Albemarle Loop

The phone is ringing, smartphone chirping and the boss is howling, time to get away. JSOBs is here to help. If you live in Charlottesville I have a lunch time ride for you. If you can stretch your lunch break just past the 60 minute mark, this jaunt can put a grin back on your face.

If you are doing this ride near sundown, I recommend reversing the route so the sun is not an issue.

View Albemarle Loop in a larger map

This 42 mile lap begins near the Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Airport and heads north through Earlysville. Earylsville Road is an easy going two lane double yellow country road, sit back and relax. The scenery through this part of the county is fantastic. Rolling Blue Ridge foothills are dotted with cattle, horses and small ranch style homes. Breaks in the trees provide vistas that give spectacular views all the way to the Shenandoah Park.

The route changes names from Earlysville, to Buck Mountain, the first turn is onto Markwood Road.  Here is the good news, follow the signs for Blue Ridge School and you will be A OK.

There is a certain skill to riding in the Albemarle back country. This is not the road you are looking for if you want to play hide-&-seek with your rev limiter. These roads demand a moderate pace and a keen eye for obstacles. This is not to say the trip isn't a fun one, there are twisties galore.

Markwood Road is much narrower than Earlysville but maintains the same beautiful vistas. You hardly get to know the road before confronting a four way stop. Ahead lies Greene County, to the right heads back towards Earlysville, back is not an option. Roll on the throttle, tip the bike left and head on down the road. Welcome to Simmons Gap.

This road is paved, patched, bumpy, and little more than a lane and a half wide. There is no dividing line and the locals drive using the entire road. Paint an imaginary line down the middle and do not cross it. Simmons Gap to Brown's Gap is one of my favorite roads in the county. Only a few seconds down the road after you turn is the tiny little town of Nortonsville with a hard left turn right in the middle of the town. I probably should have mentioned this at the beginning of this post, but fuel up before tackling this part of the county, gas is sparse (nonexistent).

This stretch is a long winding southerly road down the western side of the county that again changes names a few times. Eventually you will find yourself on Boonesville Rd then Blackwells Hallow Rd. The road is so narrow in some places that the tree canopies from each side meet over top the road. If you have ridden in the foothills of the Blue Ridge before you will be well acquainted with the blind turns and seemingly random cornering speed suggestions.

I wish I could count the turns on this road. In no way does this compare to Deal's Gap, but it is fun and a lot closer. For me, the 45mph speed limit felt just right. My trusty iPhone says I averaged 40mph throughout the whole trip which is probably skewed by a short stop.

Blackwells Hallow has one last surprise at the end in a hard left turn that puts you on Brown's Gap Turnpike. Here the road widens and the double yellow returns. If you need to pick up some time here is the place to do it. You can follow this along a smal little stream right into White Hall. Once in White Hall you have several options for getting back to town, Garth Rd, 250, or if pressed for time I64.