Biking (Mountain)
Echols Dorm: Brick Wall By Side Door
Sherando Lake
This ride is one of my favorites in VA and is considered one of the best climbs in the state, and because it’s a loop it also has an excellent down hill section. This 21 mile loop starts on FS road 42 at 1,595′ elevation, and takes you up to the top of Bald Mountain (3,587′) via a mile long series of switchbacks, then continues down the Blue Ridge Parkway for a few miles to Slacks Mountain. From here the trail drops 1,677′ to Sherando Lake. The scenery throughout the ride is spectacular and the ride itself is quite gruelling, so you should only sign up if you are in good shape. You don’t have to be an intermediate level rider, per se, since you can always walk the difficult sections, but you must to have some prior trail riding experience on a mountain bike with suspension. Be sure to bring plenty of water and sugary snacks.
*If you need a club bike, please secure one before the ride (I can help with that).
Itinerary:
We’ll meet at Echols at 8 and soon hit the road to hopefully be on the trail by 9. Since the ride will be long it is best to eat a nice hearty breakfast and come very well hydrated. Because of the wide range of experience levels from people on the trip, each will ride at their own pace and we’ll have numerous stops to collect the group. I expect the ride to take 4-5 hours, so please bring enough water and food to sustain yourself. After the on-trail portion of the trip we’ll cool off in one of the lakes at the Sherando Lake State Park, then have a short(ish) road ride back to the vehicle(s). Bring some cash to stop for eats on the way home (most likely at Blue Mountain Brewery).
You should NOT sign up unless you have a fair amount of trail riding experience, are in good shape, love aerobic exercise, and are a sucker for punishment. You will be added to the waitlist upon signing up so that I can screen your skills, then moved to the trip list if appropriate. Email or call me with questions, dclark@virginia.edu or 434-962-9737.
The Club Provides: Bikes, spare tubes, helmets, bike transport, ga$
You should bring:
Your bike and helmet, extra tubes, water, water, water, snacks (bring a nice sugary treat to eat at the top of the infamous switchbacks), proper attire (no baggy pants – the chainring will eat them!) rain gear, money, water!!