Virginia State Arboretum Shenandoah River Expedition with E-bike Lovers

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40828257

NOTE: This trail is 36.4 miles in, for some, challenging terrain. This is not a trail for inexperienced e-bikers. Bring an extra battery.

The lunch stop is at the arboretum, 20 miles into the route. Toilets are available at the beginning, middle, and end of the tour.

REMEMBER: This is a self-guided event. This event empowers each participant to take the lead, as there are no designated bike leaders within E-bike Lovers. We all embrace the role of leaders in this self-guided experience.

Come join us for a scenic ride through the hills and valleys around the Shenandoah River. The shorter version of this ride (36.4 miles) actually has a fairly small elevation gain for the mileage, and while it's definitely not 'flat', on average it's a rather 'flattish' ride, which makes sense since it basically does a big loop around the Shenandoah river plane.

The longer ride has all the hills in the beginning, and there are some very steep hills, some of which are about 19% grade. The longer ride has more gravel roads, since it goes up in the mountains for a bit, but overall there aren't too many gravel roads, and E-bike Lovers have done more gravel-intense roads in the past.

Both rides start and end in the same parking area, which has a port a pot. There are a few country stores with restrooms on both routes, and the VA State Arboretum has restrooms as well.

NOTE on crossing US-50: The short route crosses over US-50 one time. This is an easy crossing, but it is a major road with a high speed limit, so please be careful. There's a median area where you can pause as you cross, which makes is a bit easier. You also will be riding on the shoulder, for about 1/8 mile, which is no problem because the shoulder is quite wide.

Short Ride Summary
You'll follow the east bank of the Shenandoah River through scenic country back roads, on your way toward US-50, where you'll cross over to the west bank. You'll pass two general store style convenience stores at miles 6 and 8, so if you need to grab a drink or snack, this will be your only chance. Shortly after crossing the river, you will find yourself biking in the Virginia State Arboretum, which is a lovely place with many good areas to break for lunch. The ride back from the arboretum is packed with rolling hills, pastures, meadows, horses, and other livestock.

Long Ride Summary
The long ride quickly veers off from the short ride on its way up the mountain. The first 10 miles are INTENSE, as you will be climbing about 2200 ft in 10 miles, some of which will be on gravel roads. After reaching the apex, you'll enjoy a long coast back down to the Shenandoah, where you'll trace the east bank until you cross US-50 at the same place as the short ride. From here, you'll take a turn and meander through beautiful back roads toward Berryville, VA, which is the suggested lunch stop. Berryville has a few stores where you can grab snacks or a bit to eat (Circle-K and Subway for example). We'll break in a local park to rest and dine, then we'll follow a different but equally beautiful set of rural roads, as we head to the arboretum. The ride back from the arboretum is packed with rolling hills, pastures, meadows, horses, and other livestock.

The Routes
VA Trail 13B, 36 mi, 1900 ft elevation gain, mostly paved:
(RWGPS does not accurately label the terrain type for these routes.)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40828257

VA Trail 13A, 72 mi, 5100 ft elevation gain, about 85-90% paved:
(RWGPS does not accurately label the terrain type for these routes.)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39850731

As usual, non-assisted bikers are most welcome, but be aware of the hills on the longer route.

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/

DISCLAIMER
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER GREGORY MAASSEN, NATHAN MERRIS, 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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