Mid-Atlantic Streamers : MD, DC, VA

[Blackdog06]

Originally Posted by Too tall

I'll throw this out there. Weekend of June 7, 2019 myself and some friends are gathering for two days of gravel bicycle riding in the vicinity of Michaux SF. Saturday's ride is 100 miles of hard riding and Sunday is short and sweet...

Michaux is awesome! We may be able to make it that weekend - are you camping at Pine Grove Furnace or Caledonia?

[Dan_Rox]

Originally Posted by Blackdog06

Michaux is awesome! We may be able to make it that weekend - are you camping at Pine Grove Furnace or Caledonia?

We are camping at Pine Grove Furnace. This should be a great weekend and I hope you can join us.

[Too tall]

BlackDog > Finally get to meet up with you two.

[Blackdog06]

Just made reservations at PGF - can't wait! Looking forward to meeting you all :-)

[Too tall]

Originally Posted by Blackdog06

Just made reservations at PGF - can't wait! Looking forward to meeting you all :-)

Excellent There will be some tune up rides. Stay in touch.

[Too tall]

Blackdog and others who have the bicycle riding illness listen.


There is a chance I'll organize a Caravan this Fall which will go from Front Royal, Va to near Roanoke, Va.



Caravan teams are composed of two people taking turns driving and riding. We all start and end at the same place each afternoon.


We will mix it up using NPS camping and private camping. The bicycle riding will be hard, we are in the mtns. following ridge lines.


Total Distance each day varies from 50 to 75 and lots of climbing.


-J

[Blackdog06]

Originally Posted by Too tall

Blackdog and others who have the bicycle riding illness listen.

There is a chance I'll organize a Caravan this Fall which will go from Front Royal, Va to near Roanoke, Va. .......

Illness is correct!



Are you planning on Skyline Drive/BRP, the VMBT, or something else completely? Unfortunately, we've already booked weeks in Asheville and Black Moshannon for fall biking, etc.

[Too tall]

Originally Posted by Blackdog06

Illness is correct!



Are you planning on Skyline Drive/BRP, the VMBT, or something else completely? Unfortunately, we've already booked weeks in Asheville and Black Moshannon for fall biking, etc.

Skyline Drive / BRP. Here are the broad strokes and tentative date(s). I'm still working on the last campground details and ride routes...the rest is done. FWIIW most of the riding meets the magic 100' climbing / mile eg not crushingly hard but definitely you must be fit and have some experience with it.



September 7 > September 15
9/7 > Meet at Campground near Luray. Short ride, check for loose parts
9/8 > Long ride from campground. Approx 5/6k climbing on Parkway and Valley return (6 hrs.)

9/9 > Shorter ride day. Drive to new campground near WinterGreen. Awesome drive on the Parkway (3 hrs.)

9/10 > Long Ride from camp. Hard day we will ride from the valley to the BRP and descend to the opposite valley, climb back to BRP and descend to camp. Bonus: dinner at local brewery. (6 hrs)

9/11 > Local loop, incredible sights. Shorter ride. Never easy but shorter day. (3 hrs.)

9/12 > Travel day to new campsite near Roanoke. Short ride. (2 hrs.)

9/13 > Not a huge ride into town for lunch. (4 hrs.)

9/14 > Rolling ride, all backroads. (3 hrs.)

[my3sonsdad]

We (2 adults + 3 early teens) are making a spring break trip starting from NoVa with a stop in Appomattox and then to Pigeon Forge/SMNP for 5 nights (might break it up with a stop near Asheville). On the way back we are spending 2 nights at North Bend Park at John Kerr Dam/Reservoir.

Any recommended points of interest or stops along these routes that we should consider?

[TouringDan]

North Bend Park is the best lakefront camping in Virginia- great choice.

We like Cade’s Cove in the SMNP. The auto loop is great in the early morning or evening. The roaring fork loop in Gatlinburg is great too.

We like to camp at Mama Gerties in Asheville.

We also like Carolina Hemlocks NF CG. It is close to Mt. Mitchell which I also recommend seeing.

Dan

[my3sonsdad]

We had a great stay at North Bend Park on our return trip from SMNP.

We also enjoyed a weekend stay at Holliday Lake SP just north of Appomattox. There are a small number of sites on the upper loop that have a new bathhouse but those were all booked up, so we got the last 30’ site in the lower loop.

[Too tall]

Thanks for the report. North Bend looks great, good location.

[TouringDan]

North Bend is our favorite CG for lake front camping in Virginia. Many sites have electric, but if you can camp without electric you may actually be able to snag a site if you come in on Friday.

Dan

[my3sonsdad]

A note from my family: if you are planning to bicycle the 11 mile Cades Cove loop in the SMNP it is NOT flat as their father remembered

Despite their father’s poor (or selective) memory they all had a great time! We stopped at a scenic spot to take pics on a rock when we noticed others pointing in our direction. Behind us in the distance was a bear and about 200 yards to the left of us was another bear in the tree line. What a great experience! The kids especially enjoyed the ice cream reward at the end of the ride.

[DewTheDew]

I thought I would report on a campground in PA we stayed at this weekend that while not outstanding, still had some good points and was worth the stay. It is the Uniontown KOA Holiday about three miles out of Connellsville, PA right on the Youghiogheny river. They pack 'em in fairly tight but for not a lot of money we had a spot backed right up to the river. There is a pool that is nice and a little camp store. I think about 3/4 of the spots are people who keep their trailer there all summer long. You can go canoeing/kayaking/floating in the river; they will haul you up to Connersville and you can float down. Also the Great Allegheny passage trail goes right past so if you like to bike or hike (walk, really) it is good for that. It was about 3 1/2 hours from our place near Frederick, MD with a few good hills between here and there.

Anyway, we were looking for a place to stay this weekend sort of last minute and this was open so we went. All in all a good experience, but just do not expect a ton of privacy.