NOTES FROM OUR ROUTE DESIGNERS
Sunday – Day 1:  Charlottesville VA to Culpeper VA
Leave Charlottesville through University of Virginia and it gets rural fast. Mostly rolling, rural riding with a few small towns thrown in.  No huge hills, but rolling terrain. Pretty scenery.  Did I say rural?  Carry a snack.
Monday – Day 2:  Culpeper VA to Winchester VA
80 miles and more rolling, rural terrain. Probably the hardest day based on the mileage and elevation profile. Horse country; large horse farms during the middle of the ride. One busy stretch of highway for 5 miles at mile 47. Cross the Shenandoah river at the Morgan Ford (same low river ford we used in 2007 leaving Front Royal). Last 8 miles get busy as we get close to the hotels.
Tuesday – Day 3:  Winchester VA to Frederick MD
Easy valley roads for the first 42 miles. A quick tour through Antietam National Park at mile 41.  First big climb over the Cactoctins at mile 52. Second climb at mile 60. Last few miles real busy. Hotel at a shopping mall with lots of restaurants within walking distance, but we will provide a shuttle bus service to the downtown Frederick area where dining, shops, etc. are. Wednesday – Day 4:  Frederick MD to Gettysburg PA
Busy roads getting out of Frederick, then rural for the most part to the outskirts of Gettysburg. Tour through the battlefield then ride through the center of town. Hotel on the outskirts of town with several restaurants on the property. Hotel has regular shuttle to downtown area.
Thursday – Day 5:  Gettysburg to Lancaster PA
Still a work in progress, but route crosses the Susquehanna River at Columbia PA. Hotel in Lancaster is banquet site.
Friday – Day 6:  Lancaster – Kulpsville PA
Same as 2007 route. Pennsylvania Dutch country. Farm country. Rural but gets more suburban near the hotel. Big hotel with dining nearby.
Saturday – Day 7:  Kulpsville PA to Pennington NJ
Same route as 2007.  Suburban Montgomery and Bucks County riding.  Cross the Delaware on the pedestrian bridge at Lumberville/Bulls Island.  55 miles.