A good reason to ride to Purcellville on the W&OD

[acc]

You’ve seen them standing around at the trail’s end in Purcellville, hot and tired cyclists listlessly chewing on energy bars and drinking tepid water as they gather their fortitude for the long slog back towards home on the W&OD. If they only lifted their heads up and over the small outbuilding they’d discover an oasis of food and beer at Magnolia’s http://magnoliasmill.com/Gallery.php

Because I believe in hands-on research, I rode up to Purcellville on New Year’s Eve to taste for myself. In the name of quality assurance I tested the Allagash White Wheat Ale just to be sure I could give an informed opinion. It was sublime. If you don’t care for that, they have forty other varieties. The food is good too.

In the summer months they open up the patio. I’ll have to go back to try it out.

Happy New Year,
ann

Topic

[creadinger]

Wow, thanks for all of the great ideas for stopping places! This is such a good idea, I can’t believe I haven’t done this before. I’ve been out to P-ville at least a dozen times but I usually only stop at 7-11s and Quiznos. I already suggested to me wife we make an overnight trip out to P-ville this spring eating lots of good food on the way. It looks like the only places to stay are B&Bs a few miles from the town center, but that’s ok. Taking the ferry on the way back to Poolesville could add a bit of excitement as well.

[JimF22003]

If you’re going as far as Purcellville, and if you still have a little gas in the legs and the time, there are tons of places to ride in that vicinity. I suggest a ride out to Bluemont for sure. You’ll see lots of other riders on Snickersville Turnpike and environs. Round Hill to Hillsboro and back to Purcellville on Hillsboro Rd. is a nice little loop. The roads are a lot hillier than the trail, but variety is the spice of life

[vvill]

@KLizotte 12644 wrote:

The only reason I’ve even *heard* of Purcellville is because of the WO&D. The only reason I would *visit* Purcellville is because of the WO&D.

No bike, no visit – simple as that.

Same here.

@JimF22003 12667 wrote:

If you’re going as far as Purcellville, and if you still have a little gas in the legs and the time, there are tons of places to ride in that vicinity. I suggest a ride out to Bluemont for sure. You’ll see lots of other riders on Snickersville Turnpike and environs. Round Hill to Hillsboro and back to Purcellville on Hillsboro Rd. is a nice little loop. The roads are a lot hillier than the trail, but variety is the spice of life

Sounds good to me. Any route maps?

[KS1G]

For Bluemont, I don’t think you really need one – take one of the roads heading south out of Purcelville to Snickersville Pike & head west. S 32nd/Sillcott Springs Rd would work. Just remember what goes down is “up” for the way home. (And visa versa) There is a nice little general store in Bluemont that is bike-friendly (especially on warmer days when you can sit out on the deck). You can continue up the hill and via Rt 9 to get to Mt Weather if you want some serious climbing and a view.

I’d have never found out about Catoctin Creek Distillery (need to visit there sometime – but I’ll need a way to carry product home) but for this list, and I discovered several Loudoun County wineries thanks to various bike rids and events. If you find some old cues for Reston Century, MS150, Tour de Cure, they all cover various pieces of western Loudoun. ALso many routes in the PPTC library.

[acc]

What’s the point of riding if all you eat are those hideous biscuits or disgusting gels? Neither of those things are enough to motivate me to get my rear in the saddle. I’d rather stay at home and lick the hardwood floor. At least there might be some stray smudge of grape jelly.

It’s good to have friends who like to eat and know the local geography. Yesterday I stumbled into South Street Under in Leesburg, two blocks off the W&OD at Harrison Street. http://southstreetunder.com/

Homemade breads. Homemade soups. Homemade ice cream. *Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies* Did I mention they make all of this on the premises? And best of all there is plenty of bike parking, and it’s counter service and casual.

It was worth 50 miles.

Happy trails,
ann

[consularrider]

What time were you there? I was at the Doner Bistro as my turnaround point from 1:30 to 2:00 pm before heading back to Arlington. What a beautiful day to ride it was!

[acc]

Geez, I was there for a long time. Probably 12:30-2:00, I was catching up with a girlfriend I don’t see very often.
Huh.

Ann

[Author]

Replies