 | ||||
October 8, 2011 Appalachian Double Cross 1000KStarts from IHOP in Gainesville, VA @ 4:00 AM. This is a partial reroute from the original course that started at the State Park this allows the riders flexibility of lodging and dining as Manassas/Gainesville offers a multitude of options. The route starts by heading west on VA 55, a scenic byway, through Thoroughfare Gap continuing on to the Plains and Marshall. A few turns on local roads and a return to VA 55 the brevet continues through Markham and Linden before taking Dismal Hollow and Happy Creek Rd to Front Royal. Leaving the control in Front Royal the route follows the Buckhannon 600K to Buckhannon and the first overnight control and drop bag point. Returning to US 33 the route continues westward to Glenville and the Go Mart control. Leaving US 33 for back roads, the route turns northwest and continues the up and downs of the WV highlands to Parkersburg on the Ohio River. After the control at Tim Hortons the route returns on the same roads to Glenville and Buckhannon for the second overnight control and bag drop. The route continues to retrace the Buckhannon 600K to the control in Moorefield where the route changes. Leaving the Moorefield control the route heads eastward on WV 55 to VA where it becomes VA 55. The route continues to the control in Middletown and takes back roads to Dismal Hollow where it rejoins the outbound route and the easy downtrending VA55 to Gainesville.
August 13, 2011 Harrisonburg 300K
Starts from the Southside Diner in Harrisonburg, VA @ 6:00 AM. The following excerpts from quotes by Chip Adams goes a long way in describing this route. "The ride on Saturday was one of the most scenic I've ever been on." " That's right, just over 11,000 feet total (elevation gain). Thanks for not killing us". The Harrisonburg 300K is another brevet that closely follows the route of the Shenandoah 1200K. Beginning from the Southside Diner the route quickly joins the Shenandoah route on VA 42 a Virginia Scenic Byway. The brevet follows the Shenandoah route through Deerfield and Marble Valleys along the Calfpasture River to Goshen. From Goshen the route follows the wild and scenic Maury River with great views of the flowing rocky waterway. Leaving the river the route encounters many rollers with views of the surrounding Mountains as it works its way to the Control in Buchanon. Reversing course in Buchanon the ride leaves the Shenandoah route at Natural Bridge to go to the control in beautiful Buena Vista. Leaving Buena Vista the brevet returns to US 11 and the Shenandoah route for the final 40 mile stretch to the finish at Harrisonburg.
September 10, 2011 Seneca Rocks 400K
Starts from the Super 8 in Front Royal, Va @ 4:00 AM. This new brevet is also expected to be challenging. It starts by winding its way out to Fort Valley with the gentle rollers working its way up Passage Creek at dawn The route turns west and climbs Edinburg Gap, following the Gappitty Gap route to the Lost River control. After the control, the route continues on SR 259 until the turn on Howard Licks Rd which takes the riders through Lost River State Park and over the last mountain to Moorefield, WV. The next 35 miles to Seneca Rocks is mostly flat with lots of views of the mountains and rock outcroppings. After the control the riders enjoy the veiws and flats back to Moorefield before the climbing begins again with the climb over to Lost River and the climbs continue to Virginia. At Edinburg the riders will control and resupply at Bo's Express before the climb over Edinburg Gap and the night ride through Fort Valley to the finish in Front Royal.
September 24, 2011 Heart of the Double Cross 600K
Starts from Super 8 at Front Royal VA @ 5:00 AM. This is also a new brevet expected to be very challenging. The riders will follow the course of the Seneca Rocks 400K to US 33. Turning west on US 33 the route climbs Spruce Mountain to the Eastern Continental Divide. The climbing and decending continues with Rich, Middle, Shavers, and Cheat Mountains before reaching Elkins, WV and a flatter terrain. The route continues west on the old US 33, through the hills of the West Virginia Highlands to Buckhannon and the turn around. The route traces itself back on the same course with an overnight control and bag drop at Super 8 in Elkins, WV. The route continues on through Seneca Rocks to Moorefield and a control at the Sheetz. Reversing from the control, riders climb South Branch Mountain into Lost River State Park. Returning on the same roads to Edinburg and Fort Valley the riders are treated to nice veiws and downward trending terrain to the finish in Front Royal.
August 6, 2011 Gappity Gap 200K
Starts from the Rappahannock Wellness Center on US 211 two miles west of Sperryville, VA @ 7:00 AM. This is a very difficult brevet that climbs five mountain gaps (Thornton, Edith, Edinburg, Wolf, and Mill Gaps) to Lost River, WVA. It then returns over the same five gaps to the start. the total climbing is estimated at 12,000 ft. Plan for a time of 1-2 hours above your times for a "Normal" 200K. There is not really much steep climbing, but a lot of extended climbs of 2-5 miles accompanied by the really nice decents that come on the other side. The scenic views of the Page and Shenandoah Valleys are spectacular.
May 28th Middletown-Roanoke 600K
Starts from Middletown Super 8 @ 5:00 AM. This being the final test for the Shenandoah 1200K the route mimics the Shenandoah. It starts by following the route of the Middletown Harrisonburg 200K. We are once again treated to the views and rollers of Back Road and VA 42. Leaving VA42 at Getz Corner the brevet bypasses Harrisonburg for Singers Glen as it heads south before rejoining VA42 at Mt Solon. Picking up the Harrisonburg 300K route it passes Deerfield and Goshen on its way to the scenic Maury River. Continuing south to Roanoke on US 11 it provides a glimpse of more Shenandoah 1200K terrain on the out and back route. Passing through Beuna Vista for a control before returning to US11 and the sleep control in Raphine. Proceeding north the brevet leaves US 11 for some flattish roads to the east. Once reaching the southern end of Massanutten Mountain, the rollers return as the riders make their way through the towns of Shenandoah and Luray. The steep climb up Edith Gap follows as we enter beautiful Fort Valley. Following Passage Creek downstream is very pleasant as the end draws near. A short stretch on VA 55 to Strasburg and then a run up the Valley Pike and the brevet in finished.
April 30th Leesburg 400K
Starts from the Leesburg Comfort Inn @ 5:00 AM. This ride follows the Shenandoah 1200K course for the first 172 miles before heading back to Leesburg on a route different from the Shenandoah. The route begins with a visit through the historic hamlets of Waterford and Lovettsville before an early morning crossing of the Potomac at New Brunswick. The course then follows MD 17 through Middletown before climbing Spruce Run Road to a ridge on the Catoctin Mountain. After a splendid downhill run to Thurmont the brevet uses US 15 to reach the somber Gettysburg Battlefield with its many memorials to the men who fought and died for our country. Leaving the battlefield there are a few miles of easy riding before the climbing returns with lots of hills on Jacks Mountain Road followed by Harbaugh Valley Rd and finishing with Fort Ritchie Road as the riders climb over the Catoctin Mountains on the way to the Antietam Battlefield with its many memorials. After the control at the Battlefield Market, the riders cross the Potomac and begin the endless rollers of the Shenandoah Valley. Skirting Winchester the views of the Massanutten and Great and Little North Mountains keep the riders attention. Turning east from the control on Cullers Lane, the route passes by the Cedar Creek Battlefield on its way to the low water crossing on the Shenandoah River. Leaving the Valley through Manassas Gap and VA55 the route controls in Marshall, VA before tackling the many steep rollers on its way back to Leesburg.
April 16th Harrisonburg 300K
Starts from the Southside Diner in Harrisonburg, VA @ 6:00 AM. The following excerpts from quotes by Chip Adams goes a long way in describing this route. "The ride on Saturday was one of the most scenic I've ever been on. That's right, just over 11,000 feet total (elevation gain). Thanks for not killing us". The Harrisonburg 300K is another brevet that closely follows the route of the Shenandoah 1200K. Beginning from the Southside Diner the route quickly joins the Shenandoah route on VA 42 a Virginia Scenic Byway. The brevet follows the Shenandoah route through Deerfield and Marble Valleys along the Calfpasture River to Goshen. From Goshen the route follows the wild and scenic Maury River with great views of the flowing rocky waterway. Leaving the river the route encounters many rollers with views of the surrounding Mountains as it works its way to the Control in Buchanon. Reversing course in Buchanon the ride leaves the Shenandoah route at Natural Bridge to go to the control in beautiful Buena Vista. Leaving Buena Vista the brevet returns to US 11 and the Shenandoah route for the final 40 mile stretch to the finish at Harrisonburg.
March 20th Slanesville 200K
Starts from my house at 67 Cullers Lane Strasburg, VA @ 7:00 AM. This brevet takes VA55 over Great North Mountain into West Virginia. After descending to Wardensville the route veers northward to Slanesville passing along side the Cacapon River for several miles before hitting a series of rollers to the control as Slanesville General Store. Returning along the same roads to Wardensville the riders then use Trout Run Road for the climb back to Virginia through Wolf Gap. Continuing to Edinburg for the control at Bo's Express. Reversing course, the route returns to the start on scenic, rolling Back Road.
March 19th Ride Around Massanutten Mountain 200K
Starts from my house at 67 Cullers Lane Strasburg, VA. @ 7:00 AM. This is the first brevet route that I designed when I returned to VA. It is a circumnavigation of Massantten Mountain. The ride begins with half mile climb on Back Road followed by a sweeping roller coaster ride down to the town of Strasburg. After riding through Strasburg and down VA55 to Waterlick, the brevet enters scenic Fort Valley following along Passage Creek. Working its way up the valley to the only major climb at Edith Gap. Upon cresting the Gap, spectacular views of the Page Valley below become visible for the fast descent into Luray. Heading south from Luray magnificent views of the Blue Ridge to the east and Massanutten Mountains on the west take the rider's mind off the many rollers that lead to the southern end of the Massanutten known as The Peak. Returning on Mountain Valley Road, the rollers continue with the Massanutten now on the east and Little North Mountain providing the views to the west. The route connects with the Valley Pike (US11) south of New Market for a long flattish ride through New Market, Mount Jackson, Edinburgh, Woodstock, Maurertown, and Toms Brook before leaving the Pike and returning to Back Road for the final few miles.
