Riding the roads

A new online resource available to local cycling enthusiasts will make finding safe and convenient roads for biking that much easier.

“These routes were developed by the riders who know from personal experience the best roads and routes around,” said Nancy Sorrells, a member of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors and the Bike Pedestrian Committee of the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, which has developed a website, www.bikethevalley.org, that offers a list of roads that are considered the most bike-friendly in the Valley.

“Our committee hopes that local riders can use the website to explore new, soon-to-be favorite, rides, and that visitors can use this website as a guide to the wonderful outdoor recreational possibilities that exist in our area,” said Sorrells, who is herself an avid cyclist.

The site lists more than 40 on-road bicycle routes in the Valley for all skill levels. The bikethevalley.org website includes route maps with turn-by-turn directions, lengths, elevations and more.

“It is our intent that this website will promote the health, recreational, tourism, transportation and economic benefits of cycling for everyone,” Bike and Pedestrian Committee member Lee Hersch said. “Our goal is to make roads in the Central Shenandoah Valley safer for people who cycle including children, families, and commuters. Safer roads for cyclists will also make roads safer for motorists,” Hersch said.