The Skyline Climber! 44 miles 5000 ft elevation gain
Back by popular demand! This will be 4th year.
Our 4th annual Skyline ride will be on 4/8. Looks like we have 9 registrants so far. Chris Higgins wants to come as well and will know on Tuesday. Please unregister if your plans have changed.
UPDATEs
Park Entry
Cyclist entry fee is $15 via credit card. They no longer take cash. There are some exceptions - active duty military with ID get in free. Veterans with proper ID get in free. In the past military and veterans could bring in 3 free guests each. If that's still the case will do that. John and Rich have veteran IDs.
Car pool options:
John Tyrrell will drive a Tahoe truck with 4 bike rack. Am bringing, RJ, Mark Grimes, and me but we can rearrange with Marjorie before we go.
Marjorie Woodings will drive with my other 4 bike rack. Will bring Jennifer Connor, Marjorie, Rich Catan (or with John), Jenn M.
We can all pitch in for gas.
Khalil Kodsi will drive and can take one more rider with him. Khalil can pick up a rider at the College Park park and ride at the DC beltway and I-95. Its on the way. We need to know in advance who the other may be, if needed. I havn't heard of anyone needing a ride.
James Colombo will meet us at the parking lot.
You can drive solo if you wish but its far.
The event starts at 0930. Lets arrive at 0900 to get ready. The park has a huge restroom to change in. Bring ID and credit card or cash to enter the national park. I can get a few people in free with my veterans ID. Maybe Jennifer Meyers and Rich Catan have military veteran IDs.
Meet at John Tyrrells house at 3527 Huntley Drive, Davidsonville, 21035, except Khalil, at 0700 if you would like to car pool. It will be almost a 2 hour drive to the start.
Send me a text or call if you want a ride with Marjorie, John, or Khalil. My number is 202-251-7635 so we'll know who needs what.
Bring a change of clothes for the ride home. We'll eat in the town after the ride.
Thanks!!!
John Tyrrell - ABC President
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Grab your climbing gear! The Skyline Climber starts in Front Royal at the northern terminus of Skyline Drive and climbs up about 3000 feet to Hogback Peak with multiple vistas along the way for catching your breath and putting out the fire in your legs.
It starts at Eastham Park on the Shenandoah River and soon enters the Shenandoah National Park. From the park entrance you undertake the 34th most difficult climb in Virginia, according to PJAMM Cycling. A 20.4 mile long section with an average gradient of 2.6%, a total elevation gain of 3,852' and a FIETS score of 2.2. PJAMM gives this climb a difficulty rating of 2 out of 5 mountains (moderate).
The climb is actually 4 climbs, separated by some downhills (that make the total elevation gain on the day 5,060').
Climb 1 is Dickey Hill. Goes form the Shenandoah Nat'l Park Entrance to near the top of Dickey Hill. A hill sounds like a nice way to start, but this is no ordinary hill. It is the toughest climb of the day; rated as a Category 1 climb, it is 6.1 miles / 5% average / 10.6% max grade for 1633 feet of elevation gain.
Climb 2 is Here's Johnny! After the hill, a mountain sounds tough but Carson Mountain is a late night joke of a mountain. A simple Category 3, 2.4 miles at 4.7% for 651' of gain, and the max grade of the day at 12%.
Climb 3 is the Rapper's Delight. Straight Outta Compton Gap to the North and South Marshall Mountains (will the real Marshall Mountain please stand up?). Rated as a Category 3 for its 740' feet of climbing at 4% for 3.5 miles.
Climb 4 is the Pig Pen. Little Hogback and Hogback peaks for 2.9 miles at 4.8% and 810' rate this as a Cat 3 as well.
Then we turn around at Hogback Overlook (~mile 22) and return back to Eastham Park, but before we hit Eastham....
Climb 5 is I thought we were on the way down!. Back up to the Gap between the Marshall Mountains, a Cat 4 climb 2.2 miles @ 4.2% and 510' of elevation.
Climb 6 is the Speedbump. After speeding 1400' down the mountains for 8 miles we've got Dickey Hill to help slow us down and warm us back up. 1.7 miles at 4.3% / 440' make this last one another Cat 4.
Rest Stops: The Dickey Ridge Visitor center is at the middle of the Dickey Hill climb; it will be closed but restrooms and water) are most likely available. This is the last restroom until we come back to it on the way down. There are a number of lookouts along the way to stop and rest.
This route is mostly in Shenandoah National Park. Entrance fee per bicycle is $15.00. If you are active duty or a veteran, the fee is waived if you have your ID.
RidewithGPS Route is here.
Date of the event may be adjusted if weather forecast changes.
This Adventure Ride was created by Chris Higgins. Posted by Chris Higgins on 3/15/26.
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