Set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Culpeper County offers bountiful terrain for a rich cycling culture. Whether you’re an avid road racer, cycle-tourist, or off-road trailblazer, Culpeper has the roads and trails to give you an incredible cycling experience that you won’t want to leave. Off the bike, Culpeper has enough quality food and lodging options to make your trip unforgettable.
Challenging Terrain
Culpeper’s location makes it an ideal training and leisure riding destination. To the east, a Culpeper cyclist can enjoy seemingly endless miles of flat countryside in the farmlands of central Virginia. Head west toward the Shenandoah National Park and you’ll find some of the most exhilarating riding in the country, with enough elevation to challenge the fittest riders. Cyclists from all over the world come to nearby Sperryville, Virginia to begin their rides on the breathtaking Skyline Drive. In the center of Culpeper County you’ll ride enough rolling hills to explore all day long.
Culpeper’s temperate climate makes for great riding throughout the entire year. At the foot of the mountains, Culpeper County cyclists enjoy a variety of terrain without the hassle of unpredictable mountain climates.
Road Riding
For road riders, Culpeper and the surrounding areas offer unrivaled terrain for your cycling enjoyment. CulpeperCycling.com has featured many of our favorite rides in our ride library, be sure to check out the thousands of miles or rides we have featured on this site. Each ride is stored on MapMyRide.com so you can get all the nitty gritty details, along with detailed maps, turn by turn directions and route overview. Or if you prefer to just follow along, head to Culpeper’s own bike shop, The Bike Stop and rent a Garmin GPS bike computer already loaded with all of our rides.
Mountain Biking
If mountain biking is your thing, be sure to check out the trails at the Culpeper Area Mountain Bike Organization (C.A.M.B.O). For the price of $25.00 per year, you gain access to miles of trails for all levels of riders, from wide open meadows for novices to thrilling expert-level singletrack. Be sure to pay your membership before you arrive and you’ll be ready to roll!
Exploring Culpeper
Once your ride is over, we encourage you to take a casual walk through historic downtown Culpeper, which has been named “The Best Small Town in Virginia” and “One of America’s Top 10 Small Towns” by Norman Crampton, author of “The 100 Best Small Towns in America.” Culpeper’s very own Davis Street is home to many unique and sophisticated food establishments, boutique shops, and art galleries. From May through October, Culpeper’s Farmers Market on Saturday mornings offers the best of local foods—if you’re willing to move your ride to the afternoon.
If you’re seeking an active day off the bike, consider hiking one of the gorgeous trails in Shenandoah National Park, including White Oak Canyon and the famous Old Rag Mountain. Or if you prefer a day of relaxation, sip a cup of coffee in our local downtown coffeehouse, Raven’s Nest or explore the Library of Congress’ National Audio-Visual Conservation Center, where the Library of Congress acquires, preserves and provides access to the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of films, television programs, radio broadcasts and sound recordings. The Packard Campus also features a beautiful 200 seat, Art Deco-style theater with superlative sound, state-of-the-art film projection and comfortable seating. The theater proudly features three shows a week: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm and Saturdays at either 2:00 pm or 7:30 pm.
So the next time your are thinking of heading out for a bike ride and want to explore some new roads, head to Culpeper, VA, where you will experience an exciting cycling destination.
