Events

The Harrisonburg Public Works department will host an open house-style public hearing on Wednesday, February 5, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Lucy F. Simms Continuing Education Center, 620 Simms Avenue, Harrisonburg.

The project will construct sidewalks on both sides of North Main Street from Charles Street to Vine Street to fill gaps between existing sidewalks. The road will be widened to create bike lanes between Holly Hill Drive and Vine Street. Pedestrian signals, ramps, and crosswalks will be installed at the intersection with Vine Street/Mt. Clinton Pike. The project is funded through the VDOT SMART SCALE program.

The project enhances safe pedestrian access through intersection improvements, connecting sidewalk with existing sidewalk infrastructure, and the addition of bicycle lanes. The project will create uninterrupted sidewalk from Harrisonburg’s north city limit to Downtown Harrisonburg.
The public is invited to learn, ask questions, and provide feedback on project plans during the open house and/or through a public questionnaire. It is important that all who utilize the corridor have an opportunity to participate.

Visual aids and staff will be present at the open house for information. Additional information about the proposed project is available at www.harrisonburgva.gov/transportation-projects.

A questionnaire will be available at the open house to collect public thoughts/questions and will be available digitally until March 5, 2025. Written or oral questions and comments may be submitted to Brittany Clem-Hott (mailto:)

• -Where: Park at Briery Branch Community Center and bike up to Flagpole Knob (The highest point in Rockingham County)
• -When: 10am for a 40+ year tradition on Superbowl Sunday
• -Why: To enjoy winter mountain biking with 100 of your closest friends before watching (or not watching) the big game
• -Option: A group *MAY* ride from town up to Flagpole and back. They will leave Mr. J’s on 42 South at 8:45am (most people will drive and park at Briery Branch)

-What to expect: A cold, fun, mellow ride (yet always physically challenging). Make sure to pack more clothes and food than you would ever otherwise bring. Plan on spending anywhere from 4-6 hours on the bike. It might be really challenging conditions with substantial snow and ice. It may also be 10-15 degrees colder up top with windchill.
Disclaimer: This is NOT a Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition-sanctioned group ride. This ride does NOT have ride leaders nor sweep riders.

***You are responsible for your own actions. This is an event with very real risks to your well-being. The Bicycle Coalition (nor anyone else) does not provide medical care for people on bikes at this event. Riders are responsible for their own health, safety, and well-being at this event. No doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, or anyone with any medical training are available along the ride. Physical, medical, and emergency care is the riders’ responsibility. In case of an emergency, we will endeavor to get local emergency personnel to an injured rider as soon as possible. This is an event with very real risks.***
Route: As shown on the map below, all participants will ride up 257 (paved) past the dam and reservoir, to the saddle, and then continue north on a dirt Forest Service Road to Flagpole Knob (Highest point in Rockingham County). After a group picture riders have several options to descend off the mountain. If you are not familiar with the area bring a map (National Georgraphic Trails Illustrated Map #791) Most riders will descend down “Red Diamond” located less than a 1/4 of a mile north of Flagpole. Others will come back down the paved road while the more adventurous ambitions will continue to Meadow Knob and then choose from the Pond Knob trail or Mud Pond. If you don’t know where you are going ASK someone for direction or better yet find someone to ride with.