Skyline Drive Century Ride

The start of an epic century ride. It took two hours on a parallel highway to reach Waynesboro, the start of the Skyline Drive. It will take many more to reach the end.

The warriors preparing for battle. 

Mik is holding the course profile of the Skyline Drive. There were many thousands of feet of elevation change. The climbing was steep and there were several ripping descents. Smiles were all around at the start, roughly 9:10 a.m. The morning was brisk, but not unbearable. Sunshine greeted us.

And they're off.

 Spring is in full bloom in Virginia. The woods smelled sweet and the wildlife kept us company throughout the day.

Views into Virginia and West Virginia. There was no shortage of beautiful scenery on the Skyline.

Thumbs up.

Shenandoah River Valley.

Jeni drove the support vehicle, a.k.a. the Focus during the ride. We were well stocked on food and water, as well as media coverage of the epic event.

We saw a few of these guys. Sam and I yelled at them to get them to move off the road. They're not too skiddish.

First bike tune-up.  

Sam prepares the first morning sandwhiches, to be handed off at the next stop with the support car.

The papparazzi showed up at every twist and turn to capture the essence of the Skyline.

The mussette bag hand off. Plenty of goodies to refuel our bodies.

Eating on the fly.

Yeah for refueling.

 First sight of snow at mile 40 on the drive. The Skyline was closed the two days before we embarked on the century ride. The shoulders were sprinkled with white for the next 50 miles.

 Jeni stopped at this wayside station that had snowbanks in April.

Water, Heed and Coke were the choice beverages for the century ride.

Boiled potatoes dipped in salt were a favorite snack. The night before the ride Sam wasn't sure if he would want the starchy treat, but both Mik and Sam said they looked forward to grabbing them at the stops.

Mik put on more layers as the temperatures dipped in the higher elevation.

Sam and Jeni consult the map to plot out the next food stop. 

If we bike the Skyline again in our life time, this might be the only time we see snowbanks on the route in April. Unbelievable. 

The sights were spectacular, and Jeni took advantage of waiting for the guys to stop and enjoy the Shenandoah National Park. Here, at Skyland, one of the Wayside Stations, the park boasts a six foot tall LOVE sign, one of the ways Virginia markets their tourism.

Jeni's ancestors must have traveled north from this "Holler"

"Look, all those people are cheering for us."

"The hardest climb is over."

As the elevation dropped, so did the clothes.

Embracing the pain. 

Last stop before the final descent. Sweat, salt and tired muscles were in ample supply.

Sam to Mik: "See the road winding around over there. That's the end of the drive. And there's Front Royal."

Mik and Sam at 3,000 ft., overlooking Front Royal.

No rest for the weary. Time to finish what we started.

Snow line was about 3,000 feet. Layers were a must.

Feels like a stage of the Giro.

The sun peeked out several times during the day, mostly at the beginning and end of the long ride. Almost all of the trees have or are budding, leaving a lush background for the ride.

Mile 98 and looking strong.

According to spectators the rolling topography of the drive made viewing pleasurable.

Sam sprinting to the finish

Passing the park entrance in Front Royal.

105 miles and still smiling. 

Post ride celebratory drink.

Raise a glass to victory.

Oh yeah! 

The End (s). Now back to Kerfoot Avenue for some R&R.