Tina

I am seriously considering a move to the Virginia Beach area in early September, and I was wondering if anyone on here could give me the pros and cons of the area in general and bike commuting specifically?

cyclochica

I don't know about VA Beach specifically, but I do know that in general VA has some great areas to cycle. And there are plenty of places within a couple hours drive for a person to check out.

trmcgeehan

My daughter goes to school in Chesapeake, VA. I recently took a ride from there to Williamsburg, VA on a great back road (don't remember the number). It involved crossing the river on a free ferry. It was a great ride (about 100 miles round trip). If you've never been to colonial Williamsburg, a bike is the best way to see it.

crucifixion12

Virginia is absolutely beautiful. The Norfolk/Hampton/Virginia Beach area is built up quite big due to their large ports and military bases. But once you get out of the cities, it's really a beautiful state. You don't have to be in the Hampton Roads area long to run into some poor attitudes though. That's the only downfall I can think of.

cyclochica

Virginia is no different then any other state. I am sure there are people with negative attitudes in WVa.

There are some great cycling clubs here, and if I remember correctly the Va beach area is not as crowded as NOVA. If I had the chance I would move to that area.

crucifixion12

Yes there are negative attitutdes in WV, but there seems to be a marked increase in the Hampton Roads area compared to the rest of Virginia (and the rest of the south for that matter). This has just been my observance, as well as the experiences of family and friends.

Just one experience, a buddy and I had rocks thrown at our heads on the way out of the Scope for wearing a jersey of a different hockey team that happened to beat the Admirals one night. Never has happened in any other city. I won't go into some other things because it may raise controversy that doesn't belong here. I'm not generalizing the population of Hampton Roads or Virginia, I'm merely stating my experiences.

zelah

I live in Virginia Beach, i've only been riding for a few months, but so far its great.

The oceanfront has a bike path thats 3 miles long, so you can get a few miles in while watching people/waves. if you're wanting to do longer rides, the "pungo" area seems to be where all the shop teams ride, its pretty country-side'ish and not too many cars

i just realized that this thread was started over two years ago...

phantomcow2

well i know when i was there last summer for vacation, i noticed there were a great deal more bike lanes than here in NH.

Blackberry

I live in central Virginia. VA Beach and the entire Tidewater area can get pretty congested. It's a fun beach town It wouldn't be my cup of tea from a cycling perspective. Too many cars. But that's just my 2 cents.

James H Haury

I was stationed at Naval amphib base little creek for 18 months .I used the main drags to get around because to me the side streets were very confusing and generally just went in a ways and doubled back.People were generally nice in the hampton roads area,though some jerks gave me a hard time because my bicycle was the wrong color.Get in with a bike club and you should be fine.

phantomcow2

Yea thats a complaint I had. WHeneer we wanted to get anywhere we would take route 64 and sheeesh it was ALWAYS in a traffic jam. Everybody going to the beach

tulip

There seem to be alot of bike clubs in and around Virginia Beach. The traffic can be bad and the drivers worse. I think people who spend 9 months on ships get restless, and the first thing they do when they get to port is to drive their fast cars fast! Can't say that I would do it differently.

Blackberry

From my observation, driving fast cars is the second thing they do after getting into port.