The ride begins at the Montgomery Museum in historic Christiansburg, starting point for the annual Wilderness Road Bicycle Ride. The first three miles takes US 11 through a congested area. Stay on paved shoulders and take this ride in the morning when traffic volumes are light. Then the fun begins with a screaming descent into the Roanoke River Valley to Shawsville. A right turn brings you onto pastoral Alleghany Springs Rd. to Alleghany Springs, nestled in a flat valley surrounded by steep mountains. After a half-hour, slow, lazy climb, the road turns sharply upwards into Floyd County, through deep pine woods, and reaches the crest of the Roanoke River-Little River divide. In Floyd county, the ride traverses open, wind-swept pasture land. After several short, steep hills you enter the village of Pilot, then climb Pilot Mountain and descend into Rogers. The final stretch is uphill again into Christiansburg to the starting point. Allow four hours for this ride. The climbs may be slippery during colder weather and may have gravel in corners. Use caution.

Starting Point: Montgomery Museum on Pepper St. in Christiansburg.

Distance: 42.3 miles.

Terrain: Some big hills.


Mile Directions
0.0 Go to the right (south) from the museum on Pepper St.
0.1 Right onto US 11.
1.1 Continue on US 11, crossing Depot St.
2.0 Continue on US 11, crossing intersection with US 460 Bypass.
3.0 Pass under I-81.
4.9 Right onto SR 641 (Wayside Rd.).
7.0 Right onto US 11/460.
7.3 Pass under bridge for US 460.
10.3 Right onto SR 637 (Alleghany Springs Rd.).
18.3 Begin climb from valley.
18.5 Right onto SR 653.
18.6 Enter Floyd County.
24.0 Cross hill top, enter Little River drainage.
24.3 Right onto SR 610 in village of Simpson.
26.1 Enter village of Terrys Fork.
28.3 Continue straight on SR 660.
31.3 Enter Montgomery County.
34.2 Enter Pilot. Continue straight on SR 615 which enters from left.
35.3 Reach crest of Pilot Mountain.
40.5 Enter Christiansburg.
42.2 Right onto Pepper St.
42.3 Return to Montgomery County Museum.