It’s hard to say which route on the 2013 Bike Virginia tour will be the best bike ride, but I have a bet that riders will vote for the Goshen Pass experience on Saturday’s “Great Historic Detour” route.
You are sure to find all of the Maury River charming, but Goshen Pass takes the cake for beauty in my opinion. I remember seeing the pass several years ago for the first time and being shocked that I was actually in Virginia. The pass has a very “west” feel. I won’t spoil the surprise you are going have by telling you more.
A visit to Goshen will be part of the 64 mile “Pink” signed loop on Saturday June 22. View the map on Ride with GPS here.
Not only does the route visit Goshen, but you will see some of Virginia’s classic historical sites including downtown Lexington, Washington & Lee and Virginia Military Institute. The ride is a great mix of history made by man and mother nature.
The Goshen Pass Natural Preserve is Virginia’s oldest managed natural area. The conservation area was created to protect the views of the river along the 3.7 mile long gorge.
The natural area is also rich in heirloom plant life. “Among them are outstanding examples of chestnut oak forest, pine-oak-heath woodland, rocky riverside scrub communities, a state-rare damselfly called the Appalachian jewelwing, and several rare plants,” (Department of Conservation and Recreation, 2013).
Goshen Pass hosted a kayaking race in March 2013. Kayakers enjoyed runoff from recent snows and rain during the event. See some kayak racing photos from the event at Blue Ridge Life.
Hiking with poles and fishing are popular activities in the pass. If you want to take a day off from the bike or do a short ride in the morning, this would make a great, close-by outing (23 miles from headquarters). View a map of the trails and natural area here.
Interested in history? You might enjoy reading about how the Maury River got it’s name. More on our blog post What do the What do the Maury River and the Moon Have in Common?