Cycling Stories, Ride Reports & Route Notes

Stories from rides, routes, and places explored by bike.

This blog documents cycling experiences from the road, trail, and everything in between. Posts here include ride reports, route observations, and stories from rides that help shape Best Rides DC guides and recommendations.

While some posts focus on specific routes or conditions, others capture the broader experience of riding — the places, people, and moments that make cycling meaningful beyond the map.

How to Use This Page

Use the filters below to explore posts by ride type, location, or topic. Many posts link directly to routes or places documented elsewhere on the site.

Martin Fernandez 10/16/25 Martin Fernandez 10/16/25

5 of the best mountain bike trails in Virginia

A regional perspective on the best mountain bike trails in Virginia, following a featured interview with Singletracks and links to in-depth destination guides.

Martin Fernandez 6/15/25 Martin Fernandez 6/15/25

Destination: Davis, WV

A destination guide to mountain biking in Davis, West Virginia, featuring classic Canaan Valley trails like Moon Rocks, Plantation Trail, and Dobbin House.

Martin Fernandez 6/1/25 Martin Fernandez 6/1/25

Destination: Roanoke

A destination guide to mountain biking in Roanoke, Virginia, featuring Mill Mountain, Carvins Cove, and classic Blue Ridge trail riding.

Martin Fernandez 4/15/25 Martin Fernandez 4/15/25

Destination: Richmond

A destination guide to mountain biking and gravel riding in Richmond, Virginia, featuring the James River Park System and Pocahontas State Park.

Martin Fernandez 3/31/25 Martin Fernandez 3/31/25

Destination: Frederick

A destination guide to riding in Frederick, Maryland, featuring Gambrill State Park, the Frederick Watershed, Greenbrier State Park, and classic road routes.

Martin Fernandez 12/29/23 Martin Fernandez 12/29/23

Looking back on 2023, forward to 2024

A personal reflection on cycling, travel, and creative goals at the close of 2023, and the intentions I set heading into 2024.

Martin Fernandez 10/3/23 Martin Fernandez 10/3/23

Pelicanos

I spent a few days down in Lima visiting family and managed to escape for a day of riding south of the city along a new destination, Pelicanos

How These Stories Connect

Many of the rides and places discussed here are also referenced on the Where to Ride page and inform the route research behind Best Rides DC cycling guides.

Routes Referenced in Recent Ride Stories

The Ride With GPS interactive map below highlights routes that are referenced throughout recent ride reports and cycling stories on this page. Visitors can zoom in, explore different areas, and select individual routes to view additional details directly in Ride With GPS.

Some routes shown here are documented in Best Rides DC cycling guides, while others represent rides that are still being explored or shared informally through ride reports. Together, they provide additional context for the places, conditions, and experiences described in the stories above.

This map is provided as a reference to help connect ride stories to real-world routes, not as a complete or exhaustive catalog.map below highlights routes that are referenced throughout recent ride reports and cycling stories on this page. Visitors can zoom in, explore different areas, and select individual routes to view additional details directly in Ride With GPS.

Some routes shown here are documented in Best Rides DC cycling guides, while others represent rides that are still being explored or shared informally through ride reports. Together, they provide additional context for the places, conditions, and experiences described in the stories above.

This map is provided as a reference to help connect ride stories to real-world routes, not as a complete or exhaustive catalog.