Blue Ridge Mountains

Just a few minutes from our hotel we entered the entrance to Shenandoah National Park and the Skyline Drive. This road follows the ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains all the way to its exit at Rockfish Gap, just before Waynesboro. Although only 105 miles (169 km) in length, the speed limit is only 55 kph (to avoid hitting wildlife and negotiate the many tight corners safely). With stops along the way it is a good 3 - 4 hour journey.

There was a light rain when we left Front Royal and as we climbed in altitude in the national park we started encountering thick fog above 2500 ft. This spoiled the views from the outlooks somewhat, but the forest was worth riding through and we saw numerous white tail deer, a wild turkey and even a turtle crossing the road!

About a third of the way through the park it stopped drizzling with rain and we only had fog to deal with at certain points. The last third of the ride the sun finally broke through and we finished the ride at Waynesboro in warm sunshine.