The 12th annual Le Cirque du Cyclisme takes place this weekend in Leesburg Virginia. If you're interested in classic bikes there is nowhere you'll see a finer collection. In addition to the bike show and swap meet, there are various rides, and a few seminars and workshops.
Leesburg is just south (I mean west !) of Washington DC and has lots of great country roads for riding. There is a historic downtown area with a few good restaurants, cafes, and bars. It's well worth the trip.
I've attended the past few Cirques and have learned a lot each time. This year I have another event the same weekend and I'm not sure if there will be time for both, but I may try to make it out just for Sunday. Tom will be there with a bunch of VO samples and classic parts for the swap meet. Here is a page of photos from last year.
N.B.: Leesburg is an hour northwest of DC, not south. The riding is in fact very good, though
ReplyDeleteIs it in Leesburg every year? I'm moving to DC for a one year post this fall and am very excited about a visit to Velo-Orange, the coming of NAHBS, such a strong randonneuring community and now, perhaps, this.
ReplyDeleteYou have got to be kidding me, the site says it was in Greensboro, NC the last 10 years!!!
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss this? I live 20 minutes away.
Oh well. Sigh.
annon, Well, Leesburg is politically South of Washington DC, though geographically west. ;<)
ReplyDeleteSo come on a ride on Sunday and finish up with a visit to the Cirque. Potomac Pedalers is leading a 42 mile B/CC ride from Loudoun County HS as described below. Enjoy the ride, get a free ticket to the Cirque. I plan on being there, and I plan on riding my Velo Orange Randonneur.
ReplyDeleteCC/B(H) * 42 * VA * 9 AM * Loudoun County HS (LOU)
Cirque du Cyclisme. The ride to celebrate the 2-day expo of classic bikes, framebuilders and lectures held at the Loudoun County Fairgrounds, which is just a couple of miles from the HS in Leesburg. This ride has some good hills (including Taylorstown and Stumptown), nice scenery, and ends with a free admission to the expo. Come on out and enjoy all the fun.
More info here: http://www.bikepptc.org/June09Rides#Jun6Sat
dont forget all the dirt roads back in there, including waterford rd... i'll be leading a ride down from sugarloaf mtn, across white's ferry, and up and back thru the dirt roads. furnace mtn rd is a climb that should not be missed.
ReplyDeleteThe Cirque ride I listed goes up Furnace Mountain twice.
ReplyDeleteuh, Leesburg is more than just south...which is a polite way to put it.
ReplyDeleteLeesburg is a land and community development disaster, and would be fine fodder for Kuntsler's next book..
In terms of current values, it has more in common with medieval values and practices than modern ones...
Annon, I never thought I would defend Leesburg, but the town itself is not so bad. In fact Kuntsler might even like the downtown area. It's that endless sea of plastic tract houses and shopping centers along the corridor to Washington that is a nightmare.
ReplyDeleteOnce beyond that mess it's mostly farms and estates, a very pleasant countryside of rolling hills, pasture and woodlots. So when you go for a ride head away from DC and don't go anywhere near Route 7. The area around Middleburg, not that far away, is particularly nice and even slightly reminiscent of England. There are also a few vineyards that overcome the humidity and manage some not-undrinkable plonk, worth stopping for.
Photos please. I live in DC, but can't attend!
ReplyDeleteI just got back. Good company, beautiful bikes, nice weather, fun rides through beautiful landscapes, friendly locals, good food and drink, everything was planned very well. Several builders spoke and Jan Heine gave a great talk. Can't wait until next year. In the meantime, we will be having the NAHBS (did I get that right?) in Richmond, Virginia, next February, if I'm not mistaken.
ReplyDeletePlentiful older white men (many a shaven leg) spending copious amounts of money chasing a benign hobby, plus the ghost of Sheldon Brown and actual bike rides too. How could you go wrong?
ReplyDelete