NoVa Line
NoVa, aka Northern Virgnia (not the lox), is an easy weekend escape from D.C. Follow this straight shot through Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun Counties out to the lovely town of Leesburg and into a bliss of trailside breweries.
Ride Details
106 Miles
2 day ride
Depart: Amtrak Northeast Regional
Penn Station >> D.C.
Return: Amtrak Northeast Regional
D.C. >> Penn Station
Asphalt all the way
Stay in Leesburg
Disclaimers up front: NoVa—at least this stretch of it—is not particularly scenic. Cutting a beeline through the heart of the Dulles Technology Corridor, or “Silicon Valley of the East” as some call it, the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park that this route follows is flanked by power lines, highways, and suburban sprawl, which… is a real bummer! With a name like “Washington & Old Dominion” I conjured images of riding alongside GW on a white horse through the forests and verdant rolling hills of early America. Not so much, unfortunately.
What this ride lacks in scenery, however, it more than makes up for in accessibility. Any opportunity to hop on a wonderfully well maintained trail and pedal car-free for 50+ miles out of a major metropolitan area is an opportunity worth taking in my book. And then there are the breweries. So. Many. Breweries. This will not be the prettiest bike trip you take. But it will no doubt be among the more enjoyable.
Day 1: D.C. >> Leesburg
Grab quick eats anywhere. There’s not much in the way of trailside food, so you’ll want to get your lunch in beforehand. Find whatever suits your fancy in or around Union Station.
Hightail it out of D.C. Make your way through the Mall, over the Arlington Bridge, down the Potomac past Reagan Airport, and then bank hard right at Four Mile Run to begin your journey west. Head down and pedal hard, because there’s not much to see for the next few.
Pitstop at The Bike Lane. It’s a great halfway point. Say hi to Mark and tell him Ethan from BikeTrips.NYC sent you. I hope he remembers me. I stopped here on Day 1, got a banana nut muffin, Leesburg recommendations, and a free chain wipedown on the way out. I came back on Day 2 and Mark greeted me like I had just finished a cross-country tour. “Hey it’s the New Yorker that rode out to Leesburg, he’s back! Get this guy a coffee, I wanna buy this guy a coffee!”
Grab a pint—or a flight. Let the good times roll. You may not have noticed, but you’ve already passed at least two trailside breweries. We’ll get to those on the return tomorrow. For now, keep your eyes west and take your pick of any or all of the breweries that follow: Crooked Run Fermentation, Rocket Frog Brewing Company, Old Ox Brewery, Lost Rhino Brewing Co, and Loudoun Brewing Company.
Welcome to Leesburg! Once the trail scenery starts to actually get nicer you’ll know that you’re near. Roam around town and be sure to check out Birch Tree Bookstore. The Loudoun County Circuit Court makes for a good bike selfie backdrop. Eat at King Street Oyster Bar or Lightfoot Restaurant. Or do what I did and eat at both. Word to the wise, Lightfoot’s dishes are LARGE. The pasta dish I got could have easily fed three people.
Stay at Leesburg Colonial Inn. It’s nothing fancy, but it hits the spot. Right in the center of town and everything you need for the night. They also let you keep your bike in the room.
Day 2: Leesburg >> D.C.
Start at King Street Coffee. The Inn comes with mediocre breakfast. I’d suggest skipping that and grabbing something light from King Street, which Mark from the Bike Lane recommended to me.
Brunch at Magnolias at the Mill. Follow the W&OD to the end of the line in Purcellville, which is hands down the most scenic part of the trail, and treat yourself to something gluttonous and delicious here.
Pitstop at Lake Anne? I didn’t have time on my own trip, but I’d recommend considering a stop on your way back. Google images and many of my D.C.-based colleagues suggest this is one of the lovelier parts of “Silicon Valley of the East”.
Back to The Bike Lane. Maybe Mark will be as excited to see you and buy you a coffee too.
Don’t forget the pint—or the flight. On this leg, check out Aslin Beer Company and Caboose Brewing Company & Tavern.
Treat yourself. As you roll into Georgetown grab a finish line cupcake at Baked & Wired, always a good idea.
Some final thoughts… NoVa drivers are notably nicer than their DC suburban compatriots in Maryland. They yield for bikers at every intersection. I found while riding the D.C. Weekender that Maryland drivers, much like their brethren in the NYC area, are determined to run you over at every opportunity. NoVa your patience is appreciated, never change!
