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.

MTB Trails Martin Fernandez MTB Trails Martin Fernandez

Locust Shade

In early May of 2016 Ryan Delany, then Prince William County Parks and Recreation Trail Manager, reached out to Martín Fernández, of the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts, about the possibility of leading an effort to revitalize the existing legacy trail system at Locust Shade Park in Triangle, Virginia.

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People Martin Fernandez People Martin Fernandez

The Story of Martin

I was fortunate to have video guru Drew Geraci of District 7 Media put together this short profile of me. In it I talk about my books and my passion for riding trails.

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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.