2021 DEPARTURE DATES SHENANDOAH & SKYLINE DRIVE Fall See website for details Trip Length: “I felt like I was in heaven last week while participating in the Shenandoah and the Civil 6 days/5 nights War tour. Three days of biking in the Virginia and the Blue Ridge Mountains followed by Difficulty: three days of biking through Civil War history. Top that off with first class meals Experienced and lodgings and two Wilderness Voyageurs guides who were extremely accommodating and you have one outstanding bike touring adventure.” B.Helminiak Beginning in“Luxuriousthe shadow of lodging,our nation’s decadentcapital to the meals,top of verdantthe Blue Ridge, countryside…”across the Shenandoah Longer mileage and mixed Valley through the cobblestone streets of Harpers Ferry, over the Mason-Dixon Line to Gettysburg, that terrain. is the campaign of adventure we will embark upon. This region has been witnessing and influencing the development of our country for more than 250 years, from the original land grant of King Charles in 5 – 6 hours daily riding. 1649, to the modern presidential retreat of Camp David, these country lanes are as influential as they Riding Surface: are beautiful. Road Biking on mixed terrain, This trip is intended for those who are experienced road bikers that are comfortable riding with traffic. with some climbs Riding is primarily on back roads, and riders must possess a comfort level of riding with traffic on roads that may not have shoulders. This trip travels point to point with few alternate routes due to the Average Daily Miles: 19-50 nature of the road system; many of the “non-route” roads are dirt. The terrain is mixed with some rolling hills, a few steep climbs, and short sections of busy roads, the support van is always nearby if you need assistance! WHAT TO EXPECT TODAY Today’s Highlights DAILY MILEAGE: Day 1 • Leesburg Historic District 27 • Washington & Old Dominion Rail Trail Leesburg, VA to Middleburg, VA • Middleburg Virginia Lunch: Roadside Dinner: On your own Lodging: The Red Fox Inn Fun Fact: The Red Fox Tavern You will meet your guides and fellow travelers in the heart of the Leesburg, VA historic district. Leesburg, was a meeting spot VA will be our jumping off point, much like it was for John Mosby, “The Gray Ghost” and his infamous for Confederate “Raiders” during the Civil War. However, our foray into the Virginia countryside will be a little more light Colonel John Mosby hearted, and we’ll certainly have better food. & his Rangers. A century later, Our first 12 miles of riding will be on the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Rail Trail corridor, leaving President Kennedy's the hustle and bustle of the capital region behind us. Once we reach Purcellville, we will take to the road, press secretary, held heading south to Middleburg. This quaint village has 160 buildings listed on the National Register, the press conferences in Virginia Landmarks Register, and is known as the "Nation's Horse and Hunt Capital.” Plan on spending some the Jeb Stuart Room time strolling the brick lined streets, browsing the delightful array of specialty stores and galleries. Mingle with Olympic equestrians and country squires or visit the National Sporting Museum & Library. We’ll enjoy a happy hour together followed by dinner on your own. 2 WHAT TO EXPECT TODAY Day 2 Today’s Highlights DAILY MILEAGE: • Scenic Vista of Blue Ridge Middleburg, VA to Hume, VA 44 Miles • Hunt & Wine Country Spend today cycling through the rich tapestry Breakfast: of Virginia’s “horse and hound” country. You The Red Fox Inn might even hear the bay of the hounds. Rich pasture lands and vineyards, some of the finest Lunch: that Virginia has to offer, will be on our route. On your own The Plains, VA is our first destination of the Dinner: day, a Buffalo hunting ground of the Sioux & Together at the Marriott Iroquois Indians until 1722. This area was one of the first to be included in a treaty between Ranch the Europeans and the Native Americans. Lodging: The nature of the topography begins to change Marriott Ranch as we reach the foothills of the Blue Ridge. Amazing back roads with stone fences heading towards the horizon will be our riding partners today. Fun Fact: The “blue” in the Blue Our destination is the stately and welcoming Ridge, is caused by Marriott Ranch, the 4200 acre country estate “isoprene” which is of J.W. Marriott. Tea time will find you released by the large mass swinging on the veranda staring out at the Blue of trees present in the Ridge. mountains. Dinner will be together in the formal dining room once used by J.W. Marriot to entertain family, friends and dignitaries. 3 WHAT TO EXPECT TODAY Today’s Highlights Day 3 • Skyline Drive DAILY MILEAGE: • Shenandoah National Park 46 Hume, VA to Front Royal, VA • 5 mile descent Breakfast: Marriott Ranch Lunch: Together in Shenandoah National Park Dinner: Together Lodging: L'Auberge Provencale Awaken to an incredible fragrance arising from the summer kitchen -- a memorable three-course "Fairfield Farm" country breakfast. Admire the silhouette of the Blue Ridge as you sip your coffee. Soon we’ll be amongst the mountains. This morning, we’ll shuttle to Thornton Gap, on the crest of the ridge. This “gap” was one of the passages through the Blue Ridge Mountains between the Shenandoah Valley and the Piedmont region of Virginia used by General Stonewall Jackson. Today will be spent almost entirely in Shenandoah National Park, biking one of the most scenic stretches of road in the nation, the Skyline Drive. Although we will share the twisty Skyline drive with some cars, the closely enforced 35 MPH speed limit makes riding enjoyable. Bring your climbing legs! The good news is the day ends with a 5 mile downhill. Bring along a book to enjoy on another amazing front porch at L'Auberge Provencale. 4 Today’s Highlights WHAT TO EXPECT TODAY Day 4 Harpers Ferry Historic District DAILY MILEAGE: Front Royal, VA to Shepherdstown, WV C&O Canal National Park 30 Antietam National Battlefield Shepherdstown Historic District Breakfast: Inn at Vaucluse Spring Lunch: On your own in Harpers Ferry Dinner: On own in Shepherdstown Lodging: Bavarian Inn Three National Parks and three states in one day, hold on! We will begin the day with a short transport back into the heart of Virginia wine country. We’ll arrive in Harpers Ferry via Loudoun Heights, just as General Walker did for the Battle of Harpers Ferry. Explore the cobblestone streets of the preserved town of Harpers Ferry. Due to the strategic location and the native industries, Harpers Ferry changed hands 8 times during the Civil War. Relax and enjoy lunch in one of the many historic homes, now a sidewalk café. After lunch we continue our journey north across the Potomac River and into Maryland. We will ride a section of the C&O Canal as we head towards Antietam National Battlefield. Shepherdstown Historic District is home for the evening, a short downhill jaunt from Antietam. 5 WHAT TO EXPECT TODAY Today’s Highlights Day 5 • Catoctin Mountain Park DAILY MILEAGE: Shepherdstown, WV to Taneytown, MD • Monocacy River Valley 52 Breakfast: Bavarian Inn Lunch: Roadside Dinner: Smokehouse Restaurant Lodging: Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel We will depart the Potomac River Valley and enter the Ridge and Valley geological province. This region is characterized by long, even ridges, with long, continuous valleys between. That means short climbs that are rewarded with great views and exhilarating descents. As we enter the Monocacy Valley from Catoctin Mountain, keep your eyes peeled for Camp David. It is somewhere in the woods, we just can’t tell you exactly where. Countless historic homesteads and rolling Fun Fact: farmlands will lead us to the front door of the “Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel”. The main mansion of the Antrim Hotel was used as headquarters by General George Meade prior to the Battle of Gettysburg. You will visit 11 National Today it will serve as our HQ for acclaimed cuisine and luxurious accommodations. Historic Districts on this tour, Taneytown is #10 Dinner will be on the grounds of the Antrim at the Smokehouse Restaurant, renowned Chef, Spencer Wolff prepares a unique menu every evening. Select the perfect paring from over 19,000 fine bottles of wine, this is home to Maryland’s largest wine cellar. 6 Today’s Highlights WHAT TO EXPECT TODAY Day 6 • Gettysburg National Battlefield DAILY MILEAGE: Taneytown, MD to Gettysburg, PA • Mason Dixon Line 16 or 28 Breakfast: Antrim 1844 Inn Lunch: Roadside Fun Fact: George Armstrong Custer led a brigade of Michigan cavalry at Gettysburg, his first battle as a brigadier general Riding north out of Maryland, you will adventure across the undulating farmland of the Monocacy River Valley across the Mason Dixon line into Pennsylvania. Beautiful back roads with minimal climbing, allows you to really spin it out today. Once into Gettysburg, you will enjoy lunch before embarking on a riveting and inspiring interpretive tour of the Gettysburg National Battlefield with a licensed battlefield guide. It is a bittersweet moment as we say farewell to the “Hallowed Ground” and the friends we have made during the week. The guides will load up your bikes and shuttle you back to your vehicles in Leesburg. 7 PACKING TIPS ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE DETAILS What do I need Arriving and Departing to bring? Meeting and departing times are subject to We will provide you with a change. Do not book flights until your reservation detailed packing list is confirmed and you have consulted with your following your reservation.