12/8/11
2nd Annual Harvest Moon Festival Century / Metric Ride
Bath County, VA
September 22 & 23, 2012
Harvest Moon Century Ride
A benefit for bicycling in Bath Country Virginia
What goes up, WILL go back up. What goes up, DOES NOT necessarily go back down. That pretty much describes the first Harvest Moon Century taking place in Bath County, VA on September 24, 2011. Starting with the climb up Warm Springs Mountain at 2300' to drop down into the Cowpasture River drainage system. Rolling hills along ridge lines dropping down along stream beds and climbing back out until Millboro Springs. A brief climb to Millboro puts you close to the half way point. Following Mill Creek, you will be tested with stair like rolling country until Williamsville, where you will have your legs tested by a short 12-15% grade. At Burnsville you head south, down hill, along Dry Run to route 39. A three mile climb back over Warm Springs Mountain will find help you find out if there is anything left in those legs. At Warm Springs it is just a 4 mile stretch back to the start at the High School. Come catch the early fall in the mountains with a physically friendly mountain century! You can count on one glorious climb over the last mountain coming into the finish!
Harvest Moon Metric Ride
There may be harder Metric Rides' but none prettier with tests throughout. Starting with the Century ride, but heading West on 39 at Warm Springs, the Metric will follow beautiful streams up and down ridge lines, while meandering to Burnsville. It looks flat, but rolling hills that are gradually climbing is the rule for the first half of the ride. A beautiful descent down Dry Run to a series of leg burners back to route 39. The climb over Warm Springs mountain, with its'beginning 12-15% will take what is left. But it is almost over, so why save it? As you crest the top of the Mountain you have essentially finished, except for the brief climb to Hot Springs and then back to the High School where you started.
And while you are riding, your family and friends can enjoy
music, food, and vendors at the Farmers Market in downtown Hot Springs. Plan
a visit to Valley Elementary where scheduled festivities include a bike rodeo,
hay maze and magician for the kids. A farm tour of Hidden Valley Bed and Breakfast
from 2-4. Learn how to make butter, cider, a square foot garden, or visit the
petting zoo. From 6-9 enjoy dinner and a concert as the John Jorgensen Quintet
comes to Garth Newel Music Center.
For concert tickets and information call Garth Newel. 540-839-5018.
For Lodging Information: www.DiscoverBath.com
This event is run by Shenandoah Mountain Touring LLC.