Rode Mount Weather on Sunday

[bluerider]

On Sunday, my brother-in-law, myself, and “Crazy Mountain Bike” Harry attempted and conquered Mount Weather, Virginia. It was 56 miles of hell but a beautiful hell through Virginia wine country. Oh yeah, there was 4,600 feet of elevation change as well. It was one of the toughest rides I have done but it was awesome. I felt good to push myself. We had to wait a few times for “Crazy Mountain Bike” Harry on his hybrid bike but I must admit those rests were sometimes welcome. The ride finished with a cold beer at Forlano’s Market in the Plains. We are planning another ride to Mount Weather in the fall when the colors starts to come out.

To top of Naked Mountain

Here is the Garmin link to the ride.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/215463711

Topic

[creadinger]

Nice! I have yet to try that mountain but it is moving up the list of things I would like to accomplish fast. That and Skyline Drive. Maybe this fall would be a good chance to try it.

[Dirt]

I do like that ride. Looks like you had some weather on Mt. Weather too. Nice ride!

[TwoWheelsDC]

Nice…I may do this next weekend as a sort of trial run for the Civil War Century. I did a similar ride to this in North Carolina earlier this summer and survived okay, but I want to make sure I can get up the mountain with enough energy left for a full century.

[PotomacCyclist]

Did you see Mulder?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Truth_(The_X-Files)#Plot

[bluerider]

@TwoWheelsDC 29455 wrote:

Nice…I may do this next weekend as a sort of trial run for the Civil War Century. I did a similar ride to this in North Carolina earlier this summer and survived okay, but I want to make sure I can get up the mountain with enough energy left for a full century.

That was our logic as well. We are doing the Civil War Century in a few weeks as well.

[creadinger]

Huh, why don’t you guys sign up for the Civil War Tour by the DC Randonneurs? It’s the same day, and the cost is only $10, plus $5 or $10 for joining the Randonneurs club for the year.

AND it’s not only cheaper, but you get 25 extra miles absolutely FREE! I wonder if our routes cross at any point? Likely at Antietam and Gettysburg I guess.

[consularrider]

@creadinger 29461 wrote:

Huh, why don’t you guys sign up for the Civil War Tour by the DC Randonneurs? It’s the same day, and the cost is only $10, plus $5 or $10 for joining the Randonneurs club for the year.

AND it’s not only cheaper, but you get 25 extra miles absolutely FREE! I wonder if our routes cross at any point? Likely at Antietam and Gettysburg I guess.

Only if the ride start and end is in the immediate DC area.

[creadinger]

It’s closer than the Civil War Century. That starts in Thurmont. the Civil War Tour starts in Frederick.

[Certifried]

I spent a few days once at Mt Weather. Very interesting place. 😎

thanks for posting the route, I just saved it! Now hopefully I’ll get a chance to ride it

[mstone]

How rideable are the roads out there? I’ve been thinking about putting together an overnight at sky meadows from a trip out the w&od but haven’t looked hard at the routing yet.

[bluerider]

@Certifried 29466 wrote:

I spent a few days once at Mt Weather. Very interesting place. 😎

thanks for posting the route, I just saved it! Now hopefully I’ll get a chance to ride it

Certified,
Be careful with the route. Somehow we ended up on I-66 for a short period of time which I really do not recommend. Make sure you research a route to get you from Va-688 (Leeds Manor Road) back to Marshall without getting on I-66. DO NOT ASSUME that Va-55 will do it for you. That was our mistake and a horrible one. Feel free to use the route but I do not advocate for following it towards the end. I just checked, you want take Grove Lane once you hit Winchester Road. Then take Grove Lane back into Marshall to avoid riding on I-66 which was suicide. We actually got busted by the cops for doing it and got a police escort back up to the Marshall exit about a mile up the road.

[Certifried]

@bluerider 29469 wrote:

Certified,
Be careful with the route. Somehow we ended up on I-66 for a short period of time

😮

I didn’t notice that, but would definitely not have gone on to I-66 for any reason. I even try to avoid it in my car! Glad you all made it safely off.

I’d have to edit the route anyways to start from my buddy’s house in Hamilton, which would be a great start point to the ride. This new Jamis I have is just blowing my socks off on how easy it is to ride. I almost have the mind to figure out a 2 day version and camp up there somewhere.

[bluerider]

@mstone 29467 wrote:

How rideable are the roads out there? I’ve been thinking about putting together an overnight at sky meadows from a trip out the w&od but haven’t looked hard at the routing yet.

The roads are very rideable. For the most part, very little traffic, mostly on rural roads. It is very hilly. Lots of rolling hills but also a few steep sustained climbs at up to 8% grade. With the exception of a short ride on Va-17 and the totally avoidable and highly not recommended ride on I-66 (see post above, take Grove Lane back to Marshall), it very beautiful and rideable.

[bluerider]

@Certifried 29473 wrote:

😮

I didn’t notice that, but would definitely not have gone on to I-66 for any reason. I even try to avoid it in my car! Glad you all made it safely off.

I’d have to edit the route anyways to start from my buddy’s house in Hamilton, which would be a great start point to the ride. This new Jamis I have is just blowing my socks off on how easy it is to ride. I almost have the mind to figure out a 2 day version and camp up there somewhere.

Hey Certified,
I edited the course to take the correct road. If you compare the two, you will see the difference. Just go to the end of the course and back track out of Marshall along Grove Lane and you will see how easy it is to end up on I-66. There are no signs to alert to this hazard. FOR EVERYONE INTERESTED IN THIS RIDE, PLEASE USE THIS COURSE TO KEEP YOU OFF I-66.

http://connect.garmin.com/course/1975888

[bluerider]

Hey Certified,
I edited the course to take the correct road. If you compare the two, you will see the difference. Just go to the end of the course and back track out of Marshall along Grove Lane and you will see how easy it is to end up on I-66. There are no signs to alert to this hazard. FOR EVERYONE INTERESTED IN THIS RIDE, PLEASE USE THIS COURSE TO KEEP YOU OFF I-66.

Had to make another edit, Garmin didn’t like something. Fixed now.

http://connect.garmin.com/course/1975888

[Author]

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