hereandnow

My wife and I (both a fit almost 60ish) live near Richmond, VA and enjoy the benefits of a relaxed, social road cycling club (30-50 miles most of the time). We are now ready to load our bikes and travel to a destination (up to 8 hours (?) away) and join and enjoy some beautiful rides with another club for at least a week or so in a location with a few other vacationy diversions. This time of year heading north makes the most sense but riding in the heat doesn't lessen our joy of riding (preferably) with people, although that's not a firm requirement. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Rage

NYC is opening back up. Maybe a trip to the Big Apple?

themp

The GAP and C&O Canal Path.

https://www.gaptrail.org/

groth

Not too far from you is the W&OD rail trail. It's one of the nicest rail trails I've ever been on! My friend and I tacked on a two day out and back on the W&OD at the end of a week long visit to the Washington/Virginia area in 2019. Here's the photo album. You need to scroll down to get past the other parts of the trip.

This summer (in about a week actually), we're going to do a 4 day out and back on the Erie Canal Trail in NY state and then spend a day circling Skaneateles Lake (also in NY state). Routes around all eleven finger lakes are here.

Have fun!

- Ed

jpescatore

I second the GAP.

But my top suggestion is on the edge your 8 hour range: the Erie Canal Trail. Last month my wife and I used a Christmas present gift certificate from our daughter to do a 3 day weekend in Pittsford, NY just east of Rochester - about a 6 hour drive from here in Maryland. Great riding on the trail or on the roads that NY has marked as bike routes and lots to do in Rochester, Pittsford and adjacent small towns along the canal.

We're driving up to Burlington VT for a wedding and to do some bicycling in that area - another great spot but even further north. We've added a day on the way back to stay in Schenectady NY and do some more riding on the Erie Canal trail around there.

bikemig 

This may be outside your 8 hour window but I love the bike riding in update New York and New England. The Hudson river valley area has some terrific bike riding. Bear Mountain/Harriman State Park is a popular place to ride. Also contact some of the local bike clubs like the mid Hudson bike club. You can also check out the maps and routes from Adventure Cyclist. They have very high quality maps and good routes. It has mapped out loop rides in the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains. Both are terrific places to ride.

indyfabz

Burlington, VT. Likely to be cooler up there. Funky city. Great riding on both sides of the lake. You can cross via a ferry. North Beach is nice for a swim. And, of course, the Island Line Trail that goes out into the lake.