Man, it’s hot out there. Maybe not the best day for a ride on the Virginia Capital Trail, at least not midday. But when it cools down — maybe in September? — there are great options for riding Virginia’s newest greenway.

Back in late May I wrote about Richmond Cycling Corps unveiling The Kickstand, a bicycle rental, sales and service shop right on the Cap Trail (as it’s affectionately known). Well, the Kickstand opened in July, and it’s even cooler than I imagined.

Our friends at Richmond Cycling Corps always seem to be up to something big. Case in point: the above video (shot by Jack Anderson) showcasing the new headquarters they’ll be moving into. (Click here to donate to the cause.)

From their website:

We have made a commitment to empower young people living in poverty by fully placing ourselves and our resources at their service. We are now ready to enter the fabric of the community we serve so that we can be of maximum availability and usefulness.

Richmond Cycling Corps has purchased an historic building, at 2123 Fairmount Avenue, just seven blocks from Fairfield Court public housing in Richmond VA’s poverty dense East end. We are turning this building into a resource unlike anything our youth have yet had access to. It will serve as the base of operations for the nation’s premier youth cycling program, but more importantly, as a home away from home with access to mentors and virtually unlimited resources for their empowerment. The opportunities provided by this project will establish a beacon toward the future, a vision for a life beyond poverty. One youth at a time, we will lead them toward the mainstream, and toward the unlimited future that is theirs to work for once they get there. 

The only way out of public housing is to literally get out of public housing. The youth Richmond Cycling Corps is committed to serving are all growing up in this condition. By and large, they are the third or fourth generation in their family to do so. If nothing changes, nothing changes. 

The most important fact of this project is that we will be accessible to our youth. However, transportation and equipment storage logistics are noteworthy as well. We stand to gain significant savings in time and costs by more wisely locating our resources.

We feel, to our core, that the work we do with young people represents a commitment toward the future. The public housing environment is perhaps the most significant factor pertaining to the growth potential and future stability for the youth we work with. We know that the most vital step we can take toward our goal of breaking the cycle of poverty is to invest in the communities which foster it. 

Highlights:

• Private meeting rooms for one-on-one sessions between youth and RCC staff.
• A dedicated safe place. Comfortable surroundings. A distance removed from their neighborhood to give our youth breathing room and space to let their guard down.
• Quiet areas for study and after school programs. Computer and WiFi access for youth.
• Co-location: All equipment and vehicles located on site of programming.
• Craig Dodson (RCC Executive Director) will live on site, in upstairs apartment, to provide unwavering presence, support, and mentoring. 
• 24/7 support to youth who need dependable adult figures. 

Saturday, April 30 marks the launch of RVA Bike Month in the Richmond region, and the Sports Backers’ Bike Walk RVA is in its third year of coordinating a full month of bike-related events, with the help of dozens of volunteers and advocates from all over the region.

RVA Bike Month will feature more than 60 events, including food-themed rides, youth rides, bike commuting seminars, amateur bike racing, and bike-themed films. Activities will also include group bike commutes and bigger festivals like Dominion Riverrock, which takes place Friday, May 20 – Sunday, May 22.

“The community volunteers, businesses, and organizations that contribute to the full month of events really make RVA Bike Month a special treat for the region,” said Brantley Tyndall, Community Engagement Coordinator for Bike Walk RVA. “The rapid growth of community interest in biking illuminates the fact that bikes and bike infrastructure continue to become a part of the region’s identity.”

Continuing community-led support from prior RVA Bike Months, a group of businesses in the Bellevue neighborhood along MacArthur and Bellevue Avenues have launched a permanent Bike Friendly Business District in Bellevue. An initiative led by Bellevue residents, the businesses started with a pilot program for Bike Month in 2015 and have chosen to implement it full time starting with the 2016 RVA Bike Month.

This will be the Richmond Region’s second permanent Bike Friendly Business District, after the Lakeside Business Association launched their program in July 2015. Lakeside is also leading the kickoff event for the entire RVA Bike Month with its ‘Pedal & Gears Bike Fest’ on April 30. Participating businesses will offer discounts and other special deals for people who arrive by bike, and those businesses can be identified by decals displayed in their front windows.

A map of participating Bellevue businesses and nearby bike racks can be found by clicking here, and the image of the window cling is available as well.

For a full list of bike month events, check out the Bike Month poster above.

Bike Walk RVA (a program of Sports Backers) today released the 2016 Richmond Region Bicycle Infrastructure Report, an update to the 2013 Richmond Region Baseline Bicycle Infrastructure Report.

The new report details the many new types of bikeways on the ground in greater Richmond, as well as documents the number of miles and location of those bikeways. A major finding is that the region’s bikeway mileage has more than doubled in three years – many thanks to elected officials and other decision makers, dedicated planning and transportation staff, and the advocacy community.

The now complete Virginia Capital Trail crosses Gillies Creek in Richmond. The silos in the background have been demolished.

“Our region’s bikeway mileage has gone from 37 to 79 miles – and counting – in about three years,” said Max Hepp-Buchanan, Director of Bike Walk RVA for Sports Backers. “That’s great progress. However, not all bikeways are considered equal in terms of safety and comfort for the average resident. Bike lanes that don’t offer physical protection from high-speed traffic are not likely to get more people to ride. Separated multi-use trails, like the Virginia Capital Trail, will attract new riders by the thousands. We need more protected bikeways in the region.”

In addition to maps documenting the Richmond region’s progress and graphs that show exactly where bikeway growth is occurring, readers can expect some commentary from Bike Walk RVA on the region’s overall progress and next steps for the future.

“The biggest steps moving forward for the region are to adopt plans, identify funding sources for projects in those plans, design projects for the safety and comfort of all ages and abilities, and build connections to places people want to go,” said Hepp-Buchanan.

The 2016 Richmond Region Bicycle Infrastructure Report follows the published brochure, RVA Bikeways: A user guide for people on bikes and in cars, as well as the web-based RVA Bikeways Map. All three publications are available on the Sports Backers’ website, and the new report can be directly downloaded here: http://bitly.com/2016RVABikeReport

XTERRA legend Conrad Stoltz was dominant in Richmond over the years.

On December 2nd, XTERRA announced a shakeup in its America Tour. According to the XTERRA website, the company “announced the formation of the XTERRA Pan American Tour which connects the sport’s major events in South, Central, and North America as well as the Caribbean. The inaugural 10-stop series for both amateur and professional athletes starts March 20th at XTERRA Costa Rica and concludes September 17 with the XTERRA Pan American Championship race in Ogden, Utah.  In between are two majors in the U.S., two in Canada, and one each in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.”

This might not appear to be huge news if you’re not an off-road triathlete, except for what was missing from that list of race locations: Richmond.

Richmond has hosted a championship-level race for pros and amateurs alike for the past 15 years. It’s XTERRA’s second longest running race host, and it’s practically an institution in here. Well, the folks at XTERRA clearly recognized this, because yesterday they released a Q&A on their site that was heavy on Richmond details.

Q: How can you let Richmond go, it’s one of the oldest and most popular races?

A: The Richmond race is one of the all-time greats, no doubt.  It’s at our roots, and is our longest-running race outside of Maui at 17 years.  We helped start and establish those trails.  Some of our best friends in life are there.  Trust us, it hurts.  Without a destination sponsor to offset the production and marketing cost we can’t continue.  We are forever grateful for the support of Salary Shield and Luck Stone which kept RVA alive over the last several years.  We’re open to support for next year and the future, and are also exploring opportunities with other organizations to produce that event.  Until then, heed the advice of Dr. Seuss … “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

Q: WTH? XTERRA isn’t XTERRA without Richmond!

A: We hear ya.  But would add that XTERRA is a lifestyle, a spirit.  And, there is nothing stopping you from riding those sweet trails in Richmond whenever you want.  The James River Park System is expertly managed and well kept year-round.

Q: Have the costs of hosting events at Brown’s Island gone up significantly and made it cost prohibitive? Perhaps there are too many other events happening at the venue for XTERRA to get the date they wanted?

A: There is some truth to the first part.  It’s expensive to rent and operate on Brown’s Island.  And there are all sorts of logistic problems to try and stage the event at another RVA spot and use the same trails.  We’ve considered, reviewed, evaluated, and kicked dirt around at numerous alternative spots with no success.  As for the second part of question, getting the date wasn’t a problem.

Later on in the Q&A offers this tidbit that I’ll be following up on on Monday:

Q: In theory, Richmond and/or Vegas could come back if a promoter wants to take it over, right? It just won’t be a regional championship?

A: In theory, yes, and we’re actually working on that now and hope it will happen.

So, while this is definitely not good news for triathlon lovers in Richmond, stay tuned. It appears all hope is not lost.

2015 King of the James winner Trevor Sayler came from Asheville, N.C. to participate. Credit: Home on the James

A buzz filled the air throughout the James River Park System this fall in the weeks leading up to November 15th for the second annual King of the James.  Question’s like, “Who can rival last year’s winner Adam Tremper?” or “What will the river levels be?”  A race like KOTJ depends on many variables involving the weather. The river too high or trails too muddy can make or break the event as well as play a huge role in training for it.

It was inspiring to be around the river and see numerous long boats strapped atop cars running shuttle on the lower James. Long boats are worthy of speed and without one, you cannot win King of the James.  It is inspiring to see so many friends who normally spend their time on the river throughout the year, transition off the river and onto the trails. These bi- and tri-athletes flooded Richmond’s singletrack, riding bikes to nail down their lines over stream crossings and other obstacles strewn throughout. I even caught site of  registrants getting their lungs warmed up for the run in Forest Hill Park and reevaluating their fitness during the off season. This year people not only wanted to do well in King of the James, but there was angst to be crowned King.
King of the James is an adventure triathlon. One that was created to celebrate the terrain we have here in Richmond. The city’s park system is comparable to those in even the best ‘mountain towns,’ despite being in Virginia’s Piedmont.  The falls in Richmond and the bluffs surrounding the river are an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, and we can access them every day of the year. Furthermore, you can go on a trail run, mountain bike ride, and paddle all in one day. These assets are unique to Richmond. Thus King of the James was born.

Jenny Belt was the Queen of the James for the second year in a row. Credit: Home on the James

The event more than doubled in size in its second year, going from 96 participants in 2014 to 200 in 2015.  Reedy Creek is the perfect staging grounds, with its proximity to trail access as well as being the principle put-in for the most dramatic section of whitewater on the entire James River.  Producing the event in early November surrounds racers and the entire course with spectacular fall colors – The James River Park System at its finest.  November 15th proved to be the perfect day of racing with temperatures in the mid 30’s which rose to low 50’s along with the river stable just below 6 feet on the Westham Gauge.
Although the course is not particularly long in distance, it makes up for in difficulty.  The Forest Hill Trail is demanding on the lungs with steep climbs that keep on coming.  It’s similar to a high intensity interval workout with roots and stream crossings.  Then you transition on to the mountain bike.  Your quads will burn and body will be jostled as you ride along the Buttermilk and North Bank trails with technical rock gardens, stream crossings, and even a couple steep climbs.  Now that your legs are fried and filling with lactic acid, you dismount your bike and cram them into a kayak and speed thru class III-IV rapids. The total course takes anywhere from just over an hour for some, to over two hours for others.

2/3 of the winning relay team, Pup ‘N Suds. Credit: Home on the James

At the end of this year’s King of the James, a new King was crowned.  Trevor Saylor traveled up from Asheville, N.C. to claim top honors and finished the race in 1 hour and 20 minutes…shaving 4 minutes off the time of of last year’s winner Adam Tremper. For the second year in a row, Jenny Belt finished as the Queen with a time of 1 hour and 38 minutes. Perhaps the most exciting finish of the day was the final sprint for first place among the team category.  Max Posner passed Massey Worley in the flat water just below the final drop of Pipeline to edge Team Pup N’ Suds in for 1st place at 1 hour and 16 minutes.
We want to congratulate all the participants! It is not an easy race, and merely finishing is truly a statement on this world class, outdoor race course we call Home. Thanks to the James River Park System, Forest Hill Park staff and volunteers for the countless hours spent making the park so great. King of the James donated $1,000 to James River Outdoor Coalition to assist the park staff in maintenance and improvements to this wonderful green space.

Until next year!

TIMES

Kings

Trevor Sayler 227 1:20:14 0:54:45 0:23:55

Michael Wilson 203 1:23:50 0:58:11 0:25:41

Michael Stratton 220 1:27:01 1:03:03 0:26:19

John Nestler 216 1:27:42 1:04:02 0:25:11

Neil Etheridge 209 1:27:58 1:00:14 0:24:56

Adam Tremper 1 1:28:06 1:04:44 0:24:30

Matt Londrey 221 1:28:39 1:01:32 0:24:10

Stephan Sado 232 1:28:50 1:03:45 0:25:36

Zizza 222 1:30:14 1:05:26 0:27:43

Bryce Roberts 211 1:31:54 1:05:30 0:29:26

Josh Taylor 202 1:35:08 1:09:37 0:30:16

Kevin Langlois 223 1:35:25 1:08:45 0:29:58

Devin Shunk 205 1:35:35 1:09:13 0:29:03

Jon Lugbill 210 1:36:30 1:11:21 0:28:16

Max Galbraith 212 1:40:05 1:06:43 0:21:56

Rob Tompkins 225 1:40:11 1:13:15 0:32:59

Todd Craft 206 1:41:43 1:15:41 0:31:19

Cooper Sallade 230 1:42:08 1:16:19 0:35:09

Greg Russ 214 1:44:44 1:14:31 0:29:08

Brian Davis 226 1:45:51 1:19:50 0:29:12

Harrison Whitten 213 1:47:07 1:18:41 0:31:41

Emmett Saulnier 207 1:47:50 1:11:05 0:22:24

Ned Trice 224 1:49:30 1:21:04 0:30:35

Jesse Yuan 229 1:50:39 1:22:17 0:29:12

Caleb Frantoy 231 1:51:06 1:31:30 0:31:43

Riley Gorman 215 1:51:07 1:16:30 0:27:43

Tom Daley 228 1:51:19 1:26:08 0:31:11

Jack Martin 204 2:08:00 1:31:12 0:38:13

Perry Griffith 217 DNF 1:38:44 0:28:25

William Gebhardt 218 DNF 1:31:44 0:29:59

Queens

Jennie Belt 106 1 1:28:06 1:04:44 0:24:30

Penelope Davenport 105 1:51:32 1:2302 30:38

Katie Lemmert 102 159:50 1:31:42 36:10

Meghan Magennis 103 2:00:25 1:29:54 35:56

Allison Drezek 101 2:00:38 1:27:26 36:06

Teams

Pup N Suds 313 1:16:25 0:54:24 0:23:39

Slowmo 307 1:16:27 0:53:57 0:24:01

Endurance Where It Counts 308 1:17:12 0:54:31 0:21:55

Some R&R 304 1:18:33 0:53:08 0:22:23

Kickin Jass 302 1:20:13 0:57:26 0:28:26

Tank Top 331 1:23:08 0:58:06 0:23:54

Hoos 2 (Hannah & Joe) 316 1:23:15 0:58:27 0:24:24

JRPS 301 1:26:21 1:00:55 0:26:31

Dongals 324 1:26:35 1:02:43 0:23:57

Broken Bones, Bikes & Boats 322 1:26:36 0:58:18 0:25:59

James River Blues Brothers 326 1:26:46 1:02:19 0:27:15

2 Gulls And A Bouey 325 1:28:36 1:03:11 0:29:31

Tots 334 1:29:18 1:03:12 0:24:29

Riff Raff 309 1:30:07 1:04:58 0:32:28

RKMG (Rachel & Mclane) 330 1:36:20 1:08:17 0:23:53

Pretty Pretty Princess 328 1:36:36 1:07:21 0:35:28

Paddleboard 314 1:37:11 1:11:54 0:29:45

IDK (Margo, Dave & Emily) 327 1:37:46 1:06:28 0:29:19

Hoos 1 (Daniel, Ned & Kit) 317 1:39:06 1:12:00 0:33:00

Little Jokers 323 1:40:20 1:15:36 0:21:36

Juicy 332 1:45:17 1:15:13 0:29:36

Hoos 5 (Colin & Emily) 320 1:45:19 1:19:57 0:28:59

Funky Rump Shakers 315 1:45:31 1:18:52 0:38:18

Worst Pace Scenario 310 1:45:38 1:19:51 0:36:10

Pound,Crank, Boof 307 1:47:25 1:21:11 0:27:59

Hoos 4 (Isabelle & Joseph) 319 1:48:31 1:13:29 0:33:00

Francos Fashion Warriors 329 1:52:02 1:04:13 0:28:11

Green Street Alleycats 305 1:52:20 1:24:09 0:36:04

Hoos 3 (Zakey & Alex) 318 2:03:07 1:38:40 0:31:46

Moms Box 303 2:15:36 1:39:39 0:38:17

M.C. Chickens 321 ??? 1:22:21 0:38:38

SOJ 312 DNF 1:03:12 0:24:06

The leaves are falling as the season turns and daylight is getting sparse. Cooler air is settling in among Virginia’s water, and the James River is getting colder. November is a beautiful month to spend time in Richmond’s urban park system, and we are excited to celebrate the second annual King of the James!  King of the James is a triathlon highlighting the mountain sports found in the city’s core, with trail running, mountain biking, and whitewater kayaking

The secret has been uncovered for some time now regarding the gem Richmond is for outdoor enthusiasts, with its miles of singletrack and some damn good whitewater… but sometimes we forget how accessible it is to indulge for a ride or paddle in the park on a daily basis. Being able to have a number of mountain sports in your backyard is a rarity; but here in Richmond, we have it all day, everyday and can literally play outside 365 days a year.

King of the James is the perfect way to test your ability in the mountains all while staying close to home here in the city. The tour of Richmond’s finest begins by tackling an awesome trail run in Forest Hill Park, followed by a ride on the backbone of the city’s mountain bike scene via the Buttermilk Trail and Northbank Trail, and culminating with a paddle down Richmond’s notorious whitewater on the James River.  Although each individual leg of King of the James is not an endurance feat, linking all three back-to-back will get even the most seasoned athletes’ heart pumping.

This could be you during King of the James.

In 2014, Adam Tremper was crowned King and has been one of the events larger-than-life advocates.

“The King of the James is special because it encompasses some of the best things about Richmond into one event, competitive and friendly at the same time,” Tremper said.

Although there is a healthy dose of trash talking among the competitive outdoorsmen and women, King of the James stresses that we are all in it together. If you see someone in need, stop and help. The event also demands respect by all participants to be mindful of the trail users who are just out enjoying our beautiful oasis by moving aside and practicing park etiquette. “King of the James has it all!  Can’t wait to make a run at the throne again this year,” Tremper added.

Sunday is going to be a good day.  If you’re looking to watch some of the event, come out and join us! Some key locations to spend time in the park and witness King of the James are at the Reedy Creek crossing on the trail in Forest Hill Park, just downstream of Crossroads Coffee and Beer. The downhill at Texas Beach on the Northbank trail and Hollywood or Pipeline Rapids on the James River.

There can only be one – King of the James!

‘King of the James’ is an individual, multi-sport event. It can be raced as an individual or a three-person team, with each team member choosing a leg — run, bike or paddle. Individuals must be able to complete the course by possessing the skills of an EXPERIENCED trail runner, EXPERIENCED mountain biker, and EXPERIENCED whitewater kayaker.  This is an extremely difficult course, with many hazards, and requires stamina as well as in-depth knowledge of all three sports.  The course is subject to a variety of changing variables associated with being held in an ever changing outdoor environment.  Please take this into consideration.  If there is any question on your part, about completing any of the disciplines, please do not attempt ‘King of the James’. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE the difficulty of the ‘King of the James’.

It’s the time of year for mountain bikers in Richmond when trail riding gives way to trail building and maintaining. That’s not to say that people stop riding, just that fall and winter are the seasons when the majority of the work is done to build new trail and repair old, whether by volunteers for RVA MORE or the city’s trail crew under the guidance of trails manager Mike Burton.

The new Slave Trail Bypass will connect riders to the mysterious “Poop Loop.”

I caught up with Burton last week to get the rundown on the trail-work season’s priorities. He spoke to me from the site of the first project: the Slave Trail segment between Ancarrow’s Landing and underneath the I-95 bridge. The trail currently runs along the south bank of the James in that area, but there are some woods adjacent to the trail on its south side where a singletrack bypass is being built. The trail is used primarily to connect riders the city’s downtown trails to the “Poop Loop,” a trail system in the woods by Richmond’s wastewater treatment plant.

Burton explained: “We’ve had so much new bike traffic (on the Slave Trail segment) that we didn’t used to have that it just made sense. We’re hoping this will be more fun to ride and avoid potential conflicts.”

He said the new trail should be open in about two weeks (weather permitting), and that when it is the current Slave Trail section will be open to pedestrian traffic only.

The new bypass crosses the driveway entrance to Ancarrow’s Landing.

After the Slave Trail bypass, Burton’s trail crew will move on to a host of other projects including a major remodeling of the pump track and bike skills park on Belle Isle. I’ll be writing about them as they progress. Stay tuned.

And if you’re interested in volunteering to work on this new trail, RVA MORE, the area’s mountain bike/trail building club, will meet this Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Ancarrow’s Landing parking lot. Tools will be provided. Just show up ready to work.

The Sports Backers have come out with a handy map in an effort to educate Chesterfield and Henrico County residents on where their Board of Supervisors candidates stand on walking and biking issues. To generate the map, Bike Walk RVA distributed a questionnaire to all candidates running for Board of Supervisors in those two counties and asked them five questions about the future of walking and biking in their communities.

(Bike Walk RVA, a program of Sports Backers, stressed that it is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and does NOT support, or oppose, candidates or political parties. Bike Walk RVA’s candidate questionnaire is strictly educational in nature.)

The five questions had to do with generally improving walking and biking in the counties, issues of health and equity, the future of policies and plans that lead to walking and biking infrastructure on the ground, and funding of those projects.

Bike Walk RVA received responses from 12 out of the 17 candidates running in Chesterfield and Henrico Counties, and compiled the responses in their interactive online map. The map can be viewed directly at this URL: http://bitly.com/BikeWalkRVACandidateQuestionnaire

“In Chesterfield and Henrico Counties, many of our plans, policies, and funding decisions are shaped by the Board of Supervisors, including the future of paved trails, bike lanes, sidewalks, safe neighborhood streets, and other infrastructure that would make walking and biking safe and convenient,” said Max Hepp-Buchanan, Director of Bike Walk RVA. “Our goal here is not to endorse candidates, but rather educate voters on where those candidates stand on walking and biking issues prior to the November 3 election.”