DC Tri Club Skyline Drive Endurance Ride

Skyline Drive Endurance Ride

Date: Sunday, May 17
Departure from DC Area: No later than 6:00 AM
Ride Start: Before 8:00 AM in Front Royal (about 70 miles / ~1 hr 15 min from DC via I-66)
Expected Return to DC: Approximately 5:00–6:00 PM

Join us for a full-day endurance ride through Shenandoah National Park and the surrounding valleys. This scenic but challenging route includes long climbs, beautiful overlooks, rolling farmland, and a rewarding lunch stop in Luray. Raúl Fainchtein will be leading this event.

Ride Overview

• Distance: ~82 miles

• Elevation Gain: ~6,594 ft

• Maximum Grade: 11.4%

• Terrain: 100% paved

• Difficulty: Endurance / climbing day

The ride begins in Front Royal and immediately enters Shenandoah National Park, where riders will climb roughly 20 miles along Skyline Drive at a steady ~6% grade with frequent scenic viewpoints. We’ll stop at overlooks and at park waysides that offer water, food, and restrooms.

After exiting the park, riders descend into Luray for lunch at:

Broad Porch Coffee and Café
20 W Main St, Luray, VA

Following lunch, the route heads toward Massanutten Ridge, the steepest climb of the day: about 3 miles averaging 7%, with the final mile reaching ~10%. Riders regroup at the top before descending into Fort Valley and continuing through rolling countryside back to Front Royal.

Route Highlights

• Mile 0 – Roll out of the Martin’s parking lot in Front Royal go just over a mile before you enter the park gate.

  Mile 1.5 – Once through the gate dive right into 20 miles of mostly climbing up a gentle 6% average gradient with some spectacular views.

  Mile 24.5 – Elk Wallow Wayside (Food + Water)

  Mile 32 – Leave the park and enjoy a twisty 4 mile descent down US 211 into the valley.

  Mile 41 – Luray, good opportunity for lunch. Bout halfway!

  Broad Porch Coffee and Café
  Address: 20 W Main St, Luray, VA 22835

  Mile 45 – Cross the southern fork of the Shenandoah River then turn left and immediately start climbing 3 miles up the Massanutten ridge. The climb averages 7% and then kicks up to 10% for most of the final mile. Stop at the top, and take a look at the valley, and the Peaks you just rode across. Then chill out, but stay alert down the 2 mile descent into Fort Valley.

  Mile 50 – Enjoy the rollers through the beautiful Fort Valley.

  Mile 62.4 – Fort Valley Country Store

  Mile 67 – Enter the George Washington National Forest, and enjoy some shade.

  Mile 77 – Country Store

  Mile 81 – Cross back over South Fork of the Shenandoah, and roll back into Front Royal.

Park Entrance Fee: $15 per person unless you have a National Park pass.

RSVP & carpooling:

Please RSVP by clicking ‘attend’ on this event and add your name to the coordination spreadsheet that can be found in the group linked on this page.  We will use the spreadsheet to create a group whatsapp for day of communication and you can use it to offer a ride and/or to request a ride (for yourself & your bike).

Interested in a shorter option?
If you are interested in a ~40-mile adjusted route, please reach out to Raúl Fainchtein in the group or email [email protected]. Raul has created a 40-mile option.