Skyline Drive Shut Down To Motorized Vehicles – 4/23

[TwoWheelsDC]

So that was simultaneously awesome and a straight sufferfest. I got to Skyline HS just before 8am and it was maybe 1/3 full. I’m guessing the weather forecasts over the last week led a lot of people to ditch. Still though, I’d say there were easily a few hundred people. I finished up just before 2pm and there were still a lot of people coming up Dickey Ridge. Had the temps been higher, it would’ve been a perfect day, but descending at 35mph while you’re sweaty in 48 degree temps is suboptimal.

This was my first time riding Skyline Drive and I thought it was great, particularly since there were no cars to worry about. The climbs were challenging, but not brutal, although I was wishing for my gravel bike gearing during the steeper sections. I was glad to be able to use my road bike though, as the Schwalbe One Pros roll FAST and smooth like buttah and curves at top speed never felt sketchy. Descending wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun on gravel tires.

Although this was a basically self-support event, there were a lot of park rangers and volunteers out, and water and restrooms seemed plentiful enough. Overall I was really impressed with how NPS organized everything. Hopefully they do it more often. I got video of most the ride, so maybe I’ll post that later. For now, some pics:

“Traffic”:

Highest point:

Turn-around at Thornton Gap:

[scoot]

Phenomenal day!

I parked at Skyline HS shortly after 8am, rode to 211 and back, returning just after 5pm. Along the way, I was able to enjoy the scenery in solitude at many points on a uniquely serene day without the noise of motor vehicles. I also had the pleasure of conversation with a variety of awesome people, both while climbing together and while stopped at overlooks and waysides. All while adding/removing my insulation layer and zipping/unzipping my jacket regularly to match the terrain.

NPS did a fantastic job managing this. The rangers and volunteers I spoke to near the end of the day were unaware of any collisions, but there had been a number of other incidents that personnel had responded to. They had picked up a couple folks with muscle injuries and mechanical problems, treated several people for hypothermia at Elkwallow (the southbound descent from Hogback was extremely chilly, and some people were dressed for summer riding), and even apprehended people hunting illegally in the park.

Skyline HS and the western edge of Front Royal, viewed from Shenandoah Overlook (MP 2.:
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Elkwallow Wayside taken over by bicyclists:
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Barrier at southern end of event:
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Crossed to the south side of the bridge over US-211:
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After climbing Hogback on the northbound return:
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[scoot]

And the most important point: if we want to “Ride The Drive” again without motorized traffic, we need to provide a lot of positive feedback to NPS.

Did you have a great time riding yesterday without car traffic? Do you have any suggestions for how NPS could improve this event? Did you not make it but want to try this another day? (Attendance was much lower than signups, possibly because of the rainy forecast that didn’t pan out.)

Let them know how awesome this idea is by using the email link at https://www.nps.gov/shen/contacts.htm

I heard that they did receive some negative feedback from motorists who were turned away. Some with lifetime National Park passes were especially upset.

I also heard that the mayor of Front Royal was not especially enthusiastic about supporting the event, and he could use some gratitude regarding provision of their facilities for parking as well as encouragement from any cyclists who spent money in town.

[vvill]

Looks awesome – wish I could’ve gone.

[huskerdont]

Like Scoot, I have a pic at mile post 21:

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Unlike Scoot and some others, I turned around at Mile 30, thinking that was practically 211 when it’s really about a mile short (I hold my manhood cheap):

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Coupla pics of me and Judd and Komorebi, who agreed to let me tag along.

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[Judd]

@huskerdont 158951 wrote:

Like Scoot, I have a pic at mile post 21:

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Unlike Scoot and some others, I turned around at Mile 30, thinking that was practically 211 when it’s really about a mile short (I hold my manhood cheap):

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Coupla pics of me and Judd and Komorebi, who agreed to let me tag along.

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The best picture is the one showing that we climbed above the freaking clouds.

Lots of fun trying to keep up with husker. I also saw Ricky, Rimas, and Amy Parker along the way. Looks like I missed several other people I know well from the Strava flybys. This was definitely the most sustained climbing that I’ve ever done and although it was difficult, getting to descend for nearly 6 miles at the end made all of the effort worth it.

[ginacico]

@AFHokie 158910 wrote:

Hate to say it, but knee issues have me out. Have fun tomorrow everyone

Solidarity! I’ve been coping with a torn meniscus, actually tried to ride yesterday, and bailed before I got to Dickey Ridge. Peter went on, while I went for a walking tour in Front Royal (after sobbing in the parking lot — okay, not really, but I kinda wanted to). Thinking that arthroscopic surgery just might be the faster way to recovery, though I’ve been avoiding it and just doing PT until now. Hope you figure out what’s going on and find the path to feeling better.

The first climb wasn’t awful, but had I taken my road bike I wouldn’t have just been grinding uphill in the lowest gear. Not sustainable on sore knees.

NPS did a bang-up job, the rangers were super friendly and supportive. And since we did visit a bookstore, had excellent brews at the Beer Museum, dinner at a restaurant, and ice cream cones, the mayor of Front Royal will get my thanks as well.

[huskerdont]

@ginacico 158957 wrote:

Solidarity! I’ve been coping with a torn meniscus, actually tried to ride yesterday, and bailed before I got to Dickey Ridge. Peter went on, while I went for a walking tour in Front Royal (after sobbing in the parking lot — okay, not really, but I kinda wanted to). Thinking that arthroscopic surgery just might be the faster way to recovery, though I’ve been avoiding it and just doing PT until now.

Bummer about the meniscus. For what it’s worth, I had a piece of my meniscus removed that looked like a fricken’ garlic clove and was riding to work in less than a week (okay, that was under the time the doctor recommended, but after one Metro ride/taxi ride combination, I was ready to ride, and it really was fine). The pain was gawdawful prior to surgery, and completely manageable afterward.

[Lt. Dan]

Definitely a memorable experience!!! I started from Front Royal right at 8am. After a bit of confusion about registration, I ended up being the only person from my group to make the trek out. I WAS disappointed to find that there was nobody checking registration at the entrance.

I have never done that much climbing in one effort before, and my legs were definitely shouting at me! Going from trying to stay cool on the climbs, to shivering on the downhills was something else.. hahahaa… I finally threw in the towel and turned around after I reached Hogback- Just didn’t want to risk gassing out on the return leg since I didn’t have anything else to eat. But if they do it again, I guarantee you I’ll be there!!! 5300 feet of climbing yesterday!!
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[TwoWheelsDC]

@Lt. Dan 158964 wrote:

I WAS disappointed to find that there was nobody checking registration at the entrance.

They definitely made me show my registration at the parking lot at Skyline HS, and my understanding was that registration was only required to use the designated parking areas. If you parked somewhere else, there was no need for any kind of registration.

[creadinger]

@Judd 158956 wrote:

This was definitely the most sustained climbing that I’ve ever done and although it was difficult, getting to descend for nearly 6 miles at the end made all of the effort worth it.

All those laps at HP didn’t help at all?

[KLizotte]

@scoot 158948 wrote:

And the most important point: if we want to “Ride The Drive” again without motorized traffic, we need to provide a lot of positive feedback to NPS.

Did you have a great time riding yesterday without car traffic? Do you have any suggestions for how NPS could improve this event? Did you not make it but want to try this another day? (Attendance was much lower than signups, possibly because of the rainy forecast that didn’t pan out.)

Let them know how awesome this idea is by using the email link at https://www.nps.gov/shen/contacts.htm

I heard that they did receive some negative feedback from motorists who were turned away. Some with lifetime National Park passes were especially upset.

I also heard that the mayor of Front Royal was not especially enthusiastic about supporting the event, and he could use some gratitude regarding provision of their facilities for parking as well as encouragement from any cyclists who spent money in town.

You can also post positive comments at their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/shenandoahnps/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf

I bet a lot of the people complaining about closing some of the Drive down to cars are the same folks who happily come into DC for events like the Marine Corps Marathon, parades, inauguration, etc. all of which shut down roads to the locals and tourists. Sigh.

[Lt. Dan]

@TwoWheelsDC 158968 wrote:

They definitely made me show my registration at the parking lot at Skyline HS, and my understanding was that registration was only required to use the designated parking areas. If you parked somewhere else, there was no need for any kind of registration.

Yup, I originally went to Skyline HS to park, and was turned away because I didn’t choose the parking option. But they said on the facebook page, and in the e-mail that registration for the event was required:

“Participants must have registered for the event and have a valid ticket. Due to limited resources and a high volume of participants, registration is closed. We will not accept any additional participants.

Please bring a printed copy of your ticket/registration info. Cell service is not reliable in Shenandoah National Park. “

[KLizotte]

I suspect they didn’t bother checking registrations since the weather was poor. They probably figured half the people registered wouldn’t show up which appears to be the case.

[Judd]

@creadinger 158973 wrote:

All those laps at HP didn’t help at all?

The HP laps turned the impossible into just being difficult. It also helped that I flawlessly executed my plan of tucking in behind huskerdont. Old guys with bad knees make the best domestiques. Komorebi was also kind enough to throw my winter gloves and my wool base layer into her bag when I realized that I was ridiculously overdressed two miles into the first climb.

The cardio part of the climbing wasn’t really difficult. Some periods of mild panting. It was much more like endurance weight lifting and I was glad that there the nice views gave a good excuse to stop and take a rest mid-climb. I don’t ride hills much except for going up the hill at the Air Force Monument on the way home everyday, so I thought I handled the climbing pretty well. I’m also slightly over 200 pounds so I have some extra mass to pull up the hills.

[Author]

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