A scene from last year’s Bike Virginia Tour near Winchester. Credit: Bike Virginia

Bicycling advocacy group Bike Virginia recently announced that for the first time since 1999, its popular, six-day summer Tour will take place in the Richmond area. The 27th annual Bike Virginia Tour will run from June 20-25 and be based out of Pocahontas State Park and Chickahominy Riverfront Park. The event was held in Lexington last year.

According to the Bike Virginia website: We call the tour a “Giant Loop Tour.” We begin in our first host community, ride there for a few days, then venture out to a second location. We ride at that second region for a few days, then we bike back to the start. In Chesterfield, headquarters will be based at Pocahontas State Park for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 20-23.  Daily rides go on unique routes that are loops, all begin and end at headquarters. Lunch will be served to you when you return each day.

On Monday, June 23, “Move Day,” the entire tour group strikes out and moves to a second host community, which will be based at Chickahominy Riverfront Park near Williamsburg. Headquarters is based there for the second half of the tour, three days. We again enjoy unique loop rides from that spot during our stay. Lunch will be waiting on you at the end of each day’s ride. Every day of the tour you’ll have a chance to ride on new roads and see new things.

On the final day, the 6th day of the tour, we ride back to headquarters 1 in Chesterfield. Cars can be left at the first headquarters for the entire tour. We’ll move your gear so all you have to do is have fun.

Bike Virginia Events Director Shane Cusick said that in the past they’ve hosted as many as 2,000 riders. But that “this year we capped it at 1,500 because 2,000 gets a little more difficult to handle as far as the number of people on the road.”

Riders can learn more and register at www.bikevirginia.org.