Dear Friends,
We won't be scheduling our customary Saturday and Sunday rides this weekend because we're riding my new permanents -- "Splendor in the Blue Grass" on Saturday and "MMMM (Many Mountains from Monterey to Middletown)" on Sunday. If you're interested in joining us for the epic adventure, I need to know by no later than tomorrow (Wednesday).
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I adapted these two rides from my 400K "Devil's Wicked Stepmother" permanent route. Both rides are extremely scenic and challenging and I'm really looking forward to sharing them.
"Splendor in the Blue Grass" is 141 miles (227K). We will begin at the 7-11 in Middletown, Virginia at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday. The route travels through Hardy and Pendleton Counties in West Virginia to Monterey, Virginia, passing through the towns of Wardensville, Moorefield, Brandywine, Sugar Grove and Blue Grass. Highlights include climbs over Little North Mountain, Great North Mountain, Sandy Ridge, South Branch Mountain, Hoover Mountain, Brushy Mountain and Monterey Mountain. In addition to all that climbing, there are some lovely and long tranquil stretches through Sweedlin Valley and the scenic Thorn Creek Wildlife Management Area. But perhaps the most precious jewel of this ride is Highland County's beautiful Blue Grass Valley.
"MMMM" is 135 miles (216K) and travels from Monterey back to Middletown, beginning with a series of climbs over Jacks, Bull Pasture and Shenandoah Mountains before heading north through the Shenandoah Valley. The route passes through McDowell, West Augusta, Swoope, Churchville, Bridgewater, Singers Glen, and Columbia Furnace. We'll start from High's Restaurant in Monterey at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday.
If you'd like to join us, please contact me off-list as soon as possible, but no later than tomorrow, Wednesday, September 9. You must be a RUSA member and be officially registered for the ride, and you'll need to make your own reservations for the overnight stay in Monterey. Lodging is available in Monterey at the Montvallee Motel - http://www.montvalleemotel.com/,
and the Highland Inn - http://www.highland-inn.com/.
Crista
202-365-3738
