Skyline Drive runs the length of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. I remember we went over at least part of it on one of our Summer road trips when I was a kid.

We stopped to look down into the Shenandoah Valley. I took a photo of it, which is probably still around here somewhere. Looking at it, I always thought of the song.

Oh, and how’s this for a memory? For the first time, we saw a live skunk. Isn’t a shame that the skunk has such an unsavory reputation? It’s really a pretty animal. This one was ambling along near the road; heading home to sleep the day away, I suppose.

Enough about driving now. How would it be if we could leave the car behind and bicycle that route? It’s not the easiest road, and isn’t for the beginning cyclist. Neither would it be a good choice for a cyclist whose climbing legs aren’t so good (here’s looking at me!).

Taken from North to South, the route is 105 miles; and there is almost 15,000 feet of elevation gain, including 19 categorized climbs.

To balance this out, there are numerous scenic overlooks; remember to take along the camera and get some great shots.

Take from South to North, this road “has another jagged profile”. With all that climbing to do, a compact crank set is recommended. Be sure to bring along sufficient hydration and fuel.

You might even want to split the distance into two days. If I were crazy enough to try a bicycle ride with so much climbing, I might need three or four days!

Finally, check the weather ahead of time. Skyline Drive might close during bad weather. But if you have fair weather, enjoy pedaling your way through the Blue Ridge Mountains!