I don't live in SW VA, but if your area is anywhere like MD, I would guess you're seeing old multiflora and wichurana ramblers. They're once-bloomers, and most of them bloom around now (later than other roses). They usually grow alongside roads where the fences of old homesteads or farms used to be. The two most common ones I've seen around here are Dorothy Perkins (pink) and Excelsa (reddish). They were very popular around the turn of the (19th)century, and are also very easy to propagate. Usually, you can just dig up a sucker from the original rose and watch it take off.

Some caveats: The original multiflora species (usually white and single, but sometimes pinkish) often carries rose rosette disease, which can infect and kill all your other roses.

And many of the ramblers get mildew like crazy - Dorothy Perkins is especially prone to this.

For more info, check with the folks on the Antique Rose Forum. They're very helpful.

Cecilia, I don't think you meant to include multifloras in your reply. Multiflora roses are nasty invasive plants, and classified as noxious weeds in many mid-Atlantic states (meaning it is illegal to propagate them or allow them to grow on your land and may result in a fine).

Here is a link that might be useful: multiflora rose