Disclaimer: This Rockbridge Gravel Grinder recap contains affiliate links…
Rockbridge Gravel Grinder
The Rockbridge Gravel Grinder showed up on our radar last fall after a few GravelRats friends rode the stunning route through the Shenandoah Valley in Raphine, Virginia. With two distances from which to choose – 42 miles and 62 miles – my husband and I chose to join our friends on the shorter route.
The Ride in a Nutshell
What the weatherman giveth, VDOT taketh… We set out for our ride under blue skies with low humidity and hardly a cloud to be seen, and the promise of the temperature rising to the mid-60’s by the time we finished, not bad for early May in central Virginia. It was a perfect day for some gravel grinding! What we didn’t realize was that VDOT had laid four inches of fresh gravel along several sections of the course the previous day. With no time for the chunky rocks to be packed into the dirt below, the course surface became nearly impassable at places to 38-45 mm wide tires, especially on the climbs and downhills.
Despite the perfect and not-so-perfect conditions, the beautiful scenery tipped the scales to make the ride one of our most enjoyable in a while. Riding with friends and making new friends, just added to the fun.
About the Course
The mostly unpaved course started and finished at the Rockbridge Vineyard and Brewery in beautiful Raphine, Virginia in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. Rolling hills (and not-so-rolling hills) gave us over 4,000 feet of climbing as we made our way through Rockbridge and Augusta Counties. As the scenic course wound it way along country roads, we rode past farms with horses and cattle cheering us on from their pastures.
Ride Overview
- • Ride With GPS Name: Rockbridge Gravel Grinder Short Route from Rockbridge Brewery
- • Ride with GPS: Link to turn-by-turn navigation cue sheet
- • Location: Rockbridge County, Virginia
- • Start/Finish: Rockbridge Brewery, Raphine, Virginia
- • Course Type: Large and small loops with tail to and from brewery
- • Course Surface: Mostly gravel with some paved
- • Bike: Salsa Warbird
- • Distance: 41.5 miles
- • Time: 3:53:32
- • Average Speed: 10.7 MPH
- • Maximum Speed: 34.4 MPH
- • Elevation Gain: 4,042 feet
- • Elevation Range: 1,343 to 2,105 feet
- • Temperature Range: 54° to 64°
- • Course Map:
Fun Pictures From Along the Way
The following pictures were taken with my iPhone (affiliate link) and by my husband Bill with his Insta 360 camera (affiliate link).
Arriving at the vineyard with plenty of time to spare…
Although I didn’t take a picture while getting our bibs, packet pickup was offered the morning of the event which is always nice…
It was 54° and sunny as we waited for the last person in our group to join us so we could all start together. During the wait, I made the smart decision to shed my jacket and leave it in our car.
Perfect weather and perfect road conditions, for now…
Riding past farmland with assorted crops…
A VeloPig helping a GravelRat fix a flat…
Our one-and-only aid station was well-appointed and located in Brownsburg, 29 miles into our ride…
The volunteers were friendly and helpful and got bonus points for having peanut butter filled pretzels. I may have left with a handful stuffed in one of my back pockets…
Regrouped after the rest stop…
Taking in the beautiful scenery along one of the many farms…
Recovering at the top of one of the later climbs…
Hanging loose while cruising down the backside after a 1.5-mile climb…
Looking back from where we’d just ridden…
More loose gravel, but not that bad. Just wish I’d stopped and taken a picture when it was four inches deep, but I was trying too hard to keep my bike upright…
The food spread at the end was outstanding and certainly hit the spot after a tough ride and we were even encouraged to return for seconds. Choices included ham and cheese croissant sandwiches, turkey and cheese wraps, potato salad, veggies and dip, fruits and dip, assorted chips and cookies, and cake…
Tickets for free beer or wine were handed out when we received our food. Volunteers were very generous and willing to give us additional tickets whenever we returned to the food/drink area…
Hanging out with our friends post ride. Note to self, wash the dirt off your face before taking selfies…
Garmin Stats
Post-ride Garmin (affiliate link) picture…
Garmin map and elevation graph…
Final Thoughts on the Ride
My husband and I had a wonderful time at the Rockbridge Gravel Grinder, but with so many beautiful gravel roads and cycling events held in our backyard in Loudoun County it might have been a one and done event. However, if you happen to be in Rockbridge County, Virginia in early May and are looking for a good place to grind some gravel, consider registering for this well-organized and scenic event!
Questions:
- • Do you prefer organized rides/tours or just heading out and seeing where your bike takes you?
- • What’s the lowest temperature you’ll ride in? The highest?
- • Do you stop and relax occasionally to fuel or take pictures, or barrel on through when on a long run or ride?
yes on stopping to take pictures.
Looks like you have so much fun on these bike rides.
Not a biker but I appreciate your adventures.
I’m happy to hear that you enjoy reading about my biking adventures!
Sounds like a challenging course! Can’t beat that weather though. Congrats to you all on your efforts
Thanks, Deborah!
This looks like an amazing ride, especially with all that delicious food!
If only we had rides like this, I would join immediately.
I don’t mind riding in hot weather, but I do hate getting cold hands and feet. I think 18°C would be my lowest! I’m a wimp!
Yes, the ride was loads of fun and the food spread amazing! My fingers get cold so easily – that’s why I find it hard to ride my bike outside during the winter here.
Shenandoah Valley: a famous place. Many facts happened there in 1864.
A great ride tour, a real adventure! Congrats.
Glad you stopped to take pictures to share with us.
I am not a biker because I don’t succeed in using the clip.
Thanks, Stefano! Yes, we have a lot of history in the areas around us, from DC to Gettysburg to Manassas to the Shenandoah Valley…
Looks like a hard (so much elevation), but amazing course for a ride!
Yes, lots of elevation, but really fun!
This looks like a fun day, but those hills! On gravel! As you know, riding is as much about the pit stops as it is the riding itself, at least it is for me 😉 The camaraderie among cyclists is equal to that of runners, and the group rides are a lot of fun, whether they’re part of an organized event or not.
It’s like a mini-reunion at every aid station! 🙂
Well done on another fun event! So much yummy food! I also stop to take pictures. Many times I need to stop to walk anyway so might as well.
Thanks, Zenaida!
What a beautiful description of the ride and such well-captured photos – that gorgeous sky! This sounds like so much fun and that food spread at the end is an absolute bonus!
Thanks, Shathiso! Yes, the food spread was the perfect cap to a fun (and difficult) ride.
This looks like the most beautiful day ever. I think if I lived where you do, I could be convinced to become a cyclist. I wouldn’t like the 4 inches of gravel though- but it sounds like it wasn’t enough to ruin the day. I’m looking forward to the next ride recap!
We do live in a nice area for biking, especially gravel grinding with so many unpaved roads on the western side of our county. We were lucky to have such beautiful weather!
“Wow, what an incredible recap of the 2023 Rockbridge Gravel Grinder! Your attention to detail and vivid storytelling truly transported me back to the excitement and challenge of the event. I appreciate the effort you put into sharing your experience through your blog – it not only serves as a fantastic resource for fellow gravel enthusiasts but also inspires others to push their limits and embrace the thrill of the ride. Keep up the amazing work, and here’s to many more adventures on the gravel roads ahead!
Thanks,
John smith
Thanks, it was too great of an event not to share!