This cycling event is the morning edition of the End of the Line to Top of the Line - Sunset cycling event. This option is for people who are early risers or want to ride in the morning – or want to set the stage for riding 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 a morning 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 burn some energy before heading over to 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: 9:00am
Ending Time: sometime between 10:00 and 11:00
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 (There might be a group ride starting there at 9:00 also.) We will meet at the depot near the trailhead.
Plan on bringing your own bicycle, helmet, and water for the ride. The bike shop does not open until 9:30, so they won’t be available before we start pedaling.
