In the fall of 2011 Cyclists pioneered The Virginia Mountain Bike Trail, an off-road connector route spanning the length of Virginia's Allegheny & Blue Ridge Mountain Ranges. These riders returned to the commonwealth's early american frontier, in search of recreational resources. Their purpose was to connect public lands in Virginia's mountainous border region. The group embarked on a mission with the intent to establish a permanent long distance backcountry trail that rivals the infamous Arizona or Colorado trails. What they discovered was a world class back-country expedition; as they linked 8 major trail systems in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Their route, consisting of primarily single track trails, covered 480 miles and climbed 65,000 feet over the course of 12 days. Beginning just west of Strasburg, the explorers began their journey on the County Line Trail. They rolled southward along rocky ridge lines, challenging climbs and fast descents and after two full weeks, the riders finished their final descent down the Iron Mountain Trail to Damascus.
Its been years of research, riding, rinse and repeat.... getting the vision complete. A decade of exploring and preparing the best sections of trail to link together. Thanks to the great motivation from IMBA's Dan Hudson and Rich Edwards we kept pushing forward with the idea.
Darrell "Dirty D" Prillamen invited us down in 2009 for the Trans Iron that ends in Damascus. He had it dialed in with his henchmen from Boone, NC. The Trans Iron starts on the New River Trail before heading up into the mountains on the Highlands Horse Trail. After a long day on the HHT it shares the Iron Mountain Trail for a bit before it takes the full pull of the Iron Mountain Trail concluding the final sector of the Virginia Mountain Bike trail ending in Damacus. It is good! His boys Drew, YT, J Grimes, and Kelly T. have this hooked up!
We got Jeremiah Bishop, Andy Johnston and Cory Rimmer out on a few days bike packing on the northernmost section in 2010. We had such a great time, we knew we had to roll the full monty in 2011.
In the summer of 2011 Chris Scott made the last few reconnaissance trips south of Covington. We finally had enough beta to give it a try. After loading up the Shenandoah Mountain Touring gear, Dan Oates took the helm as captain support for the first half and Tyler Spurlock taking the reigns for the second half. A great group of folks joined in for sections of the ride including, Jason Mattis, Kurt Rosenberger, Mike Boyes, Jennifer Wolfson, Nate Shearer, Misty Tilson, Jake Brown, Lucas Brown, Scott Dwyer, Kirby Walke, Graham Snyder, Katy Smith, and Sam Lindblom.
The vision of the Virginia Mountain Bike Trail, complete with a hut to hut system running it's full length, accessible by singletack riders, dirt road explorers and those touring the paved roads will take some time and dedicated volunteers. After doing the entire route the vision is so clear it seems like it could be completed overnight. If you are interested in lending a hand, get in touch and email us!
Small sections have huge dedicated heros already. Mike Capraro and Susan Musante have been keeping open County Line Trail, Mill Mountain Trail, Long Mountain Trail, and most of the Lee Districts North Mountain Trail for the past few years (along with many other great trails on the Lee District) Huge efforts have been done on the Carr Mountain Trail (another gallery HERE) by SVBC, SMT, PATC and the Back Country Horseman, and we still have a long way to go for the trail to be finished to USFS specifications. We (SMT) have been keeping open Shenandoah Mountain Trail. The Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition has kept the momentum moving by fostering the Recreational Trails Grant recieved from Virginia's Department of Conservation and Recreation. This grant funded the restoration of Chestnut Ridge from Little Bald Knob.
Great initiative!
ReplyDeleteA MTBiker from Europe
great post
ReplyDeleteHope to see more posting related to Long Distance moving Great falls VA
In a evolving country like India, cycles are the most usually utilised modes of road transport. India has a strong cycling heritage and called as poor man's vehicle. India is a homeland of villages and most of persons here use two wheeler for going nearer locations. two wheelers are head means of transport for journeying to job, buying, schools, and colleges and for other regular desires. In India, cycles are an essential mode of transportation for the middle class persons but for the wealthy, running a cycle is a rudimentary interest to stay fit.
ReplyDeleteFor the older cycles offer an very simple approach to hold their wellbeing in good state. Moderate cycling does not assert an effort of a high order such as other gymnastic apparatus and is therefore extremely suitable for the old. two wheelers in India, since their invention in the 19th century have had significantly influenced Indian humanity in enterprise, communal and heritage areas. really, in India a child's life begins with a cycle either two wheeled or three wheeled. All Indian families regardless of their financial place provide circuits for their children and become compulsory at the age of ten or twelve.
Bicycles, with their mobility, frivolous and fitness answers have conceived a muscular bike heritage in India. Being an impelling mode of transport cycle is best for small to unassuming distances. Compared to motor bikes, a easy cycle comes with multiple benefits. Apart from personal workout it boasts an choice to the workout of fossil fuels cycles do not make noise or air contamination. Cycles reduce traffic jamming. They are simpler to reserve and can effortlessly run on both streets and paths. These advantages are at less monetary charges to the user as well as humanity.
India has a huge trade for bicycles and there are numerous top businesses in India that are engaged in the manufacturing of cycles fulfilling the needs and tastes of customers. Companies like champion Cycles, Avon Cycles, BSA Hercules, Atlas, Kaisar, EBike India and Petra arrive into the class of peak two wheeler companies and construct different types of two wheelers perfect for sports, hill hiking, and simple going and for fitness reasons. "Avon circuits" is first business that manufactured electric powered Bicycles, Shop Proline Bikes, Bicycles Online In India. This two wheeler has the capacity of covering a expanse of 40 kilometer on a lone 36V lead acid, closed and rechargeable electric battery. You can enjoy the ride at a maximum pace of 23kmph. Though classy it has come as an answer for the built-up persons who are uncovered to the harshness of irritation of hefty street traffic, parking blues and pollution.
Wow is just the simple word that may explain that how much I liked it. It was nicely stuffed with the material I was looking for. It’s great to be here though by chance.
ReplyDeletecarbon fiber bike products
India Adventures Tour- Whether you are water crazy or love to play skiing on the mountains covered with snow, India is the best travel destination for adventure lovers. You can do numerous fun and adventure in India. It is not only that India has sports of all types but it has some of the best facilities in the world.
ReplyDeleteHi - are you selling the map that outlines the trail?
ReplyDeleteHi - are you selling the map that outlines the trail?
ReplyDeleteI haven't been able to get the paper maps after months of trying. The whole trail is clearly mapped and discussed at www.bikepacking.com and the trail in sections is on the Ride With GPS app.
ReplyDeleteIs there a hardcopy map I can purchase? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIs there a hard copy map available?
ReplyDelete