bloaker
Sincerely A Dick
- Nov 14, 2011
- 3,643
- 5,770
Originally written by my buddy James for a forum in the US, so I am actually speaking of myself in the third person! Figured I would share for those interested in the 'other kind' of cycling.
Trips away from home are always good for an internal reset. Spending time with friends, both old and new makes for some great stories and memories.
My trip to Richmond had been planned for months in advance. Bloaker was returning to the States for a brief visit so we decided to put the word out to as many friends that could make it for some sweet single track action on the trails of the James River along downtown Richmond.
The trails here are epic to say the least. They are maintained by the city and offer every imaginable set of trail conditions and challenges you could wish for in a day of mountain biking. There are fast, flowing sections of single track where you feel like the speeders from Empire Strikes Back strafing through the tall trees, then you are thrust into a section of baby-head sized rocks in which you must pick your way through with care and precision. You will encounter some slick rock, wooden bridges and trail sections constructed over boggy areas to multiple creek crossings and even some old concrete building foundations. Richmond is a city steeped in the history of the old south and it has the architecture to prove it. Numerous abandoned mill foundations are slowly reclaimed by mother nature in various places along the trails and it makes for an interesting juxtaposition between the deteriorating brick and steel intertwined with kudzu and foliage.
I had ridden these trails a few times before and always scolded myself for not staying after the ride to explore the historic district of downtown Richmond. This trip would be different. I booked a very nice hotel only a half-mile from the river and made a promise to take in all that the city would offer.
Everyone met in the parking lot at the Tredegar Civil War historic center to meet and greet while we prepped for the ride. Bloaker, myself and four others would round out our rag-tag ensemble.
In order to reach the trail head you must first cross the mighty James river (no relation) on a suspended foot bridge below the bustling interstate above. This puts you onto Belle Isle, an island oasis that once housed Union prisoners in the Civil War. Reclaimed remnants of building foundations jutting from the rock faces are reminders of the storied past. The island now sports a multi-use path around its perimeter and a tight, winding section of single-track in the center that climbs above to expose the beauty of the river and a striking image of downtown. One can roll right to the precipice of rock projecting out over the trail patrons below. Perched upon the ledge offers a perspective not often gained and will get more than a few passers-by to point up in wonder.
Exiting Belle Isle to the trails in Richmond takes you through a winding, tight section with a chain-link fence along the left side to keep errant ne'er-do-wells from the multiple rail tracks on the other side. Then it's time to throw the bike on your shoulder and hike up some flights of steps to the hilltop. It makes for an interesting procession of riders carrying bikes up the tower.
File pics from a previous excursion:
The view of the James River from the top:
Trips away from home are always good for an internal reset. Spending time with friends, both old and new makes for some great stories and memories.
My trip to Richmond had been planned for months in advance. Bloaker was returning to the States for a brief visit so we decided to put the word out to as many friends that could make it for some sweet single track action on the trails of the James River along downtown Richmond.
The trails here are epic to say the least. They are maintained by the city and offer every imaginable set of trail conditions and challenges you could wish for in a day of mountain biking. There are fast, flowing sections of single track where you feel like the speeders from Empire Strikes Back strafing through the tall trees, then you are thrust into a section of baby-head sized rocks in which you must pick your way through with care and precision. You will encounter some slick rock, wooden bridges and trail sections constructed over boggy areas to multiple creek crossings and even some old concrete building foundations. Richmond is a city steeped in the history of the old south and it has the architecture to prove it. Numerous abandoned mill foundations are slowly reclaimed by mother nature in various places along the trails and it makes for an interesting juxtaposition between the deteriorating brick and steel intertwined with kudzu and foliage.
I had ridden these trails a few times before and always scolded myself for not staying after the ride to explore the historic district of downtown Richmond. This trip would be different. I booked a very nice hotel only a half-mile from the river and made a promise to take in all that the city would offer.
Everyone met in the parking lot at the Tredegar Civil War historic center to meet and greet while we prepped for the ride. Bloaker, myself and four others would round out our rag-tag ensemble.
In order to reach the trail head you must first cross the mighty James river (no relation) on a suspended foot bridge below the bustling interstate above. This puts you onto Belle Isle, an island oasis that once housed Union prisoners in the Civil War. Reclaimed remnants of building foundations jutting from the rock faces are reminders of the storied past. The island now sports a multi-use path around its perimeter and a tight, winding section of single-track in the center that climbs above to expose the beauty of the river and a striking image of downtown. One can roll right to the precipice of rock projecting out over the trail patrons below. Perched upon the ledge offers a perspective not often gained and will get more than a few passers-by to point up in wonder.
Exiting Belle Isle to the trails in Richmond takes you through a winding, tight section with a chain-link fence along the left side to keep errant ne'er-do-wells from the multiple rail tracks on the other side. Then it's time to throw the bike on your shoulder and hike up some flights of steps to the hilltop. It makes for an interesting procession of riders carrying bikes up the tower.
File pics from a previous excursion:
The view of the James River from the top: