Foo - Blacksburg VA

Anyone been? How did you like it?

My experience is pretty limited and not current, but it's a great region with beautiful scenery. Typical college town in most ways last time I was there, but I'm sure it's grown. I judged an ROTC Drill competition there years ago, but otherwise it's been just pass through.

think mountains, Massenhutten Hoo Ha, great XC. Think Virginia Tech (and, alas, campus security question?)

IMO it offers some of the best riding anywhere in the country for both road and mountain biking. A short ride will take you to miles of killer single track and you can leave out your door and be on beautiful quite country roads. You can pretty much ride year round except for a few days of icy roads and sub 20's temperatures. There is a local group of riders that train regularly including mock races with pro/1's to cat 5's. The collegiate team is kicking some a22 this year as well. A criterium is planned for July 6th.

Whoa whoa whoa! Totally not expecting to see a thread like this! :)

Great riding, all year round. I'm very thankful when I'm riding both roads and mountain out of town that I learned how to ride here. Traffic is pretty bike-friendly too. More so than most of the cops. :P

What's bringing you to Blacksburg?

I grew up in Northern Va, spent many years in the BSA, so spent much time camping all over Va, and Md.
Blacksburg is gorgeous.

So is Colonial Williamsburg if you get the chance to tour that area.. It's fantastic.

Whoa whoa whoa! Totally not expecting to see a thread like this! :)

Great riding, all year round. I'm very thankful when I'm riding both roads and mountain out of town that I learned how to ride here. Traffic is pretty bike-friendly too. More so than most of the cops. :P

What's bringing you to Blacksburg?


I got accepted into Virginia Tech. Can't wait to visit I believe for their "Hokie Fest" day on April 12th. What is the best place to drive in from? Charlotte came to mind, but what about Richmond or DC? Also is there any decent grocery stores, say equivalent to Whole Foods, or better yet, local farmer's markets? What about jobs?

University of Tennessee was my top choice. I visited it last Tuesday and Knoxville was great, though when I got back, I saw I was accepted to VT :)

my EE and English degrees are from VPI (Tech). It's a massive campus. Has it's own airstrip :)
Plenty of grocery stores. Not sure about the best way to fly in since I lived in state anyway and just drove from NoVa.

I lived within biking distance of GMU.

I got accepted into Virginia Tech. Can't wait to visit I believe for their "Hokie Fest" day on April 12th. What is the best place to drive in from? Charlotte came to mind, but what about Richmond or DC? Also is there any decent grocery stores, say equivalent to Whole Foods, or better yet, local farmer's markets? What about jobs?

University of Tennessee was my top choice. I visited it last Tuesday and Knoxville was great, though when I got back, I saw I was accepted to VT :)

If you are talking about driving from an airport then Roanoke would be your best bet. Air fair is typically more expensive to and from ROA but it's such an easy drive and small airport it often makes it worth it. In fact there is a bus (http://www.smartwaybus.com/) you can take to Bburg for like 5 bucks or something. Next I would say Greensboro - 2.5hrs and Charlotte - 3hrs. I'd avoid Richmond and by all means don't drive from DC.

Be forewarned there are no big city type amenities in the Blacksburg area. There is however a small farmers market, reasonable international food market, and a few other speciality places like a Halal market. For whole food type stores you would have to go up to Roanoke which really isn't all that far and that bus may even stop there.

Jobs are hard to come by but every once and awhile I see a help wanted sign. It's a place in transition so when seniors leave the employment spikes a bit.

It's a massive campus. Has it's own airstrip :)


Which they are expanding. And you forgot to mention they have there own golf course too ;)

If you like fishing, the New River a little to the west of there is a great smallmouth bass river.

You do know what a hokie is though right?

I got accepted into Virginia Tech.

Congratulations!!! Blacksburg was great for biking back in the early 80's. My son will be there next year. He runs mostly though. Still he has no car so someone may have to take him and pick him up. I need a new rack ;)

The hills are great both on and off road.

BS ChE '84

Congratulations!!! Blacksburg was great fro bike back in the early 80's. My son will be there next year. He runs mostly though. Still he has no car so someone may have to take him and pick him up. I need a new rack ;)

The hills are great both on and off road.

BS ChE '84

Oh, maybe I'll see him around ha. You do mean next year as in this august?

Oh, maybe I'll see him around ha. You do mean next year as in this august?

Funny, I'm going to Tech next year too, BTW.

This is getting kinda weird.:p BikeForums group ride this fall for the incoming freshmen that will read this thread?

I vacationed in Virginia twice, both times in Williamsburg. I visited Northern Virginia, particularly blue ridge mountain area, and it was nothing short of beautiful.

Funny, I'm going to Tech next year too, BTW.

This is getting kinda weird.:p BikeForums group ride this fall for the incoming freshmen that will read this thread?

Haha, see you there!