A classic road ride in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest, this 50-miler features stiff climbs, white-knuckled descents, and tons of postcard-worthy scenery.
This 50-mile tour de force in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest features two challenging loops, two giant climbs, and two stiff descents. From St. George Community Park, ride northwest along the Cheat River to start the first, 20.4-mile loop that links Location Road and Dogwoods Road. (There's only a half mile to warm up for the first climb.) Power up 2,880 feet of elevation in roughly 7 miles, then roll across White Ridge. At the southwest edge of the ridge, start a two-tiered descent that races past Limestone Mountain and reconnects with the beginning of the loop.
Next, spin past the community park and head east to tackle the second—and hardest—part of the ride, a 22.6-mile loop that runs across Backbone Mountain. Prepare for a relentless grade as the road ascends 1,920 feet in 5.2 miles (catch your breath mid-climb at the Sugarland Church). After cresting the ride's high point at mile 29.3 (marked by a wind farm), stop for a minute or two to soak up the surrounding views and stretch your legs.
From here, the road descends for 3 miles, rolls for another 4.6 miles, then begins a thrilling descent on Leadmine Mountain Road. Spanning 4.6 miles, this fast, tortuous (and scenic) descent drops 1,530 feet at an average 6.3-percent grade. The terrain levels out at the T-junction in Lead Mine, turn left onto Horseshoe Run Road and follow it back to the start of the second loop. Backtrack to the parking lot.
-Mapped by David Orlando
TO TRAILHEAD: The ride begins at the St. George Community Park on County Route 1 in St. George, WV.
Position Format:
Datum:
Tracks
St. George, WV: Sugarlands Hill Climb
Distance: 49.23 mi
Points: 1074
Calories: none
Total Time: none
Speed: 0.0 mph
Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none
Speed: 0.0 mph
Pace: 0:00 / mi
#
Distance
Instruction
Distance to next
1
0.00 mi
Start - St. George Community Park
Then go 0.03 mi
2
0.03 mi
Turn Right - Co Route 1/Holly Meadows Rd
Then go 0.37 mi
3
0.40 mi
Turn right at Co Route 5/Location Rd
Then go 0.08 mi
4
0.48 mi
Straight - Stay on Co Route 5/Location Rd
Then go 3.27 mi
5
3.75 mi
Turn right to stay on Co Route 5/Location Rd
Then go 5.39 mi
6
9.15 mi
Slight left at Co Route 3/Scales Rd
Then go 4.05 mi
7
13.20 mi
Turn left at Dogwoods Rd
Then go 0.43 mi
8
13.63 mi
Turn left to stay on Dogwoods Rd
Then go 3.19 mi
9
16.82 mi
Bear Right - Dogwoods Rd
Then go 3.95 mi
10
20.77 mi
Turn left at Co Route 5/Location Rd
Then go 0.08 mi
11
20.85 mi
Take the 1st right onto Co Route 1/Holly Meadows Rd
Then go 0.37 mi
12
21.22 mi
Turn Left - Co Route 1
Then go 0.06 mi
13
21.28 mi
Turn right at Co Route 1/Co Route 5/8/Holly Meadows Rd
Then go 2.59 mi
14
23.88 mi
Turn Right - Route 1/Co Route 5/8/Holly Meadows Rd
Then go 0.52 mi
15
24.40 mi
Continue onto Co Route 25/Sugarlands Rd
Then go 5.09 mi
16
29.49 mi
Turn left at Seneca Trail/US-219 N
Then go 2.81 mi
17
32.30 mi
Sharp left at Co Route 1/8/Pierce Benbush Rd
Then go 1.68 mi
18
33.97 mi
Take the 2nd right to stay on Co Route 1/8/Pierce Benbush Rd
Then go 0.61 mi
19
34.58 mi
Sharp left at US-219 N
Then go 2.24 mi
20
36.82 mi
Turn left at Co Route 9/Leadmine Mountain Rd
Then go 4.00 mi
21
40.82 mi
Turn right to stay on Co Route 9/Leadmine Mountain Rd
Then go 0.59 mi
22
41.41 mi
Turn left at Co Route 7/Horseshoe Run Rd
Then go 5.19 mi
23
46.60 mi
Turn right onto Co Route 1/Co Route 5/8/Holly Meadows Rd
Then go 2.60 mi
24
49.20 mi
Take the 1st left onto Co Route 1
Then go 0.03 mi
25
49.23 mi
Stop - St. George Community Park
Points of Interest
Start/End: St. George Community Park
Location: 39.164112, -79.697050
Use the St. George Community Park as the launching point for this ride. From the park, ride south on County Route 1, then turn right on Holly Meadows Road.
County Route 5/Location Road
Location: 39.166845, -79.702286
Turn right on County Route 5/Location Road to start a 20.4-mile, counter-clockwise loop.
Location Road
Location: 39.167547, -79.701076
Half a mile in, continue straight on Location Road and begin climbing.
Location: 39.228164, -79.666071
The road descends toward Limestone Mountain.
Stiff Descent
Location: 39.201556, -79.697201
Begin a stiff, 1.8-mile descent that drops 780 feet (an average 8.2-percent grade).
County Route 1/Holly Meadows Road
Location: 39.166778, -79.702420
Turn right onto County Route 1/Holly Meadows Road and follow it past the start point to a T-junction; turn right at the T, heading south-southeast.
Location: 39.154587, -79.654618
Turn right onto Route 1/Holly Meadows Road to start a 22.6-mile counter-clockwise loop.
Major Climb
Location: 39.151038, -79.653100
The ride's major climb begins at mile 24.1. In the next 5.2 miles, you'll gain 1,920 feet of elevation (an average 7-percent grade).
Location: 39.154614, -79.519346
Optional: Instead of turning left onto Pierce Benbush Road, cyclists can continue straight on US 219 for another 1.8 miles to the town of Thomas, a great place to grab a snack and views of the Blackwater River.
Location: 39.197391, -79.524686
Turn left onto Leadmine Mountain Road and prepare for the ride's major descent, which spans 4.6 miles and drops 1,530 feet (an average 6.3-percent grade). Although this road is in great shape, the descent is fast and tortuous; use caution.
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