Mountain Bike! Virginia, 2nd

by Randy Porter

• ISBN13: 9780897323765
• ISBN10: 0897323769
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2001-04-01
• Publisher: Menasha Ridge Press

Summary

With rides for all types of mountain biking enthusiasts, North America by Mountain Bike Series provide readers with at-a-glance key information for each route profiled.

Author Biography

Randy Porter, a "born-again" Virginian, has lived in the Old Dominion since 1968. After graduating with a M.Ed. in Special Education from Virginia Commonwealth University, he moved to the Shenandoah Valley where he taught students with disabilities. His bicycling ventures have included partial ownership of a bicycle shop and cofounding Virginia¿s first commercial bicycle touring company.

Table of Contents

Map Legend	ix
Ride Location Map	x
List of Maps	xii
Acknowledgments	xv
Foreword	xvii
Preface	xix
Ride Recommendations for Special Interests	xxvii
INTRODUCTION	1	(10)
Trail Description Outline	1	(2)
Abbreviations	3	(1)
Topographic Maps	4	(2)
Trail Etiquette	6	(1)
Hitting the Trail	7	(4)
COASTAL VIRGINIA	11	(38)
False Cape State Park	13	(6)
First Landing State Park	19	(3)
Great Dismal Swamp	22	(4)
Carrollton Nike Park	26	(3)
Newport News Park	29	(3)
Harwoods Mill Trail	32	(4)
Beaverdam Reservoir Park	36	(4)
York River State Park	40	(3)
Marl Ravine Trail	43	(2)
Waller Mill Park	45	(4)
VIRGINIA'S PIEDMONT	49	(42)
Belle Isle	51	(2)
Chimbarazo Park	53	(3)
Dogwood Dell	56	(3)
Powhite Park	59	(3)
Pocahontas State Park	62	(4)
Poor Farm Park	66	(3)
Petersburg National Battlefield	69	(2)
Occoneechee State Park and Wildlife Management Area	71	(3)
Carter Taylor Trail	74	(5)
Cumberland State Forest	79	(2)
James River State Park	81	(4)
Walnut Creek Park	85	(3)
Observatory Hill	88	(3)
NORTHERN VIRGINIA	91	(26)
Wakefield and Lake Accotink Parks	93	(3)
Fountainhead Regional Park	96	(3)
W&OD Railroad Regional Park	99	(3)
C&O Canal National Historic Park	102	(4)
Mount Vernon Trail	106	(3)
Great Falls Park	109	(3)
Prince William Forest Park	112	(5)
THE MOUNTAINS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA	117	(164)
Elizabeth Furnace	121	(5)
Massanutten Campout	126	(11)
Duncan Hollow	137	(4)
Brandywine Lake Overnighter	141	(5)
Lake to Lake	146	(3)
Slate Lick Lake	149	(4)
Long Run	153	(4)
Blueberry Trail	157	(3)
Sandspring Mountain Trail	160	(4)
The Long Way to Reddish Knob	164	(4)
North River Gorge Trail	168	(6)
Little Bald Knob Climb	174	(2)
Great Lakes Loop	176	(4)
West Augusta Trail	180	(3)
Deerfield Horse Trail	183	(3)
Elliott Knob	186	(4)
Walker Mountain	190	(4)
Williamsville Loop	194	(4)
Wallace Tract	198	(4)
Hidden Valley	202	(4)
Laurel Fork	206	(6)
Lake Robertson	212	(3)
Longdale Recreation Area	215	(2)
North Mountain Ridge	217	(6)
Dry Run	223	(3)
Fore Mountain Trail	226	(2)
Blue Suck Falls	228	(3)
Middle Mountain Ridge	231	(2)
Big Levels Reservoir Loop	233	(4)
Big Levels to the Blue Ridge	237	(5)
Pedlar River Loop	242	(4)
Shady Mountain	246	(2)
Cave Mountain Lake	248	(3)
Thomas Mountain	251	(4)
Pine Mountain Trail	255	(2)
Otter Creek Outing	257	(4)
Spec Mines	261	(4)
Carvins Cove Reservoir	265	(3)
Dragon's Back	268	(3)
Barbours Creek Wilderness	271	(5)
Fenwick Mines	276	(5)
VIRGINIA'S BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS	281	(66)
Breeze across Brush Mountain	283	(3)
Poverty Creek Trail	286	(3)
Mountain Lake Trail System	289	(3)
Mountain Lake to Butt Mountain	292	(4)
Flat Top Mountain	296	(3)
Tract Fork and Polecat Trails	299	(3)
Grayson Highlands State Park	302	(3)
New River Trail State Park	305	(5)
Mountain Bike Heaven	310	(3)
Skulls to Hurricane Gap	313	(3)
Rowlands Creek Falls Circuit	316	(2)
Barton Gap	318	(3)
Whitetop Mountain	321	(3)
Beartree Recreation Area	324	(2)
Feathercamp Ridge	326	(3)
Virginia Creeper Trail	329	(4)
Guest River Trail	333	(4)
Breaks Interstate Park	337	(3)
Sugar Hill Loop Trail	340	(3)
Heart of Appalachia Bike Route	343	(4)
Glossary	347	(6)
Index	353	(11)
About the Author	364

Excerpts

The Forest Service brochure calls tis "Horse Heaven Loop," but the ride I took on a quiet weekday morning in the absence of horses, hikers, and bikers was mountain bike heaven for me. This 8-mile loop utilizes single-track, double-track, and Forest Service roads that are part of the Highlands Horse Trail. Except for rank novices, most mountain bikers can handle the mileage and terrain of this trail. The 2.5-mile climb will be the most difficult part for most. When the going gets tough, don¿ be reluctant to stop and admire the outstanding views of neighboring peaks and ridges. The 3-mile double-track decent will leave you grinning for weeks.

---

Excerpted from Mountain Bike! Virginia by Randy Porter
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.