A Jaunt to Orlean Market 200k

This route leaves from Ashburn, VA and travels to the classic Orlean Market. Note the later than usual start time for a 200K. This is to enable Metro access to the start near the Ashburn Metro station!!!

Pre-Ride Report from Chris

Congratulations for choosing to ride a new route! As I put this route together I wanted to accomplish two goals – 1) Make it closer in than Warrenton, and 2) Make it easier than Old Rag. We definitely succeeded with the first goal. Ashburn is only 45 minutes from Arlington, and it’s even metro accessible. The 8am start should allow folks to metro out to Ashburn for the start. We failed in the attempt to make it easier than Old Rag, and I don’t know what I was thinking. The hills are punchy and unrelenting. There aren’t any huge climbs but there’s also NO flat parts aside from the first 5 and last 5 miles. It should prove to be a really good challenge to anyone, just make sure your derailleurs are in good working order and the batteries are charged in your electric shifters. You will be shifting constantly.

The route starts at Lost Rhino Brewing where we head southwest through about 12 miles of suburban sprawl. It’s a little bit winding, but I wanted to avoid the 6-lane highways as much as possible. Ryan Road is the one large road, but it’s a known cyclist route and it should be quiet at 8am. Once you get to Braddock Road you officially leave the suburban sprawl and enter the more rural areas. If the name Braddock Road perked your attention, it’s not at all like the multi-lane highway Braddock near the beltway. Out here it’s just another country road.

The hills begin when you get to Mountain Road (as one might expect). After a few miles of up and down, you climb up to the high point on the route – Hopewell Gap (mile 24.8). From there you descend down to The Plains where a stop at Doppio Coffee is recommended. They have lots of baked goods, caffeinated drinks, water and nice indoor seating.

After The Plains be careful on VA-55. It’s narrow and has a 55mph speed limit. We didn’t have any trouble on Sunday, but we’ll move the route to Bunker Hill Road just in case. Cruise through Marshall and it’s only 12 miles to a lunch stop at Orleans (mile 46.5). Orleans has breakfast sandwiches (see pic above), baked goods, chips, snacks, water, etc..  Make sure you take a break and stock up because the next on route resupply is 40 miles away in Round Hill, and there’s plenty of climbing on the way.

For anyone who needs a little extra water, Mimo scoped out the Upperville Horse Show (mile 71.8) the first left after you turn right off of US-50. There are lots of water spigots to fill a bottle and the Horse show is open 8am-8pm on Saturdays, so it should be open.

When you arrive in Round Hill you’ll need a break! There’s a small Exxon on the corner and also a larger convenience store a block to the north. Unfortunately on my pre-ride I had to bail in Round Hill. The hills just beat me up and I exceeded my ability to eat, drink, and recover. It’s ok. I know when I’ve been beaten. For the rest of the pre-ride, Mimo soldiered on but I have to think it’s only because he enjoys pain.

The next stop is Lovettsville (mile 101), 17 miles from Round Hill. There’s a nice descent down to Lovettsville, but hopefully you were able to recover because it gets punchy again all the way up to Clarks Gap (mile 111.6). Be careful on the climb after Waterford. It can be a busy road and you will likely be pretty tired.

From the top of Clarks Gap you can fly down Dry Mill Road. Pick up the W&OD in Leesburg and cruise for the final 10 miles back to the Brewery where I will be waiting with appetizers for a well-deserved finish.