Loudoun County’ s network of unpaved roads is a treasure for outdoor enthusiasts, attracting cyclists, runners, and equestrians from throughout the country. Community knowledge and public feedback are crucial for ensuring the accuracy of county GIS data the Office of Mapping and Geographic Information manages.
value. BikeLoudoun was founded in 2008 by Pat Turner, who for many years worked tirelessly with Loudoun County to develop the“ Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Plan” adopted in 2003. This is the blueprint for all the new trails in Leesburg and Loudoun County we now enjoy— with more to come.
BikeLoudoun is also involved with the mapping of sidewalks, trail connectivity, Linear Parks and Trails( see article on page 8), access to future Metro stations, and numerous corridor studies to include shared-use paths such as the future Rt. 15 interchange north of Leesburg, Rt. 15 South from Leesburg to the Prince William County line, and Rt. 9 from Rt. 7 to the West Virginia line. Additionally, BikeLoudoun is working with Loudoun County Public Schools’“ Safe Routes to School” to develop a plan to add a bicycle fleet for PE classes for 8- to 12-year-olds.
Word is spreading about the unpaved roads and the enjoyable biking experience they provide. Bike Loudoun is collaborating with out-of-state bike tour groups to create customized self-guided routes with a variety of themes. Civil War battlefield and skirmish locations, mills and bridges, historic villages, breweries, wineries and cideries are some of the themed route options being planned.
Local cyclists have also come together to build communities, foster fellowship, and promote wellness around their activities on these roads. One such group is the Gravel Rats, led by Marcus and Tina Pluntke. Averaging 20-25 miles each Sunday, the Gravel Rats start at Plum Grove Cyclery and take many stops for photography along their chosen route, invariably ending with an after-party in the parking lot, or at a local brew-
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