I know that updates have been slow this summer. No particular reason other than I'm busy elsewhere. I think you'll see some interesting stuff this fall from the Council.
This was the second year that I've ridden in Bike VA. The biggest lesson I learned last year is not to wait on booking a room. Last year I practically stumbled upon Bike VA and ended up registering late. We had to stay at a really nice B&B down near Blacksburg but it was forever away from the start/finish line. We had to leave the B&B a full 45 minutes before I wanted to start riding. We also brought two cars this year so the family could sleep in if they wanted. We're now on the email list for the event and as soon as the locations were announced, we had rooms booked. The second difference that I noted between this year and last is that the Bike VA event is much more of a "Tour" this year. It was really neat to ride through Antietam , Berryville, Shepardstown, Charles Town and, despite the massive hill, Harpers Ferry. Many riders carried flip-flops so they could comfortably walk around the different attractions.
How was this year's edition different? Well, this years edition of Bike VA was somewhat easier than last year. This was a good thing as, between the weather, work and a couple of injuries, I am not in the same form as last year. There also seemed to be more options as to the length of the routes. Last year was just brutal – this year seemed much more relaxed. This is the 25th Anniversary of the event so they had a birthday party and the Anniversary was featured on all of their Tech-T's (which I hate, btw. It's like wearing a plastic bag) and jerseys.
Accommodations: There are normally two "Headquarters" over the course of the event. In my experience, they are always at a high/middle school. The event just takes a lot of parking and a lot of open space. I suppose that it is at least somewhat traditional for many of the riders to camp and, indeed, this year there were more than 100 tents…maybe as many as 200. My sense is that there were fewer campers this year. This probably had to do with the availability of larger hotels close to the HQ. Me? I ain't camping. First of all, it's the middle of the summer, there's normally a thunderstorm. I don't know if you've ever been in a tent during a T-storm but it ain't fun and everything gets muddy. Secondly, I need a decent bed and a real shower. I ain't camping when I'm riding 50+ miles a day.
The crowd. Well, first of all, they are all bike nuts. I'd guess that the average age is mid-fifties. There are many couples that ride the tour but rarely will you see people riding with their SO. They ride with their friends….:) It's a crowd that likes to have a good time but these are generally middle-aged folks that can afford to take a week off and ride a bike 2-300 miles so it isn't as though there are drunken cyclists tearing up the town. I'd imagine it's a pretty good boost to the local economy to have 2,000 folks show up to hang out in your town for a couple of days. I spent a couple of hours riding with some older ladies and it was a blast. Women will, more frequently than men, dawdle somewhat and chat. Men are generally barreling along at 15mph+ which doesn't leave much time for smelling the roses.
The routes: this year there was far less climbing than there was last year. That isn't to say that there weren't some sharp climbs and some seriously long drags but it wasn't as much as last year. While the tour was in VA, the roads were generally in good condition. As we wandered into the hills around Charles Town WV, the roads got increasingly sketchy – at some points about a lane wide with that tar and chip seal that is very rough. The only time I felt really uncomfortable was when we had to make a quick trip down a 55mph road crossing the Potomac going towards Antitam. That was nerve-wracking. Even when the truck drivers leave room for the bikes, the movement they cause in the air can almost pull you off the bike.
Long and short of it is that I'll be there next year if at all possible. Sketchy roads are somewhat unavoidable and it's cool to be able to ride those distances and not have to worry about a mechanical or other problem. Great Tour Bike VA!
