Events

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION IS FOUND HERE
*Please register for the event using the link above. This is for promotional purposes only.

Ever wondered how to prep for a backpacking trip? Not sure what gear to choose? Maybe you’d like to try hiking with all the gear without the commitment of an overnight trip. Now’s your chance!

Join GWHVA, in collaboration with Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition and the Community Gear Library at Massanutten Western Slope for a day of learning about Backpacking and hiking!

Meet at the pavilion at 9am for a light breakfast of bagels, fruit, pastries, and coffee and a chance to mingle with others. We will then rotate through two different learning stations. You will have the opportunity to sign up for a station of interest in advance.

Options include:
– How to pack a backpack
– Feminine Hygiene and bathroom habits in the backcountry
– Bear Safety and Food Planning
– Choosing a sleeping set up: Tents vs. Hammocks

You will then have the opportunity to head out on one of several hikes at the Western Slope. When registering, choose the length and difficulty level of your choice. The Community Gear Library will have backpacks and gear available to try out so that you can hike with all the gear and get a feel for it without the commitment of a full overnight trip.
After the hike, feel free to stick around a little while at the pavillion for some more mingling and light snacks and the opportunity to ask questions and meet fellow hikers!

Learn more
Join us for a women’s casual mountain bike ride at Massanutten Western Slope on Monday evenings. You do not need a parking pass (if you don’t have a pass just ask a ride leader for one when you arrive) but will need to sign an electronic waiver before the ride.

• Time: 5:30pm on Mondays
• When: April 7th-Oct 27th 2025
• Location: Meet at Massanutten Western Slope Parking Lot
• Pace: Super casual, no-drop ride with regrouping spots along the way.
• Length: Typically 1-1.5 hours and we will often cover 4-6 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a mountain bike ride so plan for dirt singletrack trails with some rock.
• Regroup Points During Ride? Yes. The Massanutten Western Slope Trails offer lots of options for regrouping and course changes depending on where and what the group wants to ride.
• Post-Ride: Bring a chair, snacks, and a beverage for socializing after if you like!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the ride coordinator(s):
Leigh Evans / 828-215-6630
Terri Sexton / 757-235-9455

RSVP HERE

🛠 WHAT: Weekly trail work sessions on the Western Slope

💚 WHY: Because trails don’t build (or maintain) themselves—and when we dig together, we build more than just great singletrack. We build community.

📅 WHEN: Every Wednesday | 5–7:30 PM | Every Weds in April & May

📍 WHERE: Western Slope of Massanutten. Park in the regular lot and follow our red “Trail Work” Signs near the start of the Happy Hour Trail.

🙋 HOW: Sign up, bring a friend, wear work clothes, and we’ll provide the tools and good vibes. No experience is needed. Wear long pants and closed-toed shoes; bring gloves if you have them.

These evenings are fun and productive and a chance to give back to the land that gives us so much.

Come get dirty with us. The trails will thank you.

The Forest-Roads Ride is evolving based on what we learn from each ride. The rides are intended to be exploratory in nature to familiarize with local forest road routes. These rides will be all over the Shenandoah Valley.
We like to stay together as a group, but we may not wait for you if you fall too far behind, and we will keep the ride moving along to meet our exploratory goals. You should expect some climbing (we’re riding in the George Washington National Forest) on anything from smooth dirt forest roads to double track (think jeep roads). Each rider can and should gauge their ability and turn back early if needed to avoid being left too far behind. Note that there is often no cell service where we ride.
Regarding suitable types of bikes, the group rides a mix of mostly mountain and gravel bikes and some e-bikes (with the overall pace set by the non-e-bikes).

• Time: Check the weekly ride details in the Meetup Group. Usually 9AM for the summer, and later in the fall and winter.
• Location: Meet at the trailhead mentioned in the Meetup Group. We usually ride in the George Washington National Forest. *the trail location can range upwards to an hour-long drive from Harrisonburg.
• Pace: Less than 10mph
• Length: Typically 3-4 hours, 15-20 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a forest service-mountain bike ride, so plan for dirt roads with varying degrees of rock and occasional gravel.
• Regroup Points During Ride? There are not clearly identified points but the ride will stop and regroup at points during the ride.

The Forest-Roads Ride will be all over the Shenandoah Valley, typically within the GWNF.
We like to stay together as a group and we take plenty of breaks to refuel and socialize. But we might not wait for you if you fall too far behind, and we will keep the ride moving along to meet our goals. You should expect some climbing (we’re riding in the George Washington National Forest) on anything from smooth dirt forest roads to double track (think jeep roads). Each rider can and should gauge their ability and turn back early if needed to avoid being left too far behind. Note that there is often no cell service where we ride.
Regarding suitable types of bikes, the group rides a mix of mostly mountain and/or gravel bikes depending on the specific road conditions for that week, and many are e-bikes (with the overall pace set by the non-e-bikes).

• Time: Check the weekly ride details in the Meetup Group. Usually 9AM for the summer, and later in Fall, Winter and Spring.
• Location: Meet at the trailhead mentioned in the Meetup Group. We usually ride in the George Washington National Forest. *the trail location can range upwards to an hour-long drive from Harrisonburg.
• Pace: Less than 10mph
• Length: Typically 3-4 hours, 15-20 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a forest service-mountain bike ride, so plan for dirt roads with varying degrees of rock and occasional gravel.
• Regroup Points During Ride? There are not clearly identified points but the ride will stop and regroup at points during the ride.

For the first time, we will have a community ride in Elkton! Join us as we ride with the mayor, Joshua Gooden, before returning to food trucks (ice cream from Putt Putt!), music, and hanging out on Friday evening.

During the whole month of May, Pure Shenandoah will be collecting bike donations for Bike for Neighbors.
Date: Friday, May 9th
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Elkton Marketplace
Route: 2 miles, family-friendly ride.
Please register in advance so we can communicate any weather cancellations.

Register Here
Take a guided group bike ride through Harrisonburg to see good (and bad) examples of urbanism in different parts of the city. Together our tour group will learn about the local history of zoning, and how land use policy impacts everything from housing and transportation to tree canopy cover and carbon emissions. This 9-mile round-trip tour is ebike-friendly, and should last about 2 hours.

About your guide: Brent Finnegan is an ebike commuter who has served on the Harrisonburg Planning Commission since 2016. He writes a weekly newsletter calledThe Friendly City Urbanist which focuses on land use, housing, transportation, and local climate policy.

In the event of weather cancellations, check this Facebook event page the day of the ride.

Dates: May 10th (1p-3p), May 17th (1p-3p), (pick one!)
Location: Shenandoah Bicycle Company, 135 South Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801, we will gather in the back courtyard at the beginning of the tour.
Time: 2 hours
Mileage: 9 miles, including a few steep hills.
Bike Rentals: SBC is offering discounted ebike rentals, call (540) 437-9000 ahead to book it, and show up at least 30 minutes before the start of the tour.
Route: This route includes riding on roads with cars, practicing safe cycling.

Learn more
Join us for a women’s casual mountain bike ride at Massanutten Western Slope on Monday evenings. You do not need a parking pass (if you don’t have a pass just ask a ride leader for one when you arrive) but will need to sign an electronic waiver before the ride.

• Time: 5:30pm on Mondays
• When: April 7th-Oct 27th 2025
• Location: Meet at Massanutten Western Slope Parking Lot
• Pace: Super casual, no-drop ride with regrouping spots along the way.
• Length: Typically 1-1.5 hours and we will often cover 4-6 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a mountain bike ride so plan for dirt singletrack trails with some rock.
• Regroup Points During Ride? Yes. The Massanutten Western Slope Trails offer lots of options for regrouping and course changes depending on where and what the group wants to ride.
• Post-Ride: Bring a chair, snacks, and a beverage for socializing after if you like!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the ride coordinator(s):
Leigh Evans / 828-215-6630
Terri Sexton / 757-235-9455

The Forest-Roads Ride is evolving based on what we learn from each ride. The rides are intended to be exploratory in nature to familiarize with local forest road routes. These rides will be all over the Shenandoah Valley.
We like to stay together as a group, but we may not wait for you if you fall too far behind, and we will keep the ride moving along to meet our exploratory goals. You should expect some climbing (we’re riding in the George Washington National Forest) on anything from smooth dirt forest roads to double track (think jeep roads). Each rider can and should gauge their ability and turn back early if needed to avoid being left too far behind. Note that there is often no cell service where we ride.
Regarding suitable types of bikes, the group rides a mix of mostly mountain and gravel bikes and some e-bikes (with the overall pace set by the non-e-bikes).

• Time: Check the weekly ride details in the Meetup Group. Usually 9AM for the summer, and later in the fall and winter.
• Location: Meet at the trailhead mentioned in the Meetup Group. We usually ride in the George Washington National Forest. *the trail location can range upwards to an hour-long drive from Harrisonburg.
• Pace: Less than 10mph
• Length: Typically 3-4 hours, 15-20 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a forest service-mountain bike ride, so plan for dirt roads with varying degrees of rock and occasional gravel.
• Regroup Points During Ride? There are not clearly identified points but the ride will stop and regroup at points during the ride.

The Forest-Roads Ride will be all over the Shenandoah Valley, typically within the GWNF.
We like to stay together as a group and we take plenty of breaks to refuel and socialize. But we might not wait for you if you fall too far behind, and we will keep the ride moving along to meet our goals. You should expect some climbing (we’re riding in the George Washington National Forest) on anything from smooth dirt forest roads to double track (think jeep roads). Each rider can and should gauge their ability and turn back early if needed to avoid being left too far behind. Note that there is often no cell service where we ride.
Regarding suitable types of bikes, the group rides a mix of mostly mountain and/or gravel bikes depending on the specific road conditions for that week, and many are e-bikes (with the overall pace set by the non-e-bikes).

• Time: Check the weekly ride details in the Meetup Group. Usually 9AM for the summer, and later in Fall, Winter and Spring.
• Location: Meet at the trailhead mentioned in the Meetup Group. We usually ride in the George Washington National Forest. *the trail location can range upwards to an hour-long drive from Harrisonburg.
• Pace: Less than 10mph
• Length: Typically 3-4 hours, 15-20 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a forest service-mountain bike ride, so plan for dirt roads with varying degrees of rock and occasional gravel.
• Regroup Points During Ride? There are not clearly identified points but the ride will stop and regroup at points during the ride.

Learn more
Join us for a women’s casual mountain bike ride at Massanutten Western Slope on Monday evenings. You do not need a parking pass (if you don’t have a pass just ask a ride leader for one when you arrive) but will need to sign an electronic waiver before the ride.

• Time: 5:30pm on Mondays
• When: April 7th-Oct 27th 2025
• Location: Meet at Massanutten Western Slope Parking Lot
• Pace: Super casual, no-drop ride with regrouping spots along the way.
• Length: Typically 1-1.5 hours and we will often cover 4-6 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a mountain bike ride so plan for dirt singletrack trails with some rock.
• Regroup Points During Ride? Yes. The Massanutten Western Slope Trails offer lots of options for regrouping and course changes depending on where and what the group wants to ride.
• Post-Ride: Bring a chair, snacks, and a beverage for socializing after if you like!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the ride coordinator(s):
Leigh Evans / 828-215-6630
Terri Sexton / 757-235-9455

The Forest-Roads Ride is evolving based on what we learn from each ride. The rides are intended to be exploratory in nature to familiarize with local forest road routes. These rides will be all over the Shenandoah Valley.
We like to stay together as a group, but we may not wait for you if you fall too far behind, and we will keep the ride moving along to meet our exploratory goals. You should expect some climbing (we’re riding in the George Washington National Forest) on anything from smooth dirt forest roads to double track (think jeep roads). Each rider can and should gauge their ability and turn back early if needed to avoid being left too far behind. Note that there is often no cell service where we ride.
Regarding suitable types of bikes, the group rides a mix of mostly mountain and gravel bikes and some e-bikes (with the overall pace set by the non-e-bikes).

• Time: Check the weekly ride details in the Meetup Group. Usually 9AM for the summer, and later in the fall and winter.
• Location: Meet at the trailhead mentioned in the Meetup Group. We usually ride in the George Washington National Forest. *the trail location can range upwards to an hour-long drive from Harrisonburg.
• Pace: Less than 10mph
• Length: Typically 3-4 hours, 15-20 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a forest service-mountain bike ride, so plan for dirt roads with varying degrees of rock and occasional gravel.
• Regroup Points During Ride? There are not clearly identified points but the ride will stop and regroup at points during the ride.

The Forest-Roads Ride will be all over the Shenandoah Valley, typically within the GWNF.
We like to stay together as a group and we take plenty of breaks to refuel and socialize. But we might not wait for you if you fall too far behind, and we will keep the ride moving along to meet our goals. You should expect some climbing (we’re riding in the George Washington National Forest) on anything from smooth dirt forest roads to double track (think jeep roads). Each rider can and should gauge their ability and turn back early if needed to avoid being left too far behind. Note that there is often no cell service where we ride.
Regarding suitable types of bikes, the group rides a mix of mostly mountain and/or gravel bikes depending on the specific road conditions for that week, and many are e-bikes (with the overall pace set by the non-e-bikes).

• Time: Check the weekly ride details in the Meetup Group. Usually 9AM for the summer, and later in Fall, Winter and Spring.
• Location: Meet at the trailhead mentioned in the Meetup Group. We usually ride in the George Washington National Forest. *the trail location can range upwards to an hour-long drive from Harrisonburg.
• Pace: Less than 10mph
• Length: Typically 3-4 hours, 15-20 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a forest service-mountain bike ride, so plan for dirt roads with varying degrees of rock and occasional gravel.
• Regroup Points During Ride? There are not clearly identified points but the ride will stop and regroup at points during the ride.

Learn more
Join us for a women’s casual mountain bike ride at Massanutten Western Slope on Monday evenings. You do not need a parking pass (if you don’t have a pass just ask a ride leader for one when you arrive) but will need to sign an electronic waiver before the ride.

• Time: 5:30pm on Mondays
• When: April 7th-Oct 27th 2025
• Location: Meet at Massanutten Western Slope Parking Lot
• Pace: Super casual, no-drop ride with regrouping spots along the way.
• Length: Typically 1-1.5 hours and we will often cover 4-6 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a mountain bike ride so plan for dirt singletrack trails with some rock.
• Regroup Points During Ride? Yes. The Massanutten Western Slope Trails offer lots of options for regrouping and course changes depending on where and what the group wants to ride.
• Post-Ride: Bring a chair, snacks, and a beverage for socializing after if you like!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the ride coordinator(s):
Leigh Evans / 828-215-6630
Terri Sexton / 757-235-9455

The Forest-Roads Ride is evolving based on what we learn from each ride. The rides are intended to be exploratory in nature to familiarize with local forest road routes. These rides will be all over the Shenandoah Valley.
We like to stay together as a group, but we may not wait for you if you fall too far behind, and we will keep the ride moving along to meet our exploratory goals. You should expect some climbing (we’re riding in the George Washington National Forest) on anything from smooth dirt forest roads to double track (think jeep roads). Each rider can and should gauge their ability and turn back early if needed to avoid being left too far behind. Note that there is often no cell service where we ride.
Regarding suitable types of bikes, the group rides a mix of mostly mountain and gravel bikes and some e-bikes (with the overall pace set by the non-e-bikes).

• Time: Check the weekly ride details in the Meetup Group. Usually 9AM for the summer, and later in the fall and winter.
• Location: Meet at the trailhead mentioned in the Meetup Group. We usually ride in the George Washington National Forest. *the trail location can range upwards to an hour-long drive from Harrisonburg.
• Pace: Less than 10mph
• Length: Typically 3-4 hours, 15-20 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a forest service-mountain bike ride, so plan for dirt roads with varying degrees of rock and occasional gravel.
• Regroup Points During Ride? There are not clearly identified points but the ride will stop and regroup at points during the ride.

The Forest-Roads Ride will be all over the Shenandoah Valley, typically within the GWNF.
We like to stay together as a group and we take plenty of breaks to refuel and socialize. But we might not wait for you if you fall too far behind, and we will keep the ride moving along to meet our goals. You should expect some climbing (we’re riding in the George Washington National Forest) on anything from smooth dirt forest roads to double track (think jeep roads). Each rider can and should gauge their ability and turn back early if needed to avoid being left too far behind. Note that there is often no cell service where we ride.
Regarding suitable types of bikes, the group rides a mix of mostly mountain and/or gravel bikes depending on the specific road conditions for that week, and many are e-bikes (with the overall pace set by the non-e-bikes).

• Time: Check the weekly ride details in the Meetup Group. Usually 9AM for the summer, and later in Fall, Winter and Spring.
• Location: Meet at the trailhead mentioned in the Meetup Group. We usually ride in the George Washington National Forest. *the trail location can range upwards to an hour-long drive from Harrisonburg.
• Pace: Less than 10mph
• Length: Typically 3-4 hours, 15-20 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a forest service-mountain bike ride, so plan for dirt roads with varying degrees of rock and occasional gravel.
• Regroup Points During Ride? There are not clearly identified points but the ride will stop and regroup at points during the ride.

Learn more
Join us for a women’s casual mountain bike ride at Massanutten Western Slope on Monday evenings. You do not need a parking pass (if you don’t have a pass just ask a ride leader for one when you arrive) but will need to sign an electronic waiver before the ride.

• Time: 5:30pm on Mondays
• When: April 7th-Oct 27th 2025
• Location: Meet at Massanutten Western Slope Parking Lot
• Pace: Super casual, no-drop ride with regrouping spots along the way.
• Length: Typically 1-1.5 hours and we will often cover 4-6 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a mountain bike ride so plan for dirt singletrack trails with some rock.
• Regroup Points During Ride? Yes. The Massanutten Western Slope Trails offer lots of options for regrouping and course changes depending on where and what the group wants to ride.
• Post-Ride: Bring a chair, snacks, and a beverage for socializing after if you like!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the ride coordinator(s):
Leigh Evans / 828-215-6630
Terri Sexton / 757-235-9455