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Ride Status – Perfect weather predicted (sun shining, birds chirping, etc.)

Page last updated:   March 18,2008

September 13 and 14, 2008
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Cycle along the paths of Patrick Henry, Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. You will enjoy Hanover County’s historic homes, rolling countryside.

The Heart of Virginia Century and Bike Festival offers something for every rider: a 25-mile Family Ride; a 27 mile Short Ride; a 40-mile Historic Ride; a Metric Century; a 72 mile Metric Century Plus, as well as a challenging , 100 mile English Century course with just enough hills to give you a real workout. We have great rest and lunch stops along the way to keep you fueled, and a reward of a generous helping of gourmet ice cream as you complete the rides.

Don’t miss participating in the Richmond Area Bicycling Association’s premier event. Come cycle through history and enjoy the beautiful countryside and southern hospitality at a wonderful time of year.

This is an event sponsored by the Town of Ashland and presented through the partnership of the Richmond Area Bicycling Association, the Hanover Mental Health Association, and Hanover Habitat for Humanity. In addition to promoting the bicycling friendly town of Ashland, VA, the purpose of this event is to raise money for the event's three partners.

In its newly renovated Sunrise House, Hanover Mental Health Association provides transitional housing for adults with mental illness who are ready to take their first steps toward independent living. Hanover Habitat is committed to eliminating substandard housing for those in need by building and selling houses with no-profit, interest-free mortgages. The two organizations are partnering to build additional housing for adults with mental illness who need transitional and permanent residences.

The Richmond Area Bicycling Association has as its goal to promote safe cycling in the Richmond area, for both recreation and transportation. We work toward this objective by organizing and offering a wide assortment of local rides and events, supporting requests from other groups for assistance with events, and donating children’s bicycles and helmets to local charities for distribution.

Routes

There are several routes to choose from on both days. All routes loop back to the start each day. There is no mass start on any of the rides. They are all show and go, however, there are suggested starting times as the routes are closed by 5:00pm on Saturday and 3:00pm on Sunday.

On Saturday, we offer a 27 mile Short Ride, in addition to a 62 mile Metric Century and a 100 mile English Century, both of which will take you down roads that have been involved in a number of the country's well known historic events, including Cornwallis' retreat to Yorktown in 1781, with Washington and Rochambeau's troops following in close pursuit; and then, almost a century later, Lee's troops falling back as Grant's Union Army pursued them, with both sides suffering heavy losses.

On Sunday, enjoy a 25 mile Family Ride to Coatesville, a 40 mile Historic ride that will take you out on the rolling hills past three thoroughbred farms where race horses are bred, trained and stabled, to several of Hanover county's historic country homes and Scotchtown, the home of Patrick Henry. If you are looking for a longer route, we have the 72 mile Lake Anna Metric Century Plus, which many think offers the most scenic terrain of all the routes.

Food and Rest Stops

Five rest stops Saturday including the famous lunch stop at Old Church. Three rest stops on Sunday including a lunch stop at Coatesville. The Estes Dining Hall at Randolph-Macon College serves dinner each evening for a nominal fee, to which our riders are invited.

Directions

All rides begin and end at the Patrick Henry YMCA, 217 Ashcake Road in Ashland, VA.

Ashland is located 16 miles north of Richmond, Virginia off Interstate 95.

Parking

Limited Parking will be available at the YMCA facility on Ashcake Road. Parking staff may direct you to overflow parking areas at the Hanover County Department of Social Services parking lot off Route 1.

Accommodations

Tent camping is available for $10.00 each night on the YMCA grounds.

CAMPING LODGING RESTAURANTS



Schedule

Friday 5:00pm – 8:00pm Registration and Packet Pick-up
Saturday 6:30am – 10:00am Registration and Packet Pick-up
  7:00am – 8:00am Show and Go Start for Century (100 miles)
  7:00am - 9:00am Show and Go Start for Metric Ride (62 miles)
  9:00am - 10:00am Show and Go Start for Short Ride (27 miles)
  5:00pm Course Closed – Swept for last riders.)
Sunday 6:30am – 10:00am Registration and Packet Pick-up
  7:00am – 9:00am Show and Go Start for Lake Anna Metric Plus (72 miles)
  8:30am – 10:00am Show and Go Start for Historic ride (40 mile)
  8:30am – 10:00am Show and Go Start for 25 mile Family ride
  3:00pm Course Closed – Swept for last riders

Registration and Fees

Registration fees include lunch both days, high-energy refreshments at all rest stops, sag/repair vehicles, maps and route markings for all routes. In addition, free showers and swimming is available at the YMCA until 5:00pm on Saturday and 3:00pm on Sunday. See schedule above for on-site registration times. Cash or personal checks will be accepted. We cannot accept credit card transactions, except through www.active.com up to September 11th. CPSC or SNELL approved Helmets are required and must be worn at all times when you are riding on your bike. The registration waiver and release must be signed by all riders. Include your email in your registration to receive confirmation. Register by August 15, 2008 to receive the registration discount of $10 for non-RABA members, with RABA members receiving an additional discount. No refunds after August 15, 2008. The event will go on rain or shine. In the event of severe weather that would jeopardize the safety of the riders, the rides may be canceled and pre-registered riders would be eligible for a refund. If uncertain whether severe weather conditions exist, last minute information can be found by checking the “Ride Status” on this web page or by calling Bud Vye at (804) 262-9544.

The registration costs after 8/15/2008 are $50 for the full weekend rides and $40 for Saturday or Sunday only. RABA members receive a discount. A $5.00 surcharge will be added for on-site registrations on September 12, 13, & 14.

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For more information, contact Bud Vye by: