Autumnpalooza V

The Lord of the Rides
October 21-24, 2004

Read All About What Happened!

Download Maps of the Outrageous Blue Ridge & Arcadia Region

Important Caveat: Due to the challenging nature and duration of theses rides, participation is limited to those with intermediate or advanced self-supported skills, preferably with long ride experience. All rides are “at your own risk.” It is encouraged that you bring along a ride buddy for added support. Bail points are available. Please familiarize yourself with the maps.

What: Back-to-back epic mountain bike rides totaling a metric century (standard variety available) in Virginia’s amazing Jefferson National Forest amidst  the blazing fall foliage of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Plus, preceding the epics is a compact, Thursday evening after-work prologue at Virginia’s Explore park. This one is practical for riders of all skill levels.

When: Main rides, Saturday & Sunday, October 23 – 24, rides begin at 10AM both days.

The Twilight Epilogue ride is at Explore Park at 6PM on Thursday, October 28, 6PM. All trail fees have been removed at Explore and is FREE to one and all. There will be some daylight, although not much as the sun sets at 6:33PM that day. Lights are encouraged. Explore is located at milepost 115 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Epic Ride 1, Saturday, will begin at the Buchanan trailhead parking area of the Roanoke-Lexington horse trail, at 10AM, Saturday, October 23. Take 43 south out of Buchanan (turn at the Stop In just south of the James River bridge). Go about a mile. Take a right on route 625 (Pico Rd). Trailhead parking is a short ways up on the left (large gravel lot). Ride is around about 30 miles, including some pavement, two-track rocky road, raw trail, short grunts, extended climbs, sweet sidehill trail, and groomed gravel. Everything you’d ever want from a day on your mountain bike.

Epic Ride 2 will begin at the North Creek Campground, 10AM. Sunday’s loop has 2 lobes, with the halfway point returning to the campground. This ride also includes the above same description as Saturday’s ride. Even the road sections of this one are gorgeous.

Pace: Enjoy the woods! Just be home before dark.

Where: Central Command will be at the North Creek Campground. Take Arcadia Exit 168 off of I-81. Take the Arcadia road (VA 614) through Arcadia (you may not notice) to the North Creek road (left), about 3 miles off the interstate. This takes you to the North Creek Campground on right, 3 miles up. Camping at the North Creek Campground is $5 fee per night, first-come-first-served, replete with 16 camping sites and lavish vault toilets. Overflow and optional camping is readily available in the Jefferson National Forest available (free) in the neighboring woods.

Nearest motor inn: Wattstull Court, I-81 Exit 168, 130 Arcadia Rd, Buchanan, VA 24066, (540-254-1551). Further down the road (15 minutes) there’s the Red Roof Inn at Troutville/Daleville Exit 150 off of I-81:  3231 Lee Highway South,Troutville, VA  24175 (540) 992-5055 Latitude: 37.3652724852 Longitude: -79.9138696439 More hotels are available at exit 150.

How much: T-shirts will be available for sale, with all profits going to expenses, and a trail fund specifically for tools and repair. Donations for the same will be accepted.

Who: Presented by Virginia Championship Commission, purveyor of the Virginia State Championship Mountain Bike Series, and the League of Appalachian Mountain Bikers. Type www.mountainbikevirginia.com or ring 540.529.0462.

Why: Because the riding along the Blue Ridge Mountains north through the Shenandoah Valley is among the best on (Middle) Earth.