Mindful Biking

Need a Physical Challenge and a Spiritual Renewal On a Budget?

Come Ride with Dr. Mark Cooper on Bike Virginia 2019 and join in a daily morning and afternoon opportunity for Mindfulness Meditation.

This the 32^nd year for this popular bike tour that will take place June 21 through June 26 beginning in Woodstock, Virginia.  The tour includes a daily choice of three bike routes, 30, 60, or 100 miles. Registration is open here.

Locations: Base Camp Fri/Sat/Sunday Masanatten Military Academy; second base camp, Monday to Wednesday June 24-16, Hillandale Park Harrisonburg, VA.

The ride has always included a Yoga Class at the end of the day and for the last two years riders have had the opportunity for a Meditation conversation and sit.  Dr. Cooper serves as Yoga teacher and for the third year as the Meditation leader.  Begin the day and end the day with reflection and meditation.  While the trip is not an official church pilgrimage or a visit to the Camino de Santiago, it is possible to use this event as an opportunity to reflect and pray about your life and where you find meaning.

The routes are well signed and include a full rest stop every 15 miles. Approximately 1600 people will join in the events. Half the riders stay in a campground with tents, showers, and bathrooms.  Others stay in local motels.  Individual riders join groups and families; the rides are not high pressure.  Mark notes, “I have often watched granddads enjoying the rides with their young grandchildren.”  There is the opportunity for a weekend experience or for a six-day ride.  Mark is well experienced, having participated in this ride at least 20 times and only missing it when he was biking across country or on a Camino. And he says, ” I’ll be glad to meet with you to answer questions…my Starbucks chair is always available.”