E-biking the Sky Meadows State Park Loop with E-bike Lovers.

[https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37922760 (33 miles, 50% gravel)](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37922760)
Picnic spot: Sky Meadows Park (19.2 miles into the route).

This is NOT a ride for beginning e-bikers. 50% gravel, steep hills.

NOW WITH A 33-MILE VERSION!
Join us for an out-of-this-world scenic adventure as we romp through the Blue Ridge mountains and valleys around Sky Meadows State Park.

Toilets are in the middle, beginning, and end of the route.

The GPS routes can be found here:
[https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37764589 (43 miles, 40% gravel)](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37764589)
[https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37764591 (39 miles, 30% gravel)](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37764591)
[https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37922760 (33 miles, 50% gravel)](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37922760)

If you choose to make this trek, you will be rewarded with miles of remote scenery that seems to have been plucked right out of a fantasy novel. We'll start down in the valley, cutting through stone wall-lined fields, on our way up to Sky Meadows.

We'll have lunch in the park, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, in the midst of an old farmstead. Finally, we'll kiss the edge of the G.R. Thompson Wildlife management area, and enjoy more great views as we gradually head back down into the valley. If you desire, you can even tack on some light mountain biking miles in Sky Meadows!

Check out the pics from the last time EBL did this ride:
https://www.meetup.com/electric-bicycle-e-bike-lovers-washington-dc/events/291826063/

Free Ride With GPS for E-Bike Lovers
The Ride With GPS E-bike Lovers club membership is now free as www.ebikelovers.com generates sufficient income from ads to cover the costs.
Here is the link to activate your free membership:
https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbN
More information about using GPS files:
https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/
More information about e-bike ranges:
https://ebikelovers.com/2020/12/31/e-bike-longer-and-happier-15-smart-strategies-to-reduce-your-e-bike-range-anxiety/
You will finish this ride with a satisfied feeling, having completed one of our most epic rides yet. You will also be overwhelmed by a feeling of serenity, having experienced so many pleasant views along the way.

Mile 0 to 10: Parking area to Rectortown, all routes similar
We'll leave Northern Fauquier County Park (which has indoor restrooms), and ramble over a mix of gravel and paved roads, passing through various farms, on our way to Rectortown. Expect to see a variety of livestock: horses and cattle mostly.

Mile 10 to 19: Rectortown to Sky Meadows, all routes identical
Relax and enjoy the anticipation, as the Blue Ridge mountains gradually become larger in the background. At one point, you will make a right onto Carr Lane, and you may think, "why is the route taking me down someone's country driveway?". Carr Lane is just incredible.. it feels like you're trespassing in someone's farm, but no, somehow you're on a public road. This road alone makes this ride special, but rest assured, it gets even better.

Mile 19 to 33: Sky Meadows to parking area, shortest route
Enjoy the views again on your way back! This is mostly a reverse of the way you got to Sky Meadows, but with a bit chopped off to keep the mileage down. A big plus is that you will get to ride on Carr Lane again!

Mile 19 to 28: Sky Meadows to Markham
Sky Meadows is an old farmstead that has been converted to a park. There are indoor restrooms, and a gift shop where you can purchase light snacks. You should pack your lunch though, as the gift shop does not sell proper meals. Additionally, there are usually a few interactive demos going on. If you are up to it, there are 5ish miles of very easy mountain biking trails that you can explore: you don't really need a mountain bike though.. there are no obstacles, few roots, and few rocks. You will never have to lift your bike. We'll leave the park, and then follow an incredible road that follows the edge of the mountain range along the G.R. Thompson Wildlife management area.

Mile 28 to 43: Markham back to the parking area
We'll ease our way back into the valley, leaving the Blue Ridge mountains at our back, and meander through valleys, woodland, and pastures, on our way back to where we started.

https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sky-meadows#general_information

DISCLAIMER
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER GREGORY MAASSEN, TRIP COORDINATORS, THEIR AFFILIATES, FAMILY AND FORMER AND CURRENT EMPLOYERS NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS IS LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF A USER’S ACCESS TO, OR USE OF THE E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS.

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