Southeast - Info on Riding in Charlottesville

A buddy and I here in Western Massachusetts are planning a short, late-winter training camp trip of about four days, and one of the destinations we're considering is Charlottesville, VA.

Some questions for anyone who knows:

1) Timing would be first or second week in March, so we know it won't be *warm*, but we're hoping for temps in the 40s at least, and clear roads. Does that sound realistic?

2) Is there any place in the area a small group of between 3-6 folks (and a few bikes) could rent rooms for cheap? We won't do "gross," but we're quite fine with "basic."

3) Any special routes down there that we should know about?

4) Any great bike shops we could contact for further info?

5) If there are any other areas down there we should consider instead, we're happy to know of them.

6) Anything else we ought to know? I've never done a training camp, so we're winging this.

Thanks in advance!!

- BR

http://cvillain.com/2008/06/23/best-bicycle-shop-charlottesville/ This is from a blog that posed your question about a good shop. I am familiar with Blue Wheel, which has been around forever, and have been to the Performance store. Here is a link to the C'ville bike club and their routes. http://cvillebike.com/rides/charlottesville-bicycle-club-has-put-their-road-rides-online The weather could be anything from dead winter to full spring in March. It really depends on the weatherr pattern at the time. Usually he daffodils and redbud trees are beginning to bloom in the first week in April. It's certainly not Massachusetts in March! The elevation can have a significant effect on temperature. The elevation ranges from 400' on the James River to 3000' on the Blue Ridge on Skyline Drive. This link should give you weather forcast and climate info for C'ville. http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=rnk&FcstType=text&site=RNK&map.x=323&map.y=37 Keep in mind that there are the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive just west of C'ville. They are a must, if the weather cooperates.

sirveyir, thanks so much. for some reason, my BF pref's are not being saved and I didn't find your post til just now. Very kind of you! I'll look into those links.

Anyone else out there?

A buddy and I here in Western Massachusetts are planning a short, late-winter training camp trip of about four days, and one of the destinations we're considering is Charlottesville, VA.

Some questions for anyone who knows:

1) Timing would be first or second week in March, so we know it won't be *warm*, but we're hoping for temps in the 40s at least, and clear roads. Does that sound realistic?

Yes. By March there's a good chance it'll be warmer than that.



2) Is there any place in the area a small group of between 3-6 folks (and a few bikes) could rent rooms for cheap? We won't do "gross," but we're quite fine with "basic."

We've had VBF retreats in the cabins at both Douthat and James River State Parks -- very impressive, and inexpensive, with both dorm style and private bedrooms. So the State Parks are definitely worth looking up.



3) Any special routes down there that we should know about?


Take Rt. 250 up Afton Mt. to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive. Don't miss the Bike House and the Cookie Lady, even if she's closed for the winter. There's a great visitors center at 250 snd Skyline Drive, with a jumbo 3D map of the entire region -- great for planning rides.



5) If there are any other areas down there we should consider instead, we're happy to know of them.


Blacksburg has great riding too, maybe better "out your backdoor" riding than Charlottesville, but Charlottesville wins hands-down for culture. It's also 2 hours closer to you.



6) Anything else we ought to know? I've never done a training camp, so we're winging this.


The weather could be winter-like or spring-like, or both, especially up on the Parkway.

I'll have more Charlottesville resources on the VBF site shortly.

mattotoole, thank you for that informative response, very helpful!!

Boston, you've been given pretty good advice already. I live in Williamsburg, bout 120 miles closer to the coast than Charlottesville. March can be anything from full on winter in mountains to springlike and warm...depends on the weather pattern. Would suggest that if you go out to Afton Mountain that you map some back roads, like thru Crozet, to get there, not out 250. There are lots of different routes that will give you some climbing on the way, mostly rural back roads. Two years ago we spent a spring long weekend in C-ville and did 4 days of out and back rides. Lots of possibilities after you spend the 20 to 30 min. getting out of town. We stayed at the Marriott suites between the mall and campus. Very good rooms, covered parking, and good rates. If it were me I would stay close to the center of town. Good luck and have fun.

Bernie

Thanks, Berniebikes! Good info!

Hello, just saw this.
Lot's of good riding, but not so many great routes out of town. If things are quiet, you can head out on 20 south to 53 and ride past Monticello. Most people will then go south from there. 631 Old Lynchburg Rd is a very popular escape route. After that, I would recommend taking Old Ivy to Garth. Garth is busy until you get to Hunt Country Store (where Garth meets Free Union Rd). Ivy (250W) is actually not that bad. Another good ploy is to ride Ivy to either Old Ballard or Broomfield roads.

We have some rides on mapmyride as VACycling. One of my favourites is to take Ivy to Bloomfield to Dick Woods and then onto Batesville store via Miller School. Then take Plank, go across 29S and go home on Old Lynchburg or abbreviate it via Plank to Edge Valley to Taylors Gap to Redhill to Dudley Mountain to Old Lynchburg to home.

I would also highly recommend the ride to Afton. If the weather is good, there is an awesome ride starting from Batesville. Go south into Nelson county towards Wintergreen. Then keep going on 151 until you can take a right that will take you onto 56 and Tyro. Then go up Crabtree Falls highway and take the Parkway back to Reeds Gap. Zip up and descend Reeds back to Wintergreen and eat at Blue Ridge Pig. This is a v. hard ride though. You could start it in Wintergreen if you liked.