Exploring by Bike
On a recent visit, our son and daughter-in-law brought along their bikes. They’d ridden minimal gravel and wanted to experience Loudoun County’s beautiful network of gravel roads that they heard us talk about so often.
My husband created a short route that would provide some of the best views of our beautiful county. Starting and finishing at the old Unison Store, the loop took us past well-manicured farmland framed by rock fences, beautiful barns and an assortment of livestock. This route offered scenic views of Bull Run Mountain, a mountain range in the Blue Ridge Mountains and home to Mount Weather (FEMA’s command center).
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for late July with the temperature at 71° and sunny with low humidity at the 9:21 AM start. Blue skies and white puffy clouds escorted us as we climbed a few hills making the ride just challenging enough for a beginner gravel grinder.
From the Unison start, the course wound its way along a small portion of western Loudoun County’s 265 miles of gravel roads, some of which date back to the 1700’s. The roads were in excellent shape with only the occasional pothole or washboard – challenging enough to make it fun without being too difficult to navigate.
As we rolled back into the Unison Country Store parking lot, the temperature had climbed to only 75°, making this one of the best days for riding we’d had in a while.
Ride Overview
- • Ride Name: 20-UnisonYoungUnTour
- • Location: Loudoun County, VA
- • Start/Finish: Old Unison Store
- • Course Type: Loop
- • Course Surface: Gravel
- • Bike: Salsa Warbird
- • Distance: 20 miles
- • Time: 1:38:58
- • Average Speed: 12.2 MPH
- • Elevation Gain: 1,155 feet
- • Elevation Range: 361 to 701 feet
- • Temperature Range: 71° to 75°
- • Ride with GPS: Link to turn-by-turn navigation cue sheet
- • Course Map:
Fun Pictures From Along the Way
Most of the following pictures were taken with my iPhone; however, a special shoutout goes to my husband who captured pictures while riding with his Insta 360 camera.
The route starts and finishes at the old Unison Store and location of the Battle of Unison…
Pumping up the tires…
The obligatory pre-ride selfie…
Getting started on Unison Road…
Amazing clouds on Millville Road…
Turning from Millville Road to Trapp Road…
A mile down Trapp Road with Bull Run Mountain in the background and some good looking Salsas in the foreground…
We’ve ridden past this sign many times, but have never seen the happy chickens who lay the eggs…
Farther down Trapp Road and one of my favorite sections…
Trapp Road shortly before turning on Ridgeside Road…
Twenty miles later and greeted by petunias back at the Unison Store…
Garmin Stats
Post-ride Garmin…
Garmin map and graphs…
Final Thoughts on the Ride
Scenic and without too much climbing, this is a fantastic gravel route for beginners or anyone seeking a shorter ride. My husband and I had a fantastic time with our son and d-i-l and enjoyed sharing one of our passions with them. The perfect weather was just icing on the cake.
Questions:
- • If you ride outdoors, have you tried riding on gravel? ~ I grew up on a farm riding gravel before gravel grinding was cool.
- • If you lived near me, would you try riding gravel?
- • Do you stop and relax occasionally to fuel or take pictures, or barrel on through when on a long run or ride? ~ Pictures, always pictures, unless I’m racing!
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What a beautiful ride! Perfect for doing it with riders who aren’t that experienced or when you just want to have a chill time on the bike.
I love your photos, too!
If I visited you, I’d definitely be riding with you on a gravel bike!
I think when we replace our mountain bikes (they’re over 15 years old), we’ll go for gravel bikes.
I would love to have you join me for a gravel ride, Catrina! And yes, we’re very lucky to have such beautiful country gravel roads to ride so close to DC.
Um, if I lived near you, you would hate me because I’d be constantly bothering you- “Can I come along on your bike ride? Can you show me that trail? Where are you riding today?” Seriously, I would be totally into cycling if I had beautiful routes like that.
Awww, that would be fun and not a bother at all. 🙂
So glad you had great weather for your ride – it sounds like it was a blast!
I love that happy chickens sign, lol.
I know, isn’t that the greatest sign? Now whenever I buy eggs at the grocery store I wonder if they were laid by happy chickens. 😀
I love how much fun you 2 are having together on your bikes this summer
Yes, so much fun!
Very beautiful places to explore. Here we don’t have scenic routes like that.
I only take pictures during the walks with my wife.
Have a good Sunday.
Yes, we’re very fortunate to have such beautiful rural roads to ride.
You always find great routes for your bike rides! I love looking at your photos and following along. I haven’t ridden a bike in years. I do remember that the last time I did, I fell. 🙂
Thanks, Zenaida! We have a lot of unpaved roads in our area so there are plenty of routes from which to choose.