CANCELLED - Blue Ridge Parkway Pub Ride

CANCELLED DUE TO FORECAST EXTREME HEAT INDEX

Blue Ridge Parkway Pub Ride
The Parkway's views are stunningly beautiful. Miles and miles of uncluttered openness, fields in the valleys, with mountain ridges on the horizons, gorgeous.  The road surface is incredibly smooth, didn't see one pothole, two weeks ago on a 37-mile ride. This is simply a magnificent ride that needs to be shared with many others!

This will be a self supported, out and back ride, that begins 300 yards from the Blue Ridge Parkway's North Entrance. 10:00 AM rollout, to allow a full night's sleep, and driving time.  Parking is available at the Rockfish Gap Tourist Information Center 130 Afton Cir, Afton, VA 22920. Please be considerate when using this lot, and leave the spaces close to the building, for tourists seeking info.

The beginning of the ride is a 3-mile gentle climb, with mostly 3 and 4 percent grades, followed by a 2-mile gentle descent. At mile 5 begins a 3.5-mile climb, with a bit of 7 and 8 degree grades. This climb tops out at mile 8.5, giving everyone a great, early indication, of what this ride will be like, as none of the grades on the Blue Ridge Parkway, are over 9 percent.  Another Visitor Center is located at Humpback Rocks, on the Parkway at mile marker 5.8.  The climbs will fragment the group significantly, so this will be a good place to start teaming up with riders of the same ability level. 

The Royal Oaks convenience store is 200 yards off of the Parkway, just past mile marker 16. An excellent location to buy water, sport drinks, and limited food options. Unfortunately it has no sign that can be seen from the Parkway. Adding to the confusion is the fact that it is located on route 814, and there are two exits off of the parkway to this road. If you take the first one, you miss the Royal Oaks store, but come to another store 5 miles down the mountain. And possibly a double digit grade to get back up to the Parkway again.  So... to get to the convenience store that is only 200 yards from the Parkway, take the second exit to the right for route 814. It will be just past mile marker 16. After making that right, you will see the Royal Oaks sign on the left,at the foot of the gravel, yes, gravel driveway. This driveway is a slight climb,and can leave sand,gravel,and debris in the hard surface road below it. Use caution approaching the driveway,and slow down well before it.

All paces are welcome. However Do NOT expect any specific leaders, or sweeps.

RidewithGPS link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27868620

Following the ride, there are optional food and beverages at the Blue Mountain Brewery. They have an outdoor setting, including food from a restaurant menu. Brewery is within 5 miles of the ride's starting, and ending point.  Blue Mountain Brewery: 9519 Critzers Shop Road • Afton, VA 22920 • 540-456-8020

Please excuse the rambling, and leave your thought or questions in the comments. Thank you.

NOTE: This is not really a "WAB ride", but a ride opportunity offered by one of our club members.  There will be