CycleVa-Massanutten

Most, if not all mountain bike riders, have heard of the bike tour. If not, what I mean by a bike tour is a campin'-out, multi-day, long to epic mileage adventure with your best riding buddies. The question is: Where 'round these parts is a good place for a mountain bike tour? The answer: the Massanutten Mountain Range. A geologic microcosm between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Alleghany Mountains, the Massanutten is probably best-known for the resort of the same name near Harrisonburg. While only about 80 miles long from north to south, in fact a bit of a rampaging old geezer in mountain terms, the Massanutten range makes for a perfect 3-day mountain bike tour. The distance breaks down into three nice "bike"-size pieces. Expect moderate to expert level riding over much disintegrated rock. Expect long climbs on moss-slickened babyheads. Expect smooth shale bed downhills. Expect to have the place to yourselves. Expect a little hike-a-bike. Expect wet and wild creek crossings. Expect stunning vistas and soul-crushing false summits. Expect horses, goats, and bears. It may be worth adding here that my interpretation of touring for this trip was to string together three consecutive day rides, in other words, we didn't carry camping gear along with us and bivvy trailside. Please read on ....I give you.... The Massanutten Mountain Traverse.