Come on take a ride, choo choo ride it.
As July comes to a close and August claims its rightful place on the calendar, we are truly entering the dog days of summer. Hot, humid, and heavy are appropriate adjectives for the season in the mid-Atlantic, but do not let the oppressive weather get the best of you. This is a time to get out and get that wind in your hair, the breeze on your face, and your clips in the pedals. Sure, the uphills may be even more brutal than ever, but the downhills are more glorious than ever as the cool breeze of speed washes over you.
Whether you prefer to shred dirt or asphalt, this weekend is the perfect time to get in the saddle and train for those fall races you signed up for last year and forgot about.
Here are some good options for this weekend:
Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Festival – Saturday, July 28
For over 20 years, this annual ride has guided road cyclists over the beautiful, rolling hills of the Shenandoah Valley. A casual ride, this fundraiser for Our Community Place has rides of 25, 50, and 100 miles to satisfy beginners to experts. All rides emanate from downtown Harrisonburg, so pick your poison and join the peloton.
Ride with the Legend – Saturday, July 28
Abingdon, Va. local Lawrence Dye has ridden over 165,000 miles on the Virginia Creeper Trail in Southwest Virginia, and now you can too. Well, sort of. Although Dye rides the trail almost daily, once a summer, the Virginia Creeper Trail Club celebrates all he has done for the trail with a dedicated ride in his honor. Join the pack and see if you can keep up with this Legend of the Virginia Creeper on the 34-mile trip between Damascus and Whitetop Station.
