Spring in the Shenandoah Valley means lots of outdoor activity. Get out your bike, check it over, put on your helmet, and let’s go biking!
On Saturday, March 26, 2016, the “Wheels for Meals – Ride & Dine” event will benefit Meals on Wheels, and Senior Programming in the Rockbridge Community. This is a new event and promises to be great fun and as challenging as you wish.
There are three bike routes planned. The family-fun route is just 7.5 and is located mostly within the town of Buena Vista.
The second and more challenging route is 28.1 miles and runs north for about 14 miles then turns south and follows along a scenic stream, The Chalk Mine Run and then the Maury River. This route also travels just next to the George Washington National Forest, so you know it will be a beautiful ride!
The third route – for the really serious biker – is 46.6 miles. This route climbs from an elevation of 865 ft. to over 3200 ft.! About 20 miles of the route is on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It just doesn’t get any better than that! The route returns by way of South River Road – along the picturesque stream and the National Forest.
All routes start from Maury River Senior Center in Buena Vista, VA and all routes have rest areas planned for the participants.
After the ride, Southern Inn Restaurant and Urban Farm Girl Antiques will offer a unique dining experience. Devils Backbone Brewing and Rockbridge Vineyard will offer adult beverages. There will also be an auction of hand-made quilts produced by Mrs. C’s Quilting Club. Music by Late Blooming Onions (a favorite local band) will continue the festivities into the evening.
The ride packet pickup begins at noon with the longest riders starting out at 1:00pm, followed by the 30 milers at 2:30 and the family riders beginning at 3:30pm.
Dinner will be served at 5:30pm, with a “snack-e-tizer” station at 4:30pm. Dressing rooms and a shower facility will be available for bikers (bring your own towel).
Registration is open to Ride and Dine or just Ride or just Dine. Cost is $50 for a rider and $50 for the dining experience. Sign-up for both and help supply twice as many meals to seniors. This ride is a great way to start the spring biking season while supporting a worthy cause! Register now!
