Wilderness Ride - question for Batbike

[IFjane]

Bat - tell us about the Wilderness Ride (good pic of you, by the way!) - sounds interesting. Is it near Lynchburg? When?

[Batbike]

Bat - tell us about the Wilderness Ride (good pic of you, by the way!) - sounds interesting. Is it near Lynchburg? When?

web site: http://www.cyclingdoubleheader.com/index.html

There are 3 routes: 29, 57, and 78 miles ... I recommend the 78 mile route!!

Info from the web site:
Wilderness Road Ride
The Wilderness Road Ride takes place on May 27th (Saturday). It's a scenic and historical adventure in the splendor of southwest Virginia's New River Valley. The road ride follows the historic route of Daniel Boone. There are four choices of routes ranging from a relaxed journey to a challenge for the fittest athlete. The start is at the Dedmon Center in Radford. This is a ride for the entire family to enjoy!

Comments from Previous WRR Riders
"This is my 5th year and it is always great!"
"Great choice of food! Nutritious."
"Beautiful Countryside!"
"Great! 3rd time - I'll do it again! Thank you!!"
"Great support + great volunteers! SAG vehicles was noticeable several times..."
"Did the ride in 2003 + 2004. I had no complaints with either year. So when I say more of the same that is a positive comment. I'll be back in 2006."
"Thank you for all your work!!"
Directions
The ride starts at the Dedmon Center in Radford, VA. To get to the Dedmon Center from Blacksburg, turn West on 685 (Prices Fork Road), turn Right on 114 (Peppers Ferry Road), turn left at US 11 (Lee Highway), turn left after crossing the bridge on US 11, turn left on University Drive, cross the bridge to the Dedmon Center at the bottom of the hill. Park below the Dedmon Center.

From I-81, Exit 109 to Radford, follow 177 (Tyler Ave) into Radford, turn right at the US 11Junction (Norwood Dr), turn left on University Drive and cross the bridge to the Dedmon Center at the bottom of the hill. Parking is below the Dedmon Center.

Important Information
Please remember, this is not a race. All traffic signals and signs must be obeyed. You will receive detailed maps and cue sheets with your regisration packet.

Showers will be available at the Dedmon Center but they are for those not staying nearby. Please limit your shower to 5 minutes maximum. The facility is not made to handle very many people.

[KayTee]

I've never done any of the Wilderness Ride-Mountains of Misery weekend but DH, who lives to climb, highly recommends 'em and rides MoM every year. He's not ridden Wilderness as often, as he likes to conserve energy for MoM (which he says really is more of a race, despite the organizers' claim to the contrary). Bikeboy's told me that the organization and support is just super. I've toyed with the idea of riding Wilderness but haven't worked out our ride calendar for the season yet. So who's definitely planning to ride it?

[Batbike]

I haven't figured-out my ride schedule for this year, but I can say that I have done the Wilderness Ride for the past 2 years and will in HIGH probability, do it again this year. I feel they do a SUPER job on organization, sag support, rest stops, and rider "perks" (i.e., showers). PLUS the route and scenery is exceptionally beautiful and challenging. For me, I need to push myself a little to accomplish it in a reasonable time, yet, I don't need to kill myself to do it -- allowing me plenty of time to enjoy the great ride!!

Soooooooooo ... in a round about answer, I plan on doing the Wilderness Ride again this year if it will fit into my family/ride schedule.

[IFjane]

Bat & Kay - sounds like a great ride to me. I'll put it on the list!

Now, Kay, you and I need to get bat to Richmond for the Cap2Cap... (you'd love it, Bat - it's FLAT)

[Batbike]

Bat & Kay - sounds like a great ride to me. I'll put it on the list!

Now, Kay, you and I need to get bat to Richmond for the Cap2Cap... (you'd love it, Bat - it's FLAT)

FLAT is GOOD!!! give me details ... THANKS!

[KayTee]

No description other than the 5/5/07 date's on the website yet, but stay tuned...http://www.virginiacapitaltrail.org/events.html. Should be a nice opportunity to get the VA/Mid-Atl TE-ers out there!

[Carlene]

Hey Fellow Virginia Ladies- I hope to see all of you at the WRR this year. I will be travelling from Buchanan/Tazewell Co. area and this is my 7th year doing this ride. It is the first organized ride of our season here and much anticipated after all the dreary weather. There are about 5 girls in our group but two have graduated on to the MOM ride on Sunday. I am just not there yet and have about 30+ pounds to lose before contemplating all that climbing. If anyone has any Q's about this ride, I can probably help.

You will love the ride, the scenery and the people. I hope you enjoy it. What other rides can you recommend in Central Virginia? We are doing Bike Virginia again this year and I am familiar with the ones in the Fall in Shenandoah.

[Batbike]

Hey Fellow Virginia Ladies- What other rides can you recommend in Central Virginia? We are doing Bike Virginia again this year and I am familiar with the ones in the Fall in Shenandoah.

Carlene -- I would like to recommend Lynchburg's Central VA Bike Festival, Saturday, May 5th. It is a FANTASTIC ride with 3 options, the longest being a metric century with a climb up Thunder Ridge, a 13 mile, 6% grade climb on the Parkway. If you want to avoid the long climb, there is a half metric route that is rolly to hilly and beautiful to ride! Entry fees go to cancer research. Once the link is up, I will post it. Only thing on web is last years info, but the routes will probably be the same, so you may want to look. It is a good ride --beautiful and challenging route, well supported, and all for a good cause!

[IFjane]

Bat - it's looking like our cycling group has voted to go to the Cap2Cap on May 5 so we won't be down there to do the Thunder Ridge ride. I do plan to come down there later in the month and ride it myself - how is the traffic on those roads (not counting the Parkway)? And....(here's the big question)....are you up to doing it again with me?

Still thinking about the Wilderness Ride....stay tuned.

[Batbike]

Bat - it's looking like our cycling group has voted to go to the Cap2Cap on May 5 so we won't be down there to do the Thunder Ridge ride. I do plan to come down there later in the month and ride it myself - how is the traffic on those roads (not counting the Parkway)? And....(here's the big question)....are you up to doing it again with me?

Still thinking about the Wilderness Ride....stay tuned.

not heavy traffic ... if you want to, you can start at base of Thunder Ridge at the James River (I think that is what it is called) Welcome Center o Parkway and climb, get to top and come back down! Depending on your climbing abilities, it takes anywhere from a little over an hour (fast) to a couple of hours to climb Thunder Ridge -- it is VERY doable, just long! I feel the average rec. cyclist probably does in 1.5 to 2 hours.

if you want to do it, i will do it with you! may even be able to get a few other folks to join us ... just never know ... believe it or not, there are people who actually LIKE to climb it -- over and over again! that's not me, but it doesn't mean i won't do it.