20 MILES |
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Not all that rough (gravelly) but what gravel it does have is beautiful and fun — and the route itself traverses through a mix of rolling farmland and woods. This version of the shorter Rough Ride stays off Rt 211 and takes in the best gravel and back roads close to Little Washington.
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NEW! 50 MILES
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***Suggested bike: gravel bike with minimum of 32mm tires, 40+mm ideal. Road bike with minimum of 32mm tires, hydraulic disc brakes, and good rider handling skills will be alright. Hardtail mountain bike with less aggressive tires will be slower but fun on the gravel sections***
For 2025 we're removing the original RRR Harris Hollow climb and Gid Brown Hollow descent; there's not much gravel back there anymore and the section along Rt 211 wasn't anyone's favorite. Instead, riders will start and end along one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the county: Tiger Valley and Long Mountain. From Rock Mills you turn Left and climb up Wharton Hollow to the intersection with Scrabble Rd. Turn Right. You're on Scrabble Road just about long enough to say its name before turning Right again onto the exquisite Bessie Bell Mountain Rd. This is a long but relatively gradual climb; it's also one of the most beautiful. You'll parallel a stream for much of the climb and be shaded by mature Beech and Oak trees. You might catch a glimpse of an old chimney on your right, a remnant of a former homestead. Further up, a small, refreshing-looking cascade in the stream will draw your eye. You'll reach the intersection with Red Oak Mountain Rd and go LEFT (right is a dead end up a very steep road with the reward of an old fire lookout and panoramic vista at the top). After you turn Left onto Red Oak Mtn Rd, you'll climb a bit more (passing the huge, old namesake tree on your left) before being rewarded by a whiz-bang paved descent into Woodville. Don't go too fast, though! The curves are tight and the pavement has some potholes. Plus, it's worth stopping at a little pull-off midway down the mountain to take in the spectacular view.
Once in Woodville, you'll turn Left onto Rt. 522 for a moment before turning Right onto Hawlin Road. This portion of Hawlin Rd is paved and offers broad views and rolling terrain. After a couple miles, you'll transition back to gravel by staying Straight onto Quaintance Rd. Quaintance Rd has some robust, though relatively short, climbs and descents and passes through the heart of one of Rappahannock's largest properties, Eldon Farms. Keep your speed in check as some of the descents can get a bit washboarded and eroded. One final climb on Quaintance will pop you out on Slate Mills Road. Go Left. In short order you'll turn Right onto Major Brown Rd, descend to the Hughes River, then return to gravel. A sharp Left* onto Emerald Hill Rd (see note at end of description if you want unofficial bonus miles), more rolling terrain, a second crossing over the Hughes River and a very steep paved climb takes you up into the community of Slate Mills, where you'll find the main aid station of this route.
Once refreshed, turn Right onto Slate Mills Rd and pat yourself on the back: you've completed the most demanding portion of the route and are almost halfway finished -- though you still have some demanding miles and climbs ahead of you, too.
Be mindful on Slate Mills Road and have your blinky lights on; this is a windy, paved road that is well travelled. Riding single file is advisable.
You'll roll along for 3 miles before turning Left onto O'Bannons Mill Rd (be careful not to fly past your turn!). O'Bannons puts you back on gravel and is a mellow little connector that will take you to Rt 522, where you'll cross (careful!) to stay on O'Bannon's Mill, which will then turn into Turkey Ridge Road. Unfortunately the county has been making efforts to pave this road and the first portion is tar and chip. However, after a couple miles the road reverts to gravel and becomes incredibly scenic: mountain laurel thickets, clear rivers and streams, and a big descent followed by an equally robust climb.
Turn Right onto Castleton Ford Road and enjoy a well-earned paved spin for 1.8 miles. Turn Left onto Castle Mountain Road (gravel) and you'll once again be back in the shade, rolling up and around a wooded hillside that opens up here and there into pastureland. Turn Right onto the paved Laurel Mills Road and you'll finally reach Laurel Mills and the second aid station. From Laurel Mills, those of you who've done the original RRR 30 mile route will know the remainder of the route. You'll turn left onto Richmond Road (make sure those blinkies are on and ride with caution!). After 1.5 miles, you'll turn Left onto Aaron Mountain Road (all pavement) and undulate past residential areas and farmland. Once back at Rock Mills, you'll enjoy the last stretch of gravel after turning Right on Long Mountain Road. This is the home stretch! Turn Left onto Tiger Valley Road and cruise back towards the start. One last crossing over Rt. 211 will take you back into the town of Little Washington, where you'll pass by houses and shops before finding yourself riding back up the Firehouse lane and the finish line.
* (If you want bonus miles you can turn right and continue along Major Brown to the next intersection. Turn Right onto Mitchell Mountain, Left onto Novum Rd., then Left again onto Parish Rd, staying right at the intersection you rolled through earlier to rejoin Major Brown and the official RRR Long Route. Adding this lollipop to your ride gives you approx. 7 additional miles and some descent climbs.)
For 2025 we're removing the original RRR Harris Hollow climb and Gid Brown Hollow descent; there's not much gravel back there anymore and the section along Rt 211 wasn't anyone's favorite. Instead, riders will start and end along one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the county: Tiger Valley and Long Mountain. From Rock Mills you turn Left and climb up Wharton Hollow to the intersection with Scrabble Rd. Turn Right. You're on Scrabble Road just about long enough to say its name before turning Right again onto the exquisite Bessie Bell Mountain Rd. This is a long but relatively gradual climb; it's also one of the most beautiful. You'll parallel a stream for much of the climb and be shaded by mature Beech and Oak trees. You might catch a glimpse of an old chimney on your right, a remnant of a former homestead. Further up, a small, refreshing-looking cascade in the stream will draw your eye. You'll reach the intersection with Red Oak Mountain Rd and go LEFT (right is a dead end up a very steep road with the reward of an old fire lookout and panoramic vista at the top). After you turn Left onto Red Oak Mtn Rd, you'll climb a bit more (passing the huge, old namesake tree on your left) before being rewarded by a whiz-bang paved descent into Woodville. Don't go too fast, though! The curves are tight and the pavement has some potholes. Plus, it's worth stopping at a little pull-off midway down the mountain to take in the spectacular view.
Once in Woodville, you'll turn Left onto Rt. 522 for a moment before turning Right onto Hawlin Road. This portion of Hawlin Rd is paved and offers broad views and rolling terrain. After a couple miles, you'll transition back to gravel by staying Straight onto Quaintance Rd. Quaintance Rd has some robust, though relatively short, climbs and descents and passes through the heart of one of Rappahannock's largest properties, Eldon Farms. Keep your speed in check as some of the descents can get a bit washboarded and eroded. One final climb on Quaintance will pop you out on Slate Mills Road. Go Left. In short order you'll turn Right onto Major Brown Rd, descend to the Hughes River, then return to gravel. A sharp Left* onto Emerald Hill Rd (see note at end of description if you want unofficial bonus miles), more rolling terrain, a second crossing over the Hughes River and a very steep paved climb takes you up into the community of Slate Mills, where you'll find the main aid station of this route.
Once refreshed, turn Right onto Slate Mills Rd and pat yourself on the back: you've completed the most demanding portion of the route and are almost halfway finished -- though you still have some demanding miles and climbs ahead of you, too.
Be mindful on Slate Mills Road and have your blinky lights on; this is a windy, paved road that is well travelled. Riding single file is advisable.
You'll roll along for 3 miles before turning Left onto O'Bannons Mill Rd (be careful not to fly past your turn!). O'Bannons puts you back on gravel and is a mellow little connector that will take you to Rt 522, where you'll cross (careful!) to stay on O'Bannon's Mill, which will then turn into Turkey Ridge Road. Unfortunately the county has been making efforts to pave this road and the first portion is tar and chip. However, after a couple miles the road reverts to gravel and becomes incredibly scenic: mountain laurel thickets, clear rivers and streams, and a big descent followed by an equally robust climb.
Turn Right onto Castleton Ford Road and enjoy a well-earned paved spin for 1.8 miles. Turn Left onto Castle Mountain Road (gravel) and you'll once again be back in the shade, rolling up and around a wooded hillside that opens up here and there into pastureland. Turn Right onto the paved Laurel Mills Road and you'll finally reach Laurel Mills and the second aid station. From Laurel Mills, those of you who've done the original RRR 30 mile route will know the remainder of the route. You'll turn left onto Richmond Road (make sure those blinkies are on and ride with caution!). After 1.5 miles, you'll turn Left onto Aaron Mountain Road (all pavement) and undulate past residential areas and farmland. Once back at Rock Mills, you'll enjoy the last stretch of gravel after turning Right on Long Mountain Road. This is the home stretch! Turn Left onto Tiger Valley Road and cruise back towards the start. One last crossing over Rt. 211 will take you back into the town of Little Washington, where you'll pass by houses and shops before finding yourself riding back up the Firehouse lane and the finish line.
* (If you want bonus miles you can turn right and continue along Major Brown to the next intersection. Turn Right onto Mitchell Mountain, Left onto Novum Rd., then Left again onto Parish Rd, staying right at the intersection you rolled through earlier to rejoin Major Brown and the official RRR Long Route. Adding this lollipop to your ride gives you approx. 7 additional miles and some descent climbs.)
