Skyline Drive on a hot day?

[pfunk12]

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.

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

[ny biker]

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 .

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.

[ny biker]

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.

[tulip]

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.

Yes, those last few miles are bliss!

[pfunk12]

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.

[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.

[Zen]

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

[ny biker]

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 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.

But I figure I should at least try.

[ny biker]

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.