UNITED STATES - June 13, 2021: Seventy years young, Bill Hellwig gets set to start his 40 mile ride in the 1725 Gravel Grinder put on by EX2 Adventure
UNITED STATES - June 13, 2021: Seventy years young, Bill Hellwig gets set to start his 40 mile ride in the 1725 Gravel Grinder put on by EX2 Adventures to benefit America's Routes. The Loudoun 1725 Gravel Grinder is a scenic bike ride along historic gravel roads in Northern Virginia. Located east of the Blue Ridge, in lush Loudoun Valley, these crushed rock roadways meander through awe inspiring beauty, past stone walls, grand estates, horse farms, wineries, bubbling creeks, tiny hamlets, and significant historical sites. Riding these roads is a sublime experience – like stepping back in time and cycling through history. With over 300 miles of gravel road dating back to the early 1700s, Loudoun County Virginia boasts the largest and oldest intact network of gravel roads in the United States. When settlement in this area officially began in the year 1725, these roads were first used by mills and farms to get goods to market and by settlers to get to town and church. Today these special routes are used by residents, farmers, visitors, equestrians, and cyclists. The event will start and finish at Salamander Resort in the quaint town of Middleburg. Salamander is a perfect setting for the event, with plentiful amenities, huge parking areas, and a gorgeous staging area. From Salamander, riders will embark along a 40, 60, or 80-mile route. (Photo By Douglas Graham)
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Photo credit: © William Graham / Alamy / Afripics
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