This cycling event is the afternoon edition of the End of the Line to Top of the Line - Sunrise cycling event. This option is for people who aren’t early risers, didn’t want to ride in the morning, couldn’t make it in the morning – or want to ride again in the afternoon!
The Washington & Old Dominion Trail, a Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority park, has its western terminus in Purcellville. We are planning an afternoon bicycle ride from the Purcellville depot near mile marker 44.5. Our route will carry us six miles east to Clarke's Gap (near MM 38.5), which was the highest spot on the railroad and on the trail.
However, no worries about a rough hill climb. We start fairly high in Purcellville and will be able to leisurely ride to the peak where we will turn around and head back to the station, giving us a 12-mile round trip ride. We will have three miles downhill each way, with no more than 50 feet in elevation change per mile.
This should be enough to loosen your legs and work off lunch after being in Franklin Park for the NoVAGO's Sweltering Summer Soiree Event.
Starting Point: Purcellville Depot (200 N. 21st Street in Purcellville)
Turnaround Point: Clarke's Gap
Starting Time: 4:00pm
Ending Time: sometime between 5:00 and 6:00
The Friends of the W&OD Trail website contains plenty of information regarding the trail. It also has maps and elevation profiles if you are interested in getting more technical information regarding the ride.
Although there is a bike shop across the street from the depot, we are not meeting there. We will meet at the depot near the trailhead.
Plan on bringing your own bicycle, helmet, and water for the ride. The bike shop closes at 5:00, so they won’t be available after we return.
