Ride Director Comments

Luggage: Due to limited space and handling requirements everyone is limited to 1 large bag with dimensions totaling no greater than 62” and one small carry-on or backpack style with dimensions totaling no greater 46” than or sided piece with a maximum weight of 15 lbs. If you can, please use a soft sided suitcase or duffel as it is easier to fit into the luggage van.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW:  Experience the fall foliage, rural beauty, history, charm, and tranquility of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley during this loop tour which includes 10 days of required riding and 2 rest days with options for biking, hiking, or simply relaxing. Cycle along quiet country roads, riding past prosperous horse farms and lush family farms, and some of the small historic towns dotting the northern section of the Shenandoah Valley. Ride the entire length of iconic Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park (SNP) which is on many cyclists’ list of “must do” rides.

Our trip starts and ends in Leesburg, VA, settled in the mid-1700s. From there we’ll cross the Potomac River into rural Maryland, and continue on to Shepherdstown, West Virginia before heading south through the Shenandoah Valley. We’ll pass through or overnight in several of the towns that have hosted the annual Bike Virginia tour in years past, including Woodstock, Harrisonburg, and Staunton. From Staunton we head to Waynesboro before turning back north to enjoy riding Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park (SNP). Skyline Drive winds along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains for 105 miles between Waynesboro and Front Royal, and has dozens of scenic overlooks where we can stop to enjoy spectacular views of the changing foliage in the valley below. We’ll spend two nights SNP, staying at historic Big Meadows Lodge which will give us a chance to either relax in a quiet peaceful setting, or hike one of several trails in that area, including a section of the Appalachian Trail. The Ride leader led this tour in the spring of 2009 and 2019, but in the reverse direction.

RIDE RATING: Ride rating is “3B!” with daily averages of 48 miles and 3200’ of elevation gain based on the easiest routes for required riding days.

Mileage and elevation gains range from 37-58 miles and 2400’- 4800’ of climbing. Most days there will be options for longer distances. Contact the Ride Leader for a list of mileage and elevation gains for each day of the tour. Four days exceed the max mileage and elevation rating for level 3B:

• Riding day 2 - Shepherdstown to Stephens City = 3C, 58 miles, 2700’ climbing
• Riding day 6 - Staunton to Waynesboro = 4C, 57 miles, 3500’ climbing
• Riding day 7 - Waynesboro to Big Meadows Lodge, SNP = 4C, 56 miles, 4800’ climbing, followed by a rest day
• Riding day 8 - Big Meadows Lodge to Front Royal = 4C, 55 miles, 4208’ climbing, but with 7300’ descending

All roads will be paved and most will be quiet with light traffic although there will be occasional short stretches of busy roads. There’s one short tunnel on Skyline Drive for which the National Park Service requires bicycles to have bright front and rear lights. The Ride Leader has ridden all of these routes many times, and will scout them again prior to the tour’s start. This ride is for strong, independent cyclists. Be prepared to ride the entire distance each day; transport in the luggage van will be restricted to true emergencies!

GPX FILES, CUE SHEETS, MAPS: GPX files for all routes, including rest days, will be available via a Ride with GPS (RWGPS) event created by the ride leader. You will be able to download the files to your computer or navigation device. NOTE: It is up to each rider to know how to use their navigation device before the tour begins! The ride leader will also provide cue sheets and maps.

WEATHER: The average high temperature in the Shenandoah Valley in early October is 71°, and the average low is 48°. Expect temperatures in Shenandoah National Park to be 5-10 degrees cooler than the valley. Average total precipitation for October is 3”. Come prepared for cold and warm, wet and dry, calm and windy conditions.

LODGING & MEALS: Our lodgings for this tour will include luxury and historic hotels (The Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, WV; Hotel Madison in Harrisonburg; Hotel 24 South in Staunton; and Big Meadows Lodge in Shenandoah National Park), as well as chain and family owned motels.

There are 9 breakfasts and 3 group dinners (2 in Leesburg and 1 in Shepherdstown, WV) included in the tour cost. As several days will have few options available for a lunch stop, PB&J, fruit, and energy bars will be available for those who wish to make lunches to take on the road. Vegetarian options will be available for all group meals. NOTE: Please contact the ride leader before signing up if you have special dietary needs.

LOGISTICS: The tour starts at the Comfort Suites Leesburg with our first BAC Happy Hour and meeting at 5pm, Tuesday, September 30, 2025, and ends after breakfast on Monday, October 13, 2025. Leesburg is 15 miles from Dulles International Airport (IAD), and about 40 miles northwest of Washington, DC and Reagan National Airport (DCA). Free shuttle service is available from Dulles to the Comfort Suites Leesburg with an advance reservation (703-669-1650). If you’re considering flying into Reagan National, you can take the Metro Silver line to Dulles Airport, and then take the free shuttle to the Comfort Suites Leesburg. Cars and bike boxes can be left at the Comfort Suites Leesburg during the tour at no charge.  Additional nights at the Comfort Suites Leesburg, before or after the tour, can be booked at the “BAC rate” by calling the hotel directly (703-669-1650).

BIKES: Please be sure your bike is in good working order before arriving for the tour. A white front light that’s at least 150 lumens, and a rear red light that’s at least 50 lumens are required for riding on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Come prepared to change your own flats and take care of any minor mechanical problems. Please contact the Ride Leader prior to signing up if you are planning to bring an e-Bike or tandem.

Options for renting bikes for this tour are extremely limited but may be available from some of the local bike shops in Northern Virginia -- e.g., The Bike Lane (Reston), Green Lizard (Herndon). A tour participant who wishs to rent a bike is solely responsible for reserving and making payment to the rental agency.

COST & ADMINISTRATION: Estimated cost per rider is $2,400, plus the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee of $85, and includes: 13 nights lodging (double occupancy), 9 breakfasts; 3 group dinners; daily route review meeting and BAC Happy Hour with wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks; gpx files, cue sheets, and maps; luggage van expense; and expense reimbursement for the Ride Leader and Co-Leader. A deposit of $1200 is due at sign-up. The remaining payment of $1200 is due April 30, 2025.

All participants will need a National Park Pass to enter Shenandoah National Park. You may either purchase one in advance or at the park entrance for $15. You may wish to consider purchasing a National Park Service Lifetime Pass, particularly if you're 65 or older.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY: The additional cost for a tour participant who does not wish to share a room (a solo) is $1200 and is due by December 31, 2024. Due to room limitations, a maximum of 4 solos can be accepted onto this tour. It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given 30 days to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC Ride Registration Fee and payment processing fees) or pay the $1200 Solo Supplement cost and stay on the ride. If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.

Solo supplement payments may be made in one of two ways:

1. By check made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check. Checks should be mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.
2. By Zelle. This is how to use Zelle for a solo supplement payment:

• In your online bank account, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient, with email address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org
• Initiate a payment
• In the Message block enter the name of your ride

If you have questions, contact Nancy Bohnett (nbohnett@bicycleadventureclub.org ) or Ernie Coose (erniecoose.bac@gmail.com ).

NOTE: Only solo supplement payments may be paid via Zelle. All other tour payments must be made by credit card through the BAC website.

HEALTH and SAFETY: Vaccinations for Covid are recommended, but not required. Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride.  A plan will be in place and communicated in advance of the tour start date to all ride participants regarding steps that will be taken should someone’s health becomes compromised during the tour, thus jeopardizing the group’s health and safety.  The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness as a means to ensure the tour can continue as planned.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the cancelling participant can’t be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY: Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

INSURANCE: Before participating in any BAC tour, members should review their medical coverage and assess whether what you have is sufficient. BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents. This coverage applies when touring inside the US, regardless of your nationality. It’s assumed that members’ personal insurance will cover medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, so these have not been included in the BAC policy. Coverage is subject to a $1000 deductible. You may want to consider personal coverage for emergency evacuation, as this is not included. The costs of treatment or quarantine for Covid and other unexpected illnesses are not covered. You should ensure that your vaccinations are up to date.

SIGN-UP: To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description. If you are accepted onto the ride, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List.  At that time, you’ll receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable $85 BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit of $1200 by credit card.  As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the tour’s Participant List.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.