Snacks

  • Water

  • Breakfast or Dinner

  • Dry bags to keep your electronics or personal items dry.

  • Other non-included items would include souvenir shopping

Who's guiding you? 

Hey, I'm Ellen Oshinsky, Founder of Circle and Spoke and I can't wait to lead this wet & wild fun in the sun escape. In the words of a "spoker" (member of the Circle and Spoke Community): "Ellen is a creative, fun, and intentional facilitator who helps each rider find balance, confidence, and joy." 

I believe gathering in community is magic. 

Friendships can be sparked when surrounded by likeminded women!

Wonder can be tapped into when in nature! 

Adventure can be unleashed when in the company of supportive community! 

In the spring of 2023, I had a spark of inspiration realizing that I was going to lead a transformational retreat/ride and went from an occasional cyclist to a bikepacking enthusiast and biked from DC to Pittsburgh. My first stop was in Harpers Ferry and I was stunned by the beauty of the rivers, architecture and history. 

I love the outdoors and was an environmental educator with the National Audubon Society, as well as Ski Instructor at Deer Valley Resort. I was recently selected as one of five Wild Gift Fellows in 2024 and am heading on a three week trek of Idaho in the fall.

Can't wait to pedal, paddle and pause with you this July! 

FAQs

What is Circle and Spoke ?

Circle and Spoke empowers women through bike rides and retreats that uplift movement, rest, community and reflection. “Spokers” tap into their inner power and truth to shift gears in and out of the saddle and carry that energy from ride to life.

So this is more than just your typical bike ride and whitewater rafting trip?

Yes! We want you to walk away from Pedal, Paddle & Pause, having made at least one new pal and feeling more grounded! We do this through combining biking and rafting with other activities like guided journaling and sharing circles.

Do I need to wear a helmet to attend this?

Yes! Safety is key and wearing a well fitting bike helmet during the bike ride portion is not only smart, but required to ride with us. If you arrive without a bike helmet or choose not to wear a bike helmet, you will be required to leave without a refund.

Do I need to know how to bike to attend this ride?

This is not a clinic to learn to ride a bicycle. You will need to know how to ride a bike to participate. If you feel rusty and out of balance in the saddle, but know how to ride, that's not a problem!

Can I use an e-bike?

Sure! e-Bike use is permitted, as long as they are pedaled and obey the 15 MPH speed limit. Throttle-only E-Bike use is not permitted. E-Scooters, mopeds, and hover-boards are not permitted.

Are there bikes that are better suited for the C&O Canal?

A hybrid, gravel, or mountain bike will work best. The C&O Canal isn't hilly, however thin tires of road bikes may have difficulty as the path isn't consistently flat, like a paved road. Email us at [email protected] if you have questions.

Fitness spaces can typically center around weight loss and being thin. Will you be centering that?

We believe that all bodies are welcome and should feel a sense of belonging while cycling! This means all bodies. We hope you join us for a ride that's about connecting to a sense of community and adventure that does not focus on weight loss or body size.

What type of pace will you be moving at?

This will be biking at a leisurely pace with plenty of pit stops to keep the group together over the course of 2 hours. This will be a no drop ride, so no fear if you are nervous of being left behind or worry you are holding up the group.... you won't!

Can I rollerblade, skateboard,use a wheelchair, recumbent bike, tandem bike or scooter?

Fellow wheeled forms of transit are welcome to join. You'll just need to supply such gear, know how to ride it and wear a helmet. Please let us know any access needs, so we can do our best to accommodate them both while biking and rafting.

Do you supply the bike?

All participants must supply their own bike and helmet. If you do not have a bike or can't get your bike to Harpers Ferry, a local outfitter can rent you one for approx $27. We can direct you to making that reservation. All expenses for bike/helmet rentals are at the expense of the attendee.

I have specific dietary needs, will you accommodate them?

The lunch that will be served will be vegan. Please email us at [email protected] if you have additional dietary needs and we will do our best to accommodate them.

How do I get to Harpers Ferry?

On Sundays, the MARC and Amtrak Trains won't be able to get you there on time. The best way to get to Harpers Ferry will be via car. If you don't have a car, we'll be creating a Facebook Group to connect with the other women attending, so you can on your own organize carpools. Circle and Spoke isn't liable for any issues or accidents that occur through carpooling.

Please note that your carpool ride may or may not have space for your bike, and you may need to rent one from the outfitter.

Why does this cost so much?

We run immersive experiences and we want you to have an a-ha day filled with connection, a-ha's, joyful movement and rest. This is more than an organized group rafting and bike ride with lunch. We bring the elements of retreat: rest, reflection and community to all that happens over the course of this great escape. If cost is a barrier, email Ellen at [email protected] to discuss options for a payment plan or a sliding scale rate.

Terms & Conditions: 

- All participants must supply their own bike. See registration below if you don't own a bike and aren't sure where to rent one.

-You must ride with a well fitting bike helmet.

-This ride is for women and non-binary folx. Gender is a spectrum and we welcome you to join if you self-identify, as such.

-You must be 21+ older to ride.

- This event starts and ends in Harpers Ferry, WV. You are required to supply your own transportation to and from the event. 

-This event will be happening rain or shine. 

-All participants will be required to fill out a liability waiver & photo release to participate, which will be emailed to you after registering.

-Email [email protected] if you have any questions prior, during or after registration, including requesting to see the liability waiver & photo release in advance of registration.

Cancellation Policy:

If cancellation occurs before June 9, 2024, the full cost of the event minus 10% of the tour cost will be refunded. We reserve the right to cancel the event if it is not meeting the event minimum or due to inclement weather (if we do so your event cost is refunded). All cancellations and any refund requests (refund requests must be made within 30 days of the event) must be made to Circle and Spoke Retreats and Rides LLC in writing to [email protected] .



TicketsPriceFeeQuantity

Ready to Pedal & Paddle (Sold Out)

Sunday, July 14th from 9:30am- 5pm

$185.00$0.00Sold Out
Total: $0.00
$0.00

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