Riding the DC Metro to a Gravel Cycling Paradise (Loudoun County): Ashburn, Virginia

dc metro to loudoun county
Bikes loaded on the Metro at Largo Town Center, MD

“The Washington Metro (or simply Metro), formally the Metrorail, is a rapid transit system serving the Washington metropolitan area of the United States. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), which also operates the Metrobus and Metrorail services under the Metro name. Opened in 1976, the network now includes six lines, 97 stations, and 129 miles (208 km) of route. The system’s most recent expansion, serving Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County, Virginia, opened on November 15, 2022.” – https://wikipedia.org

This ride experience took place on November 18, 2022.

dc metro to loudoun county
Relaxing vs Driving to Loudoun County

“Loudoun County is home to Virginia’s largest network of rural roads. Many of these miles of byways pre-date America, carved out of Virginia’s hilly terrain by early settlers who helped shape our nation and build our prosperous communities.” – https://americasroutes.com

DC Metro Loudon County Ride Experience Video

Alternative Video Link for those reading via email subscription.

JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew is no stranger to the roads of Loudoun County, Virginia. He first rode these historic roads in 2010, long before they gained popularity and conservation efforts to keep them intact. In this video, JOM is joined by The Lady Gravel Cyclist, for a trip aboard the D.C. Metro on the Silver Line, from the eastern-most start point at Largo Town Center, Maryland, for a journey all the way to the new and final stop on the Silver Line, Ashburn, Virginia (Loudoun County).

dc metro to loudoun county
Take the Metro from DC to Loudoun County!

Continued from Above:

Following the Metro trip, JOM and LGC ride a loop route of their own design from Ashburn Metro Station. Note, JOM’s route isn’t the best and a variant is available linked below, but please see the additional links below for several mixed-surface routes kindly provided by our local friends in Loudoun County, the VeloPigs Beer & Social Club, that start and end at Ashburn Metro Station.

dc metro to loudoun county
Lady Gravel Cyclist taking it easy

“We believe these roads, and the stories they tell, are worth preserving. They tell of pioneers seeking a new life, of terrible wars fought along these roads, of slavery and the struggle for freedom, of the coming of the era of the automobile and now modern commuters living side by side with farmers. They are truly America’s Routes.”

dc metro to loudoun county
Ashburn, VA Metro Station

“These old roads provide a unique and beautiful experience to Loudoun’s rural residents and to the thousands of visitors who come to enjoy our spectacular and authentic rural landscape.”

Additional Photos

dc metro to loudoun county

dc metro to loudoun county

dc metro to loudoun county
The first of several gravel roads on our loop

dc metro to loudoun county

dc metro to loudoun county

dc metro to loudoun county

dc metro to loudoun county

dc metro to loudoun county

dc metro to loudoun county

dc metro to loudoun county

dc metro to loudoun county

dc metro to loudoun county

dc metro to loudoun county

dc metro to loudoun county
Ashburn, VA Metro Station, opened November 15, 2022
dc metro to loudoun county
Taking the train back to Largo Town Center, Maryland

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Route Links (starting from Ashburn, Virginia Metro Station):

Additional Route Links in / near Loudoun County, Virginia:

Links of Interest:

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4 Comments

  1. Avatar Mark Bates

    You gotta love the Metro! I don’t go to DC much these days. But I used to take the AMTRAK from Richmond, VA to DC weekly. Then Metro to wherever I needed to go. So much better than tangling with DC and Northern VA traffic.

    • JOM JOM

      100%! The Metro is extremely inexpensive, just $2 to ride one-way on a weekend, and $3.85 off-peak on a weekday.

  2. Avatar K-Dogg

    Where were all the other train riders? Ghost train?
    The Doggs

    • JOM JOM

      Non-peak hours and way out on the Silver line, not so busy at 11:00amish.

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