
Edward Hoppe, PhD, PE from the Virginia Transportation Research Council in Charlottesville walks the freshly laid DSA (Driving Surface Aggregate) that is being tested on Old Waterford Road. This Virginia version of the surface aggregate developed by Dr. Hoppe uses recycled asphalt millings, ground into a powder, as a binder to help the roads from washing out during heavy rains and will in theory eliminate the need for surface gravel that just washes off the road and into the ditches. Gravel is the chief source of heavy dust during dry spells as it breaks down with traffic driving over it. (Photo By Douglas Graham)

UNITED STATES – June 13, 2021: Melanie Zinger hits the one lane bridge on Quaker Lane during her 80 mile ride in the 1725 Gravel Grinder put on by EX2 Adventures to benefit America’s Routes. The Loudoun 1725 Gravel Grinder is a scenic bike ride along historic gravel roads in Northern Virginia. Located east of the Blue Ridge, in lush Loudoun Valley, these crushed rock roadways meander through awe inspiring beauty, past stone walls, grand estates, horse farms, wineries, bubbling creeks, tiny hamlets, and significant historical sites. Riding these roads is a sublime experience – like stepping back in time and cycling through history. With over 300 miles of gravel road dating back to the early 1700s, Loudoun County Virginia boasts the largest and oldest intact network of gravel roads in the United States. When settlement in this area officially began in the year 1725, these roads were first used by mills and farms to get goods to market and by settlers to get to town and church. Today these special routes are used by residents, farmers, visitors, equestrians, and cyclists. The event will start and finish at Salamander Resort in the quaint town of Middleburg. Salamander is a perfect setting for the event, with plentiful amenities, huge parking areas, and a gorgeous staging area. From Salamander, riders will embark along a 40, 60, or 80-mile route. (Photo By Douglas Graham)

UNITED STATES – June 13, 2021: The Loudoun 1725 Gravel Grinder is a scenic bike ride along historic gravel roads in Northern Virginia. Located east of the Blue Ridge, in lush Loudoun Valley, these crushed rock roadways meander through awe inspiring beauty, past stone walls, grand estates, horse farms, wineries, bubbling creeks, tiny hamlets, and significant historical sites. Riding these roads is a sublime experience – like stepping back in time and cycling through history. With over 300 miles of gravel road dating back to the early 1700s, Loudoun County Virginia boasts the largest and oldest intact network of gravel roads in the United States. When settlement in this area officially began in the year 1725, these roads were first used by mills and farms to get goods to market and by settlers to get to town and church. Today these special routes are used by residents, farmers, visitors, equestrians, and cyclists. The event will start and finish at Salamander Resort in the quaint town of Middleburg. Salamander is a perfect setting for the event, with plentiful amenities, huge parking areas, and a gorgeous staging area. From Salamander, riders will embark along a 40, 60, or 80-mile route. (Photo By Douglas Graham)

UNITED STATES – 02-01-21: A cross country skier makes her way down Ridgeside Road near Bluemont. Western Loudoun had heavy wet snow all day with total accumulation between 6 to 10 inches. Loudoun County is under a winter storm warning until 6 a.m. Tuesday with total snow accumulations of 8 to 14 inches. (Photo By Douglas Graham)

UNITED STATES – 02-14-2019: Piedmont Fox Hounds Huntsmen Jordan Hicks keeps the hounds close as he makes his way along Quaker Lane. The oldest fox hunting club in the United States is the Piedmont Hunt, which is located along Newline Mill Road near the Village of Unison. It was founded in 1840. Early settlers brought hounds of various types from Britain, France and Ireland, and, by 1900, the American foxhound was a breed of it’s own. (Photo By Douglas Graham/WLP)

Julia Kasdorf walks by her bank barn along John Wolford Road in Northern Loudoun County near the village of Waterford. Many of the dirt roads in Loudoun are important heritage resources that represent the migration, settlement and travel patterns of the County’s early populations. Historic travel routes are also essential components of the County’s historic landscape as it associates with standing structures, linking early settlements. (Photo by Douglas Graham/WLP)

UNITED STATES – August 30, 2017: Quaker Lane at the Beaverdam Creek bridge outside of the Village of Unison in Western Loudoun County Virginia. Many of the dirt roads in Loudoun are important heritage resources that represent the migration, settlement and travel patterns of the County’s early populations. Historic travel routes are also essential components of the County’s historic landscape as it associates with standing structures, linking early settlements. Alder School Road, dating back to the late 1700’s is now under construction and will be paved over. Approximately 8,300 feet of Allder School Road (Route 711) from Woodgrove Road (Route 719) to Hillsboro Road (Route 690) will be improved for high traffic loads. The scope includes a new bridge over the South Fork of the Catoctin Creek, undergrounding of utilities, drainage improvements, and a roundabout at the intersection of Allder School Road and Short Hill Road. The total cost of the project is $8.3 million. Construction is scheduled to be complete in the spring of 2019.(Photo by Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now)

UNITED STATES – 10-21-2017: Cyclist enjoy a Saturday morning ride out through Western Loudoun County Virginia. Most Western Loudoun’s historic gravel roads predate America and are important heritage resources that represent the migration, settlement and travel patterns of the County’s early populations. (Photo by Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now)

UNITED STATES – December 10, 2017: People head out with with their trees from Snickers Gap Christmas Tree Farm in Bluemont. Snickers Gap Christmas Tree Farm with it’s beautiful views of the Loudoun valley has been growing hand shaped fir and spruce trees, and making fresh wreaths for 37 years.(Photo by Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now)
Paving Over History.
Williams Gap Road, the last Turnpike.