Skyline Drive on a hot day?

Potomac Pedalers has a ride scheduled for Skyline Drive this Sunday, and since I've never been there (on bike or otherwise) I'd like to give it a try. However the ride doesn't start until 9:30 and the forecast is for a hot sunny day. Even if I only do the 44 mile option, given my slowness going up hills it could take me until ~1:30 to finish.

So I am wondering if anyone knows what northern Skyline Drive is like in terms of sun exposure. Is it miles and miles of unrelenting unshady baking in the sun? Or are there shady sections where a rider can find some relief?

Here is the ride description, if anyone else is interested. As a CC rider, I'd be looking at riding 44 miles, maybe 50 if I'm feeling good once I get to Hogback. I have no idea what my pace will be. On some very hilly rides I only average 10-11 mph overall (3-4 mph going up steep hills). Since I hear Skyline has hills that are long but not steep, I'm hoping for an average closer to 13-14 mph, but won't know for sure until I get there.


CC/B/BB(HH) * 0-65 * VA * 9:30 AM * Front Royal, VA
Northern Skyline. Enjoy one of the most beautiful rides in the area. Be prepared for long, perspiring climbs and chilling, thrilling downhill runs. The hills are really not that steep, just looooong. The ride is an out-and-back on Skyline Drive. You can make a U-turn at any time. Cycle to the top of Hogback (44 mi. r/t), Elkwallow (50 mi. r/t) or Panorama (65 mi. r/t). Bring food; food only available at Elkwallow. Admission for bicyclists is $8.00. Elevation maps provided. (Directions to ride start location: from I-495 / Beltway, take I-66 W for 52 miles to Exit 13 / Linden, VA / Rt 79; then VA Rt 55 West / John Marhsall Hwy for 6 mi to K-MART SC on left, just past the junction of VA Rt 55 and U.S. Rt 522. Park to the left of K-MART.) Gary Nooger [gary.nooger@his.com] 703/521-5333
Mark Pankin [mp@pankin.com] 703/524-0937

Pfunk12 recently did this road. Perhaps she can offer some insight.
All I know is that another friend on that same ride ended up yelling "IT'S ALL UP HILL!!!!" at one point. Just sayin'. ;)

I've ridden it in September, and it was quite cool at the top (Big Meadow). Big Meadow is 50 miles from Front Royal, so it looks like you won't be going that far (I rode up there, spent the night in the lodge, and rode back down. "Down" is relative, since there's nearly as much climbing going back to Front Royal as there is going up.)

The lower elevations are nicely shaded. There are sunny stretches as you get higher. But in general, it'll be cooler the higher you go. There are several places to pull off and sit in the shade at a picnic table, and at least one store.

I don't recall my speed, but I was climbing in the 5-6mph range. Dark chocolate M&Ms helped alot. The first 5-6 miles is a pretty steady climb and then it goes up and down. There is one tunnel to be aware of--it's a good idea to have a blinkie and a headlight if you are going to go through the tunnel (uphill on the way up, downhill on the way back down). I just had to surrender to The Force going through that tunnel since I had neither. It was rather nerve-wracking.

I would suggest not fretting about your speed, and instead just enjoy the ride. I've taken this advice to heart and removed my computer on some recent rides and it's a really positive experience.

Have a good time. There's a 7-11 at the bottom near the entrance if you need any last-minute treats.

NY Biker,

Another PPTC friend invited me on Sunday's ride and I'm seriously thinking of going. I can't answer your questions about the sun exposure, but I'm registered for Bike VA so will need to climb hills regardless of exposure or not. I'm also registered for the Shenandoah Weekend ride in July.

Hope to meet you on Sunday.

I agree with Tulip. There are definitely some sections where you can find relief from the sun. As 7 said, a few of us did Skyline on Memorial Day weekend. We did about 82 miles roundtrip - up to Skyland and back. The weather was kind of interesting because at times it was really sunny and hot and there were times when it was cloudy, cool and very foggy. When we started to descend from Skyland, it was very, very cool. We were all shivering and trying to get down as quickly as possible. :D

It was a beautiful ride and I had a blast. Have fun!

BREAKING NEWS - I found a Cracker Barrel in Front Royal. Post-ride lunch!!!

Thanks for all your replies. My only concern about how fast I go is related to the weather -- the slower I ride, the longer I'm out in the afternoon sun. I tend to have very. bad. experiences when I try to ride in early-mid afternoon on hot summer days. But if there are shady sections, I should be okay. I do expect to stop now and then to take photos, although I will only have my phone camera, not a real one. My hope is that I will be so inspired by the scenery that it will motivate me to get my lazy self to drive out there one day for a proper visit (I've lived in DC/Arlington for 13 years so it's shameful that I haven't been to Shenandoah Natl Park yet).

The other reason I mentioned my speed was in case anyone else wanted to do the ride, so you'd know you will probably drop me on the first hill :eek:.

p.s. If the first 5-6 miles are up, that means I can look forward to 5-6 miles of downhill at the end of the ride.

More info -- I found an elevation map at bikewashington.org.

http://www.bikewashington.org/routes/skyline/index.htm


Looks like this will probably be the most climbing I have ever done! Good thing there will be scenery to distract me.

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Originally Posted by ny biker

p.s. If the first 5-6 miles are up, that means I can look forward to 5-6 miles of downhill at the end of the ride.

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Yes, those last few miles are bliss!

Be careful on those first few miles up/last few miles down. They threw gravel on the road so be cautious. I got a flat during the first 2 miles and I'm sure it was from the rocks.

NY biker, I am envious. I love camping in Shenandoah. Doubt I'll ever be strong enough to bike it, but I would love to hear about your trip.

I'm with you , Pam. We could camp then go out by the road and sip lemonade as they go by.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PamNY

NY biker, I am envious. I love camping in Shenandoah. Doubt I'll ever be strong enough to bike it, but I would love to hear about your trip.

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I have no idea if I am able to do this ride!! I might go 2 miles and decide to go back to the car and drive it instead. :D

But I figure I should at least try.

Well, the timing might be wrong for this ride -- after doing my usual local hill ride last night, I'm feeling like my legs are not recovering well from the metric I did last Saturday. So I might do an easier ride on Sunday starting in Middleburg instead of hitting the mountains. Will decide tomorrow.

But -- since I'll be in town for the July 4 holiday, I'm thinking that would be a good time for a day trip to visit the park sans bike. With a stop at Cracker Barrel before heading home, of course. :D

WOW. I did it. 50 miles. It was awesome. Hard, tiring, sometimes painful, awesome. Amazing sweet descents.

I took lots of pics and a couple of videos. Waiting for the phone battery to recharge so I can upload them (well, first I need to call Dad to wish him Happy Father's Day, then I'll mess with photos).

wow, that's amazing! looking forward to pics.

Congratulations, NYB!

Hooray! I look forward to the pictures.