Road Rides for Those Who Hate Road Rides

[saxman]

With the wet weather making it tougher to get to the trails, I figured maybe we could compile a list of road rides that are still fun to ride on an MTB. Here are mine to start the list. All of these start at the Damascus Regional Park on Kings Valley Road (off Route 27) in Damascus:

Ride 1: Magruder Branch Trail -- follow the signs...it's a simple out and back, 7.4 miles. The trail is basically a giant funnel, it starts out high, dips down and climbs back up again. It is not heavily utilized, so you can get some speed going. Worst hazard is people who walk their dogs off leash.

Ride 2: Butler's Orchard Loop -- from DRP, continue down Kings Valley until it ends, make left on Founders Way, take to Log House Road, right on Log House. Take to end and make a left on Watkins. Take Watkins to end and make right on Wildcat. Wildcat has a 1 mile descent. At bottom, make right on Davis Mill. Veer right to stay on Davis Mill past Butler's Orchard. Make right on Watkins. First left on Founders, left on Watkins back to DRP (approx 7 miles)

Ride 3: Little Bennett Loop -- from DRP - go back out Kings Valley towards 27. Cross over 27. Make left on Stringtown Road. Follow Stringtown into Clarksburg make right at 4-way stop onto Snowden Farms Parkway (ex-Piedmont Road) and then right onto Burnt Hills Road. Take Burnt Hills to end. Make right on Lewisdale Road. Take Lewisdale Road to end and make right onto Price's Distillery Road. When Price's Distillery makes a hard left to become Johnson Drive, continue straight and go down sharp downhill on Mountain View Road. Take Mountain View to end and make right on Kings Valley Road. Kings Valley Road doglegs at Kingstead Road. Follow Kings Valley back to DRP. (approx 14 miles)

Ride 4: DRP to Sugarloaf Mountain: from DRP - go back out Kings Valley towards 27. Go over 27 and continue on Kings Valley. Make left on Stringtown Road. Follow Stringtown Road into Clarksburg. Make right at Snowden Farm Parkway (ex-Piedmont Road) and take to end. Make left on Clarksburg Road. Make right at traffic light on 355. Follow approx 1 mile to Comus Road. Make left on Comus Road, go over 270. Follow Comus all the way to Sugarloaf Mountain. Bonus points if you climb the mountain! Out and back is approx 27 miles.

[Brizn]

Yo sax, man- in the months to come, i'd be really interested in group riding some of these! Please bookmark the idea.

[jabberwocky]

I'd be interested too.

I given some thought to doing a W&OD ride on a winter weekend. I sometimes do the ride from my place out to Purcellville (where the trail ends) and back, which is an absolutely beautiful 55 mile round trip.

[DKEG]

There is a loop I did years ago that is pretty cool. You can start anywhere along the route. You take The W & OD to Leesburg then rte 15 to white ferry. You cross the Potomac, ride the C & O to Georgetown to the Custis Trail then back on the W & OD. It is about 70 nto 80 miles.

[clockwork13]

I sometimes do the ride from my place out to Purcellville (where the trail ends) and back, which is an absolutely beautiful 55 mile round trip.

I've really wanted to get out and do an extended W&OD venture; would definitely join in if lead.

[jabberwocky]

I've really wanted to get out and do an extended W&OD venture; would definitely join in if lead.Ok, I'll keep that in mind. Mind you, I'm getting on the trail at around mile 18.5 (Fairfax County Parkway), so I'm not riding the whole thing. But the best part is the western half of the trail anyway; road crossings are further apart, the trail is much less busy, and the scenery is fantastic. Squirrel Girl and I did this as an out and back over the summer and it was a lot of fun.

[clockwork13]

But the best part is the western half of the trail anyway; road crossings are further apart, the trail is much less busy, and the scenery is fantastic. Squirrel Girl and I did this as an out and back over the summer and it was a lot of fun.

Sounds like a great time! I'll keep my eyes peeled for a ride.

[CRAIG2]

I'm interested, too. Though, I am NOT in shape for 70+ miles. :D

[jabberwocky]

I'm interested, too. Though, I am NOT in shape for 70+ miles. :DWell, from my back door out to Purcellville and back was somewhere in the vicinity of 56-57 miles. I would probably give people the option of starting at my place, or at one of the lots I pass through (Herndon or the main lot at 28). From 28 out and back would probably only be about 40 miles.

I found the route crashmasta mentioned above on bikewashington (http://bikewashington.org/routes/wodco/wodco.htm). Look interesting. They list it as 75 miles, and a pure road bike may not be fun on the 35 miles of C&O, but I may have to try it sometime.

Sorry about the minor thread hijack, saxman. :)

[dsantinor]

http://jfgorham.home.att.net/fixing_frederick.htm

[Nick]

Here's a good cue sheet that starts and ends at Old Dominion Brewery. It's long and has a good amount of gravel and climbing. Most of the roads are low traffic save for LoDoCo Pkwy. Start early, finish with a beer and burger.

From the pub:
R Guilford Dr
R Beaumeade Cir
R Loudoun Co Pkwy
X Waxpool (625)
S Loudoun Co Pkwy
X Belmont Ridge Rd (659)
S Ryan Rd (772)
L Evergreen Mills Rd (621)
R Fleetwood Rd (g)
X John Mosby Hwy (50)
S Goshen Rd (g)
R Braddock Rd (620) (g)
L New Rd (600)
X James Madison Hwy (15)
S New Rd (becomes Mountain Rd entering Pr Wm Co)
BL Mountain Rd
R Waterfall Rd (601)
R Bull Run Mountain Rd (g)
BR Champe Ford Rd (629) (g)
L John Mosby Hwy (50)
R Aldie Rd (804) or next R Snickersville
R Oatlands Rd (650) (g)
L James Madison Hwy (15)
R Oatlands Mill Rd (650) (g)
L Gleedsville Rd (650) (g)

--- FINISH OPTION 1 (short)
R Masons La
L Evergreen Mills Rd (621)
R Tolbert La
R Sycolin Rd (643) back to Ashburn
-- OR
L Sycolin Rd
R Lawson Rd to W&OD back to Ashburn

--- FINISH OPTION 2
L Gap Rd (g)
R James Madison Hwy (15)
L Hogback Mtn Rd (651) (g)
L Mount Gilead Rd (797) (g)
R Loudoun Orchard Rd (662)
L Shelburne Glebe (729)
R Forest Mills (727) (g)
BR Lincoln Rd (722) (g)
L Lincoln Rd into Purcellville
R Rt 7
R Harmony Church Rd (704)
L Digges Valley Rd (g)
R Camby Rd (662)
X Harmony Church Rd (704)
S Loudoun Orchard Rd (662)
L Loudoun Orchard Rd (662)
L Mount Gilead Rd (797) (g)
L Dunlop Mill Rd (770) (g)
L Harmony Church Rd (704)
R Woodburn Rd (769)
R Dry Mill Rd (699)
R W&OD back to Ashburn

[philman]

Any idea the milage?

[saxman]

Also, in the Adams/Fernandez book "Mountain Bike America - Washington Baltimore" there are a few good road rides in there. I've ridden two of these...the Sugarloaf Road Ride (about 13 miles) and the Balls Bluff Canal ride (around 32 miles), we started at White's Ferry rather than Balls Bluff, though. I've been itching to do the Balls Bluff ride again. The first time I did it, I bonked hard just outside of Dickerson and a friend had to come pick me up. You could have stuck a fork in me because I was done!

[wrench177]

I did this ride earlier this year and it is great. Very scenic, great mix of surfaces and a ferry ride to boot!
http://www.bikewashington.org/routes/doublex/doublex.htm

The bikewashington.org site has a lot of great ideas for people looking to ride. Excellent route descriptions and cue sheets. Actually, I think this is very close to the "Jets & Sharks" ride Darren set up just last week.

Just make sure you bring a buck for the ride back :D

Wrench Out!

[Nick]

Any idea the milage?

I beleive the "short" loop is around 60-65 miles and the long one is about 80-85(?).
Either way it's one of may favorite loops.

[philman]

Cool. Is there enough gravel to bias it towards a 'cross bike?

[Squirrel Girl]

Watch out for Rt 15. That's where those 3 cyclists got run over about 3 years ago.

I pedaled from, I think, Point of Rocks to Harpers Ferry on the C&O with my road bike with 28mm slicks. It'd be better with more robust tires, but you can do it with a road bike.

[saxman]

Just did a road ride past Schaeffer Farms. It was a nice 14 mile loop, with only 995 feet of climbing, so it's pretty mild. All the ones I detailed at the beginning (except the Sugarloaf ride) average at least 100 feet of climbing per mile.

Start: Parking lot at the Soccerplex at the corner of Schaeffer Road and the Park Entrance Road.

Head down Schaeffer Road past Schaeffer Farms
Schaeffer Road to end, right on White Ground Road
First left onto Old Bucklodge Road (no street signs)
Take Old Bucklodge Road to end, make left onto Bucklodge Road
Take Bucklodge Road to end, left on 28
Go on 28, make left on White Ground Road
White Ground Road to Schaeffer Road and make right on Schaeffer
Schaeffer back to the Soccer Plex

Longer loop option

Follow directions as above, except continue on Route 28 to Black Road Road
Left on Black Rock Road
Left on Burdette Lane
Right on Schaeffer Road
Schaeffer Road back to Soccerplex parking.

My goal is to try to keep the rides in the 15 - 30 mile range. I don't think most casual riders could do more than 30 miles in a single sitting. I know I couldn't do 50 - 80 miles.

I do like the Point of Rocks to Harpers Ferry on the C&O. Haven't tried it yet, but looks good on a map. I'm slowly, but surely getting more and more of the C&O down. So far, I've covered Georgetown to Point of Rocks (over the course of multiple rides).

[Nick]

Cool. Is there enough gravel to bias it towards a 'cross bike?
Definately. I'd recommend a cross bike. Bring tubes and review the rt. on map bofore going.

[ridethewomble]

I found the route crashmasta mentioned above on bikewashington. Look interesting. They list it as 75 miles, and a pure road bike may not be fun on the 35 miles of C&O, but I may have to try it sometime.

I just did that ride today (C&O out, W&OD back). It's a good one. I did it on a cross bike with 32mm cross tires -- perfect equipment. The road section from the ferry to Leesburg is no big deal. The ferry access road only gets traffic from the ferry (going toward Leesburg), so if you leave last, and ride at a clip such that you finish the road in two ferry trips, you'll be all by yourself. Rt. 15 used to be scary, scary, scary, but new shoulders and a paved bike trail for part of the way make the ride pretty safe.

Here's a little bit (http://bikecentric.blogspot.com/2006/02/cracking-good-times.html) about the ride from the fine folks at bikecentric.

I did the Jets and Sharks melee last week. That ride is a winner, too.

[Buddylee]

Lets do this ride soon... i'll throw the 25mm soma's on the roadie.

Here's a good cue sheet that starts and ends at Old Dominion Brewery. It's long and has a good amount of gravel and climbing. Most of the roads are low traffic save for LoDoCo Pkwy. Start early, finish with a beer and burger.

From the pub:
R Guilford Dr
R Beaumeade Cir
R Loudoun Co Pkwy
X Waxpool (625)
S Loudoun Co Pkwy
X Belmont Ridge Rd (659)
S Ryan Rd (772)
L Evergreen Mills Rd (621)
R Fleetwood Rd (g)
X John Mosby Hwy (50)
S Goshen Rd (g)
R Braddock Rd (620) (g)
L New Rd (600)
X James Madison Hwy (15)
S New Rd (becomes Mountain Rd entering Pr Wm Co)
BL Mountain Rd
R Waterfall Rd (601)
R Bull Run Mountain Rd (g)
BR Champe Ford Rd (629) (g)
L John Mosby Hwy (50)
R Aldie Rd (804) or next R Snickersville
R Oatlands Rd (650) (g)
L James Madison Hwy (15)
R Oatlands Mill Rd (650) (g)
L Gleedsville Rd (650) (g)

--- FINISH OPTION 1 (short)
R Masons La
L Evergreen Mills Rd (621)
R Tolbert La
R Sycolin Rd (643) back to Ashburn
-- OR
L Sycolin Rd
R Lawson Rd to W&OD back to Ashburn

--- FINISH OPTION 2
L Gap Rd (g)
R James Madison Hwy (15)
L Hogback Mtn Rd (651) (g)
L Mount Gilead Rd (797) (g)
R Loudoun Orchard Rd (662)
L Shelburne Glebe (729)
R Forest Mills (727) (g)
BR Lincoln Rd (722) (g)
L Lincoln Rd into Purcellville
R Rt 7
R Harmony Church Rd (704)
L Digges Valley Rd (g)
R Camby Rd (662)
X Harmony Church Rd (704)
S Loudoun Orchard Rd (662)
L Loudoun Orchard Rd (662)
L Mount Gilead Rd (797) (g)
L Dunlop Mill Rd (770) (g)
L Harmony Church Rd (704)
R Woodburn Rd (769)
R Dry Mill Rd (699)
R W&OD back to Ashburn

[jabberwocky]

I just did that ride today (C&O out, W&OD back). It's a good one. I did it on a cross bike with 32mm cross tires -- perfect equipment. The road section from the ferry to Leesburg is no big deal. The ferry access road only gets traffic from the ferry (going toward Leesburg), so if you leave last, and ride at a clip such that you finish the road in two ferry trips, you'll be all by yourself. Rt. 15 used to be scary, scary, scary, but new shoulders and a paved bike trail for part of the way make the ride pretty safe.

Here's a little bit (http://bikecentric.blogspot.com/2006/02/cracking-good-times.html) about the ride from the fine folks at bikecentric.

I did the Jets and Sharks melee last week. That ride is a winner, too.I'm highly interested in this ride, so any additional details would be great. Were the cross tires you ran knobbies, or semi-slicks? Do you know what the total mileage ended up being? I have a cross bike, but its setup for commuting now (rack, trunk bag & panniers and panaracer Pasela 28mm tires). I'm thinking that I can keep the rack and trunk bag for tool/food/etc. storage and get a set of 32+ semi slicks to handle the C&O. Whatcha think?

[halfinch]

I'm highly interested in this ride, so any additional details would be great. Were the cross tires you ran knobbies, or semi-slicks? Do you know what the total mileage ended up being? I have a cross bike, but its setup for commuting now (rack, trunk bag & panniers and panaracer Pasela 28mm tires). I'm thinking that I can keep the rack and trunk bag for tool/food/etc. storage and get a set of 32+ semi slicks to handle the C&O. Whatcha think?

i've got a set of new kenda 700 x 35's. too big for my frame. let me know if you'd like to put some miles on them.

as for this ride, i'd be game for a go at it.

i rode through fairfax yesteday mixture of pave (70%) / gravel (30%)

fairfax city (mi casa) sneak through the older neighborhoods to old lee highway
old lee to the cct/gravel trail near the home depot (east) cross pickett road (avoid tunnel)
paved trail to cct near nutley street - turn right
cct (south) through wakefield park , under braddock around lake accotink.
take trail out of accotink (danbury forest) to rolling road access road.
left onto rolling road
right onto burke road - to burke lake road
left at burke lake road - burke lake road to 7100
cross 7100 to the paved trail which parallels 7100 - turn left (south)
right turn into the gravel access road to burke lake park
ride around Burke Lake Park
take the 123 paved trail north to braddock road
left onto braddock road to shirley gate road
right at shirley gate road to lee highway
right onto lee highway (east) and back to fairfax city.

no major problems with traffic and there's pretty much an asphalt trail to ride on for most of the way.

[ridethewomble]

I'm highly interested in this ride, so any additional details would be great. Were the cross tires you ran knobbies, or semi-slicks?
I have Ritchey SpeedMax Cross Comps. Knobs on the side, a textured patch in the middle. Sort of a squarish profile. I'm 6'2". 200 lbs., so I think volume is probably the most important characteristic of the tire for me -- I need to protect that rear rim to keep it true. Since the C&O is mostly flat, and there aren't a lot of curves, I think I could get away with a tire that had the volume, but didn't have the knobs. I've heard "C&O in a day" people say the most insidious destroyer of endurance is vibration, so I think the cushioning effect of a little volume is important. When I wear these tires out, I may try some 35's to see what they feel like.
Do you know what the total mileage ended up being?
The ride I did clocked in right around 72 miles. Since the ride is pretty flat, it's easy to dial it back some if you're hurting.
I'm thinking that I can keep the rack and trunk bag for tool/food/etc. storage and get a set of 32+ semi slicks to handle the C&O. Whatcha think?
My old commuter had a rack and semi-slicks, and it handled this ride well during a previous trip. Admittedly, they were big, fat semi-slicks, as it was a rigid steel MTB. On the new bike, the 700x32's were very comfortable, and, like I said, I think the volume was more important than the tread.

One surprisingly cool thing was that it was a little wet on the C&O. Cool, you say? Yeah - it was mostly dry, but the holes had water in them. Since they were muddy, but not too muddy, they were smooth as silk. Had they been dry, they would have been gnarly and rough.

PM me if you want to do the ride some weekend. Edit - err...except for next weekend - I want to go see that cross race at Lake Fairfax Park! :D Of course, if someone cooked up a ride that happened to pause at the race for a couple hours...

[jabberwocky]

i've got a set of new kenda 700 x 35's. too big for my frame. let me know if you'd like to put some miles on them.Which Kendas? My cross bike has discs, so tire clearance is pretty generous.

I have Ritchey SpeedMax Cross Comps. Knobs on the side, a textured patch in the middle. Sort of a squarish profile. I'm 6'2". 200 lbs., so I think volume is probably the most important characteristic of the tire for me -- I need to protect that rear rim to keep it true. Since the C&O is mostly flat, and there aren't a lot of curves, I think I could get away with a tire that had the volume, but didn't have the knobs. I've heard "C&O in a day" people say the most insidious destroyer of endurance is vibration, so I think the cushioning effect of a little volume is important. When I wear these tires out, I may try some 35's to see what they feel like.I was thinking something like the IRC Mythos CX (http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=40729&cat=320&brand=121) would be pretty good. 35mm, semi slick, relatively light. Hopefully wouldn't be excessively slow on the road, and should handle the gravel ok since it does have some tread and decent volume.

PM me if you want to do the ride some weekend.Will do. I need tires first. :)

[ridethewomble]

I was thinking something like the IRC Mythos CX would be pretty good.
Wow. Nice tires. Kevlar bead, moderate volume, and a good-looking tread. Those look like they would be perfect for asphalt / gravel / dirt rides. I may have to give them a try next.

[halfinch]

Which Kendas? My cross bike has discs, so tire clearance is pretty generous.

chris,
they're a set of these (http://cgi.ebay.com/700c-REDLINE-CYCLOCROSS-TIRES-NO-RES_W0QQitemZ290054047456QQihZ019QQ categoryZ42334QQcmdZViewItem)

kenda cross somethings... too big for my frame.

[jabberwocky]

chris,
they're a set of these (http://cgi.ebay.com/700c-REDLINE-CYCLOCROSS-TIRES-NO-RES_W0QQitemZ290054047456QQihZ019QQ categoryZ42334QQcmdZViewItem)

kenda cross somethings... too big for my frame.Thanks, but if I get a set of cross tires, they will be a semi slick of some sort rather than a knobby. I'll probably never use my cross bike for pure off road (thats why I own three mountain bikes :) )

[philman]

Hey Chris

I'd suggest a tire in the 32-35 range with a file tread down the center and cornoring knobs on the sides. The Kenda Quik is good example and it wears forever. If you're on pavement pump it up so your rolling on the center or if your on stone dust or gravel soften it. You'll really appreciate the knobs when you come off the crown of a gravel road at speed. For higher volumn check out the Maxxis Wormdrive in a 42. You can absolutely bomb a potholed downhill gravel road on those suckers. They were the only thing that kept me up with those young studs for a while on the Sharks/Jets ride a couple of weekends ago. Just be sure it will fit between the chainstays. If you're interested you can try my wheel in your frame.

Pat

[jabberwocky]

Hey Chris

I'd suggest a tire in the 32-35 range with a file tread down the center and cornoring knobs on the sides. The Kenda Quik is good example and it wears forever. If you're on pavement pump it up so your rolling on the center or if your on stone dust or gravel soften it. You'll really appreciate the knobs when you come off the crown of a gravel road at speed. For higher volumn check out the Maxxis Wormdrive in a 42. You can absolutely bomb a potholed downhill gravel road on those suckers. They were the only thing that kept me up with those young studs for a while on the Sharks/Jets ride a couple of weekends ago. Just be sure it will fit between the chainstays. If you're interested you can try my wheel in your frame.

PatAwesome Pat, I may give them a try. I checked my frame the other night; it has 28mm tires in it now with a fair bit of room. 42s are probably pushing it, but I think I'll just get a set of those IRC mythos CX's I linked above anyway.