DOWNLOAD THIS AS A PDF FOR THE RIDE HERE

Welcome to the 2025 Storming of Thunder Ridge!

Dear Riders,

Welcome—and thank you for being part of the 2025 Storming of Thunder Ridge! We are incredibly grateful for your participation. Whether you’re a returning rider or joining us for the first time, please know how much we value and appreciate you. This event would not be possible without you, our generous sponsors, and the dedicated army of volunteers who bring it all to life.

We want to offer a heartfelt thank-you to Paula Dahl, who led and nurtured this ride for the past 15 years. Under her guidance, Storming of Thunder Ridge became not just a ride, but a cherished tradition in our community. Paula officially “retired” from directing the event this year, and we wish her all the best in her next chapter. We are truly honored that she will be riding alongside us this year, helping to continue the legacy she built.

As your new event director, I’m both excited and humbled to carry the torch forward. Many of the traditions and touches you love about the event remain unchanged—but as with any leadership transition, you may notice some things done a bit differently. Our goal is always to improve the rider experience, but that can’t happen without a little trial and error. We welcome your feedback.

📝 Post-ride, we’ll be sending out a rider survey to collect your thoughts on the 2025 event and what you’d love to see in the future. Your input is essential to our growth, and we genuinely want to hear from you.

This document contains everything you need to know to have a safe, smooth, and memorable ride. Please read it thoroughly so you’re fully prepared.

Thank you again for choosing to ride with us. Let’s make this year’s Storming of Thunder Ridge the best one yet.

🌦️ Weather & Start Times

Sunday’s forecast? Classic Virginia—unpredictable but rideable!

Start and Finish:

  • ALL RIDERS must start no later than 8:30 AM to be considered part of the event.

  • When you finish, please ride through the finish line and clearly call out your rider number to the volunteer tracking finishers. This is important so we can confirm you returned safely.

  • 75 & 100 mile riders: 7:30 AM

  • 27 & 45 mile riders: 8:00 AM (or roll out any time after 7:30) – No later than 8:30 AM

⚠️ Note: Rest Stop #1 opens at 8:00 AM. Please time your start accordingly. 

Century Cut-Off

⛔ Century riders must pass Rest Stop #5 (Mile 62) by 2:00 PM to continue on the 100-mile route.

✅ Don’t forget to sign in at the start so we know you're out on course!

🎟️ Packet Pickup & On-Site Registration Information

✅ Know Your Distance

  • When you arrive at packet pickup, please be sure to know which distance you are currently registered for (e.g., 45, 75, or 100 miles).

  • Packet pickup lines will be organized by distance, and you will need to go through the correct line to receive your assigned bib.

  • If you are picking up your packet but do not plan to ride, please inform the volunteer distributing your bib. This helps us ensure accurate rider counts and confirms that all participants return safely to the YMCA.

  • If you are picking up packets for multiple riders, you must go through the line for each distance the riders are registered for.

⚠️ If you enter the wrong line, volunteers will not be able to assist you, as each line only has access to bibs for that specific distance.

🔄 Changing Distances?

  • You may change your race category (distance) by decreasing your distance, but not increasing at the time of bib pickup. Simply let the volunteer know before receiving your bib.

 

📦 Packet Pickup Locations & Times

📍 Saturday, May 17 — 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
🆕 New this year! Apocalypse Ale Works
1257 Burnbridge Rd, Forest, VA 24551
Pick up your packet, enjoy a local brew, and grab some food while you’re there!

📍 Sunday, May 18 — 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM
Jamerson YMCA
801 Wyndhurst Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502
🕖 Ride-day announcements begin at 7:10 AM

🆕 New This Year: Extended Online Registration

You can now register online via BikeReg all the way until 8:00 AM on Sunday, May 18!

⏰ Pricing Reminder

  • All distances will increase by $25 beginning at 12:00 AM on Friday, May 17.

  • This increase helps us manage the extra strain that last-minute registrations place on our volunteers and logistics team—simply avoid this by registering before midnight Friday.

📍 If You Register on May 17 or 18:

Make sure to:

  • Check your confirmation email for your registered distance.

  • Go to the correct line at packet pickup based on that distance to retrieve your bib.

🧭 Course Marking & Navigation

We are incredibly grateful to Paula Dahl, our longtime event director, for staying involved through this year’s transition. While she may be “retired,” she played a huge role behind the scenes—including personally marking all the directional arrows on the road. This was an enormous help. Thank you, Paula!

⚠️ Important Safety Notes

  • Caution Dangerous Turns: After turning left onto Route 43 and departing the Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll encounter a fast descent with sharp hairpin turns. It's easy to take these too fast, so please keep your speed under 30 mph. There will be 3 caution signs posted in this section. This descent begins at mile 48.5 for the Century and 75-mile routes, and at mile 31 for the TML route.**

  • Loose Gravel on Otterville Road: Please use extra caution—there is loose gravel from recent road repairs.

  • Gravel on Coffee Road: Just before the 27-mile turnaround and after the final rest stop for the 75- and 45-mile routes, there is a short gravel patch from a recent road repair. Slow down and ride carefully through this section.

  • This is not a race: There are no prizes for finishing first. Ride smart and respectfully.

  • All roads are open to vehicle traffic: You must obey all Virginia traffic laws at all times.

  • Permits depend on your behavior: Unsafe or illegal riding can jeopardize our ability to host this event in the future.

  • The goal of the day is simple: Have fun and arrive safely back at the YMCA.

🟡 On-Course Markings

  • Yellow arrows are painted on the road at every turn along the course, except in two areas:

    • The Blue Ridge Parkway

    • The private neighborhood of Meadow Wood

These sections will have temporary directional signs in place, as long as they remain standing.

  • At all non–T-intersections, you will see:

    • Painted arrows and

    • Additional directional signage

  • At T-intersections, there will only be yellow painted arrows on the pavement.

  • Where routes split or rejoin, you’ll see extra signage to help keep you on track.

📲 GPS Navigation

We highly recommend using GPS navigation. This is the most reliable way to follow the course and helps eliminate issues from missing signage and sabotage:

🔗 Upload your route ahead of time by selecting your registered distance

📄 Cue-sheet Option

If you prefer a Cue-sheet: (linked below)

  • Download the PDF and either save it to your phone or print it before arriving.

  • Phones are typically the easiest option—no soggy or lost paper!

  • 2025 Cue-sheets: 27M | 45M | TML | 75M | 100M 

💡 Skipping printed sheets helps us reduce costs and keeps more funds directed toward YMCA community programming.

Century Cut-Off

⛔ Century riders must pass Rest Stop #5 (Mile 62) by 2:00 PM to continue on the 100-mile route otherwise they must re-route to the 75 mile course option.

 

🛑 Rest Stop Schedule & Locations

Below is the schedule for all official rest stops on the 2025 Storming of Thunder Ridge route. Stop times are approximate and based on early and late rider arrival windows. Please plan your ride accordingly, as our volunteers would like to return home in a timely fashion after supporting you throughout the day!

🛑 Stop 🕒 Time 📍 Location

#1 8:00–10:15 AM Sedalia Baptist Church

#2 8:45–12:00 PM Petits Gap Rd (AT Trailhead) – MP 71

#3 9:15–1:15 PM Sunset Fields – BRP MP 78.4

#4 9:00–3:15 PM Otterville Baptist Church

#5 8:15–3:45 PM Cifax/Old-Cifax Rd

#6 11:00–3:30 PM Matthew Talbort

#7 11:45–5:00 PM Evington

 

Each rest stop includes:


✔️ Tailwind Nutrition (pre-mixed)
✔️ LMNT electrolyte packets
✔️ Water
✔️ Typical aid station food – fruit, PB&J, salty snacks, sweets, and more

 

🎉 Post-Ride Celebration (Now Bigger & Better!)

We encourage you to stick around after your ride to enjoy the post-ride festivities!

New for 2025: Join us for an epic post-ride party!

  • 🎶 Live band (noon to 3 PM)

  • 🍕 Hot pizza

  • 🍺 Cold beer

  • 🏰 Bouncy house

  • 🍦 Yes… ICE CREAM!

Stick around to swap ride stories, kick back with fellow riders, and soak in the community vibe that makes this event so special.

All ride support and YMCA access wrap up at 6:00 PM on Sunday, May 18. 

YMCA Amenities & Camping

Available during the weekend:

  • Showers & locker rooms (bring a towel)

  • Pool & hot tub access (Sunday, 12 PM – 6 PM)

  • Outdoor camping is available after 6 PM on Saturday – with all the rain the fields may be damp

  • Indoor camping available on Saturday — $20 (cash or card)

🙏 Final Thoughts & Thanks

We are incredibly grateful for your support of the Storming of Thunder Ridge and the YMCA of Central Virginia. Your registration helps fund vital community programs and services that make a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve.

Whether you're riding 27 miles or taking on the full 100, we hope your day is filled with breathtaking views, good company, personal triumphs, and maybe even a few moments of quiet inspiration on the climb.

Please remember:

  • Ride safely and respectfully.

  • Support your fellow riders.

  • Take time to thank a volunteer—they make this event possible.

On behalf of the entire team—thank you again for being a part of SOTR 2025. We can't wait to share this unforgettable day with you.

Ride strong. Ride safe. Ride with purpose.

With appreciation,
Jeremy Ramsey
Event Director
Storming of Thunder Ridge
Central Virginia YMCA