Fifty Plus (50+) - Saturday In and Around Skyline

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View Full Version : Saturday In and Around Skyline

JimF22003
06-01-09, 04:49 AM
After training for and completing the Mountains of Misery (http://www.cyclingdoubleheader.com/mountains-of-misery) ride last week, I wanted to do a little more climbing this weekend before my limited climbing ability completely atrophies. I pieced together a ride from various parts that I've done before, but never all in one day.

I ended up doing a little over 100 miles on a route that circled around the east side of of Shenandoah National Park, up to its highest point, and back up the Shenandoah Valley after crossing Massanutten Mountain.

Here is a complete slideshow of the ride: http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/JimF22003/May31_Piedmont_Skyline_FortValley/?albumview=slideshow

Here is the route: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/va/front%20royal/436124376036667745

I parked at the entrance to Skyline Drive, but didn't head in. Instead I headed out of Front Royal, up route 522 over the Chester Gap.

Skyline Start:
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/JimF22003/May31_Piedmont_Skyline_FortValley/2009_05_31001.jpg

Heading over Chester Gap:
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/JimF22003/May31_Piedmont_Skyline_FortValley/2009_05_31007.jpg

A bit of that, and then took some pretty back roads into Washington, VA:
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/JimF22003/May31_Piedmont_Skyline_FortValley/2009_05_31013.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/JimF22003/May31_Piedmont_Skyline_FortValley/2009_05_31014.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/JimF22003/May31_Piedmont_Skyline_FortValley/2009_05_31025.jpg

After that it was a 5-mile ride on Rt 211 into Sperryville, a town just outside the SNP, elevation around 700 feet or so:
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/JimF22003/May31_Piedmont_Skyline_FortValley/2009_05_31027.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/JimF22003/May31_Piedmont_Skyline_FortValley/2009_05_31030.jpg

JimF22003
06-01-09, 04:50 AM
Where I turn around:
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/JimF22003/May31_Piedmont_Skyline_FortValley/2009_05_31068.jpg

Then I had a nice twisty safe descent out of the park:
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/JimF22003/May31_Piedmont_Skyline_FortValley/2009_05_31069.jpg

Then next big climb was over Massanutten Mountain coming out of Luray. Here you can get an idea of the grade:
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/JimF22003/May31_Piedmont_Skyline_FortValley/2009_05_31102.jpg

Finally a cruise in on Fort Valley Road:
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/JimF22003/May31_Piedmont_Skyline_FortValley/2009_05_31125.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/JimF22003/May31_Piedmont_Skyline_FortValley/2009_05_31127.jpg

Through the George Washington National Forest, crossing Passage Creek:
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/JimF22003/May31_Piedmont_Skyline_FortValley/2009_05_31155.jpg

Across the Shenandoah, and back:
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/JimF22003/May31_Piedmont_Skyline_FortValley/2009_05_31162.jpg

A great day, a great ride, and hope you enjoyed the show!
cyclinfool
06-01-09, 06:16 AM
Great pics - thanks.
I've spent a lot of time in them thar hills.
I would ride from Simmons gap to Skyland through Big Meadows quite a bit - many years ago...
Great scenery - great ride!

AdrianL
06-01-09, 07:25 AM
Great pics of a great ride. That is really pretty country.

I loved the picture of the store selling "Antique Tables" - "Made Daily". That's funny.
The Smokester
06-01-09, 08:03 AM
Great looking ride. How much climbing?
rdtompki
06-01-09, 08:43 AM
Great ride in gorgeous country. Haven't been on that road since I was a kid some 55 years ago.
JimF22003
06-01-09, 01:05 PM
Looks like I left off some of the nicest pictures when I copied this in from the Road Bikes forum. I encourage you to view the photobucket slideshow if you're interest :)

SportTracks claiming it was about 7500 feet of climbing. Felt like more to me...