Gale Bard

Front Royal is the northern gateway for the Skyline Drive, and you will find the general area busy with outdoor adventurers on their way to either hike or bicycle the road, or canoeists who want to experience the many bends and rapids of the Shenandoah River just south of town. As you work your way south you will find the gently rolling piedmont gets you relaxed and provides ample sections to glance off to the west to see the mountain rising ever so higher above. You can make a few detours along the way, one such place might be Washington, VA – the first town in the country named for our first President. It is home to the Inn at Little Washington, a place where many of the Washington, D.C. elite come to dine. So, keep an eye out for the limos and Secret Service.

Rt. 231 is a Virginia Scenic By-Way and the character of the road is true to form, with expansive pastureland and crop fields dotting the hills and valleys, as well as weathered farmsteads and outbuildings. The area has somewhat gentrified in the past decade, but the mountain culture still is strong along this route. As you approach Banco and the old Blue Ridge Turnpike you might want to swing west and check out some country lunch or dinner at Graves Mountain Lodge. Homestyle food served family style.

Following the route, you roll into Madison. It is the county seat for the county, which is named for the Madison family that owned land along the Rapidan River. President James Madison was a descendant of that family. Museums offer a view to the past for history buffs of all ages and a walking tour of the town of Madison enables visitors to appreciate its beauty.

Gale Bard

As you merge with Rt. 29 be sure to keep an eye out for a veggie stand – in season of course. From here to Stanardsville you can get some good fruit and veggies that are grown fresh in the shadow of the Blue Ridge. The tomatoes are sweet and juicy, with the fruit being near perfection, with luscious apples and peaches being watched over by buzzing bees sensing the treat just below the glowing skin.

Heading up Rt. 33 towards the crest, you will have to work your gears a bit – which will give you and your bike a chance to refresh your corning and braking skills. As you near the top of the Blue Ridge you will have a chance to possibly enter the Skyline Drive. Be aware, there is a small charge for the pleasure of entering this park, but worth the price.

Gale Bard

Continuing west on 33 towards Elkton the road maintains its serpentine route until you are near the base of the mountain. Be aware, you can find yourself just having too much fun on these sections and get a grin on your face that will last for hours.

As you meet up with Rt. 340 and aim north you will see the rich bottom land of the Shenandoah River – land that was at one time flooded by the mighty river and left rich soils for the area settlers to farm and raise corn, wheat, and soybean. Traveling through this area you will notice the unique blend of country life today amidst the historical evidence of years gone by. Former 1930 – 40 gas stations now used as garages or antique shops, old high schools made of brick and marble now used as elementary and middle schools, town streets with facades that trace their roots back to the 1920’s and earlier.

Slowly, you will notice 340 getting a bit less narrow, and a bit less rolling. You will be approaching Luray, hometown of the world famous Luray Caverns. Fame brings along with it some 4-lane highways and of course, some traffic and urbanization. It’s but a brief blip on this trip, and soon you will be happy again in the saddle recognizing the familiar character of rural 340 as you continue your route to Front Royal.

In total, the ride is 128 miles and approximately 4 hours of actual riding time. If along your way you care to stop for the night, there are plenty of motels, B&B’s and campgrounds in Front Royal, Luray, Elkton and the Madison area. No need to rush around, especially if you want to look down from on high into the vast valley of Virginia from a rocky knob atop the Skyline Drive.

This month’s featured ride is provided by Moto-Maps® from their Virginia (northern) booklet and was created and reported by Dan Bard – a Moto-Maps’ colleague and co-author of Great Roads, Great Rides

Click on the map, legend and directions below to enlarge.