 Spring with its restrictions sprang into oblivion quickly and the outlook for summer is not looking much less restrictive. Gym space and time is limited; running in the heat is not fun; and public swimming pools are closed. So, what is the best physical activity in the summer of 2020 in our beautiful Shenandoah Valley? Riding a mountain bike on one of our scenic trails could be the answer! Mountain biking is the ideal experience for anyone who wants to exercise and connect with nature. There are some skills that mountain bikers need to possess while acknowledging the difference in mountain bikes, biking styles, techniques, and terrains. Everyone knows any physical activity is good for you. We have all heard about the “runner’s high.” But when you do any activity that gets your blood flowing and triggers the release of endorphins. You never get bored with mountain biking as the trail is always changing. No route is ever the same. The texture of the dirt on the trail is different and there can be more rocks, fallen branches, or other unexpected obstacles. Mountain biking gets you places much faster than hiking. In warm weather everything around is more beautiful. The stillness and majesty alone are worth it. Here are a few of them to get you started on your mountain biking journey:
 Special considerations on bicycling on the Skyline Drive Bicycling is permitted along Skyline Drive and on paved areas in the park. Bicycling (road and mountain bikes) is not permitted on trails, unpaved roads or in grassy areas.* Because Skyline Drive is a two-lane road with steep hills and numerous blind curves, cyclists are urged to use extreme caution. Visitors should be prepared to operate their bicycles during periods of low visibility, or while traveling through a tunnel, or between sunset and sunrise, by exhibiting on the operator or bicycle a white light or reflector that is visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red light or reflector visible from at least 200 feet to the rear. During periods of fog, reflectors will not provide necessary safety for bicyclists. Lights on both the front and rear of the bicycle are required. Mountain areas can experience dramatically different weather than what is being experienced in the lowlands, so be prepared! Donations were received by the Shenandoah National Bicycle Coalition and Planet Bike of 150 lights to be given to visitors at the entrances for safety of the bicyclists arriving without a rear light. Lights are supposed to be dropped off as the visitors exit. *Bicycling from Skyline Drive is permitted on Rapidan Fire Road for approximately one mile. At the end of this mile, there is a sign indicating no bicycles are permitted beyond that point.  BIKE TRAILS AND BIKE PATHS Local Trails & Greenways 414 E Main St Front Royal Sherando Park Mountain Bike Trails Address: 200 Landgrant Ln. Stephens City, VA 22655 Phone: (540) 665-5600 Eastham Park Address: Luray Ave. Front Royal, VA 22630 Phone: (540) 636-4600 Elizabeth Furnace Recreational area Address: Fort Valley, VA 22652 Phone: (540) 984-4101 Buzzard Rock Trailhead Address: 3087 Mountain Rd. Front Royal, VA 22630 Shenandoah River State Park Address: 350 Daughter of Stars Dr. Bentonville, VA 22610 Phone: (540) 622-6840 Rockland Park Address: 250 Rockland Park Way Front Royal, VA 22630 Phone: (540) 635-7750 Sherando Park 255 Lakeview Circle Stephens City, VA 22655 Phone: (540) 665-5678 Low Water Bridge Campgrounds Address: 192 Panhandle Rd. Bentonville, VA 22610 Phone: (540) 635-7277 Sky Meadows State Park 11012 Edmonds Ln. Delaplane, VA 20144 Phone: 540-592-3556 Shenandoah River State Park 350 Daughter of Stars Dr. Bentonville, VA 22610 Phone: 540-622-6840; Whitney State Forest Address: Lee, Morton Ridge Warrenton, VA 20186 Phone: (804) 492-4121 Cedar Creek & Belle Grove Address: Middletown, VA 22645 Phone: (540) 869-3051 Shenandoah National Park 17157 Skyline Dr. Front Royal, VA 22630 540-999-3500  Shopping for Bicycle or Bicycle Repair Do you need a new bike or maintenance/repairs done on your bike? Here are some bike sales and repair shops to check out. Mountain Trails Front Royal 120 E Main St. Front Royal, VA 22630 540-749-2470 Blue Ridge Bicycles 2228 Papermill Rd # G Winchester, VA 22601 540-662-1510 Shenandoah Bicycle Company is open and operating, ready to assist you! 135 South Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801 540-437-9000 Wyse Cycles 540-383-4119 ben@wysecycles.com Haymarket Bicycles 4414 Costello Way Haymarket, VA 20169 703-754-1911 Some final, yet important considerations:
Remain on open forest roads
Watch over the environment
Ride carefully, remain in control
ALWAYS be prepared
Remember: You are responsible for your own safety and for the safety of those around you. There's Peace and Quiet in Those Hills ... While options may be different than those found in larger cities, there are plenty of unique activities and entertainment to be found in smaller communities such as Front Royal, VA. This small town comes with a rich history and direct access to the Shenandoah Valley and Skyline Drive. There is so much to do and enjoy that we wanted to provide a day guide for your next visit here! Stroll Around Town Small towns in the more rural regions of America are known for their downtown areas with “heritage” buildings, quaint streets, and charming local shops. Front Royal is no exception. Don’t be afraid to venture beyond Main St.! Our town offers many shops, antique stores, outdoors parks and award winning restaurants. Check out other businesses our town has available to you!  Historic Main Street, Front Royal, VA Explore a Museum Front Royal and Warren County have a unique history. Though the museums may not have a well-known reputation, they are nonetheless a treasure trove of our culture, background, and insights. Check out our other historic places of interest around town! Go Out for Coffee It is common to find groups of friends sitting at local coffee shops for hours on weekday and Saturday mornings. Coffee shops are also popular hangouts for the older, retired crowd. You can experience several hours of relaxation for the cost of one cup of coffee.  Virginia Coffee  Skyline Drive Skyline Drive Sightseeing Skyline Drive is a National Scenic Byway. Though autumn is the most popular time to travel along Skyline Drive, with its breathtaking foliage, spring offers the pale green of trees waking up from a long winter, colorful wildflowers, as well as blooming azaleas and mountain laurel. How long does it take to get through the park? With over 75 scenic overlooks along the way, most people allow three to four hours to drive the 105-mile length of Skyline Drive. Go Golfing You’ll find some of the most scenic golf courses within the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains. The views here are amazing! For Disc Golf lovers we have Rockland Park Disc Golf Course Here you’ll find a complete list of area golf courses.  Golf Course in Front Royal, VA Go Fishing or Hunting The Shenandoah River has been regarded as one of the best smallmouth rivers in the world. Pair that with the Blue Ridge Mountains to explore the best fishing and hunting in Virginia! To learn more about the best places to dock, check out our recent blog!  Fishing in Virginia  Hiking Trails in the Shenandoah Valley Go Hiking One of the benefits of a small town is that there can be a lot of open space not too far away. Sometimes, it can be a ton of fun to pack a bag and head outside of town. If you have kids, hiking can be a chance to spend some time together, while you teach them how much fun it can be to explore! Check out some of our best trails! Go Camping Everyone has a different reason to go camping. Many want to disconnect from high tech and reconnect with the outdoors. Families go camping to get away from distractions at home and to rejuvenate relationships. Camping means different things to different people. Not sure where to stay? Here are some great choices!  Camping in Virginia Go Canoeing or Kayaking The Shenandoah Valley offers numerous rivers ideal for canoeing and kayaking for all experience levels. The most famous is the Shenandoah River, which runs parallel to Front Royal. Don’t feel like toting your own vessel, or maybe you don’t own one? Don’t worry, we have you covered! Check out the following business to rent your own:  Kayaking and Canoeing in Virginia Support the Community by staying at a local B&B Staying at a bed and breakfast is the perfect choice of lodging when you need a relaxing escape. You can find B&Bs almost anywhere you go, and they provide much better value than hotels. From personalized attention to delicious food, there are many reasons to choose a bed and breakfast over a hotel - especially in Front Royal. When you are on the road, away from home, travelers seek to experience a deeper connection with the places they visit. The bed and breakfast industry, is known for its hospitality, which is why you see many B&B’s and Inns receive great ratings for this very quality. Each bed and breakfast has its own history and its own style of accommodation. A B&B gives you the sense of being home because the rooms are both comfortable and elegant. B&B’s are small businesses. Innkeepers take tremendous pride in their work. Not only that, they feel a responsibility to make sure their guests are comfortable and cared for. And then there is the food! Home-cooked meals, with locally sourced ingredients, make the start of the day an enjoyable one. A freshly-prepared, delicious breakfast means the world to travelers who are far from home.  Blue Hill Farm Front Royal and Warren County have a bevy of choices: Stargaze When was the last time you truly saw the stars in a night’s sky? A distinct advantage of a small-town visit is having the chance to see the stars! Stick around for an evening so you can see for yourself. Public Parks & Gardens From botanical gardens and arboretums to fun playgrounds and community parks, there’s something to please everyone!
Here are additional parks and places of interest to visit!  Parks and Gardens in Warren County, VA A Final Thought!
There are many ways to enjoy small towns and their surrounding areas. These economical and creative solutions can be a great way for visitors to enjoy just as much as you would in the big city. They may not seem as grand, but they can be just as educational, entertaining, and fun! Fun, relaxation, and the outdoors await in Front Royal. It’s in our nature! |
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August 2020
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