Hey PhxTen8, I know this is a few weeks old but figured its worth a reply or two in the spirit of getting a few new posts here. I'm in Arlington too. The simplest advice is to head out west and once you get 15 to 20 miles from the beltway opens up a bit.

Rt 50 is a standard bike road, take the Snickersville Pike north from Aldie, it's a nice country road and links up with Rt 7. If you go west on I66 get off onto US55, it's two lanes and parallels 66 without the traffic or trucks.

North of the river it's possible to ride roughly along park land staring in DC with MacArthur Blvd and going out to Great Falls then north to Potomac MD then west on River Rd. In that neck of the woods MD 28 will heads north west to Point of Rocks where it meets US 15, and 15 will take you north to Gettysburg.

Lots more out there of course, take a look at the Harley Davidson ride planner website. It's a great online route builder that will export to a Garmin and has lots of save routes from other riders. One final trick I've found is that on weekday afternoons it's easier to go west in Virginia then cut north into Maryland, near Harpers Ferry for instance, and come back home through Maryland. The traffic just seems to be easiest that way and mostly going the opposite direction I am. If you want more detailed out and back trips let me know.

Mike

 

Last Weekend



This is a nice loop - should be just under 300 miles by the time you get back to Arl.

66W to the second Marshall exit Turn right to RT 55W
Follow 55 west to Wardensville WV. If you like beer there is a nice craft brewery pub in town (Lost River Brewing) Good food and beer. If not continue on 55 (which I believe is now known as 48/55/259) shortly after leaving town you will be on a super slab to nowhere - gorgeous ride no traffic - go about 7 or 8 miles and exit toward Baker (Rt 259 S) follow about 40 miles to Broadway VA (Left on 42 th follow to TImberville and catch the beginning of or Rt 211 East right off RT11. 211 will put you on 29N to 15 N to I66 and back to Arlington.

This was 240 miles from Fairfax so add about 40 more for you.

Chuck

 

bookmarking that ride...

 

Copy and paste this into your web browser. It is a 4 hour route that I do every chance I get. It's my favorite route. On a sunday morning, I leave the house at dawn and can finish this by 1:30PM. At that time, there are few cars and more important, few cops.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...=us&mra=dpe&mrsp=3&sz=13&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9&t=m&z=10&output=classic&dg=feature

 

Add Woodstock Tower road to this loop and you can get in a little gravel for fun.

 

Been off this a bit due to the lack of riding weather. Thanks for those routes. They look great! Has anyone done the Blue Ridge Parkway down to NC? It seems like that would be a scenic route, but I was wondering how the traffic is. If I can ever get a few days off in a row I was thinking of trying it.

 

I think the dig on the blue ridge parkway is speed limit. I think it was even on the Top Gear show that they said the parkway would be the best route in the world, except for the pedestrian speed limit.

I personally have mixed feelings about scenic routes, I just don't feel safe gawking left and right.

Since you're in Arlington, have you shot out west on 50? There's some great easy riding all the way to Winchester through Aldie and Middleburg and there's the snickersville turnpike with the worlds most evil turn at the end.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Snic...&oq=snicker&gl=us&hnear=Snickersville+Turnpike,+Purcellville,+Virginia&t=m&z=18

 

Sadly, a slow speed limit wouldn't matter too much. I have been known to ride with what I call an abundance of caution, but what others call slow as hell. I once got passed on the downhill of the Catalina highway outside Tucson by a bike. And I mean bicycle!

I'll def try getting out of town on 50. Haven't taken that one, but I've ridden to Purcellville. Adroit Theory Brewing Company is out there, and I see there are two others, too!

 

Don't get me started on craft beer. In Leesburg there's a spot called Fireworks pizza (same as the one in arlington) that usually has a solid beer list and great pizza. It's a good stopping point for westward virginia rides. There's also a lot of wineries and other beer options all over the place, but I'm most excited for Farmworks Brewery to open some time this year out in Loudoun County.

 

I haven't been on here in years. A quick day trip to Harpers Ferry is always good. I usually do weekend or 3 day trips to WV. Make sure you check out the SuperCruise in Cumberland Memorial Weekend when you can. Lot's of classic muscle cars. Bring the camera.

 

Did a 2 night cycle camping trip on the Blue Ridge Pkwy a couple weeks ago, and it was great! As I predicted, I rarely exceeded the speed limit, but had plenty of tight turns (I got over for the knee draggers). Got a late start and did some side trips, so I only made it down to MM 100 before I turned back. Def going to plan for a longer trip down it this summer.

One of the best parts was camping at Devil's Backbone Brewery in Nelson county. I had camped there for the VA Craft Beer Festival, but they allow camping there any time. Tried every one of their beers and only had to walk 100 yards to my tent

 

The gas situation seemed a little dodgy though. Does anyone have a good website for gas stations off the BRP?

 

Gas buddy or cheap gas apps usually let you know where the closest gas stations are. From your location

 

I know its a little while for this post BUT if you come up toward me on 15 from where you are (you can hit it a hundred ways just heading west) and work your way up, hit 340 into MD, just after you cross the bridge by Harpers Ferry veer to the right on Keep Tryst Rd until youhit Sandyhook Rd and follow that right along the C&O Canal, follow that until the second road which is Harpers Ferry Rd (cant go wrong, there are ONLY two roads. The first is Hoffmaster Rd if you miss them the road ends in a nice area to take a break) then take a left on Back Rd (it will again take you along the Canal PLUS it is windy and fun), then a right on BullneckRd which will hit Harpers Ferry Rd again, then it gets interesting, you take a left on Harpers Ferry Rd (even though it continues straight also, the intersection is strange), then back to the Canal on Limekiln Rd (which Harpers Ferry Rd becomes) and that will take you several miles until you hit Harpers Ferry Rd again BUT GO STRAIGHT instead of right), it becomes Canal Rd for several miles to Sheperdstown Pike (at Sheperdstown), take a right and it will take you into Sharpsburg where you can tour Anteitam Battlefield (great riding roads through the battlefied), follow 34 to Boonsboro, then you have a huge amount of options as you run in Rt40 in Hagerstown which runs either to 81 or 70. Either way you go is great fast ride home or wherever else you would like to go up north. It is just a couple hour ride but so very nice. From Boonboro there are small roads that lead up into South Mountain Battlefied. Absolutely beutiful with views of the entire valleys on both sides. Take a look at MapQuest, etc., about the route sp you have an idea. You cant get lost unless you want to.
This is where I do most of my riding living up here outside Frederick.

 

Im fairly close to you. If you want to ride let me know. I know plenty of great roads in this area. too bad most are like 2 hours away.