Riding Loudoun County’s Historic Gravel Roads
June 12, 2023
Text: Martin Fernandez. Photos: Martin Fernandez, Bruce Buckley
Hundreds of riders took on the challenge of cycling 40, 60, or 80 miles along the historic gravel roads of Loudoun County, coming together in support of America’s Routes—an organization dedicated to preserving this unique and increasingly rare rural resource.
When we published the first and second editions of Mountain Biking the Washington, DC/Baltimore Area in the early 1990s, opportunities for riding natural-surface trails in the region were limited. As a result, we included two routes that highlighted Loudoun County’s gravel roads: The Old Waterford Dirt Roads and The Middleburg Vineyard Tour.
At the time, “gravel grinding” wasn’t yet a recognized cycling discipline. Still, those off-the-beaten-path roads offered mountain bikers a rare chance to ride dirt without singletrack access. Even then, it was clear that riding Loudoun County gravel was something special—and something worth sharing.
What I didn’t anticipate was just how deeply gravel cycling would resonate with riders decades later.
…the experience of riding Loudoun County gravel had to be shared…
Remarkably little has changed along these roads since I first documented them. In fact, the network itself has remained largely intact since the region was first settled and agriculturally developed in the early 1700s.
The Loudoun County 1725 Gravel Grinder, organized by EX2 Adventures, takes its name from the year the area was first settled. The event exists not just as a ride, but as a statement—bringing awareness to a landscape that has endured centuries of change while much of the world around it has transformed.
Riding these gravel roads feels like stepping back in time. They offer a rare sense of calm and continuity—an escape from congestion, noise, and the relentless pace of modern life. It’s no surprise that organizations like America’s Routes work tirelessly to protect these corridors, the history they represent, and the experiences they continue to offer.
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Waiting for our turn
Staggered starts helped space riders out on the roads.
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Into the Gravel
Time to venture into the gravel network. Pavement ends.
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Danger Llama
Taking a rolling selfie, #dangerLlama - #dangerPanda
I’ve been riding these roads for many years, but this event marked my first outing beyond 50 miles on Loudoun gravel. That leap felt achievable thanks to the strong support along the route and the familiarity gained from years of riding and training in the area.
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Water Crossing
Crossing the low water ford along Philomont Road (recently renamed from Jeb Stuart Road).
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Shooting the Photoographer
Returning the favor and taking a photo of Bruce Buckley, event photographer.
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Shooting the Rider
Bruce Buckley seemed to be everywhere during the event. The other view…
I’d long been aware of EX2’s Gravel Grinder, but for one reason or another, I’d never signed up. This year felt different. Earlier in the spring, friends Paul and Becky invited me to join them for a full ride of the C&O Canal Towpath from Cumberland to Washington, D.C.—a three-day effort with 60+ miles per day. Training for that ride naturally included time on Loudoun’s gravel roads.
Capping off that block of riding with this event felt right.
Loudoun County has the largest and oldest network of gravel roads in the United States.
We chose the 60-mile route, confident that our training would carry us through. It did. We rolled out shortly before 9 a.m. and spent the next five hours enjoying a beautifully designed course, meeting new riders, reconnecting with old friends, and experiencing some of the best gravel cycling on the East Coast.
We enjoyed an absolutely phenomenal day of cycling along the perfectly crafted route.
In the days leading up to the ride, air quality across the D.C. region had reached unhealthy levels. Thankfully, conditions improved just in time. While temperatures were warm, the day delivered what we’d hoped for: clear air, open roads, and mile after mile of smiles.
Loudoun’s gravel roads are the perfect place to escape the masses.
The Route
We opted for the 60-mile course. The embedded map below reflects the exact route we followed.
Preserving the Roads
To learn more about the ongoing effort to protect Loudoun County’s historic gravel roads, visit America’s Routes and watch The Long Road Home, a short documentary highlighting why these roads matter—and why they’re worth preserving.