Ride Categories

To help participants identify an appropriate ride level for our members we have developed the following ride categories:

View Ride Categories

Beginner/Casual rides

If you are new to the sport - or try to get re-acquainted after a long hiatus there is a group ride just for you - Tuesday afternoons starting from White Post restoration. 

Tuesday Casual Group Ride – all WW club members are welcome to join us.

Begins April 4^th at 6 pm (please be at ride location 10-15 min prior to 6 pm start).  Be sure to have a spring checkup for your bike prior to your first ride.  We’ll take a few minutes to talk about the rules of the road before we begin.  Helmets and lights/reflectors are a must!

White Post Restoration – 1 Old Car Drive- White Post, VA 22663

Route will initially be a 12-mile route – insert Ride GPS link here.  Over the course of the season we have several options for these casual rides. We hope to progress to an 18-20 mile ride as we get more comfortable with group rides in the beautiful countryside near Winchester.

Average riding pace is 8-10 mph- to 10-12 mph.  We will stop for rest and regrouping as needed. 

Barbara Weber – ride leader- phone –(978) 390-4330 email- blrweber@gmail.com

Women only/specific ride

In 2020, a cycling initiative was organized to target women who wanted to improve their weekly mileage and serve as a network to increase interest in cycling camaraderie in the local Winchester area.

The ride starts from various locations during the week (Thursdays) with a starting mileage of 17.4 miles with a goal to increase mileage or elevation gradually. This is not a beginner ride, we ride in two groups with targeted pace of 12-14 mph and 14 mph and above respectively. Ride leaders ensure adherence to the pace goal as well as regrouping efforts at pre-determined locations as well as major intersections. The faster group starts ahead ensuring everyone finishes together for some additional socializing time

We have planned the following ride locations (see Calendar for details): 1^st-  beginning at White Post Restorations (White Post) and is a 17.4 mile with  700 feet of elevation- Ride begins on April 6^th  2023, - ends on May 25th https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29531183

2^nd  location will be at the 7-11 store and Kimball Road (Berryville) 21 miles- 482 feet of elevation. Ride begins on June 1^st and ends July 27th. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36229145 

3^rd  location is at Boyce elementary school (Boyce) 18 mile –  600 feet elevation. Ride begins on August 3^rd and ends on September 28^thhttps://ridewithgps.com/routes/29519799

Paceline Ride

This is a hard-working paceline group with an expected pace of 20mph and greater. We use a relatively flat, 34 mile loop starting from a Berryville, VA location on Thursday evenings (6pm). As with other club rides participants regularly decide to form two distinct groups - with the faster one usually exceeding 22 mph average pace. Certainly our most advanced ride in terms of competitiveness.

Photo Credit: Renee Lynn Photography

Mondays - Road Ride - Whitehall, VA

Distance: 25.3 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,350 ft.

Start: Ride from White Hall United Methodist Church, 3265 Apple Pie Ridge Rd, Winchester, VA 22603  - Google Maps

RWGPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33179081 

Push off time: 6:00 PM

Usually a casual ride to loosen up tired legs after some longer rides on the weekend.

Tuesdays - Road Ride - Stephens City, VA

Distance: 34.1 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,300 ft.

Start Location: Shop ‘n Save Plaza east of Stephens City on VA 277 (380 Fairfax Pike, Stephens City, VA 22655). - Google Maps

Push off time: 6:00 PM

RWGPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29526469 

As mentioned above ride leaders will be available for two differently paced groups - or you can just ride at your heart's content with the “A or B+Team”. See the calendar for ride leader contacts.

As of April 5, 2022 we will offer to ride with a ride leader at either a 15mph or 17 mph average pace.  (Just a quick reminder that we are aiming for an AVERAGE pace - meaning that we will ride at higher or lower pace in sections of the route depending on terrain and traffic). Ride leaders ensure adherence to the pace goal as well as regrouping efforts at pre-determined locations as well as major intersections. Referencing our Ride Category Table these groups would be classified as B (15mph) or B+ (17mph)

These two groups will leave Shop and Save parking lot approx. 1 minute apart. The first 3 miles (15 minutes) will be ridden at a warm-up pace until we reach the intersection of Grim and Canterburg Road where we stop to regroup and ensure everybody is ok with pace etc.

Short stops/regroups follow at (or as needed) :

Mile 6.5 before crossing Rt 522

Mile 7.5 top of first “climb” up Ashby Station Road

Mile 18.4 before crossing Rt 50

Mile 19.2 Millwood Store

Mile 21.2 Boyce before crossing Rt. 340

Mile 25.2 before crossing Rt. 50 again

Mile 29.2 before crossing Rt. 522

Then the ride meanders through two subdivisions with reduced pace and emphasis on keeping the group together finishing at the advertised  pace at Shop&Save parking lot after 34 miles.

Wednesday - Mixed Surface Ride

Distance: 22 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,310 ft

Start Location: Park at the Sherando Park Outdoor Fitness Gym, at Sherando  Park, off Warrior Drive in Stephens City.  Google Maps.  

Start time: 6:00 PM

Ride with GPS Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42654968

No ride leader. Pace determined by those who show up. Some steep hills (up and down) on gravel, but not too demanding. As per map, about 9 miles on gravel and dirt.

Women’s Ride 

Distance: 17.4 miles, https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29531183

Elevation Gain: 700 ft

Start Location: White Post Restorations, 

Start Time: 6pm

This is a “women only ride” that will have two groups with designated ride leaders riding at 12-14mph and 14mph and above resp. average pace. Ride leaders ensure adherence to the pace goal as well as regrouping efforts at pre-determined locations as well as major intersections. The slower group will start first to ensure that everybody arrives back at the same time to allow for some additional "social time".

Ride location changes June 1.

Retired/Day-off Rides 

Start time: 10am/9am - depending on season

Start Location: Changes weekly - see Newsletter / Calendar for details

These rides are at easy to moderate pace starting at various locations which will be posted in the monthly newsletter Ride length is between 20 to 30 miles, with an average speed of 12-15 MPH. The rides usually have a lunch break stop or lunch after

White Post Ride

Distance: 17 miles

Elevation Gain: 700 ft.

Start Location: White Post Restorations, 1 Old Car Dr, White Post, VA  22663 - Google Maps

Start time: 6pm

RWGPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29531183

As mentioned above ride leaders will be available for two differently paced groups - or you can just ride to your heart's content with the “A or B Team”. See the calendar for ride leader contacts.

As of April 5, 2022 we will offer to ride with a ride leader at either a 12mph or 15 mph average pace.  (Just a quick reminder that we are aiming for an AVERAGE pace - meaning that we will ride at higher or lower pace in sections of the route depending on terrain and traffic). Ride leaders ensure adherence to the pace goal as well as regrouping efforts at pre-determined locations as well as major intersections. Referencing our Ride Category Table these would be classified as B (15mph) or C+ (12mph).

These two groups will leave White Post Restoration parking lot approx. 2 minutes apart. The first 2 miles (10-15 minutes) will be ridden at a warm-up pace until we reach”Mile Marker 2” where we stop to regroup and ensure everybody is ok with pace etc.

Short stops/regroups follow at (or as needed):

Mile 5 at the intersection of Rockland Rd and Bowling Green Rd.

Mile 6.5 before we turn onto Rt 661 aka Fairground Rd.

Mile 9.7 after “1st climb”

Mile 13.5 at the Intersection of Red Gate Rd and Nelson Rd

Mile 14.5 Top of Hill in front of entrance to Longwood

Then we will make our way back to White Post to finish after 17.4 miles at the advertised average pace.

Total ride time for 12mph approx. 90 minutes, for 15mph group approx. 75 minutes.

Thursdays - Berryville, VA. - PACELINE

Distance: 29 miles - PACELINE

Elevation Gain: 800 ft.

Start Location: DG Cooley School,  Lower Campus, 34 Westwood Road, Berryville, VA 22611 - Google Maps

Start time: 6pm

RWGPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29740009

This is NOT a beginner ride and requires experience in disciplined pace line riding

There are NO ride leaders - pace and regrouping efforts are at the group’s discretion.

Participants regularly decide to form two distinct groups - with the faster one usually exceeding 22mph average pace

“BEGINNERS/CASUAL” Ride

This is also a very good opportunity for anybody how is new to the sport, getting re-acquainted with cycling, getting back after an injury or simply wants to enjoy scenery at a casual pace. 

Depending on the group’s needs this ride can be shortened by using several shortcuts (anywhere between 6 and 12 or the full 17 miles).There will be another dedicated ride leader assisting the group in keeping pace and regroup (see above).

Saturday - Road Ride (aka the Shop Ride)

Distance: 28 miles

Elevation Gain: 1300 ft.

Start Location: Blue Ridge Bicycles, 2228 Papermill Rd., Winchester, VA 22601 - Google Maps

Push off time: 9:00 AM / 8:00AM ( as of May 21, 2022)

RWGPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30863246

Due to its popularity, participants usually form 2-3 groups at different levels. We have seen everything from a very casual pace to ambitious training groups.

ANNUAL EVENTS

Winchester Wheelmen METRIC CENTURY

Traditionally held during early October we organize a Metric Century ride for Members only. The event is fully supported with rest stops, breakfast at the start and lots of camaraderie. We also offer shorter rides to make the event accessible of all members - including families.

Ride time is 11:00 AM from White Post Restorations. Breakfast food will be there at 10:15 AM, and the ride will formally start at 11:00 AM. There will be a porta-potty present for everyone’s convenience.

Google Maps

Ride with GPS (RWGPS) maps have been updated for the day:

17.4 miles - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29531183

21.7 miles - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34316132

37.5 miles - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29883290 (Rest area at Cooley School, west of Berryville, VA)

62.5 miles - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31189369 (Rest areas at Cooley School and on Box Factory Road in Jefferson County, WV).

4th of July Ride

Another popular event is our 4th of July ride - usually around 25-35 miles at casual pace.

Thanksgiving Ride

Morning ride on Thanksgiving day to make room for the meals.