Where: Various locations George Washington National Forest, Virginia
When: September 2015
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The last part of our trip was centered out of Braley Pond, a camping area near West Augusta. We met up and camped with some friends. They were pre-running part of a race course that went through the area (which includes some of the trails we rode on). Once again, as par with the area, lots of long climbs to spin up and then a descent to bomb down on the other side of the mountain. Many beautiful views from on top of the mountains, especially from Reddish Knob.
Day 5: Braley Pond Trails and Dowells Draft, West Augusta, needed a recovery day, did about an 13 mile ride. The trails around Braley Pond only consist of a few miles of single and double track, but they are perfect for taking Cliff for a loop. Dowells Draft is part of the Shenandoah Moutain 100 mountain bike race and part of the trail running ultra marathon the Grindstone 100. It's not technical but it does gain/loose a lot of elevation. We did this as an out and back, climbing up to Hankey Trail and then descending. It was a long time climbing but the reward was an awesome descent.
Day 6: Bridge Hollow Trail, Georgia Camp Trail, and connecting paved and dirt roads, 30 miles total for the loop, West Augusta. As expected in VA, more climbing. Bridge Hollow was a long, switchback climb up the mountain. The descent down the other side was fast and smooth until it was interrupted by a rattlesnake in the middle of the trail! Took a little detour through the brush to avoid that guy. After this a little road climb up to the top again where we took some time to explore the Confederate Breastworks, the remains of a fortress from the Civil War. Then came Georgia Camp Trail; it appears to be what was an old fire access road or old logging road, what would be a great trail if it wasn't for the stinging nettle that had completely grown over most of the few miles of trail. Much cursing ensued as we tried to ride, sometimes walked. Once at the bottom, after being scratched and bleeding, it was some meandering dirt roads back to camp.
Day 7: Timber Ridge Trail, Wolf Ridge, and Sand Spring Mountain Road, Reddish Knob, around 16 miles total. Wow, what a view from Reddish Knob. At well over 4000 feet, this is one of the highest locations in the area. The Timber Ridge Trail starts from here, and since it starts at one of the highest points, it has no where to go except down. So the first half of the mileage of this ride was rocky, technical single track that dropped about 2000 feet elevation. Then it was time to turn around and climb back up. Sand Spring Mountain Road is an old logging road, it's grown in and rough at places but overall it is just a "spin in an easy gear" all the way back up to the top. Definitely a great loop and the view from Reddish Knob is worth the trip up there.
Other highlights from the last few days of the Virginia Vacation were camping with "the Goat Ninja" and Bob as they did some running to prepare for an upcoming race, Cliff spending time with his friends Max and Bella, and seeing part of the Alpine Loop Grand Fondo (and having no idea multiple friends were out there riding it).
- words by Jess
- video by Joël