We get lots of questions about what to pack for a bike tour camping trip. Here are the staff suggestions.  (Note: at Bike Virginia we transport your camping gear/luggage, so there's no need to carry these items on your bike). Camping Supplies:   Tent and sleeping materials Tarp to put beneath your tent Chair (must fit within your bag). Plastic bag for keeping your clothes dry (or drybag style luggage). Seco ...

A well balanced diet is important for all cyclists, regardless of your ride intensity or duration. Eating frequently in the saddle is the key for a steady stream of energy to the muscles. Smart snacking will prevent those up and downs and allow you to power through the course. As a cyclist, if you are hungry your energy levels have spiraled downward - eat up to fuel up! Select whole foods! Whole foods provi ...

A blend of leisurely and challenging riding, festivals and quiet leisure, camping and hotels, restaurants and catered meals, historic locations and quirky one of a kind places, the Bike Virginia tour can be exactly what you would like a vacation to be.   Listen to and watch our recorded information session from May 2nd  to learn about the riding, the accommodations, the entertainment, and the fun that's in ...

Biking Teams at the Bike Virginia Event You’ll notice a team registration option for the Bike Virginia Tour but teams at the event are not of the typical cycling team kind. Bike Virginia is a leisure ride, not a race. That’s the big difference. Yes, plenty of racers ride the tour, but at this one we go off the premise of fun, not speed. It’s all about the joy of riding and seeing new places. Team registrati ...

Christine Turpin, RD, LDN, CSCS writes about nutrition for Bike Va. Good fuel can be the missing link for having great bike rides. See what she has to say about the importance about pre-ride fuel, hydration, and post ride recovery. Food for Fuel:  Nutrition to Energize Your Bike Ride   Fueling on the bike is not a one size fits all package and what works best for you may not be ideal for your riding pa ...

More women are discovering the joys of bike riding every day. It's so great to see ladies of all ages, sizes, shapes, and abilities enjoying this great sport. I've been a rider for over 20 years and spend a lot of time getting new riders into the sport, helping women overcome the common fears and things that intimidate us. That experience is one of the things that makes me love Bike Virginia. I've been Exec ...

By Dr. Kim Perry, Executive Director Here are a few comments and answers to help you make registration decisions if you've never attended Bike Virginia. 1. Register now or later? If you want to guarantee a spot at the tour we recommend signing up early. We've just decreased our registration cap from 2,000 to 1,600 to help create a better rider experience. Registration opens on December 1st, 2012. Register i ...

In June, 2009, my son, Andrew, my brother-in-law, Fran, and I went on the Bike Virginia 2009 bike ride.  That year the tour was from Charlottesville to Culpepper to Orange and back into Charlottesville. I took many pictures, but I will describe our experience with Bike Virginia with the following 5 pictures. Picture 1 is an example of a really nice rest step.  It is away from the road, well stocked with wat ...

Every year as BVA approaches I worry. Can I still climb up the hills? Will I get lost? Will I find anyone with whom to ride? Will packet pick-up at Registration go smoothly? For the past several years I have been in charge of the volunteers who work with me at Registration on Friday and Saturday. That’s usually 45 folks, many repeat volunteers, who work shifts 2 to 8 hours with smiles and great energy. (The ...