Bedford, Virginia, nestled just off the Blue Ridge Parkway and voted Top Small Adventure Town in both 2020 and 2023, is a wonderful place to explore via bike. Whether you’re looking to challenge yourself on a road cycling route, send it down some singletrack, or take a scenic gravel ride, Bedford has the perfect terrain to suit your adventure.
Singletrack, Gravel, and Road
Bedford County offers over 50 miles of singletrack for mountain biking, with trails that cater to beginners, intermediate flow riders, and advanced technical enthusiasts. Popular spots include Falling Creek Park and Montvale Park, with the Falling Creek Bike Park offering a skills area for all levels and a progressive jump line. New London Tech Trails is one of Bedford County’s newer parks, situated within the New London Business and Technology Center. This distinctive trail system offers 6.5 miles of multi-use trails, primarily machine-cut, across more than 500 acres. Moneta Park and Smith Mountain Lake State Park also feature fun trails that are perfect for the whole family, along with a variety of additional activities.
For gravel riding, the Hairy Roubaix routes, benefiting the local animal shelter, start and finish at The Peaks Retreat and Adventure Center, offering courses with 60-85% gravel. The northern part of the county near Sedalia Center also has great gravel routes. Road cyclists can enjoy the Storming of Thunder Ridge event each May, which includes scenic routes along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The county hosts over a dozen organized races and rides each year, with details available @BedfordOutdoorAdventures on Facebook and Instagram.
Bedford offers a variety of other outdoor activities, including hiking at the Peaks of Otter, disc golf, skateboarding, and water sports at Smith Mountain Lake. Local shops like Blackwater Bike Shop and Play it Again Sports provide the gear you need, while Beale’s Brewery and other eateries throughout Bedford and around Smith Mountain Lake offer great dining options.
