Ride Materials Folder.
Drop Bags & Safety Inspection: There will be drop bag service from Middletown to Raphine. Riders should keep it small - RUSA bags or day hiking backpacks are OK, full suitcases are not. Bring bags to the start on Saturday morning.
Safety inspection from 17:00 to 18:00 Friday, and 3:30 to 4:00 Saturday.
The Shenandoah 600 is a Lynn Kristianson route introduced in 2007 and ridden virtually without change every Paris - Brest year since then. It is scenic, challenging, and at times remarkably rural.
The ride starts from Middletown VA by descending Reliance Road to a little north of Fort Royal, then doubling back to the northern mouth of the picturesque Fort Valley. The long, slow drag up the valley turns steep at mile 37, where the route bends north and climbs Edinburg Gap.
We then take back roads, and a few miles of US 11 down the west flank of Massanutten Mountain until mile 79, where we turn west towards Bridgewater VA. After Bridgewater, the route rambles southwest along country roads, gradually ascending until topping out at just over 2,000 feet west of Newport before a much more rapid descent to Rockbridge Baths and VA 39.
The route then heads west towards Goshen at mile 149, following the Maury River through Goshen Pass, one of the mildest passes we cross but also one of the most scenic. If it's a hot day, you'll wish you had time to join the bathers in the river below.
Be sure to stock up on food and drinks in Goshen because you will only have one chance for resupplies between there and Buchanan at the southern end of the course. Highlights include the long, gradual climb up to Interstate 64 followed by a rip-roaring descent and then the much stiffer climb of Big Hill Road. If you're lucky, the very small South Buffalo Market at mile 184 will be open for drinks and candy; if you're not, you'll find yourself chased uphill by the very territorial dogs of Buffalo Valley. A little more climbing, and you'll crest the valley and descent toward the James River and Buchanan at mile 196.
There, you'll turn around and start climbing again toward Natural Bridge at mile 207. Unless you are fast, you won't get there in time to see the eponymous natural bridge, which was once owned by Thomas Jefferson. From there, the route tends downward until the next resupply point at Buena Vista. By then, you'll be ready for bed, but first you have to manage the short, steep climb out of Buena Vista, and then the long, slow drag up to Vesuvius. One more ramp to climb before Steele's Tavern, and then the route levels off as you ride into the overnight at Raphine. As you approach Interstate 81, watch out for all the trucks at the largest truck stop on the east coast.
Day Two begins with the descent from Raphine to VA 252. Be sure you're dressed for it. If the night has been clear, the air will be cold, and the descent is fast. Then you'll climb gradually up scenic 252 in the morning quiet until you reach 2,000 vertical feet again south of Staunton. From there, you'll descend to Hebron, where the return route crosses the outbound route, before beginning another long, slow climb to Buffalo Gap on the west side of Shenandoah Valley.
The climbing doesn't end there; there will be rollers, some of them large, until the finish. But the route tends downwards as it rolls. There aren't many resupply options until you get to Bridgewater at mile 295, but you will have many food options there. As you leave town and head northwest again, keep an eye out for the Mennonites heading to church in their horse-drawn buggies.
At Lilly, the route turns northeast again and rides along a high ridge with spectacular views up and down the Shenandoah Valley to Singers Glen. From there it twists and turns to Broadway at mile 322 and more resupply opportunities. From there, the route follows VA 42 north with views that range from scenic to stunning.
Be sure to get any supplies you need at Larkin's in Columbia Furnace at mile 347. There, we leave VA 42 and ride Back Road, a club favorite, almost to the finish. If the day is sunny, you'll have a tailwind out of the southwest, and Back Road does trend downwards as you ride north. But it may not feel that way as you crest yet another roller and approach the final run-in to the finish.
The final ride up US 11 past Cedar Creek battlefield and into Middletown will feel like a victory lap. Enjoy it. You've finished our most challenging brevet.
Hotel Information:
// 2023 Shenandoah 600 HotelsDC Randonneurs has reserved hotel blocks at the start and overnight motels for the 2023 Shenandoah 600. The club has reserved a block of ten double rooms for Friday night, June 2 at:The Econolodge Inn and Suites91 Reliance RoadMiddletown VA 22645(540) 868-1800To obtain the group rate of $77, call the number above and use the group name "DC Randonneurs". The last day to obtain this rate is Friday, May 27.The club has also reserved a block of ten double rooms for Saturday night, June 3 at:The Comfort Inn and Suites584 Oakland CircleRaphine VA 24472(540) 377-2604Again, to obtain the group rate of $109, call the number above and use the group name "DC Randonnurse". The last day to obtain this rate is Friday, June 2.Don't delay. If the Econolodge fills us, there are other accommodations nearby. But if the Comfort Inn fills up, you'll need to talk to Mitch Potter about places to bivouac along the course.The club will also provide a drop bag service to and from Raphine, food at the overnight, and a room in Middletown Sunday night for anyone too tired to drive home after the ride. Details to follow later.