Commuting - Commuting in Richmond VA

Ok...I need some advice. For those of you who know Richmond, I live on Patterson Ave (Close to patterson and libby). I work on Monument Ave (near Monument and 195). My normal ride to work is out Patterson to Horspen, over to Monument to work. However, I have grown tired of fighting traffic.

I need some help on good "bike friendly" roads to commute on. I don't mind riding 10-12 miles (it is only a hair over 1 mile the short way for me) as long as there are minimal stop signs and light traffic.

Anyone have any clues?

There really isn't anyway to avoid traffic and still be efficient with that short a ride in that area. I roll from southside via nickel bridge to northside out past the diamond, and my only 'non-traffic fight' times are south of the 195 overpass on boulevard or stafford. Around Richmond, I think you really have to get out of the city proper in order to not have to battle the nine to fivers so much. Sorry it's not very informative, but just my 0.02... believe me, I feel your pain. :o

in Richmond, as long as you have a keirin bike, and a white belt you'll be ok :)

I think you really have to get out of the city proper in order to not have to battle the nine to fivers so much.

Thanks for the information. I'll hijack my own thread here and ask: where out of the city could I go to ride? My wife and I just moved to town and I've been trying to find somewhere to ride since we moved.


in Richmond, as long as you have a keirin bike, and a white belt you'll be ok :)

I'llbe the brunt of many many laughs, but I don't get it.

Tjmaxx, as far where to go and ride, may I suggest checking out www.raba.org--- it's the Richmond bicycle association, and they have tons of events and casual rides that cater to most every skill level. They can show you and your wife alot more interesting loops than I can, as I merely suplement my cyclo-commuting with longer, random, rides on the weekends. I'll check you're profile for an email addy, and sometime today I'll map out a short 8 to 10 mile route for you that is scenic and pretty safe, and try to get that to you.

As for the white belt comment, don't feel bad. Once you're here for awhile you too will notice all the diva messenger-wannabe kids riding around with expensive fixies, Duran Duran haircuts, man-pris, and yes, white belts. Your basic metrosexual fashion plates in other words. Don't worry, they are harmless for the most part, just keep an eye on your wife's makeup :rolleyes:

Kwhord, are you one of the lucky few to escape RVA's grasp? Do you have a crappy nautical tattoo to prove it? </kidding>

You can ride right past my front door: From Patterson/Libbie, head towards downtown on Patterson and you can duck left at Willow Lawn (three-way light), Greenway lane, or Spokane. From there, take your pick of Park, W Franklin or Bromley. All three beautiful tree-lined quiet neighborhood streets (I live on W Franklin). You'll cross Malvern on your way to Kent St, take a left, and up to Monument you go. By the by, Monument is wonderful to ride on compared to other busy city streets; the shoulders are plenty wide.

I'll +1 raba.org, the Saturday morning Ashland Breakfast ride gets LOTS of riders, and the route is sprinkled with cyclists all day long.

Hope that helps--

Tjmaxx, as far where to go and ride, may I suggest checking out www.raba.org--- it's the Richmond bicycle association, and they have tons of events and casual rides ...

I second that. A couple of weeks ago I rode in a really well-organized event sponsored by RABA. My ride was about 50 miles starting in the beautiful little town of Ashland and meandering around Hanover County. It was wonderful.

By the by, Monument is wonderful to ride on compared to other busy city streets ...

There are many places in the greater Richmond area that are no fun for bicyclists. But Monument Ave. is fabulous. It's one of the world's great streets and I love riding it. I'm from Roanoke and I would kill for something as nice in this town.

RE Monument Ave, I was watching Jeopardy one night and it was the answer. The question was "This is known as the most beautiful street in America" (!!!) When the dogwoods are blooming, or the leaves are changing I completely agree!

Get a map; there are side streets you can take. However, I don't know all the names, but I could ride them with you. For years, I commuted from the fan to the 8000 block of West Broad and never once touched West Broad except to cross it; currently I regularly ride from Northside to Libbie/Grove, mostly through the residential neighbourhoods. I find I do have to ride Grove a bit on this last commute.

To make matters clear, I have no white belts and no Kerin bikes, although I had a fixie in RVA almost 20 years ago, so it may all be my fault, except for the part about the white belt and the crummy tattoos.

I'm not too hot on Loser's Lane, oops, Monument Ave, mostly because chunks of it are brick, which while slightly better than Paris-Robaix (to heck with speel chuck) is at best a marginal improvement. But it is pretty.

I won't say thing about RABA, as I've never had anything to do with them.

I can recommend several nice routes north of the city in the Ashland - Mechanicsville area. PM me if you'd like some directions.

Kwhord, are you one of the lucky few to escape RVA's grasp? Do you have a crappy nautical tattoo to prove it? </kidding>


No, I've only been there once. It was the first place I ever saw a fixie (louisville wan't cool enough to have any then)

I remember asking our host: "what's with all the hipster kids riding single speed road bikes with no brakes?". (I didn't realize they were fixed gear bikes, and I thought it looked really dangerous.)

Great city though, I love the coffee shop w/ the "loft" and the architecture.