(If you’re on Instagram, and took photos today, hashtag them #tourdemadison.  We’d LOVE to see them!!)

#277 – 2 GML Blue Grass Tickets:

Mary Creed Pallone

Shipman, VA

#290 – Blue Mountain Brewery Jersey:

Sheila Thibodeau

Washington, DC

#87 – Tasting for two at Ducard Winery:

Ada Lester

Norfolk, VA

#123 – Early Mountain Gift Basket:

Douglas Gritzinger

Arlington, VA

#34 – Prince Michel basket/tasting:

Kim Phillips

Chantilly, VA

#244 – P&H Dancing Bears Fire Pit

Cynthia Elledge

Charlottesville, VA

#214 – P&H Wicker Cooler:

Heidi Austin-Cook

Staunton, VA

“Spend the day and evening at DuCard and check out local artisan wares in over a dozen craft tents while you sip wine on the patio, eat some local BBQ and enjoy the music. We’ll have two fantastic bands, Modern Tactics and then the Scuffletown Trio, live and ‘in concert’ – all the way until 8 PM. Yes, there may be dancing. Pets welcome and family friendly (always, at DuCard). $10 per person in advance – go to – http://www.ducardvineyards.com for tickets, details and directions – costs includes souvenir glass and either your first glass of wine or a tasting of our full wine offerings. No charge for kids or dogs.”

Family Ride

Intermediate Route

Metric Century

There is marvelous scenery all along the route.   Like all the routes in the 2013 Tour de Madison, the Metric Century starts with a wonderful four-mile run down the Old Blue Ridge Turnpike, a road built in the 1850s to connect the farms in the Shenandoah Valley with the railhead at Gordonsville.  You will be riding through the gorgeous valley created by the Robinson River.

A mile or so past Banco, at just over five miles into the ride, you will encounter a challenging climb—short but steep—into Haywood.  Immediately you will descend through the Hebron Valley.  This is the area settled by the Germans who fled their indentured servitude in Governor Spotswood’s mines at Germanna.

After turning right onto Hebron Church Rd., be sure to look west up the valley to the glorious Blue Ridge Mountains.  You will also pass the historic Hebron Lutheran Church on your right.   It’s the oldest Lutheran church in continuous operation in the United States!

Soon you will turn left onto Rt. 231, the Blue Ridge Turnpike, for a somewhat longer climb into the town of Madison.    Be careful on our crowded Main Street, but don’t forget to notice the historic buildings, especially “Kemper Mansion” on your left—home of James Kemper who was wounded at Pickett’s Charge and later served as Governor of Virginia (1874-78)—and, the newly renovated County Courthouse on your right.

Leaving the town of Madison, the gentle Blue Ridge foothills west of town will thrill you and get your heart pumping.   Your efforts will be rewarded by the hospitality of Early Mountain Vineyards at just over 17 miles into the ride.

Not long after leaving the rest stop, Metric Century riders will find themselves heading east on the gently rolling Oak Park Rd. before enjoying a descent to the Robinson River.  All along the way are fertile fields still cultivated by family farmers.  Be sure to notice the historic churches—Oak Grove Baptist, Mt. Zion Baptist, and Mt. Zion United Methodist—in the Oak Park area.   Oak Grove was founded during the Civil War by a slave harness-maker.

There is a mile and half gentle climb up from the Robinson River at 28.7 miles on Fords Shop Rd. and the a rolling five miles on Leon Rd.  Watch out for traffic as you cross Rt. 29.  If you had been here in October of 1863 you would have had to be on the lookout for cavalry under the command of J. E. B. Stuart (Confederate) or George A. Custer (Union).

Just after you cross Rt. 29, you will turn left onto Kirtley Rd. and approach the Prince Michel Vineyard and another well-stocked rest stop.   Be sure to notice the historical marker on Kirtley Road.  This is a portion of one of the oldest, if not the oldest colonial road in America!

From the rest stop at Prince Michel, cyclists head west toward the Blue Ridge Mountains.  There are too many marvelous views to mention them all!  A favorite part of the route will surely be the four or five miles on Slate Mill Road in Rappahannock County.   Between 45 and 50 miles you will encounter momentum-generating descents and challenging climbs punctuated with occasional glimpses of Old Rag Mountain to the west.

The last rest stop is at F. T. Baptist Church, founded in 1788 and located here since 1816.   Soon after the rest stop and a short stint on Rt. 231, rider will head west to the very foot of Old Rag Mountain.   Some of you may be tempted to abandon your bikes to join the hundreds who will be climbing it that day.   Resist it, you will need all your strength and stamina for what lies ahead!

After another short passage on Rt.231, the ride from Etlan to Syria offers the most serious challenge of the day.  There are a couple of miles of gentle ascent, then a mile plus climb that ends with a very steep grade.  Be sure to notice DuCard Vineyard on your right just before the serious climbing starts.   From the summit you will enjoy a stunning glimpse of the valley below.  Be careful on the steep, curving descent on a narrow road!

Soon you be back at Graves Mountain Lodge where great food will satisfy the ravenous appetite you have generated.  Did we mention the cold beer and local wines to slake your thirst?  Maybe you will be inspired to visit one of the three vineyards after the ride for a full wine-tasting experience.

Cue Sheet for Metric Century:  CUE.2013.Metric

There is marvelous scenery all along the route.   Like all the routes in the 2013 Tour de Madison, the Intermediate ride starts with a wonderful four-mile run down the Old Blue Ridge Turnpike, a road built in the 1850s to connect the farms in the Shenandoah Valley with the railhead at Gordonsville.  You will be riding through the gorgeous valley created by the Robinson River.

A mile or so past Banco, at just over five miles into the ride, you will encounter a challenging climb—short but steep—into Haywood.  Immediately you will descend through the Hebron Valley.  This is the area settled by the Germans who fled their indentured servitude in Governor Spotswood’s mines at Germanna.

Halfway down the valley you will make a left turn onto Towles Rd. and travel through some of the county’s most beautiful farmland—unspoiled by residential development.   After nearly nine miles of riding you will find a SAG vehicle at the intersection with Sawmill Rd.   There you can rest and refuel.

After the rest stop you will immediately face the challenge of a mile and a half climb up Arrington Mountain.  It’s long, but not terribly steep.  And afterward you will enjoy the rolling descent through the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills toward the village of Novum.

Just past Novum you will turn right onto Rt. 607, Ridgeview Rd.   You may continue following the directional arrows and cue sheet all the way to your first full service rest stop at the Prince Michel Vineyard.  However, if you want to take a little over nine miles off the route, you may turn left at about 14.2 miles onto Rt. 608 Oakland Rd.   Those who go to the Prince Michel Vineyard rest stop will return to this point.

If you go to Prince Michel, be sure to notice the historical marker on Kirtley road.  This is a portion of one of the oldest, if not the oldest colonial road in America!

Whether you take the short cut or not, cyclists will be heading west toward the Blue Ridge Mountains.  A favorite part of the route will surely be the four or five miles on Slate Mill Road in Rappahannock County.   You will encounter momentum-generating descents and challenging climbs punctuated with occasional glimpses of Old Rag Mountain to the west.

The last rest stop is at F. T. Baptist Church, founded in 1788 and located here since 1816.   Soon after the rest stop, cyclists will turn left on Rt. 231, F. T. Valley Road.   You may stay on that road all the way to Eltan (about 2.6 miles) which will shorten the ride by about 3 miles.

Recommended, however, is only a short stint on Rt. 231, then a right turn on Peola Mills Rd. heading west toward the very foot of Old Rag Mountain.   This “detour” off the main road offers glorious views of Old Rag and the farms in its shadow.

After another short passage on Rt.231, the ride from Etlan to Syria offers the most serious challenge of the day.  There are a couple of miles of gentle ascent, then a mile plus climb that ends with a very steep grade.  Be sure to notice DuCard Vineyard on your right just before the serious climbing starts.   From the summit you will enjoy a stunning glimpse of the valley below.  Be careful of the steep, curving descent on a narrow road!

Soon you will be back at Graves Mountain Lodge where great food will satisfy the ravenous appetite you have generated.  Did we mention the cold beer and local wines to slake your thirst?  Maybe you will be inspired to visit one of the county’s vineyards after the ride for a full wine-tasting experience. Map for longest Intermediate Loop, including Prince Michel (click the map for more info)

Cue sheet for Intermediate Route:  CUE.2013.Intermediate

Map below for shorter Intermediate Route option