Grand Fondo...was Grand Fun!!

Sunday...clean up day for the Grand Fondo Teeam. 

For a first year event, and more participants then expected, things went pretty darn smooth for the Jeremiah Bishop Alpine Loop Grand Fondo. The weather was about perfect considering it was between two very rain days in the Burg. A lot of folks realized why a compact crank set and big cassette were recommended, put it this way..Route 33 was the gentle climb.

[caption id="attachment_264" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Folks leaving downtown for the hills in West Virginia."][/caption]

Grand Fondo is upon us! Why is everyone chaning their gearing?

Wednesday the 21st...A week of overcast skies but lets not forget what the rain brings to the Valley; beautiful, green and lush forest, all in time for the Shenandoah Mountain Bike Festival.

[caption id="attachment_258" align="aligncenter" width="800" caption="Green Ferns on Narrow Back...Site of the 2011 Festival Trail Work Project"][/caption]

The weather forecast for Saturday's Grand Fondo and Bath County Harvest Moon Festival.  Both events are on Saturday and will showcase the beautiful riding in western Virginia and West Virginia.

The battle of the Blue Ridge Cup started last night with Tuesday Cyclo Cross, the first event was at Hillandale Park.  It is amazing how hard folks will ride for a trophy made of old bike parts and beer cans, nothing better then grass root's bike events.

29th Shenandoah Valley Century in the bag...A great history of Harrisonburg cycling.

After a rainy week the weekend turned out perfect for both the Taste and Tour Ride (benefit for the Valley Aids Network) and Sunday's 29th running of the Shenandoah Valley Century. In it's first year the Taste and Tour ride did a great job and Art did a masterful job putting together the 29th annual Century (his 28th year being head organizer..WOW!). The Century's growth shows how Harrisonburg cycling scene has grow over the years  as well as how many folks love to come to the area to ride the beautiful valley roads and participate in the well organized events.


Link to great video from Robert Cone from Sunday's Century: http://www.svbcoalition.org/manager/front.php

Don't forget to come out tonight for the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition monthly social at Clementine Cafe, 7:30pm! All are welcome.

Wet weather forecast...Time to recover from SM100!!

Labor weekend means a busy Saturday at SBC and hundreds of cyclist coming to town for the Shenandoah Mountain 100 Mile Back Country Mountain Bike Race. A large portion of the local bike community was out at Stokesville either volunteering to help make sure the event was smooth or battling the 100 mile course. Smiles were rolling across the finish line from the 1st place rider to the last rider rolling in under dark skies.

[caption id="attachment_250" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="One rider beat the 7 hour mark...OUCH!!"][/caption]

Every year following the SM100 is the Shenandoah Valley Century , this event has not just the 100 mile road route but also options for 25 and 50 miles. Your better sign up early to make sure you get a slot..over 260 folks have signed up and the event will most likely fill up!

Hurricane Irene...made for a beautiful Sunday in the Valley.

Some Saturdays rains and overnight winds was about the extent of the feel the Valley received from Hurrican Irene. The weekend moisture will just make conditions for Sunday's upcoming Shenandoah Mountain 100 Miler that much more perfect. During Saturday's post six pack trail work there were many pre riders seen getting their pre game ride on the Lynn Trail.  Sunday's inspection of Dowell's Draft showed the trails is ready to rock for those who will be chugging down to SBC/Sole Source Check Point 3.

[caption id="attachment_245" align="aligncenter" width="800" caption="20 feet off the SM100 Course...worth the detour!!"][/caption]

 Check Points 2/6, 3 and 5 all have slight new locations, setting up farther off the road to help reduce the confusion on the open traffic roads...SBC will be out at the SM100 all

Monday August 22nd..Welcome JMU!!

This week is move in week for James Madison Univeristy, you might have to avoid campus area if you are out and about.  JMU has made some major changes to transportation and campus over the summer. With new gates that limit vehicle access to many portions of campus, bicycles might become even more attractive means of transportation. The more people that ride the safer the roads become for all!!

[caption id="attachment_241" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Start of the Shenandoah Valley Century...29th annaul running is September 11th."][/caption]

If you have not registered for the Shenandoah Valley Century think about doing it soon, field limit is 3oo riders, with rides of 25, 50 and 100 this popular event will most likely filled up! If you are new to the area this is great opportunity to discover some of the beautiful riding in the Valley and the friendly bicycle community.

OHHHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOO!!!!! Dyanamo 2011 October 1st.

Yes, fall is not here yet but planning is underway for the 2011 Dyanamo.  You ask what is a Dyanamo? It is a long tme tradition that goes well beyond Harrisonburg's 6 year history of doing their version of a Dyanamo. It is an all evening ride that starts at 10pm and travels some of the beautiful paved and gravel roads of the Valley and surrounding mountains. It is usually on a full moon but a conflict between the full moon and the Shenandoah Mountain Bike Festival will push it back a week.  Put it on your calendar, have your lights charged and meet at SBC ready to roll at 10pm and don't expect to be back until The Little Grill opening time at 9am on Sunday.   Distance...something around 130 miles give or take 10-20 miles.  For tentative route visit Map My Ride!!

Thursday Trail work this evening at Hillandale has been cancelled.