Rideworthy side destinations between NYC and Mt Mitchell

[velofinds]

All- what are some potential rideworthy side destinations between NYC and Mt Mitchell (if one were to stop somewhere roughly halfway, let's say)? Looking at a map, I-81 cuts between the George Washington and Shenandoah National Parks/Forests so there must be plenty, but what would be one or two good ones if on a limited schedule? Road cycling (paved) routes in the 40-60mi range with 4-6k feet of climbing would be ideal- in other words, a half day of riding, more or less, as opposed to a full day. Thanks!

[velofinds]

Partially answering my own question:

A Skyline Drive out-and-back looks like it could be one:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/1114301

The route from the Cheat Mountain Challenge could be another, though it's a little out of the way (i.e., far from I-81). I would also need to figure out a way to trim this down by approximately half:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12906969

Open to ideas/suggestions.

[OtayBW]

The Mountains of Misery ride out of Newport, VA (west of Blacksburg) goes through some of the purtiest country in SW VA - especially the John's Creek Valley between NewCastle and Maggie. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/211944 Could be shortened for your purposes.

[RonW87]

Partially answering my own question:

A Skyline Drive out-and-back looks like it could be one:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/1114301



Instead of Skyline out and back, consider Front Royal to Fort Valley Road. Then east to Luray (Bixter's Ferry Road) then continue east to Skyline Drive. North on Skyline back to Front Royal. This is better than clockwise because you can enjoy the descent to Front Royal at the end. It's a little longer than you want (135k) but a great ride.

[rnhood]

Here is one close to 81 that fits your bill. The Vesuvius climb is a good one, and is certain to warm your legs up. Tyro is a pretty apple growing community, and Crabtree Falls is another nice climb - and fairly long. You can also skip the Vesuvius climb if you're time limited, and park on the Parkway or in Montebello.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/406748


This one will be about a 40 minute drive west of Staunton but, the Blue Grass stretch (hwy 640) is one of the prettiest roads I've ever been on. It cuts right down the middle of a valley and is simply gorgeous. There are no difficult climbs on this one.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/23083914


Also a nice one, although it too will require a 30 minute drive from 81 to the James River Visitor Center. It includes the longest climb on the entire Parkway. The Peaks of Otter has a restaurant and ranger station where you can refuel. Beautiful stretch of the Parkway.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/23083914


The other routes already mentioned are good ones too. That Mountains of Misery route would indeed have to be shortened, but the climb up Salt Pond Mtn to the Lodge will be memorable. Very memorable.

[velofinds]

Thank you all; these are great suggestions. @rnhood, if you were to pick two from the routes posted here..?

[topflightpro]

The entire Blue Ridge Parkway is rideable.

[MisterMurray]

I'd second the route RonW87 listed or the Mountains of Misery route.

[redir]

If you are coming through the Blacksburg area let me know. The one ride already mentioned above was a stage of the Tour Du Pont back in the 90's. Blue Ridge parkway around Floyd VA is a nice spot as well.

[velofinds]

The entire Blue Ridge Parkway is rideable.

Ok, but this isn't very helpful.

[rnhood]

Thank you all; these are great suggestions. @rnhood, if you were to pick two from the routes posted here..?

I think based on your criteria, I would go with the first two that I linked. Certainly the first one is right off I-81 and parking in the town of Vesuvius is easy.

James River to the Peaks is also a really nice ride, but it's not a loop. It's basically an out and back and if it's Fall, there will be a lot of traffic. I tend to favor loops. The route from Monterrey that I linked is outstanding, but it will take about 30 to 40 minutes to drive there from Staunton. I can't overemphasise how pretty Blue Grass Valley is. You pass over the Potamac River where it starts and is only about 10 inches wide. Its the headwaters. Staunton would be a good place to overnight. The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library is worth visiting, as is the Confederate Breastworks (Fort Edward Johnson) on the backside of Staunton. You will go right past it driving to Monterey. And Staunton sits right on 81.

Some of the route on Mountains of Misery is also great, especially the climb up Salt Pond Mountain. But its quite a bit further off I-81, and you would be riding in some remote areas.

[OtayBW]

If you are coming through the Blacksburg area let me know. The one ride already mentioned above was a stage of the Tour Du Pont back in the 90's. Blue Ridge parkway around Floyd VA is a nice spot as well.I used to live there during that time, and in fact, we did the first Mountains of Misery as a club ride before it ever became a sponsored event.

That stage of the TDP ended in Blacksburg (~1996?) was memorable because LA attacked Viatcheslav Ekimov on that steep climb to Mountain Lake on Salt Pond Mountain after ~100+ miles, heading into the finish several miles later. LA looked over his shoulder (a la Jan Ulrich), popped it into his big ring, and rode off up the ~15%+ grade. Geez - I was impressed! My, how things have changed...

[djdj]

This century is probably more than you are bargaining for, but I'd recommend doing part of it. Vesuvius is quite close to I-81. You can climb up to the Blue Ridge Parkway from there (not an easy climb!), then the ride on the Parkway towards Wintergreen is quite beautiful. Turn around when you feel the need and finish with a fast descent. Or, if you are feel the need for pain, drop down and ride up to Wintergreen.

https://www.mapmyride.com/us/waynesboro-va/blue-ridge-extreme-century-route-665698


Mountains of Misery is beautiful and hard (I've done it three times) but, as noted, most of it is a good hike from I-81.

[redir]

I used to live there during that time, and in fact, we did the first Mountains of Misery as a club ride before it ever became a sponsored event.

That stage of the TDP ended in Blacksburg (~1996?) was memorable because LA attacked Viatcheslav Ekimov on that steep climb to Mountain Lake on Salt Pond Mountain after ~100+ miles, heading into the finish several miles later. LA looked over his shoulder (a la Jan Ulrich), popped it into his big ring, and rode off up the ~15%+ grade. Geez - I was impressed! My, how things have changed...

Greg Lemond pretty much passed the torch of American cycling to Lance Armstrong on that climb. I think that was '94 though. Ekimov won that year and Lance won two years in a row and the race was disbanded after '96.

If you remember the John's Creek climb, that's the one that always kills me.

[OtayBW]

Greg Lemond pretty much passed the torch of American cycling to Lance Armstrong on that climb. I think that was '94 though. Ekimov won that year and Lance won two years in a row and the race was disbanded after '96.

If you remember the John's Creek climb, that's the one that always kills me.Yeah - I think you're right about the year. That climb out of the John's Creek valley over the Maggie gap - yes, I know it well...

[velofinds]

I had a great trip. Ended up doing the Tyro loop, an out-and-back to the top of Apple Orchard Mountain (not enough time to go all the way to Peaks of Otter, plus I was already waxed having finished the Tyro ride an hour before), then a Mt Mitchell loop the next day (Marion > Mt Mitchell > Little Switzerland > Marion). Lucked out with the weather on both days of riding (all of which was beautiful). Ate locally as much as possible. Had to skip the others this time, but I'll be back. Thanks all for the great suggestions!

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1779/43967695902_7ea778b14d_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1776/43297519864_f655fb05f7_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/942/43297521934_8923e611c9_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/937/43297521224_c8fb1301c1_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1771/30147758818_2df89c5d24_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1834/30147757358_67f8665077_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1840/43297523144_74a259c5ea_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/929/43967693252_db499fb13d_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/936/43967695732_4cef06058e_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1771/43967695532_fd63150658_b.jpg

[echappist]

Very nice; the I-81 corridor is full of gems along the way

also the Wintergreen climb mentioned above was also part of TdP/TdT. Brutally at times

[drewskey]

RE: Marion > Mt Mitchell > Little Switzerland > Marion

Was the ride 78.00mi and around 8,874'?

That route looks awesome. I'm trying to put together a couple of days around there in Oct.

[velofinds]

RE: Marion > Mt Mitchell > Little Switzerland > Marion

Was the ride 78.00mi and around 8,874'?

That route looks awesome. I'm trying to put together a couple of days around there in Oct.

Close -- 70mi and 8500.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1767725299

[drewskey]

Close -- 70mi and 8500.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1767725299

Many, many thanks! Any route advice (traffic, craptastic section of road, etc)?

[velofinds]

Many, many thanks! Any route advice (traffic, craptastic section of road, etc)?

The only not-great section there is 221, which is a highway. It's not too bad - there's a reasonably wide shoulder, but it does disappear at times. Otherwise, start early and end early as much as you can. There's lots of tourist traffic going up Mt. Mitchell, and motorcycle traffic going up and down 226A (which is something of a motorcycle destination). Again, nothing terrible and I found drivers - both NC and out-of-staters - to mostly be courteous, but you nevertheless want to finish up quickly if possible. Plan for cold and changing weather conditions at the summit. Enjoy it!

[pgrizzwald]

What gearing (chainrings & cassette) did you use for that route?

[velofinds]

What gearing (chainrings & cassette) did you use for that route?

50/34 and 11-32. I could have gotten away with an 11-28 - not many steep pitches on the Mt. Mitchell climb - but was happy to have the 32.

[rnhood]

Well done "Velofinds" (I gave you kudos on the Mitchell and Tyro loop). If you rode to Apple Orchard Mtn after doing the Tyro loop, then you got a pretty strong pair of legs. I wish you had made it to the Peaks because it's really a beautiful place, but there will always be next time. As mentioned, there are numerous good places to ride along the 81 corridor. But I've always liked that Tyro loop, especially in the fall when the apples are being harvested.

Excellent pictures too.

[OtayBW]

50/34 and 11-32. I could have gotten away with an 11-28 - not many steep pitches on the Mt. Mitchell climb - but was happy to have the 32.
Not steep on Rt 80 coming up to the Parkway out of Marion? Several areas up over ~15%, no? My memory must be failing....:eek:

[velofinds]

Not steep on Rt 80 coming up to the Parkway out of Marion? Several areas up over ~15%, no? My memory must be failing....:eek:

Sorry, I guess it's all relative :) There are some nasty, steep pitches over 15% here in the Northeast that keep going; the Mitchell climb will get steep occasionally but then ease up and offer a chance to recover.

Rnhood, thank you! I really enjoyed both rides on day 1.

[booglebug]

Rode the parkway and Mt Mitchell this past weekend, 63 miles with 6800 feet of climbing I was told. Seemed the parkway was relentless, the climb up Mt Mitchell, not that bad.