March 27, 2008
good bike rides?
A question from a potential resident of the area:
I want to find out if there is anyone who knows good road and mountain bike rides from Church Hill. I’m looking for places that you can go without having to drive somewhere, but still get in some great riding.
5 Responses to “good bike rides?”
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Riding out into the East End of Henrico County is great for road miles. There are some good rides through the city, too – you can do a safe and fun 30 miles without leaving the city. Richmond Area Ridefinder has information about different group rides.
The RTD has a map of the mountain bike trails along the river. The North Bank Trail and Buttermilk form a nice loop. This is all 2 or 3 miles west of Church Hill, so you can easily get there w/out a car. The only problem is getting back up the hill afterward…
A little bit of Buttermilk:
And North Bank:
John M is right about the great trails within a few miles of Church Hill. But it also should be noted that many of the bike/hiking trails along the James River (Buttermilk, North Bank, Belle Island etc.) were developed and are maintained by volunteer organizations like James River Outdoor Coalition (JROC who’s mission is to build and maintain safe bike trails) and Friends of the James River Parks (FoJRP -who’s mission is to preserve, improve and conserve our urban park system for everyone. Ride – enjoy and consider joining either one of these organizations or others that support our James River and City Parks.
By the way, Earth Day is coming on 19 April maybe you would want or organize a bike ride down to Mayo Island from Church Hill in support of using bikes over cars as viable means of transportation and recreation.
Also we will have (Earth Day and FoJRP) booths at the upcoming Church Hill Irish Festival … so drop by and let’s talk and pick up a map or two or trails in Richmond.
JJ
richmond is an urban mountain bikers paradise. I have mountainbiked in many parts of the east coast including ashville, north carolina and still find the trails we have within a short riding distance of church hill some of the most enjoyable I have ridden. There is the buttermilk and northbank trails that have already been mentioned. Both are single track trails of moderate technical difficulty such as off-cambered areas, rocks and roots, and some challenging short climbs. The buttermilk trail gets less sun, so the trail surface has a tendancy to be more wet while the north bank gets more sun and is almost always dry even after a rain. The views of the James river from the northbank trail can take your breath away if you take the time to look up on your ride. Also, there is a great trail in forest hill park that is great for conditioning (has some challenging climbs as well as some good down hills followed by more climbs. This is also a single track trail. These are all accessible by a 7-8 minute ride from church hill on the city streets. You won’t be disappointed.
There are some great Road loops starting in Church Hill and heading East. I agree with the other comments on mountain biking… it’s a snap to get to Belle Island from here, and then the trails along the river. I’ve been in Church Hill for a year, and have found the biking to be terrific. (Running, too, with the Canal Walk).
I agree with all the comments here… Great trail riding abounds in the vicinity of Church Hill – and you don’t need a car to get to the trailheads. If you ride over to Tredegar / The American Civil War museum (about a mile’s worth of urban street riding) you can then take the pedestrian bridge over to Belle Island and access the great trails of the James River Park System south of the James as well as Forrest Hill Park.
OR you can jump on North Bank trail by Tredegar – instead of taking the pedestrian bridge at all. Northbank is a great ride that takes you over to Maymont Park / The Pumphouse area (more trails) and you can also utilize the Nickel Bridge to hook over to Buttermilk Trails south of the river for your ride back (or vice versa).
Note that the Kanawha Canal Walk provides an interesting link from Shockhoe Bottom to Belle Isle (you can pick it up near Bottom’s Up Pizza). In theory, then, you can travel almost the entire distance from Church Hill / The Bottom to Maymont or Forest Hill Parks with almost NO street riding if you utilize the Kanawha portion (though I believe bike riding on the walk it technically prohibited).
Also, there’s a fun little BMX jump course in Gillie’s Park (just past Poe’s Pub, heading east) that can be fun for just tolling around. There are also some VERY rugged trails around the foot of Chimborazo Park near Gillie’s. You may want to check them out on foot first but I caution that they’re not well maintained (if at all) and are only for the most technically adept rider. Beware of sudden drop-offs, low branches, and assorted debris along the way (bricks, shopping carts, tire rims, etc)!!!!! Sketchy indeed.