Cycling Stories, Ride Reports & Route Notes

Stories from rides, routes, and places explored by bike.

This blog documents cycling experiences from the road, trail, and everything in between. Posts here include ride reports, route observations, and stories from rides that help shape Best Rides DC guides and recommendations.

While some posts focus on specific routes or conditions, others capture the broader experience of riding — the places, people, and moments that make cycling meaningful beyond the map.

How to Use This Page

Use the filters below to explore posts by ride type, location, or topic. Many posts link directly to routes or places documented elsewhere on the site.

People Martin Fernandez People Martin Fernandez

QMTB Trail Boss

I became the QMTB Trail Boss several years ago because I wanted to have an impact on the trails I often ride at Quantico.

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MTB Trails Martin Fernandez MTB Trails Martin Fernandez

Locust Shade

A comprehensive look at the history, trail development, and ongoing evolution of Locust Shade Park, one of Virginia’s most important community-built mountain bike destinations.

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People Martin Fernandez People Martin Fernandez

The Story of Martin

I was fortunate to have video guru Drew Geraci of District 7 Media put together this short profile of me. In it I talk about my books and my passion for riding trails.

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MTB Trails Martin Fernandez MTB Trails Martin Fernandez

Progressive Mountain Biking: Local trails, from easy to hard

To ensure that you enjoy your first mountain bike to the fullest I’ve put together a list of regional trails and some information to help you get the most out of your new investment and understand where the trails you will be enjoying came from. That will help ensure the destinations you visit remain available for your enjoyment for years to come.

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People Martin Fernandez People Martin Fernandez

For Pete

A personal tribute to Pete Beers, a dedicated rider and advocate whose presence and contributions left a lasting mark on the local cycling community.

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Journal, Map Martin Fernandez Journal, Map Martin Fernandez

Torino, in Film

This past February we had the opportunity to visit Torino, Italy and I brought along my father’s recently refurbished Kodak Retina IIIc camera so that I could take a few snapshots of the adventure.

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Journal, Map Martin Fernandez Journal, Map Martin Fernandez

Salkantay, Step By Step

Salkanty, Perú’s 12th highest peak, gets its name from the Quechua word, “sallqa”, meaning untamed, uncivilized and invincible. Its relative proximity to Machu Picchu (to the north) has made this prominent peak, and its surrounding Inca roads, a popular alternative to the often crowded Inca Trail.

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How These Stories Connect

Many of the rides and places discussed here are also referenced on the Where to Ride page and inform the route research behind Best Rides DC cycling guides.

Routes Referenced in Recent Ride Stories

The Ride With GPS interactive map below highlights routes that are referenced throughout recent ride reports and cycling stories on this page. Visitors can zoom in, explore different areas, and select individual routes to view additional details directly in Ride With GPS.

Some routes shown here are documented in Best Rides DC cycling guides, while others represent rides that are still being explored or shared informally through ride reports. Together, they provide additional context for the places, conditions, and experiences described in the stories above.

This map is provided as a reference to help connect ride stories to real-world routes, not as a complete or exhaustive catalog.map below highlights routes that are referenced throughout recent ride reports and cycling stories on this page. Visitors can zoom in, explore different areas, and select individual routes to view additional details directly in Ride With GPS.

Some routes shown here are documented in Best Rides DC cycling guides, while others represent rides that are still being explored or shared informally through ride reports. Together, they provide additional context for the places, conditions, and experiences described in the stories above.

This map is provided as a reference to help connect ride stories to real-world routes, not as a complete or exhaustive catalog.