Dr. Ho’s Humble adventure is one of the more adventurous rides in the area, covering a lot of undulating terrain just south of Albermarle County. Upon completing this ride on a fine Spring day, our friend Fred said it was “the most beautiful ride I’ve ever done.”

The route will take you through rolling hills, gravel secteurs that overlook local farmland and a few punchy climbs that the area is well known for. A swimming hole appears around mile 50 in the form of the Rockfish River. It is a necessity in the heat of the Summer.

Speaking of heat, bring your water filter and plenty of food. The XL variation of this route includes a small market store for provisions but the shorter adventure has no stops. If you’re feeling scorched you can chop off nearly 10 miles off the XL variation by skipping the loop at the Northeast corner of the map.

This ride is road-bike-ables with the exception of the X-Treme Fun Edition. You’ll want something bigger and tubeless since there are significant sections of gravel. 35mm Bon Jon Pass tires from Rene Herse are ideal.

Speaking of X-Treme Fun, if you choose to do so… the newest member of the Dr. Ho’s Humble club is a more wacky, adventurous version of this route with an even radder swimming hole and a gnarly final 15 miles for the day. Take a dip in the rock quarry at mile 52 (There’s an IKES convenience store a mile or two up the route from here if you want to plan ahead).

The last bit of the X-Treme challenge is a recklessly rowdy final 15 miles that takes you up and over the biggest unpaved climb in the area. This section of Fan Mountain is unkempt and untraveled, so those with bigger tire volume will fare a bit better. The descents get chunky, but you’ll have to take them slow either way. There is a lot of abandoned double track and service road back here and quite a bit of it looks like private property. Enter at your own risk, though I’ve never had trouble.

Do this ride with friends as it is one of the most enjoyable Summer adventures you can have. I have fond memories of swimming in the Rockfish River with a few pals in the heat of the day and then heading to the market for sandwiches and sodas afterwards.

Thank god for Andy Stites @nachoparty for bringing his camera along for this one!

75-100mi

6,500-8,000ft climbing

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35216409

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31981372