For the 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo, there are two ways to experience the challenge of Shenandoah Mountain without having to take on the dirt road climbs of the Alpine Loop: the Shenandoah Mountain Adventure and the Shenandoah Mountain Century.
The Shenandoah Mountain Adventure offers an amazing challenge of 77 miles with over 6,500 feet of climbing on some of the most ideal mountain roads around! Following the same mountain climbs with additional miles, the Shenandoah Mountain Century serves up 100+ miles with 7,800 feet of climbing. If you’re looking for big mountain miles and smooth serpentine roads, these courses serve up a pair of challenging adventures to choose from.
Both routes include three (optional) timed KOM sections: one on Virginia Route 33 up the eastern side of Shenandoah Mountain, the next on Reddish Knob Road climbing Shenandoah Mountain from Sugar Grove, and the last on the feisty .5-mile Mole Hill climb about 5 miles before the finish line.
Setting out from Harrisonburg, Virginia, the courses travel west toward the base of Shenandoah Mountain where the route goes up, up , up. From the summit, riders love the wide-open winding road descending into West Virginia. Once there, you’ll enjoy a few miles meandering alongside the headwaters of the Potomac River. The routes’ hidden gem: a serpentine climb up the western side of Shenandoah Mountain on the newly-paved Reddish Knob Road. Once you rise to the challenge of the final climb, hang on tight for your return to the Valley! Adventure riders will take the direct return to the Finish Line, while Century riders will continue on a scenic “century loop” with added rolling riverside miles and a scenic pass through the historic towns of Mt Solon and Stokesville. The final miles of both routes roll through the countryside and farming communities of Ottobine and Dayton, where horse-pulled carriages are frequent sights along the country lanes.