Skyline Drive and Massanutten by Bike

OVERVIEW

Hello, fellow lovers of the outdoors! I’m a little disappointed in the warm temperatures this winter, but let’s take advantage of that and go for a nice bike ride! The plan is to attempt a ride I mostly completed several years ago, which goes through the northern section of Skyline Drive, then crosses the Shenandoah Valley and climbs Massanutten before going back to the car(s). The trip is around 80 miles with lots and lots of climbing (~6700 ft) and an equal amount of great descending. Please be prepared to ride the entire loop if you sign up; there is a bailout that shaves off a few miles and climbing Massanutten, but I’ve taken it and it isn’t very nice (you ride the remaining half of the loop on a highway through the Shenandoah Valley).

** Right now, it looks like Saturday will be sunny, but I may cancel the trip if it becomes rainy (will update on Friday).

Where: Echols Dorm/Front Royal/Luray
When: Saturday, February 8

REQUIRED READING (it’s not very long):
Our route: https://ridewithgps.com/ambassador_routes/872-sky-mass
The cue sheet for our ride (UVA accounts can view this link, I can directly share it with you too): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hhccpGQ1FAuurAfpYx9HG8RtAkZQ39M7Y0Jxfpye-Jw/edit?usp=sharing
A very similar route (different start location) that has some information about way points, etc: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27887133

Here’s the plan:
6:00 am – meet at Echols dorm, by the side door
6:15 – bikes are loaded up, head out
8:00 – arrive at Front Royal Entrance Station to Shenandoah
8:15 – get ridin’
Lunch and snacks on the way (potential for food in Luray, though I’ll bring a lunch)
3:30 – back at the car(s)
Grab some food on the way back? Just thinking… have you ever eaten a dozen doughnuts at once?
5:30/6:00 – back in Charlottesville

What to bring:
– 2+L of water (we can refill along the ride, but bring enough water to ride for a while without refilling)
– Lunch (or money for lunch) and snacks – if you’re signing up for this, you should have an approximate idea of what you’ll need to eat
– Your bike (the club doesn’t have road bikes)
– A helmet (can borrow from the club): no helmet = I won’t take you on the trip
– Tire repair kit, pump, and tools to fix your bike if it breaks
– A physical or digital version of the cuesheet (see above)
– $5 or SNP pass

I’ll bring for the group:
– A multitool
– A bike pump (works for presta valve)
– Water filter
– First aid kit

Preference off the waitlist will be given for those with National Park passes. My pass will provide entry into Shenandoah for myself and three others.

DRIVER(S) NEEDED: I do not have a car, so without any drivers (who can carry bikes) this trip cannot happen! The drive is about 1 hour, 45 minutes/75 miles away and you will be reimbursed for gas + 50% tip (capped at $20 as always), as well as get priority off the waitlist. Please arrive with a full tank of gas.