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.
Destination: Harrisonburg
A destination guide to mountain biking in Harrisonburg, Virginia, featuring Stokesville, the George Washington National Forest, and classic Shenandoah Valley trails.
Where I Ride
An introduction to the “Where I Ride” poster series, turning favorite cycling destinations and routes into place-based prints inspired by real rides.
Revisiting Carvins Cove
It has been a little over seven years since I last visited Carvins Cove. The last time around I was working on Mountain Biking Virginia and my buddy Mark H. and I rode some of the tougher trails along this classic Blue Ridge destination.
Out of This World Locust Shade Rides and Jump Fest
A small gallery of images from the Out of This World Locust Shade Rides and Jump Fest on September 15, 2024
Casual Magic
Cycling has always been an activity that I simply do to workout or have fun. My dad would always take me out to go mountain biking, and then eventually we started road cycling together; something I absolutely fell in love with.
The VeloPigs Ethos: Do Good and Be Kind
Meet the VeloPigs, a Loudoun County gravel cycling club founded by Kasey Clark. Learn how community, stewardship, and “do good and be kind” riding culture are helping protect Virginia’s historic gravel roads.
Elizabeth Furnace
A detailed ride report from Elizabeth Furnace near Front Royal, VA featuring steep climbs, rocky descents, creek crossings, and classic Massanutten backcountry riding.
Looking Ahead
Casey Anderson becomes president of MORE, bringing decades of trail advocacy and planning experience to the Mid-Atlantic mountain biking community.
The Off Season
A reflective essay by Korey Hopkins on stepping away from cycling, rediscovering creativity, and how time off the bike can renew both perspective and stoke.
Inclusion and Encouragement in the Cycling Community
From Wakefield Thursday rides to NICA coaching and MORE trail work, this story highlights the inclusive spirit of DC’s mountain biking community.
Tips to Filter the Online Noise
Pro MTB coach Harlan Price and shares 3 tips to filter online noise and progress faster.
Telling a Story
Korey has been making a name for himself in cycling circles in our region for the quality of the freelance visual work he has been producing.
Making Time to Stop and Smell Fungi
A few years ago I was out riding alone, just getting my legs warmed up, when I noticed a yellow flower on the side of the trail (above).
My “NICA Why”
A first-person account of the growth and impact of the Maryland Interscholastic Cycling League, exploring youth development, community building, and the role of mountain biking in shaping young riders’ lives.
Route Library: Where to Ride
Introducing the new Where to Ride section of BestRidesDC.com and a new curated route library on Ride With GPS.
Looking back on 2023, forward to 2024
A personal reflection on cycling, travel, and creative goals at the close of 2023, and the intentions I set heading into 2024.
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.