The Mid-Atlantic offers some great riding in spring! You can have your pick of riding from the shore to the mountains. These great bike events offer you a chance to see new places and meet riders from all around while getting tuned up for the June 21-26 Bike Virginia Open Air De Tour. June’s event will offer nearly 400 miles of riding over 6 days with your choice of terrain and distances. The routes look great and getting out to some events as training beforehand will make them even more enjoyable.
April Bike Rides
Ride to End Hunger – Enjoy beautiful riding along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and support End Hunger in Calvert County. This is a fully supported ride with a winery rest stop and a free post-ride picnic. Routes offered include 16, 35, 48, and 63 miles. This event also offers a new rider experience, a 16 mile loop with added support and a ride leader. April 27, 2013. Register online at endhungercalvert.org/bike
May Bike Rides
The Cap2Cap Ride – Ride for a great cause! The Virginia Capital Trail Foundation holds its annual ride on May 11, 2013. Choose to start in Richmond or Williamsburg and choose your distance, either 15, 25, 50, or 100 miles through some of Virginia’s most historic countryside. Details at virginiacapitaltrail.org/cap2cap-ride
DR100 Event – Ride for a cause in the incredible Shenandoah Valley ‘s pastoral landscape and mountains. All proceeds support bicycle improvement projects. Choose either a 50k or 100k option that traverses through 2,500 feet of climb or 5,000 feet of climbing. May 11, 2013. Check out DR 100′s latest project of implementing bikes in High School Driver’s Ed programs. Details at dr100.org
Tour de Chesapeake – Enjoy pedaling by the water in Mathews, Virginia for this 15th annual family friendly event. Enjoy flat road loops ranging from 4 miles to 24 miles or combine multiple loops for up to 80+ miles. The weekend also features opportunities for paddling on the water, art tours, and live music. May 17-19, 2013. Details at tourdechesapeake.org
Storming of Thunder Ridge – Based in Lynchburg, Virginia this day of riding in the Blue Ridge includes 27, 45, 76, and 100 mile options. Sunday, May 19, 2013. Participants can camp Saturday night, access to the YMCA, and enjoy a fully supported ride. Details at stormingofthunderridge.com
June Bike Rides
The Revolutionary Ramble – June 8th – A great warm-up for BVA. Six scenic tours from a 12-mile family ride to a challenging century. Ride on some of the best touring roads in the North East through beautiful, historic countryside. Fully marked routes, road marshals, cue sheets, Garmin files, maps, great rest stops and SAG support. Bike Expo & all-you-can-eat buffet lunch in air-conditioned comfort after you ride. Join us at the ‘Crossroads of the Revolution’ at Drew University campus, Madison, N.J. Details at www.rambleride.com