Skyline 200 2000 (Please forward)

[Levy.Dave at epamail.epa.gov]

This is an UNofficial ride started by some EPA people---

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                            (   2000 Skyline 200   (

     Join us for the 18th annual Spring Skyline Drive bicycle ride, a one to
four day tour of Shenandoah National Park and the Shenandoah River Valley in the
heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains.  The ride commences in Front Royal on
a Thursday morning and proceeds south along the famous Skyline Drive.  Lodging
on Thursday night is at Skyland Lodge (mile 43), where great food is served in
the scenic restaurant and live folk music lulls weary riders to sleep (or tempts
them to square dance).  A sixty five mile ride on Friday brings us to the
terminus of Skyline Drive and an inn atop the ridge separating Charlottesville
and Waynesboro.

     For those making the return trip through the Shenandoah Valley, the 65 mile
ride on Saturday starts with a brisk decent to the valley floor (often
interrupted by a stop for repairs at Rockfish Gap Outfitters) and proceeds
northward on small country lanes (and the  occasional divided highway) to Luray.
The trip concludes with a 46 mile ride on Sunday commencing with a morning
ascent of Massanutten Mountain, the Mother of All Hills, a brief celebration at
its scenic crest (for those that survive the climb), a leisurely cruise along
the rolling hills of Fort Valley (with an afternoon dip and float at the red
rock swimming hole), and a majestic return to Front Royal.

     The ride along Skyline Drive offers a great opportunity to catch up on any
aspects of Spring that may have passed you by, as the quiet two lane road ranges
in altitude from about 500 to 3,800 feet.  Lush early summer growth gives way to
leaf-barren trees at higher elevations as the road passes through every phase of
Spring several times over the two days.  Spring wild flowers adorn the road
sides along the entire length of the Drive.  Panoramic views abound.  Four and
five mile climbs offer plenty of meditative opportunities and are rewarded by
exhilarating down hill coasts.

     Three riders started this rite of Spring in 1982, and more people come
every year.  The riding isn't always easy, but you don't need to be an athlete
to enjoy this trip as the grades are reasonably mild (except on Mother
Massanutten).  It usually pays, however, to put some miles on your bike (and
your butt) before the trip.  There are several places to get food and drink each
day, but it?s a good idea to bring food so you can eat where and when you want.
Bring a camera and a pocket full of patience for the long up-hills and the
occasional shower, hailstorm, tornado, .....

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                    (   2000 Skyline 200 Logistics   (
Lodging:

     Wednesday, May 17:       Front Royal

          Scottish Inn        (540) 636-6168
          Center City Motel   (540) 635-4050

     Thursday, May 18:        Shenandoah National Park

          Skyland Lodge       (540) 999-2211; (800) 999-4714

     Friday, May 19:     Afton Mountain or Waynesboro

          Inn at Afton        (540) 942-5201  (At top of the ridge)
          Comfort Inn    (540) 942-1171  (Waynesboro - Ask for Hlustic?s Group
                      Rooms)

     Saturday, May 20:        Luray

          Mimslyn Inn         (540) 743-5105
          Inn Town Motel      (540) 743-6511
          Budget Inn     (540) 743-5176

Transportation:

     Unless you plan to ride round trip, you need to make car shuttle
     arrangements.  A basic plan is for four people with two cars, each capable
     of carrying four people and four bikes, to drive both cars to the Inn at
     Afton (I-66 W to Rt. 29 S to I-64 W to Skyline Drive exit: 3 hours).  Leave
     one car and drive four people and bikes to Front Royal (I-64 W to I-81 N to
     I-66 E to Rt. 340 S: 2 hours).  On Friday evening or Saturday morning drive
     four people and bikes back to Front Royal and then back to DC.  Round trip
     riders (and those with more creative shuttle plans) can drive directly to
     Front Royal either Wednesday night or Thursday morning.

Food:

     Facilities along Skyline Drive and through the Shenandoah Valley are pretty
     spread out and may not be open for the season, so bring lunch and snacks to
     be safe.  Breakfast and dinner are available at or near the lodging each
     day.

Clothes:

     Be prepared for sun, rain, heat, cold, and wind.

More Info:

     Mike Burns (202) 260-6394; burns.mike at epa.gov

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