Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, October 9, 1995 TAG: 9510090013
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
This ride embraces forest roads and the parkway. It is a 15.3-mile loop, rated moderate, that begins at the Buena Vista Overlook on the Parkway. The overlook can be reached from Buena Vista by traveling east on U.S. 60 to the parkway. The biker travels north on the parkway, turns south on Virginia 315 and west on Virginia 311, then back north on the parkway.
There are some tricky turns to watch for, so this is one ride where bikers may want to clamp a map to their handlebars.
2. BRUSH MOUNTAIN: The Brush Mountain area is a candidate for perfect mountain biking status. A loop trail offers excellent riding opportunities near enough to Virginia Tech for students to hit the trail and still have time to hit the books. The loop is 8.3 miles and requires a couple of hours or so to cover.
From Blacksburg, go west on U.S. 460, then atop Brush Mountain turn left on Forest Service Road 188.2. The Pandapas Pond hiking-picnicking area is nearby.
3. MOUNTAIN LAKE: Mountain Lake Resort in Giles County can be the start and finish for a 21.4-mile loop that takes a rider deep into the George Washington and Jefferson national forests.
It is an excellent ride for bikers who don't let a few steep climbs scare them. The terrain can be rocky at times. The view off Butt Mountain Overlook rivals the scene from McAfee Knob on the Appalachian Trail north of Roanoke.
On a warm day, a biker may want to pedal directly into Mountain Lake at the end of the trail.
Mountain Lake is reached west of Blacksburg on U.S. 460. Turn right on Virginia 700. Cascades Falls is nearby. Rental bikes are available at the resort in season.
4. MOUNT ROGERS: An eight-mile loop trail provides a quality ride in one of Virginia's most scenic spots. The attractions include smooth single tracks, fast descents, spectacular overlooks, mountain meadows, winding dirt roads and trails that grip the edges of steep ridges. And that's just a start. The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area has more than 400 miles of trails that cross high mountain peaks and wind-combed meadows.
The featured loop takes the rider over Iron Mountain, a route shared with horseback riders.
From Damascus, travel east on U.S. 58 for six miles, then left on Forest Service Road 90, where parking is available at a small pull-off. Abingdon is nearby.
5. NEW RIVER TRAIL STATE PARK: It is called mountain biking, but this 57-mile trail is flat, along an abandoned railroad bed from Pulaski to Galax. Much of the way, it plays tag with the New River. There are 30 bridges, and tunnels that stretch nearly 200 feet in length.
From Roanoke, you can reach the trail by taking Interstate 81 south to Exit 94, then go north on Virginia 99 for about two miles into Pulaski. Immediately before the first traffic light, there is a sign for the Northern Terminus. There are numerous other jumping-off spots: Draper Station, Shot Tower Historical State Park, Buck Dam, Byllesby Dam, Cliffview Station and Galax Station. The surface is hard-packed gravel.
6. POTTS MOUNTAIN: Potts Mountain rises to nearly 3,800 feet and has a sharp ridge line with forested terrain in every direction. Its close proximity to the Roanoke Valley makes it a popular and important mountain biking area. On the weekend of Sept.30-Oct.1, it was the site of the All Sport/East Coasters Virginia Championship.
There is an 8.6-mile loop, rated difficult, that starts at the Hanging Rock Overlook on Forest Service Road 177. It is reached by traveling north on Virginia 311 past New Castle to the top of Potts Mountain, then right on 177 at the picnic area. Follow 177 for about 4.5 miles to the Hanging Rock Overlook parking area.
7. VIRGINIA CREEPER TRAIL: First the Indians traveled this route, then the steam locomotives and now mountain bikes. The trail begins in Abingdon and stretches across 34 miles of scenery to the Virginia-North Carolina border. It passes wildlife and waterfalls; river gorges and rolling pastures. There are more than 100 bridges and trestles.
The surface is smooth and cinder-covered and never exceeds a 6 percent grade. There really is only one climb, and that is on Whitetop Mountain, where the trail reaches 3,600 feet at Whitetop Station. The easiest access is via the Blue Blaze Shuttle Service from Abingdon to Whitetop, then enjoy an easy and carefree downhill ride.
From Interstate 81, you can pick up the trail at Abingdon on Pecan Street near the historic Barter Theater. Other entrances include Damascus, Green Cove Station and Whitetop Station.
by CNB