In Harrisonburg, VA, biking is part of the tradition! Harrisonburg is dwelling to tons of of miles of trails, heart-pumping downhill mountain bike races, and a dynamic biking scene that was constructed from the bottom up by a passionate, devoted neighborhood of cyclists. Their efforts have led Harrisonburg to be designated an IMBA Bronze Degree Journey Middle, Bike Pleasant Neighborhood, and considered one of 10 Finest Blue Ridge Bike Cities (Blue Ridge Outside), incomes its repute because the biking capital of the Shenandoah Valley. Expertise the great thing about this welcoming, picturesque city and embrace the alternatives for journey.
Street Biking & Gravel Using
Harrisonburg’s bike pleasant streets, shared use paths, and dense path community have led town to be named a Bicycle Pleasant Neighborhood by the League of American Bicyclists.
Throughout the metropolis, a community of trails and greenways invite cyclists to discover. The Pleasant Metropolis Path spans two miles from one finish to the opposite, connecting Hillandale and Westover Parks and quite a few bike-friendly accommodations, points of interest, and eating places in-between. Play a recreation of frisbee golf between rides or relaxation within the shade of a peaceable pavilion. The Bluestone Path and Northend Greenway supply extra alternatives to trip, with conveniently positioned maps, instruments and racks at every of the trailheads.
With Harrisonburg as your base, cruise by easy gravel roads previous idyllic pastoral landscapes. Rolling hills, inexperienced pastures, and awe-inspiring views of town await. A trip to the southwest a part of the County will take you previous Previous Order Mennonite farms and horse-drawn buggies. A swimming gap in the course of Dry River is an inviting area for riders to appease sore muscle tissue on heat summer season days.
Cyclists who’re prepared for the problem can climb to the highest of Reddish Knob, one of many highest peaks within the County. At 4,300 toes, Reddish Knob gives 360-degree views of the ridges of the encircling mountains and Shenandoah Valley beneath. Within the fall, vibrant hues of orange and purple foliage are on full show, enchanting riders. Meander again down the street to Hone Quarry Recreation Space, a preferred mountaineering and fishing spot nestled within the shadow of Shenandoah Mountain.
Coronary heart-Pumping Mountain Bike Trails
Hidden inside the wooded areas of Harrisonburg’s Hillandale Park, The Rocktown Trails supply nice alternatives to hone your mountain biking expertise. This dense community of trails was designed in collaboration with the Worldwide Mountain Bicycling Affiliation (IMBA), which has designated Harrisonburg as an IMBA Bronze Degree Journey Middle. Journey by sweeping uphill climbs, sidewinding single tracks, and low drops, or check your limits on the thrilling downhill bounce observe. Trails of various problem wind by the community, from simple inexperienced trails and reasonable blue trails on the edges of the park to more difficult purple and black trails in the direction of the middle.
Simply seven miles east of Harrisonburg lies the Massanutten Western Slopes, a community of trails spanning over 800 acres. From beginner-friendly inexperienced trails to steep, black diamond descents, the wide range of trails obtainable make it a really perfect spot for riders of all skills. Tucked away inside the Western Slopes is a Abilities Kitchen, the place you possibly can enhance your mountain bike expertise and apply daring jumps on the pump observe. Earlier than you go, you should definitely decide up a path move from the kiosk on the base of the trailhead. All path charges help the mission of the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC), which works to take care of the paths and construct distinctive driving alternatives for riders throughout the area.
To the west, the George Washington Nationwide Forest boasts tons of of miles of singletrack trails by lush, forested mountain slopes. Take Intention Biking, an skilled information service primarily based in Harrisonburg, VA, is considered one of only some on this space to be permitted to take cyclists into the Nationwide Forest. Be part of the crew on an exhilarating “curler coaster trip” by the Tillman West Path, or work with them to plan a customized journey that’s excellent on your talent degree, pursuits and season.
Thrilling Annual Occasions
Harrisonburg can also be identified for its common biking occasions for riders of all talent ranges. Journey by tight turns, off-camber sections, and gravel climbs on the Rocktown Cyclocross, a celebration of biking within the Shenandoah Valley. A free pint of bubbly craft beer and liege-style Belgian waffles await on the end line. Cruise previous idyllic pastures, restored mills, and Previous Order Mennonite farms on flowing gravel roads on the Shenandoah Valley Century Journey, Harris Roubaix, or Bike Shenandoah. The Shenandoah Valley Century is the oldest trip within the Shenandoah Valley. Take a look at your limits at Massanutten Yee-Ha!, a downhill mountain bike race set on one of many hardest programs on the East Coast, or traverse over 800 acres of trails by the Hoo-Ha!, an everlasting cross nation mountain bike race. Touring with youngsters? The annual Youth TryAthlon is a enjoyable approach to introduce them to operating, biking, and swimming.
At any considered one of these occasions, you might end up driving alongside considered one of Harrisonburg’s elite cyclists. Jeremiah Bishop, a pan-American gold medalist and internationally acknowledged bicycle owner, is the host of the highly-anticipated Alpine Loop Gran Fondo. Journey over 100 miles on winding grime roads and steep climbs, bike into the George Washington Nationwide Forest over rugged mountain ranges, and again into Downtown Harrisonburg that includes 11,000 toes of climbing. Ring the Swiss Glocken bell upon your end and have fun with different cyclists over a smorgasbord. The race has been hailed by Males’s Journal as considered one of America’s Prime 10 Gran Fondos.
Harrisonburg residents Abe Kaufman and David Landis, high American finishers on the 2022 Tour Divide, and Amanda Presgraves, third place finisher on the XTERRA Off Street Triathlon, have additionally shared the rostrum with nationwide and worldwide champions. They typically take part in native biking occasions, constructing town’s biking tradition and welcoming new cyclists into town.
Basecamp for Bikes & Brews
After a full day of driving, cease by considered one of Harrisonburg’s 5 craft breweries or cidery. These beloved native institutions have a powerful custom of pleasant service, thrilling occasions, and award-winning libations. A frequently altering faucet listing and domestically sourced substances add selection to the flavors you’ll expertise right here. Every of Harrisonburg’s breweries are inside biking distance of one another, making it simple to start your journey on the Shenandoah Beerwerks Path. Merely decide up a Beerwerks Path passport at one of many collaborating breweries, acquire eight stamps, and obtain a free t-shirt!
Every Might, Brothers Craft Brewing companions with VA Momentum and the Shenandoah Bicycle Coalition to incorporate the biking neighborhood in its month-to-month Run, Sweat and Beers occasion, offering an avenue for cyclists to take part in a lighthearted trip by downtown Harrisonburg and discounted brews on the brewery. In April, the Rocktown Beer and Music Pageant welcomes cyclists to take pleasure in music carried out by native and nationwide bands, meals vehicles, and craft brews from over 80 breweries.
Pleasant, Educated Outfitters
As you discover Harrisonburg’s craft brewing scene, you should definitely try town’s vibrant downtown, a middle for the humanities, tradition and leisure, and a basecamp for Harrisonburg’s energetic biking neighborhood. Stroll, bike, drive, or scooter down bike-friendly streets to internationally-inspired eating places, independently owned boutiques, and pleasant, educated bike retailers like Shenandoah Bicycle Firm, Rocktown Bicycles, or Bluestone Bike & Run.
Shenandoah Bicycle Firm, positioned within the coronary heart of downtown Harrisonburg, gives a laid again, inviting atmosphere for cyclists to assemble. Simply outdoors of the store, a shaded backyard patio overlooking Blacks Run is host to PULP, an acai and smoothie bar providing nutritious natural smoothies, pesto sandwiches, and flavorful acai bowls that can assist you gasoline your subsequent journey. Close by, Rocktown Bicycles gives bike upkeep clinics and vigorous cookouts all year long to construct neighborhood and help budding bicyclists. Simply south of downtown Harrisonburg close to the Pleasant Metropolis Trails, Bluestone Bike and Run gives a full choice of gear in addition to a full-service store, proudly servicing bikes of all manufacturers. Their passionate, educated workforce gives a customized expertise for cyclists of all ranges.
With its thriving neighborhood of cyclists, pleasant, educated outfitters, inventive craft breweries, and countless miles of trails, Harrisonburg is Virginia’s basecamp for bikes, brews and journey!
