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 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 3/24/25 Martin Fernandez 3/24/25

Destination: Harrisonburg

A destination guide to mountain biking in Harrisonburg, Virginia, featuring Stokesville, the George Washington National Forest, and classic Shenandoah Valley trails.

Martin Fernandez 11/26/24 Martin Fernandez 11/26/24

Revisiting Carvins Cove

It has been a little over seven years since I last visited Carvins Cove. The last time around I was working on Mountain Biking Virginia and my buddy Mark H. and I rode some of the tougher trails along this classic Blue Ridge destination.

Martin Fernandez 11/6/23 Martin Fernandez 11/6/23

The Southern Traverse

Several friends and I spent this past Saturday tackling the Southern Traverse, an IMBA Epic ride along the southern spine of the Shenandoah Mountain Trail.

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

2023 MoCo Epic

Great weather, amazing trails, and awesome riding buddies. The 2023 MoCo Epic did not disappoint.

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

Martin Fernandez 9/9/23 Martin Fernandez 9/9/23

Tacky Goodness

Day two ride during my annual outing to Raystown Lake with theqMTB Crew.

Martin Fernandez 9/8/23 Martin Fernandez 9/8/23

Frayed Cable

Day one of our riding adventure at the Allegrippis Trail System at Raystown Lake.

Martin Fernandez 6/14/23 Martin Fernandez 6/14/23

Riding Loudoun County’s Historic Gravel Roads

Hundreds of riders took on the challenge to cycle 40, 60 or 80 miles along the historic gravel roads of Loudoun County, VA, in support of America’s Routes, an organization working to preserve this unique and precious resource.

Martin Fernandez 5/29/23 Martin Fernandez 5/29/23

Riding the Iconic C&O Canal

Earlier this year my good friend Paul asked me if I would be willing to join him and another friend, Becky, on a three day trip to ride the full length of the C&O towpath, 184.5 miles, from Cumberland, MD to Washington, D.C.

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

The Pilgrimage: A few more days mountain biking in Peru

A few more days mountain biking in Peru

Martin Fernandez 7/20/13 Martin Fernandez 7/20/13

Ten Days (riding) in Perú:

I wrote this a little over two years after a few friends and I visited Peru. I’m Revisiting and sharing it here in anticipation of an upcoming trip back to the Sacred Valley.

Martin Fernandez 7/19/13 Martin Fernandez 7/19/13

Bryce: Lift Assisted - Road Complimented

D.C. Area cyclists are lucky to have a new and challenging venue where to test and hone their downhill mountain biking skills. Bryce Resort in Basye, VA (just over 100 miles from Northern Virginia) recently opened and is continuing to expand a network of lift-assisted mountain bike trails that offer runs for both beginner and expert riders.

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.