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Blue Ridge & Shenandoah Tour
Day 1 Dullas Airport to Front Royal

When I arrived at our departure gate at Logan International Airport in Boston, Steve was laughing so hard he could hardly talk.  It seems that Lorraine forgot her driver's license.  US Air refused to check Lorraine's bags without a photo ID.  Instead, they escorted her and her bags to the security people who performed a "dump search".  Loraine is always very neat and fastidious in every thing she does.  Her bags are no exception.  Lorraine pleaded in vain with the security people not to make a mess.  Of course, the security people would have none of it.  Lorraine's nice neat packing job was reduced to one big messy heap on the table.  For the rest of the trip our running joke to Lorraine was "Ma'am, can we some ID please".  Lorraine re-packed her bags and joined us at the gate. 

George and Mike arrived.  Princess Di's funeral was on the television monitor in the waiting area.  They called for boarding as Elton John sang Candle in the Wind '97.  Nobody moved.   They called for boarding again as the song ended and everyone got on the plane.   It seemed weird to start a bike trip watching a funeral.

As the plane climbed to cruising altitude, We got some nice views of Eastern and Central Massachusetts.  It was very interesting to look down on the areas we ride regularly.  Our plane was put into a holding pattern outside of Dullas because of a RADAR problem. Things like this always make me wonder about the integrity of our air traffic infrastructure.

We finally landed in Dullas and retrieved our bags.  We exited the terminal where Dave was waiting with our bikes.  I love it when a plan comes together.   We attached our panniers, changed clothes and rode out of the airport.  Steve drove Dave's truck and agreed to meet us at the Manassas Battlefield Park.

We rode along the airport access road to the first exit.  We turned North on Rte 28 (Sully Road).  This is an eight lane divided highway from Hell.   Fortunately, one mile later we turned West onto Rte 606 (Old Ox Road).  At the time of our trip, this was a pleasant two lane road.  However, land on either side of this road was being developed into industrial parks.  By this time you read this Rte. 606 may be just another ugly congested industrial road. 

I recieved the following email in March, 2001

I just read your Shenandoah & Blue Ridge trip write-up. Thought you'd like to know that your speculations regarding Rt-606 near Dulles Airport are slowly coming to pass. 606 used to be a fairly well-used training route, but with the continued build-up north and west of the airport, it suitability for cycling is being rapidly reduced. Cyclists are being forced farther and farther west to find the low traffic road that allow us to ride safely.
- Leo Holly

We took some other back roads and wound up on Rte. 659 heading due South.   We passed some some farms and turned South on to Rte. 234 (Sudley Road).  The road narrowed and traffic increased as we neared Manassas.   We rode through the Manassas Battlefield Park. 

Tom with cannon
Union Artillery on Henry Hill.

The park covers a large area.  We stopped at the visitor's center on Henry Hill.  We took a walking tour of Henry Hill, watched a short film, and toured the exhibits in the visitor's center.  

Manassas saw two major Civil War battles.  First Manassas, fought on July 21, 1861 was the first major land battle of the war.  Second Manassas, fought from August 28 to 30, 1862.

It is fitting that our trip began here at Manassas where "Stonewall" Jackson's legend was born".  We encountered Stonewall's legend through the the entire trip   

During the battle of First Manassas, General Thomas J. Jackson, with 3600 men had orders to hold the crest of Henry Hill at all costs.  Federal troops broke through Confederate lines and advanced up the hill towards Jackson's position.  Other Confederate units retreated.  Jackson's troops did not budge.  Confederate General Barnard Bee, rallied his fleeing troops by shouting, "Look!  There stands Jackson like a Stone Wall!" 

Me with Stonewall statue
"There stands Jackson
like a Stone Wall!"

Jackson's troops held Henry Hill.  Soon, Generals Johnston and Beauregard reinforced Jackson's line with fresh troops. The Confederates rallied and broke the Federal line on nearby Chinn Ridge.  The Federals retreated back to Washington.

Lorraine drove the truck the rest of the way to Front Royal. We left the park and cycled South on Rte. 234.  We stopped for lunch at a Burger's Bagel about one mile South of the park.  Traffic was extremely heavy in this area.  After lunch, we cycled West on Routes 621 (Balls Ford Road) and 674 (Wellington Road).  We followed Route 55 to Front Royal.  Near the town of Marshall, Route 55 turns onto I-66.  Bicycles are not allowed on the Interstate.  However,  Route F185 runs along side I-66 for a couple of miles and meets Route 55 again near the town of Delaplane.

The terrain got very hilly as we neared Front royal.  We crossed the Blue Ridge at Manassas Gap and descended into Front Royal in the late afternoon with 70 miles for the day.  We checked into the Blue Ridge Motel and enjoyed a dip in the pool.  We walked to a nearby restaurant for supper.

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