Tour De Mount Vernon 2023 Offers Scenic Bike Ride Through District

MOUNT VERNON, VA — Every year, Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck has made it a tradition to offer a bike tour highlighting sites around his district.

This year's Tour de Mount Vernon is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21. The bike ride through the Mount Vernon District will start and end at George Washington's Mount Vernon. The event is rain or shine and costs $35 to participate.

The route takes riders on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, which will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic. The race starts at 8 a.m., and riders must be off the George Washington Memorial Parkway when it reopens to traffic at 9:30 a.m. Once the roadway reopens, riders will have the option of using the adjacent Mount Vernon Trail.

Tour de Mount Vernon takes riders on a tour with many sites along the northern and central Mount Vernon District. Highlights seen on the tour will be the George Washington Memorial Highway, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, River Farm, Gum Springs, Fort Belvoir, National Museum of the US Army, Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House, Fort Hunt Park, Hollin Hills and Dyke Marsh.

After the ride, attendees can enjoy food, drinks, entertainment, music, lawn games and more at George Washington's Mount Vernon from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

There are several route options. The long route ride is 40 miles, while the short route ride is 24 miles. The route includes some paved roads and trails along with challenging sections. Ride monitors and Fairfax County Police will be stationed along the route to keep riders safe.

New this year is an option for youth riders at 8:15 a.m. There will be three route options under 5.5 miles for children of different skill levels. An adult must supervise up to five children. The youth ride is limited to 50 children. The cost for youth is $15.

Even if you can't participate as a bike rider, volunteers are needed to help run the event.

The Tour de Mount Vernon is dedicated to the late Dave Evans, Storck's friend who was president and co-founder of La Prima Food Group and was involved with the nonprofit United Community.