The NRVBA hosts three major supported rides each year:
Wilderness Road Ride (Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend) A scenic and historical adventure through southwest Virginia’s beautiful New River Valley, the ride follows part of Daniel Boone’s Wilderness Road. This is a ride for the whole family to enjoy, with something for everyone — 4 routes ranging from a relaxed journey for novices, to a challenge for the fittest athlete.
Mountains of Misery (Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend) There are 2 route options: The Challenge Century is 104 miles, with 10,000′ of climbing. The Double Metric Century is 200 kilometers or 125 miles, with over 13,000′ of climbing.
Riders prepare to start their century or double metric century ride (Photo by Matt O'Toole, courtesy of David I. Lehn)
Burkes Garden Century (always the weekend in August the students move back to Blacksburg) The flatest and fastest century around. The ride is an out and back ride, starting and finishing in Narrows, that includes a spin around the beautiful Burkes Garden.
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In addition to the NRVBA’s events, check out this list for the latest updates of regional supported rides. A big thanks to all the contributors of this list! If you would like to see your ride listed here, submit a short paragraph in the same format to the web master.
Spring Up Wolf Creek (May) The ride starts and finishes in Narrows Virginia and offers 20, 30 or 42 mile options. Proceeds go to support sight conservation, provide glasses for the needy, and help the vision-impaired.
Big Walker Century Ride (June) The ride starts and finishes in Wytheville Virginia and offers 40, 62 and 100 mile options. The routes provide multiple crossings by the Big Walker Mountain Lookout Proceeds go to HOPE, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in southwest Virginia.
Mountain Mama (August) The ride takes place in the Alleghany Highlands with challenging ascents and breathtaking views. The ride offers 27, 53, 67, and 100+ mile options.
Artie Levin Memorial Ride (September) The ride starts and finishes in Buchanan, Virginia and offers 25, 50, 75, and 100 mile options. The event is hosted by the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club of Roanoke.
The Boys and Girls Club Cycling Challenge (September) The ride starts and finishes in Crozet, Virginia and offers 15, 31 and 62 mile options. The proceeds go to the organizer.
Heart of Virginia Bike Festival (September) Cycle along the paths of Patrick Henry, Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. The ride offers 30, 35, metric century, and 100 mile options. Beneficiaries of the event are Hanover Habitat for Humanity and Hanover Mental Health Association.
Ride in the Heartland (September) The ride is a two-day event that starts and ends in Charlotte Court House. The Saturday routes offer 28, 67 and 101 mile options, and the Sunday route offers a 29 mile option.
Shenandoah Valley Century (September) The ride starts and finishes in Harrisonburg and offers 25, 50 and 100 mile options through the scenic and historic Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
Between the Waters Bike Tour (October) The ride starts and finishes in Nassawadox, Virginia and offers a 20, 40 60 and 100 mile route. The ride winds through historic towns and communities and along back roads overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. The proceeds go to Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore (CBES).
