Southeast - Richmond VA Riders

I am looking for a good stretch of road in the area. I live in Church Hill and I don't have a car to haul myself someplace scenic. I love the adrenalin rush of pumping up and down the hills through traffic, but I'm lookin to get away.
Could you point me in the right direction.

im new to richmond, but you may wanna try some of the parks. i heard the park down by the canal has some paved paths(if thats what your looking for?)

Try heading east on Main St, which becomes Route 5/Osborne Turnpike. It's pretty out that way and while the traffic's fast, there not too much of it.

A ride down Monument Avenue is great, too. Get onto Grace St west of the Capitol bldg, then cut over a block to the south after you get west of Lombardy (around the 2000 block). The traffic is slow and it's 4-lane.

cooper
born & raised Richmonder

Thanks Cooper,

I was at Pibby's (a new LBS) and the owner Chip made mention of route 5 as well. He also mentioned heading north up to Ashland. I'm going to head out when it breaks 45 degrees or so.

Rob

Pocohontas State Park and James River State Park, give em a quick googling. Ive lived there for 4 years as a runner.

Also see:

http://www.routeslip.com/discover/USA/VA/Richmond

Also see:

http://www.routeslip.com/discover/USA/VA/Richmond

You are my hero for the day.

I aim to please.

Thanks Cooper,

I was at Pibby's (a new LBS) and the owner Chip made mention of route 5 as well. He also mentioned heading north up to Ashland.

Cool. When I'm back home in Richmond I rarely get time to ride. But if I lived in Church Hill, I'd ride all over eastern Henrico/Varina. There are still plenty of quiet loops to do, and you can ride right from your house. The city rides are cool, too, you just have to watch for cross traffic a lot more.

Thanks Cooper,

I was at Pibby's (a new LBS) and the owner Chip made mention of route 5 as well. He also mentioned heading north up to Ashland. I'm going to head out when it breaks 45 degrees or so.

Rob

I second Ashland. It's where I do all my riding. Scenic roads, varied terrain, and light traffic. Goochland County is nice too.

I am looking for a good stretch of road in the area. I live in Church Hill and I don't have a car to haul myself someplace scenic. I love the adrenalin rush of pumping up and down the hills through traffic, but I'm lookin to get away.
Could you point me in the right direction.

If we were to try to get everyone together, your bike could ride on my roof rack.

My favorite ride lately has been the Colonial Parkway down in Jamestown/Williamsburg/Yorktown.

Eee, I'm not a big fan of Colonial Parkway. A little bumpy for me. But if anyone wants to ride in RVA, I'm down.

Eee, I'm not a big fan of Colonial Parkway. A little bumpy for me. But if anyone wants to ride in RVA, I'm down.

That is true; however, the tradeoff is the view, along both the James River and the York River.
But yes, I am down too - I have been riding downtown after everyone clears out at night.

SLAUGHTERAMA IV!!!!!
Belle Isle
Tomorrow @ 10am
BE THERE *****EZ!!

*whoops* I meant 2pm (I found things to do)

I'm looking to put together a day-trip ride down 60 to Williamsburg for s***s and giggles. Anyone interested?

Rob

I have been riding downtown after everyone clears out at night.

Is that such a good idea? haha.

Is that such a good idea? haha.

Oh, Downtown Richmond is a great place to ride after rush hour. On many streets I am the only sign of life for blocks.

I ride all over in town. Even places like Grace, Cary and River Road are all pretty nice (after ~6:30, like RBiker says). Weather's getting much better, although Sunday was a killer going into the headwinds. Rt 5 is great as it goes to country on the quick. I also end up going towards the airport via Williamsburg road on a regular basis.

I'm starting to load weight on my bike to get stronger for touring, so if you see a Surly LHT with panniers and a case of beer on the front rack coming up the Hill from the Market, say hello. I don't tend to go blasting around anymore, but rather cruise around, look over fences and see what's down this road...

Check out these area sources:

www.raba.org
www.worldbike.com/spinmafia
www.threesports.com
www.agees.com
www.contebikes.com
www.cycorsports.org
www.richmondciclismo.com
www.vabike.org
www.vacycling.org

All have links to area rides and routes.

I also end up going towards the airport via Williamsburg road on a regular basis.

Wow: you are brave. Every time I have attempted to go that way, there are too many crazy drivers along Williamsburg Road. I end up turning back, and going down to Route 5.

Does everyone know about the Fan Free Clinic ride that is upcoming?

http://www.fanfreeclinic.org/ride/

This is a good event for a great organization.

riverside is a nice road to ride too. We usually ride that out to pony pasture then Down Cary back home . Its only 18 miles but depending on how hard you ride up the hills it can be quite a workout .

edit: the view is nice too

riverside is a nice road to ride too. We usually ride that out to pony pasture then Down Cary back home . Its only 18 miles but depending on how hard you ride up the hills it can be quite a workout .

edit: the view is nice too

I second this... I'm lucky enough to get to do Riverside Drive twice a day on my commute, and it's one of the sweetest parts of my day.

Reviving this thread whilst trying not to "hijack" it ... :)

My son is getting married this Saturday. I will then be traveling from Roanoke to Richmond on Sunday evening, where I'll be for two weeks while training for a new job.

Of course, I'll be bringing my bike...... I'll be working / training from 8-5 each day and will be looking to ride pretty much each weekday evening..... any club rides I could hook up with while I'm there?

I'm a "B" rider....averaging 16-18 mph on regular roads....and like lonnnng rides....

Check the following sites for group rides:

http://www.raba.org
http://www.spinmafia.com/
http://www.teamnaturespath.com/rides.html
http://www.carytownbicyclecompany.com/ridesandevents.html
http://contebikes.com/page.cfm?pageID=180
http://cycorsports.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=37
http://www.wabonline.org/ridecaledar.html

Lots of good riding only a few miles to your east. Here's one route. Head out East Main to Old Osbourn to Bickerstaff Road to Darbytown Road. Take right on Wilson to Rt 5 where you make a quick lright jog and then immediate left onto Battlefield Park Road. Go left onto Hake Brady Road, then right onto Kingsland which becomes Osbourne Tpke and takes you back into town. There are bunches of side roads, many variations, but this route is around 30 miles or so and scenic, with a minimum of traffic areas. North and northeast of town there are any number of areas where traffic is fairly light, or at least tolerable. Generally I would not recommend route 5, except for short areas where it is the only option. I usually take roads that parallel 5, like Darby town road, Charles City Road, etc.

Thanks for the tips!

Anyone up for a roadie ride one night this week? Trying to train for a triathlon. I did one last weekend and realized how much training I have left to do! The Ironman isn't until 2013 though! Send me a PM with your phone number and I'll see if I can't get something coordinated. Perhaps if we started doing training on Monday nights we could hit Capital Ale House downtown for some food/drink recuperation.