We were all shocked by the news in December 2020 that White’s Ferry would cease operations after more than 200 years of service across the Potomac. As this is a disruption to the TransVA and the local cycling community, it more significantly severs an essential transportation link for persons living and commuting on each side of the river, and for tourism businesses in Leesburg that are tied to the C&O Canal Towpath. See this article in the Washington Post from Feb 10, 2021.
[Update Feb 12 – Kuhn Family Announces Purchase of White’s Ferry … in an effort to upgrade the ferry’s infrastructure and negotiate a permanent solution to resume operations and preserve the historic nature of the crossing. (https://loudounnow.com/2021/02/12/kuhn-family-announces-purchase-of-whites-ferry/) ]
[Update Apr 7 – New White’s Ferry owner wants Loudoun to take Virginia landing site by eminent domain … Ferry unlikely to open in 2021 (https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2021/04/07/whites-ferry-reopening-likely-delayed.html ]
Until the ferry is operational again, the TransVA will reroute to the next bridge northwest on the C&O Canal Towpath at Point of Rocks, and follow (almost all) classic gravel roads through northern Loudoun County to Purcellville, where it rejoins the original route.
This reroute was chosen due to its quality riding experience and similarity to the rest of the TransVA route, being majority gravel surfaces and offering regular services. It adds three additional hiker/biker campsites on the C&O, a pizza grill café at Point of Rocks, and a vineyard and brewery.
This change affects all three routes (550, 520 and DC to Harrisonburg) and adds 17 miles (mostly gravel, shown in brown below) and around 1000 feet of climbing. The Point of Rocks bridge is shared with traffic, but short (1,600 feet / 0.3 miles) and has a stoplight on the northeastern end to break up the flow of vehicles. The northbound side of the bridge has a narrow pedestrian sidewalk where a bicycle could be walked across if desired. This bridge is significantly shorter in length than the next bridge west on the C&O at Brunswick. The reroute also avoids a moderately busy road entering Leesburg from the White’s Ferry. While the ferry has been a highlight of the TransVA route, there have been times where its service was unavailable due to the river being flooded or needing to cross late at night. This reroute eliminates those variables as well. NOTE: This reroute has been updated on 3/14/2021 due to the John G Lewis Memorial Bridge being closed for rehabilitation.
As of April 21, 2021, the White’s Ferry reroute via Point of Rocks has been incorporated into other southbound route files.
Ahead of the spring riding season and May Grand Depart, the information will be updated to integrate current status of this reroute/detour option into the TransVA data (RWGPS links, GPX files, resupply data books and related website information). This all takes significant time to do well. If you feel inspired to support that effort, consider buying me a coffee. 🙂
There of course other options that a rider could chose to compensate in the absence of the ferry, some which have merits worth mentioning here:
- W&OD Rail Trail from Arlington – This is a shorter and fully-paved commuter-oriented rail trail option, all within Virginia after crossing the Potomac directly west of the Lincoln Memorial. In contrast to the C&O, it offers no camping options and crosses roads significantly more often. The route is fully paved until Purcellville, and slightly beyond.
- Brunswick bridge – There are additional services in Brunswick, but a longer bridge than at Point of Rocks. This route can be connected easily back to the Point of Rocks detour.
- C&O to Harper’s Ferry – The river can be crossed into Harper’s Ferry on a pedestrian bridge (requires carrying bike up stairs but no traffic). This option is the longest, but it offers the advantage mostly of avoiding most of the busy section of Route 7 that crosses the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah River, providing more camping options and services along the way in Brunswick and the historic town of Harper’s Ferry. This route enters Virginia significantly later than other options. This option also has less climbing as it follows river grades and avoids climbing the Blue Ridge at Snicker’s Gap
If you plan to ride the route this spring and would like to be on an email list for updates and detours, fill out this Google form: https://forms.gle/mzz4nxZkBynJAD179.
Happy riding everyone!
David Landis
Feb 12, 2021
Updated April 21, 2021
