20 MILES |
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The route heads west out of Washington on Harris Hollow and climbs up to the highest point inside the first 6 miles. This is mostly a gradual climb gaining about 600 feet over those first miles. The route follows the Rush River that flows out of of the Shenandoah.
At the top of the climb there is a fairly steep descent on gravel that turns to a fast runout on pavement. After a short spell on 211, the route follows Rock Mills road to the lowest point of the route, again at the Rush River.
At this point the 20 mile Rough Ride bears to the left and climbs away from the river on Long Mountain Rd. This is a scenic, fun and somewhat difficult couple miles of gravel. At the left onto Tiger Valley, riders are rewarded with views of the mountains and just a couple miles back to Washington.
At the top of the climb there is a fairly steep descent on gravel that turns to a fast runout on pavement. After a short spell on 211, the route follows Rock Mills road to the lowest point of the route, again at the Rush River.
At this point the 20 mile Rough Ride bears to the left and climbs away from the river on Long Mountain Rd. This is a scenic, fun and somewhat difficult couple miles of gravel. At the left onto Tiger Valley, riders are rewarded with views of the mountains and just a couple miles back to Washington.
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NEW! 59 MILES
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Explore More of the Beauty of Rappahannock's Back RoadsExplore more of the beauty of Rappahannock's back roads on this new-for-2024 60-mile mixed-surface Rappahannock Rough Ride. Suggested bike: gravel bike with a minimum of 32mm tires, 40+mm ideal. Road bike with a 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.
Starting with the original RRR Harris Hollow climb and Gid Brown Hollow descent, you carry on via the original route to Rock Mills. There will be a small rest stop here with a couple of snack options and water; definitely refill your bottles as it's another 30 miles until the Laurel Mills rest stop! From Rock Mills, you climb up Wharton Hollow to the intersection with Scrabble Road. You're on Scrabble Road just about long enough to say its name before turning right onto the exquisite Bessie Bell Mountain Road. 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 Road 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 Mountain Road, 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 Route 522 for a moment before turning right onto Hawlin Road. This portion of Hawlin Road is paved and offers broad views and rolling terrain. After a couple of miles, you'll transition back to gravel by staying straight onto Quaintance Road (don't turn right onto the gravel portion of Hawlin Road!). Quaintance Road has some robust, though relatively short, climbs and descents and passes through the heart of one of Rappahannock's largest 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. In short order, you'll turn right onto Major Brown Road, descend to the Hughes River, then return to gravel. A sharp left onto Emerald Hill Road, some more beautiful rolling terrain, a second crossing over the Hughes River, and a very steep paved climb takes you up into the community of Slate Mills. Turn right onto Slate Mills Road and pat yourself on the back: you've completed the most demanding portion of the route—though you still have some good climbs ahead of you, too.
Be mindful on Slate Mills Road and have your blinky lights on; this is a winding, paved road that is well-traveled. Riding single file is advisable. You'll roll along for three miles before turning left onto O'Bannons Mill Road (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 Route 522, where you'll cross (careful!) onto 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 of 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 rest stop. 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 Route 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.
Starting with the original RRR Harris Hollow climb and Gid Brown Hollow descent, you carry on via the original route to Rock Mills. There will be a small rest stop here with a couple of snack options and water; definitely refill your bottles as it's another 30 miles until the Laurel Mills rest stop! From Rock Mills, you climb up Wharton Hollow to the intersection with Scrabble Road. You're on Scrabble Road just about long enough to say its name before turning right onto the exquisite Bessie Bell Mountain Road. 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 Road 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 Mountain Road, 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 Route 522 for a moment before turning right onto Hawlin Road. This portion of Hawlin Road is paved and offers broad views and rolling terrain. After a couple of miles, you'll transition back to gravel by staying straight onto Quaintance Road (don't turn right onto the gravel portion of Hawlin Road!). Quaintance Road has some robust, though relatively short, climbs and descents and passes through the heart of one of Rappahannock's largest 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. In short order, you'll turn right onto Major Brown Road, descend to the Hughes River, then return to gravel. A sharp left onto Emerald Hill Road, some more beautiful rolling terrain, a second crossing over the Hughes River, and a very steep paved climb takes you up into the community of Slate Mills. Turn right onto Slate Mills Road and pat yourself on the back: you've completed the most demanding portion of the route—though you still have some good climbs ahead of you, too.
Be mindful on Slate Mills Road and have your blinky lights on; this is a winding, paved road that is well-traveled. Riding single file is advisable. You'll roll along for three miles before turning left onto O'Bannons Mill Road (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 Route 522, where you'll cross (careful!) onto 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 of 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 rest stop. 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 Route 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.
