The ride is short, but challenging. SR 603 is easier to go up than the steeper 2.4 mile climb up Harding. Both Harding and SR 603 can have traffic on them depending on the time of day.
Starting Point: Main entrance to University Mall in Blacksburg.
Distance: 14.9 miles.
Terrain: In either direction on this loop, you have a major climb back up to Blacksburg from Ellett Valley of about 700 feet gain in altitude. The rest of the ride is relatively flat.
| Mile | Directions |
|---|---|
| 0.0 | From University Mall front doors, go east (right) onto University City Blvd. |
| 0.2 | Left al signal onto Prices Fork Rd. (elevation: 2050 feet). |
| 0.8 | Curve right onto Turner Street. |
| 1.2 | Continue on Turner, crossing Main St. at the traffic light. |
| 1.4 | Right onto Owen St. |
| 1.8 | Carefully make a left onto Harding Ave. (SR 785), watching for traffic. |
| 2.4 | Reach top of Harding Ave. (elevation: 2276 feet). |
| 4.8 | Right on Lusters Gate Rd . (SR 723). (elevation: 1594 feet). |
| 7.8 | Pass Deercroft Rd. (SR 1255) on right. |
| 8.0 | Pass through one-lane tunnel. Watch for oncoming traffic. |
| 8.6 | Curve right at Food Time Store onto Den Hill Road (SR 603). |
| 8.7 | Pass Ellett Rd . (SR 723) on left. (elevation: 1552 feet). |
| 9.0 | Pass over railroad tracks and take an immediate right staying on Cedar Run Rd. (SR 603) as Jennelle Rd. (SR 542) goes to left. |
| 10.6 | Reach top of climb on SR 603 by church on left. (elevation: 2066 feet). |
| 11.2 | Cross South Main St. at traffic signal onto Hubbard, which becomes Airport Rd. when you see airport on left. |
| 12.0 | Left onto bikeway as Country Club Rd. comes from the right. |
| 13.2 | Leave bike path turning left onto Miller St., by the Blacksburg Library. |
| 13.3 | Right onto Harrell St., then left onto Clay St. |
| 13.4 | Right onto Kent St. and shortly cross Washington St. and continue on Kent St. into Virginia Tech and go around north side of Drillfield. |
| 14.1 | Right onto West Campus Drive. |
| 14.5 | Left onto Prices Fork Rd. |
| 14.7 | Right onto University City Blvd. |
| 14.9 | Return to Start. |
Notes:
After mastering this shorter ride, at mile 4.8 you could continue on SR 785 toward Catawba, or go left at mile 8.6.