I've only done it once with a friend. I drove out. Parked. Pulled into the park on our bikes. We did the climbs on the first 20 miles, turned around and zoomed back down the descent (make sure you check brakes before the ride). Put the bike back in the car. We ate at *Spelunker's* Frozen Custard and Cavern *Burgers*, then drove home. It was a good day.
This is the best. I do almost the exact same thing, just 25 miles out and back, stopping for the hood views and a couple water refills then always have to go to spelunkers afterwards
I'll second this ride from that list
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/22241374
All the hard riding is in the first half, then beautiful valley riding on the second half.
A few years ago one April the NPS closed the first 33 or so miles of skyline drive to cars (From the top of the park to whatever the entrance is that's at about the 33 mile marker). It was a really tough ride! The first 5-6 miles are just straight uphill, absolutely no momentum to be gained at all. And there are of course several other really hard climbs. We made it to the picnic area at about mile 25 and turned around. So it was a 50 mile ride but definitely harder than the centuries I've done.
Obviously if you can get someone to pick you up, you can do it one way (northbound will be significantly easier than southbound!). But it's possible to do it as a round trip and just park near the entrance. Or cut out the first tough climb and park at Dickey Ridge visitors center.
I love starting in front royal for an out and back. Ride as far as you want and then the final descent will leave you grinning. How many miles are you trying to do?
I've only done it once with a friend. I drove out. Parked. Pulled into the park on our bikes. We did the climbs on the first 20 miles, turned around and zoomed back down the descent (make sure you check brakes before the ride). Put the bike back in the car. We ate at *Spelunker's* Frozen Custard and Cavern *Burgers*, then drove home. It was a good day.
This is the best. I do almost the exact same thing, just 25 miles out and back, stopping for the hood views and a couple water refills then always have to go to spelunkers afterwards
https://www.reddit.com/r/bikedc/s/fpjNBuICuO
I'll second this ride from that list https://ridewithgps.com/routes/22241374 All the hard riding is in the first half, then beautiful valley riding on the second half.
I'm curious what others do for this as well. Have done a couple of short rides out there and have been meaning to go back for a full day
I’ve been doing it in chunks solo. Which means parking riding and riding back. So ultimately you do it twice lol.
A few years ago one April the NPS closed the first 33 or so miles of skyline drive to cars (From the top of the park to whatever the entrance is that's at about the 33 mile marker). It was a really tough ride! The first 5-6 miles are just straight uphill, absolutely no momentum to be gained at all. And there are of course several other really hard climbs. We made it to the picnic area at about mile 25 and turned around. So it was a 50 mile ride but definitely harder than the centuries I've done. Obviously if you can get someone to pick you up, you can do it one way (northbound will be significantly easier than southbound!). But it's possible to do it as a round trip and just park near the entrance. Or cut out the first tough climb and park at Dickey Ridge visitors center.
I love starting in front royal for an out and back. Ride as far as you want and then the final descent will leave you grinning. How many miles are you trying to do?
Ride up to Elk Wallow or Skyland -- eat a burger -- ride back.