Help me give my husband and friend a nice xmas bike ride gift overnight – where??

[wifeofbiker]

So, I’d love to give my husband and friend some time together – it can be now, or more likely, in more temperate weather. We live in DC, and I’m thinking of a nice ride (30-50 miles a day) that they could do overnight which would include a stop somewhere I could pay for a hotel and a dinner out. I have no idea where to organize it for though and what a nice ride might be. They could always drive there to start if need be. Thoughts???

Topic

[KLizotte]

The Washington and Old Dominion bike trail first comes to mind. It is 44 miles long from its start in Arlington (Shirlington neighborhood) and goes out to Purcellville, VA. They could ride to Purcellville then turn around and stay in Leesburg, VA. There is very little to see or do in Purcellville but Leesburg is a small tourist town with restaurants/bars/cafes. There are hotels in the area and a B&B that is located just a few blocks away from the trail. Of course your husband and friend may have already done this trail many times.

It would help the forum if you provided more background on their riding styles (e.g., road or mountain bikes, how far do they ride now on a given day, etc).

Sounds like a nice gift!

[CCrew]

There’s also the C&O canal. It s about on your long side of 50 miles, but out, spend the night in Harpers Ferry and browse the town, then back makes for a nice trip also.

I’ll second KLizotte’s sentiment on supplying us some more bike and riding style info then the good folks here can home in on what’s probably most appropriate.

Great thought for a gift.

[vadccommuter]

great routes through out VA. some are on trails and others are designed by you/biker. either way, i am sure he will have a great ride.

[culimerc]

The C&O continues on thru Shepardstown WVA, if Harpers Ferry isnt far enough, all the way up to Cumberland gap and on into Pittsburgh (via the Great Allegheny Passage). Lots of options and distances, its all upto you. The C&O is 184 end to end, and the GAP is 385 from DC to Pittsburgh, with easy stops along the way.

[MCL1981]

Also bear in mind the C&O is a dirt/clay/stone path. This may or may not be a problem depending on your bike/equipment and how desensitized your backside is.

[wifeofbiker]

So, since we’ve had two little kids, he doesn’t get out to ride as much as he would like anymore. I think more than 50 miles in a day might be too much at this point. Generally, something scenic would be nice. Both he and his friend have road bikes, though we have a good hybrid as well. As an aside, to make it a more interesting trip and not something he has done a lot (from inside the beltway to Fairfax is a route he knows well), I have heard that Cumberland is beautiful but know little about the trails. I would be totally open to having them rent the type of bikes they need, but I also would like it be the type of ride where he and his friend could talk along the way – part of the purpose of the gift is just to get away with a friend. I know there are outfitters who could drive them to a dropoff point or pick them up, and I’m totally open to that too. Any suggestions for a good place for friends to ride, stay and dine a bit farther out (of course, in more temperate weather)? Maybe that’s the way to go…

Thanks!

[wifeofbiker]

And Shepherdstown/Harpers Ferry are also nice points to stop at as well…..so any suggestions about trails (again, ones that would provide the ability to talk and ride) or outfitters who could help them out are much appreciated!

[justasaintz]

Off the ones I know, C&O is the best bet. During this time, there are hardly any walkers/joggers (compared to summers) and gives them ample space to bike side by side. Not to mention that its scenic too.

But, I think the trail is most comfortable on either a hybrid or a mountain bike.

[adamx]

this is a great idea but you might want to consider letting him and his buddy select their ride and venue. They’ve got the road bikes so why rent and they’d probably prefer riding on bikes they know. Suggest giving him a card informing of your offer and let them decide where and when to go. an overnight ‘ride’ requires carrying supplies with them on the bike and they may not want to do that. a drive to start and road ride and then relaxed dinner and another ride the next morning before heading home would be pretty nice. you might select an area like (is it) St Elizabeth on the eastern shore but they might find that a littly to cozy and romantic…haha! there are nice rail trails in PA, DE, MD…maybe they can find a nice paved trail http://www.railstotrails.org. good luck.

[americancyclo]

I think you’ve got a great idea. My wife surprised me with registration to a century ride this year, and also convinced a good friend of mine to fly out from California. It was a great surprise. If he’s familiar with the areas around here, what about Charlottesville, VA. There are some decent places to eat, and tons of good riding in the hills around Skyline and Shenandoah.

[Rootchopper]

If you are willing to wait a few months, you could give them a ride on the Erie Canal. The section between Lockport and Rochester is beautiful and, of course, flat.

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