• Washington (D.C.) Area Bicyclist Association
• The Mid Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE)
• Bike Washington
• Potomac Velo Club Promotes mountain biking and cyclocross events in Northern Virginia.

DC Area Rides

Note 1: None of these rides are actually in DC!
Note 2: Rental information, prices, and all the stuff that changes with time is most certainly out of date.

Virginia

Wakefield Park/Accotink Trail

• Fairfax County Park Authority: (703)246-5700
• Lake Accotink: (703)569-3464

The Ride

• Difficulty: Easy
• Distance: 6 miles
• Terrain: Singletrack, dirt trail.

Directions

Take 495 to the Braddock Road West exit, Exit 5. Turn right at the Wakefield Park entrance, about a 1/4 of a mile down Braddock Road. Parking lot is on your left. The trail is at the far left corner of the parking lot if you are facing the baseball fields. Once you have reached Accotink follow the path around the lake, past the dam and back into the woods. There are numerous trails that branch off of the bike path, check them out.

Wakefield Power Lines

The Ride

• Difficulty: Easy
• Distance: N/A
• Terrain: Dirt singletrack and trails, a couple of short climbs.

Directions

Follow the above directions to Wakefield Park. Instead of entering the bike trail to the left follow it to the right, around all the ball fields, to the tennis courts. The trail head is on your left. There are many trails back in the woods to discover.

Burke Lake

• Fairfax County Park Authority: (703)246-5700
• Burke Lake Park: (703)323-6600
• There is a $3.50 charge per car if you park at Burke Lake Park.

The Ride

• Difficulty: Easy
• Distance: 7 miles
• Terrain: Mainly asphalt, some dirt trails.

Directions

Take I-95 South to the Springfield exit, Exit 57. Go on Old Keene Mill Road to Huntsman Blvd. Turn left on Huntsman and take that until you get to Pohick Road. Turn right onto Pohick and take a left into South Run District Park.

Great Falls

• National Park Service: (703)759-2915
• Charges are as follows: $4 per vehicle, $2 per person/no vehicle, $10 for an annual pass.

The Ride

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Distance: 7 miles
• Terrain: Dirt trails and fire roads.

Directions

Take 495 to Exit 13, Route 193 West. Turn right onto Old Dominion Drive, take that into Great Falls Park entrance road. Get a trail map from the ranger at the toll gate.

Option: About 1/2 mile before the park, on Rt. 193, there is a gravel parking lot on the left. You can park here and enter the Difficult Run trail or cross the stream and follow the horse trails on the opposite side.

Reston to Great Falls

• Fairfax County Park Service: (703)246-5741
• National Park Service: (703)759-2915
• Reston Association: (703)437-7658

The Ride

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: Variable, 18 miles roundtrip from parking lot to the end of the Difficult Run trail and back.
• Terrain: Dirt trails, some rocky areas and a couple of short climbs. Fast when dry.

Directions

Take the Dulles Access Road to Wiehle Ave. North. Turn right onto Sunset Hills Rd. and then right into Faraday Court. There should be an ice skating rink on your right. Park in the large parking lot. Ride to the far end of the parking lot and enter the dirt trail. When you reach Lake Fairfax Park you will find yourself at a large open field and parking lot. Follow the parking lot/road to the main picnic area, turn right at the restrooms, follow the gravel road to the horse trail entrance. At Hunter Mill Road, cross the road and follow pavement to the right and re-enter the trail. There are several stream crossings so plan on getting a little wet. When you reach the Difficult Run parking lot the trail continues to the right.

Ski Resorts

Whitetail Ski Resort

Over 25 miles of bike trails, for all levels of experience, and only 1.5 hours from Washington. Open from May 18 through October 31, every day of the week and weekends. Riding is permitted from 9am to 6pm. On weekends and holidays ski lift service is available from 10am to 5pm, weather permitting. Camping sites, bike rental and instruction are also available.

Bike Rental Rates

• This year's fleet is composed of Schwinn S(9five).4 front suspension, aluminum bikes. Sizes range from 15" to 21" frames. No reservations for bike rental.
  
• Weekends and Holidays: $50 day, This includes trail and liftpass, helmet and water bottle.
  
• Weekdays: $40 day, This includes trailpass, helmet and water bottle.
  
• Optional: Schwinn S(9SIX).20 full suspension bikes, anyday: $65 day
• Helmet Rental: $3 day. Helmets are required when riding Whitetail trails.

Trail and Lift Fees

• Trailpass: $6
• Trail and Liftpass: $23
• Hike and Liftpass: $6
• Unlimited mountain bike season pass: $150
• Children under 6 will receive a complimentary hike & lift pass if accompanied by an adult purchasing a hike & lift pass. Passes for children 7-12 are $2.

Information

Snowshoe Mountain Resort

Snowshoe, located near Marlinton, WV, offers more than 100 miles of mountainbike trails, color coded for each experience level. The resort is open seven days a week and has guided group tours at 10am on the weekends. Bike rentals and sales, lodging, instruction, and shuttle bus service to the top of the mountain are available. The shuttle bus runs from 9am to 5:30pm, Thursday through Monday.

Bike Rental Rates

• Rigid: $28
• Full-Suspension: $40/$35 for more than one day. These prices includes a trail pass, map, and helmet.

Trail and Shuttle Fees

• Trailpass: $7/$5 for more than one day.
• Shuttle: $20 day/$5 for a single ride.

Packages

Special packages that include breakfast and dinner, a trailpass and map, lodging, bike rentals, helmet and a water bottle start at $73 per person for double occupancy/one night and $120 per person for two nights.

Information

Snowshoe Mountain Resort: (304)572-1000.

Elk River Touring Center

Located in Slatyfork, WV, Elk River is the oldest mountainbike touring center in the East. It is geared towards multi-day tours with all the amenities. Bike rental and shuttle services are available for those that would rather explore on their own.

Tours

Guided tours of two to six days through the Allegheny Mountains. Nightly stays are in Bed&Breakfasts, cabins, and ski chalets. Most tours are supported by a vehicle that carries luggage, cycling gear, and cyclists if needed. Destinations include the Greenbrier River Trail, Cranberry Glades, the Sinks of Gandy and Canaan Valley. Double occupancy rates run from $239 per person for two days to $629 per person for six days. Price includes all meals, lodging, maps and guide services.

Bike Rental Rates

• Mountain Bikes: $24/$20 for multi-day rentals.

Lodging

Ten Bed & Breakfast rooms are available with shared baths starting at $45 a night for two, including breakfast. Rooms for two with private baths start at $60 a night. A restaurant and pub are on site.

Information