Tour Availability: April 5-11, 2008.
This trip combines the excitement of Washington, DC world famous cherry blossoms at peak season and its magnificent buildings and monuments with the pastoral beauty of the surrounding Virginia countryside. Biking is simply best way to explore Washington and visit its historic sites. You will pedal on many of the bike paths that Washington is famous for and also enjoy the quiet country roads to historic Leesburg, Waterford and Middleburg.
On the way, you will pass through gorgeous hunt and horse country. The trip is full of history and beauty, and will provide an excellent introduction to a region widely-acclaimed for its wonderful biking. The trip is designed so that you can bike the whole way from Washington - Leesburg - Middleburg - Washington or shorten the trip using short cuts and the support van if you prefer.
*Highlights:
- Marvel at fabulous flowering of the Japanese cherry blossoms.
- Explore by bike the Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Viet Nam Memorials; the Capitol, White House, the National Cathedral, Arlington Cemetery and embassies.
- Cruise the beautiful Potomac River bike path to Mt. Vernon, the home of George and Martha Washington.
- Bike the C&O canal towpath and country roads and cross the Potomac on tiny White’s Ferry to historic Leesburg Pedal on rural roads through the magnificent horse and hunt of Northern Virginia.
- Explore the historic towns of Leesburg, Waterford and Middleburg and visit a local winery and horse farm Luxuriate in lovely inns and B&B and enjoy sumptuous meals.
*Special Features:
- Tour Level: Intermediate and advanced. While the riding in DC takes ample advantage of traffic-free bike paths and The Mall, riders should have had some experience in town or city riding.
- Terrain: Country biking is over rolling terrain on lightly trafficked roads and bike paths. Some parts of the Virginia rides have significant hills.
- Average Daily Mileage: 20-50 miles with shorter and longer options available to accommodate bikers with differing abilities and interests. Van support provides additional flexibility.
- Accommodation and Meals: In DC, you will stay down town at The Kalorama Guest House in beautifully restored and elegantly furnished Victorian town houses, and in and Middleburg you will stay in a historic country inn. Dinners are at some of the best restaurants in Washington, Leesburg and Middleburg.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1, April 5: Arrival in Washington. We will fit rental bikes at 3:00 pm and enjoy a warm-up ride in Rock Creek Park past the National Zoo. This will be followed by a welcome drink and dinner in the Adams Morgan district. We will stay three nights in the Kalorama Guest House in Adams Morgan. Bike ride: 9 miles. Includes: (D).
Day 2, April 6: Cherry Blossoms and Exploration of the Nation’s Capital. We will rise early and ride to the Tidal Basin to catch the cherry blossoms in the early morning light before the crowds. We will bike the mall area enjoying the major monuments. As soon as we are hungry, we will stop for brunch in an established Washington restaurant. Then, we will complete the tour of the downtown area moving to Arlington Cemetery, Georgetown and the National Cathedral. In the evening, we will dine at a local restaurant in that area. Bike ride 20 miles or longer, if desired. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 3, April 7: Biking to Mt. Vernon. After breakfast, we will cross the Potomac River to Virginia and pedal on the bike path that hugs the river, winds through historic Old Town Alexandria, meanders through lush wetlands and ends at Mt. Vernon. We will take a tour of the house and grounds and visit the newly-opened Ford Orientation Center and the Douglas Reynolds Museum. Bike ride 25 or 45 miles. Includes: (B).
Day 4, April 8: Washington to Leesburg. We will pedal the Crescent Trail and then link up to the historic Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) canal and tow path following it to Great Falls and Riley’s Lock, where we will enjoy a picnic lunch. After lunch, we will bike on country roads to Poolesville and cross the Potomac to Leesburg on the tiny White’s Ferry. We will stay at the Colonial Inn. Bike ride 26 or 44 miles. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5, April 9: Leesburg to Middleburg. In the morning, we will start out on the Washington and Old Dominion Bike Trail and then bike on country roads up to the beautiful, historic town of Waterford. We then bike a northern loop and back to Purcellville, where we will have lunch. We then bike south through horse country to Middleburg. We will have an opportunity of visit a local horse farm. We will stay in the Middleburg Country Inn. Bike ride 33 or 49 miles. Includes: (B).
Day 6, April 10: Middleburg Loop. We will bike on magnificent country roads through beautiful horse country. Our route will take us over to Plains for lunch. We will visit a local winery to taste the wine of the growing Virginia wine industry. We will have a final farewell dinner at the Red Fox Inn. Bike ride 34, 49 miles. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 7, April 11: Return to Washington. After breakfast, you will bike the remarkable Washington and Old Dominion Trail, cross the Key Bridge with majestic views and arrive in DC. Miles: Any distance up to 65 depending on where you start. Includes: (B).
Notes: Please let us know if you would like to make a reservation and send us a deposit of $400 to hold the reservation. Please send the balance of the cost of the trip at least six weeks before the start of the trip.
Refund Policy: We will refund all but $200 of your deposit or other payments made to us if you cancel at any time up to six weeks before the start of the trip. Because of hotel cancellation policies and other logistical considerations, we will not refund your deposit or any other payments if you cancel for any reason six weeks or less before the start of the trip. In the unlikely event that we cancel your trip, all payments made by you to our company for this trip will be refunded in full.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour Price:
- $1,895, double occupancy,
- Single supplement $375.
Price Includes:
- 6 nights first class accommodation,
- All breakfasts, a picnic lunch, a brunch and four dinners in some of the areas best restaurants and snacks along the way,
- Admission on Mt. Vernon,
- Support van,
- Two knowledgeable local guides,
- Route notes and maps.
Note: Bike rental is $150.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Virginia
District of Columbia
Bicycle Touring
Cultural Journey
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