bonsai171

Hello,

I will be visiting Richmond in a few weeks, and am looking for some recommendations on where to ride. Haven't decided if I'm bringing a road bike or mountain bike, but will most likely be a road bike (probably a fixed gear with drops). We will be in Colonial Heights more specifically (southeast Richmond). Looking to do some 30-50 mile rides. Thank you,

David

jadocs

Capital Trail, you can ride from Richmond to Williamsburg 50 miles each way for a total of 100.

bonsai171

That does look pretty cool, saw it on Strava actually. Shouldn't be too far from where we're staying. What is the riding like there? Is it long and continuous, or more like riding on a sidewalk (and crossing lots of streets??).

How about the terrain in the area, would you say it's fairly flat? Didn't see a lot of hill climb segments on Strava.


Dave

thumpism 

Asphalt trail flanking rural two-lane Route 5 through wooded and rolling terrain, with occasional crossings of the road.

If you're staying in Colonial Heights you'll take I-295 north to Route 5, exit eastbound and the trailhead at Four Mile Creek is on your left. Park and ride.

DropBarFan

You could do one ride to downtown Richmond & another ride to hook up onto Virginia Capital Trail. In 2015 I drove to Richmond & took bike in 2015 to see the cycling championships & stayed at Pocahontas SP campground which is near Colonial Heights. Original plan was to bike from campground to downtown but since I already had the car, some locals advised to drive downtown. The roads tend to be older & narrow but I think perhaps OK outside of rush hour esp if one picks a a less direct route.

Downtown Richmond & Monument Ave is quite scenic. Libby Hill & 23rd St cobbles might be an interesting challenge on a fixie! Capital Trail is nice & smooth & basically flat.

bonsai171

I will definitely have to try these ideas out. Cobbles sound very interesting, will be ready to clip out Appreciate the info all, will have to try out capital trail and downtown too.

Dave

DropBarFan

I forgot about US Bicycle Route 1/ACA Atlantic Route. I rode from NoVA down to Richmond, nice quiet roads, a lot of locals riding up to Glen Allen (IIRC) & back. BR 1 also goes from Richmond south to the NC border. Actually BR1/ACA Atlantic was a bit more interesting than the Capital Trail--more varied terrain & wildlife etc. OTOH the Capital Trail gets very scenic near Williamsburg with great views of the James River & the final stretch along the Colonial Parkway is quite grand.