Will Chesterfield Co. be building more bike infrastructure like this?

Markus Schmidt reported in today’s Times-Dispatch that “the Chesterfield County Planning Commission signed off on a draft plan that calls for 360 miles of new bicycle pathways and trails throughout the county.”

The final hurdle for the ambitious plan is a vote by the County Board of Supervisors. But the interesting thing about yesterday’s approval is that despite the plan receiving broad support, there was a vocal group in opposition.

Wrote Schmidt: John Pettengill with the Chesterfield Patriot Caucus, a group of local conservative activists, called the plan a “progressive entitlement” that only a minority of county residents will use. 

And: Howard Nester Jr., president of the Chesterfield Farm Bureau, asked the commission to postpone a decision on the proposal. “Some of us look at this plan and see parts that are good but think that it’s incomplete,” Nester said. “This is a 50-year plan, there is no inflation in the cost of building or maintaining this. I don’t understand why we are in a hurry to do this process; we need to get this right.”

Those of us who are active cyclists, both recreationally and for commuting, could tell Nester why Chesterfield should “be in a hurry” to produce more amenities. Because there aren’t many of them currently, and the benefits of making a region more bicycle and pedestrian friendly are legion. Luckily, as Schmidt reported, many at the meeting explained that to Nester and Pettengill.

The county is home to Pocahontas SP, which features dozens of miles of trail open to bikes.

Jo Gehlbach with the Richmond Association of Realtors said that property values increase when they are adjacent to bike trails and paths, and Ashley Mann of Midlothian said that “building out these trails will improve the quality for all of us.”

Project Manager Heather Barrar said it all when she said that “the interest (in bike trails) is more than we have ever seen in the county.”

The Board of Supervisors has set its public hearing on the bike plan for Nov. 18, and a few board members have set up community meetings in their districts. If you live in Chesterfield County and you support a more bike/pedestrian-friendly approach to transportation in the county, now’s the time to make your voice heard.

I spent a good part of yesterday morning on an old school bus, chugging down Route 5 next to the brand spanking new Virginia Capital Trail. I was part of a media contingent brought together by Beth Weisbrod, head of the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation, to see the finished product and ask questions of those along the way who have a vested interest in its success.

We started at Great Shiplock Park in Richmond, stopped at Rocketts Landing, then went out to Ronnie’s Barbecue in Varina and on to Henrico County’s new trailhead just past I-295 at Four Mile Creek Park. Weisbrod and VCTF board chair Charlie Donato led the way, giving us the history of the trail and telling us about the series of parties that will take place this coming Saturday up and down the trail’s length to commemorate its completion. We met Rocketts residents who are already seeing the quality of life benefits and a Stone Brewing spokesperson who told us how excited Stone is to have the trail so close to its East Coast operations. We met Ronnie and Darrell Logan, of Ronnie’s BBQ, who have seen an uptick in traffic since moving to their location right on the trail in Varina in May (“It’s a place to exhale,” said Ronnie). And we met Henrico Co. officials who spoke about the linkages the trail provides between communities and the future plans they have for the path.

It’s was an interesting morning, but what I really wanted was to get on the trail with my own two wheels. So later yesterday afternoon, despite the impending rain, I hopped on the mountain bike with a friend, Dave Salley, and we pointed our wheels in the direction of the trail. It started raining around Brown’s Island and by the time we reached the trail’s beginning at the Floodwall across from Bottom’s Up Pizza, we were soaked.

But it was also nice. We had this gorgeous ribbon of freshly paved asphalt all to ourselves. We rode to Ronnie’s before turning around, a round trip of about 12 miles. (Then we rode up Libby Hill, 23rd St. and Governor’s St. because…you know.) There’s just something about looking down a path like that and thinking, “If I felt like it, I could ride all the way to Jamestown.”

After 10 years and $74 million, the Virginia Capital Trail is finally here, Richmond, and let me say, it is awesome. I know the weather looks horrendous, but there’s an official ribbon cutting at Great Shiplock Park on Friday (the governor will keynote) and a big old party the following day. Click here for those details. If riding in the rain isn’t your thing, I get it. But whenever this rain breaks, get out there and check out the trail. Like those bike races that just left town, it’ll make you excited to see what we can accomplish when we really want to.

Team cars are being spotted all over town

Nervousness, agitation, restlessness…I got race fever, people!  Might as well phone in sick, ’cause judging by the sheer volume of texts I am getting, the Richmond area is not contributing much to the GDP this week. Next week doesn’t look good either. In celebration, I am switching to the metric system.

Remember last week when I penetrated RichmondOutside’s paltry web defenses to announce my underground race series? Well, as promised, this week I’m back with an update on the rules and schedule of events, and this time with RichmondOutside’s blessing. This is real, people.

But first I am pleased to announce that we have brought on Whitworth Cycles as a sponsor. Whit is in the process of cranking out some rockin’ custom prizes for the male and female champions. I am not quite ready to tease those yet. Additionally, we have some very nice daily prizes donated from a major outdoor retailer.

Custom 0.4327 litre cups are in…$15 gets you all you can drink, and credit cards are accepted.

Start times are rolling times. Show up early or expect to chase. If you have your nameplate from a previous event, feel free to rock it, otherwise it’s paper plates and a giant sharpie.  Don’t forget to bring something for the common cause, food, beer, something…

Friday, September 18: Opening Ceremony, Brown’s Island. 6:30 p.m. Free, but you need a ducat.

Saturday, September 19: Know Good Beer Fest, Brown’s Island 2 to 9 p.m. $40 now or at the gate.

Sunday, September 20: 

Pros Ride – Team Time Trial 11:30-3:30 p.m.

You Ride – Poop Loop Individual Time Trial, 5 p.m., Ancarrow’s Landing Parking Area (4.5 miles, brakes optional. The first 60 riders will enjoy extended split times, but after that we’re sending you at 0:15 intervals)

Afterparty – West 33rd Street (Southside, ask around)

Time Bonus – Porn Star Mustache Competition (top 3 mustaches win a time bonus, as judged by your fellow racers)

Monday, September 21:

You Ride – New Kent County, Road and Gravel, 10 a.m., New Kent Visitors Center (comes out to 100k, with about 15k of gravel to keep it interesting)

Tuesday, September 22:

Pros Ride – Womens Elite Time Trial, 1:30 p.m.

You Ride – James River Park, 9 a.m., Dogwood Dell (2 timed sections)

Afterparty – China Street bailed out, but we have you covered

Wednesday, September 23:

Pros Ride – Mens Elite Time Trial, 1:30 p.m.

You Ride – Powhite Hot Laps, 5 p.m., Powhite Park (2k loop, 1 hour plus 1 lap)

Afterparty – Chez Andre, Blakemore Road (Southside), just like every Wednesday

Thursday, September 24:

No pro racing

You Ride – Pocahontas State Park, 10 a.m., Amphitheater Parking Area (a unique lap of Blueberry Hill, Lakeview and Blue/Intermediate trails, with connecting fire roads.  Parking is $5.  Grab a trail map from the concierge, if you think you will need it.)

Afterparty – TBD, but I have some info on a cool scavenger race downtown

Friday, September 25:

Pros Ride – Womens Jr./Mens U-23 Road Race 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shmoes Ride – Conquer The Cobbles 7 to 9 p.m.

You Ride – Road Course Poach – 2 laps, 4:30 pm, Starts/Finishes at Libbie Hill Park

Afterparty, Awards and Heckling – Pit O’ Disrepair, E. Franklin Street (Libby Hill on Church Hill)

Not only is the women’s race heating up, but the mustache competition is heating up as well.

Parking and car travel city-wide could of course be limited, so ride to the ride wherever possible.

Move over, refrigerator art. Credit: Mike Lang

With the first week (or more) of school in the books, this past Saturday, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association kicked off its second season of mountain bike racing with the Virginia High School Cycling League at the Miller School of Albemarle.  Now most of you know that a day at the races for Foghorn usually means a cooler full of beer, a megaphone and a litany of obscenities that would make a sailor blush. And you also know that a fine, upstanding institution like the Miller School spends about 364 days per year trying to keep people like me off the grounds. Saturday was different.

The middle school boys division is staged up for their start. 60 strong, with 30 middle school girls to follow.

I was able to accompany Little Miss Leghorn to her first race with about 220 other 6th to 12 graders, representing 20 teams from across the state. Now you likely won’t find your neighborhood high school colors flying here, as many of the teams are “collectives,” representing a group of riders from a certain geographic area, and from several different high schools, middle schools and even home schools. Truly a slice of American pie,  the full socio-economic spectrum is represented.

I was able to catch up with Ann Hardy, lifelong cyclist, matriarch of Richmond cycling and coach of Chesterfield’s Chain Gang team, in the feed zone. Between handing off water bottles and cheering on her riders as well as many others, she gave me some insight as to how she became involved in NICA and the Virginia High School Cycling League. Hardy learned about NICA at a cycling conference in Minnesota, so when the decision was made to start a Virginia league, she jumped at the opportunity to develop the sport and build trail advocates. When asked about the success of the program, she described it as “A win-win.”

On the competitor level, sportsmanship appeared to be overflowing. Everybody cheers for everybody. My pre-ride with Ms. Leghorn was a disaster. Mud, hills and pre-race jitters were not included in our 10-week training program around the Williamsburg area. As we sorted out the frustrations on the course, passing riders peppered us with encouragement.

I found 10th-grader Jaquise Winston fist-bumping a rival from the East-Coasters/New River Valley team whom he had just out-sprinted for second place in the boys sophomore division. The two had battled before, with the opposite result. Jaquise races for Craig Dodson’s Richmond Cycling Corps team, comprising boys and girls from Richmond’s Armstrong High School and MLK Jr. Middle School, the only inner-city team in the league. When asked about cycling as a metaphor for life, Jaquise had this to say:  “It’s like, you’re going to have a lot of ups and downs, but you are always supposed to finish strong.”  Well played, young man.

As is typically the case with youth sports today, the parents are all in, as well. I was pleasantly surprised to find the scene slightly toned down from the “hyper-caffeinated parents fretting over their kids split times,” as jokingly described to me on the way to the event. I personally made three coffee stops over the 90 mile trek.

Paul Croft, father of reigning U16 Short Track National Champion Adam Croft, chatted with me about what it takes to bring up a rider at the elite level of not just state, but national mountain bike racing.

“It certainly takes a lot of time, traveling to races… but it is certainly a lot of fun. I am really enjoying it,” he said.

Paul seemed relaxed and composed as Adam battled it out for a podium spot in the varsity division.  Adam is a home-schooled sophomore, racing for the 18-rider-strong Colonial Revolution team out of Williamsburg. Home-schooling, while not a racing-related decision, allows the flexibility to put in some serious training miles.

NICA and the Virginia High School Cycling League have everything you need to get your kid off the gridiron, the pitch or the couch & into mountain biking.  Wanna become a coach?  They can help you do that, too. Can’t find a team? They can help you start one. Check them out at www.virginiamtb.org.

As for Little Miss Leghorn, well she turned out to be one tough chick after all…

After three years of planning, fundraising, volunteering and hard work, the Richmond Regional Ride Center is now open. State and regional officials gathered in Chesterfield’s Pocahontas State Park earlier this morning to dedicate the new trail system, a legacy project of the 2015 UCI Road World Championships. The RRRC (which includes the James River Park System in addition to the new Pocahontas SP trails) offers more than 70 miles of mountain biking trails across Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield County and the City of Richmond.

Partners include Chesterfield County, Dominion Virginia Power, the James River Park System, MeadWestvaco, Paralyzed Veterans of America, People for Bikes, Richmond 2015, RVA MORE, Friends of Pocahontas State Park, the International Mountain Biking Association, the UCI Road World Championships, the Virginia Association for Parks, the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Chesterfield Rotary Club and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, which manages Virginia State Parks.

“Ride Center” is a designation of the International Mountain Biking Association for a mountain biking trail system that offers opportunities for all skill levels, from beginner to expert. The RRRC also includes trails for handcyclists.

Volunteers pose for a picture along some of the new Pocahontas State Park singletrack. Credit: Friends of Pocahontas SP

“We improved 15 miles of trails and oversaw the construction of 20 miles of new trails in the park,” said DCR State Parks Director Craig Seaver. “We’re in the outdoor recreation business, and we’re particularly proud to play a pivotal role in this important project. We hope this will help people in the Richmond region know that they are much closer to a Virginia State Park than they might think.”

The RRRC is expected to stimulate the local economy by attracting more bike riders to the region. Economic projections call for $4.5 million in tourism spending in Virginia, with $2.7 million in Chesterfield County.

Richmond Region Ride Center Economic Impact

Virginia

Economic activity: $4.5 million

Labor income: $1.5 million

Tax revenue: $369,452

Jobs: 51

Chesterfield County

Economic activity: $2.7 million

Labor income: $867,679

Tax revenue: $212,360

Jobs: 31

Buttermilk Trail will be part of the course for the 50-miler of Saturday’s Tour de Fall Line. Credit: Phil Riggan

If you run, bike or paddle on and around the James River in Central Virginia, chances are you’ve benefitted from the work of the James River Outdoor Coalition and RVA Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts. The former is made up mostly of paddlers; the latter of mountain bikers. But their effect on the outdoor recreation landscape goes beyond their chosen recreational pursuits. Ever taken your boat out at 14th Street? JROC helped fund and build that. Ever walked your dog along the switchbacking, intricate-stonework and cool-arched-bridge section of the Buttermilk Trail? RVA MORE helped fund and build that.

So, if you intended to run, bike or paddle this weekend anyway, why not do it in a way that aids those groups?

On Saturday, the second annual Tour de Fall Line goes off from Mayo Island in downtown Richmond. The event — featuring multi-distance bike rides, a group trail run and group paddle — is a celebration of what we have here in Richmond: World class singletrack and whitewater in an urban environment. All proceeds go toward these groups that work so hard to maintain these amenities.

Last year, Richmond MORE’s Michael Taliaferro told me, they had about 150 people sign up for the bike rides and about a dozen do the paddle. This year they’ve added a trail run.

“The paddle is a full run of the entire fall line,” he said. “It starts at 9 a.m. and we have room for 30 people on rafts. The cost is $40 which includes the paddle, beer afterward, and food from Lee’s Fried Chicken (or Mellow Mushroom for vegetarians).

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

Earlier this summer I wondered openly in a post if the Virginia Capital Trail would be ready in time for the hundreds of thousands of visitors who are supposed to accompany the UCI World Cycling Championships in late September (19th-27th). It still seemed like a long shot in early July, but since then the Richmond portion of the trail has exploded with paving and lighting and the demolition of the Lehigh Cement Silos.

I spoke with Beth Weisbrod this past Friday and she confirmed that the trail is nearly complete. As of this writing, you only had to hop off the trail in the New Market Heights sections briefly. And by the time you read this, you might be able to ride from Richmond to Jamestown and on a paved ribbon of asphalt separate from the road. The Times-Dispatch’s Brandon Shulleeta wrote about the trail’s soon-to-be completion in today’s Metro section.

Back in May, Weisbrod said the landscaping along the trail and at certain trailheads likely wouldn’t be finished until the end of the year, but now it looks like most of that will be done before the race as well. Pretty cool. If you get the chance, head out to Great Shiplock Park at Dock and Pear streets and walk east toward Rocketts Landing. It’s a gorgeous stroll that will only get nicer as the Lehigh Cement silos come fully down and the landscaping is complete.

Editor’s Note: The RichmondOutside.com WordPress account was hacked by someone, presumably a man, calling himself Foghorn Leghorn. He posted the below late last night. I considered pulling it from the site, but after a profane email exchange this morning and the promise of free entry into all race events, I decided to let it ride. This post is strange, no doubt, but, best I can tell, it is 100 percent real. Please direct questions to foghorn.leghorn.productions@gmail.com

The World is Coming to the Poop Loop

I say, I say, I say, now here we find ourselves on the doorstep of the biggest durn party to hit this city since Sherman burned it to the ground. Or was it Grant? Or did we burn it? No matter, it burned, and the rest is…history.

One of these cups is $15, but the beer is free.

Now we rally under the colors that unite us, and it’s our turn to burn this city down. As promised, the details have been sorted and the Barnyard Crew is coming to the fore to volunteer their services. First order of business: BEER. The craftsmen at Blakemore Brewing Company have worked up six custom brews for this event, along with these commemorative pint glasses (see pic at left). Racin’ is free, so is the beer (ABC laws, ya know), but you’re gonna need this $15 souvenir cup to put it in. Keeps your whistle wet all week.

Next order of business: A few basic ground rules. No whining. Period. Don’t make an arse of yourself, this is just for fun. The Foghorn Leghorn Productions scoresheet is the official scoresheet, I don’t give two American turds what your Strava time was. Any scoring protests should be written on a $20 bill. This is a communal affair, so if you expect to eat, bring some food to share. We need to show our guests some Southern fried hospitality and all. Feel free to bring friends. If they like to ride bikes, they are welcome.

Finally: Schedule. We got ya covered, with a splendid mix of road, MTB & other. Some you may have ridden, some perhaps not. Plus we have already planned out most of your social calendar.

Friday, September 18: Opening Ceremony, Brown’s Island. Free but you need a ducat.

Saturday, September 19: Know Good Beer Fest, Brown’s Island 2 to 9 p.m.

Sunday, September 20: 

Pros Ride – Team Time Trial 11:30-3:30

You Ride – Poop Loop Individual Time Trial, 5 p.m., Ancarrow’s Landing Parking Area

Afterparty – West 33rd Street (Southside)

Time Bonus – Porn Star Mustache Competition

Monday, September 21:

You Ride – New Kent County, Road and Gravel, 10 a.m., New Kent Visitors Center

Afterparty – TBD (but it ain’t at my house!)

I know, I know “but Fogggggy, why do we have to drive all the way to New Kent?” Its 20 minutes from downtown. Get out of the city, the country air will be good for ya. I’ve seen some of you getting your ninja training out here, you know who you are. Minimum 25c tires and a few spare tubes recommended. Slap on the Gatorskins, expect about 60 miles.

Tuesday, September 22:

Pros Ride – Womens Elite Time Trial, 1:30 p.m.

You Ride – James River Park Enduro Style, 9 a.m., Dogwood Dell

Afterparty – China Street (Oregon Hill)

Wednesday, September 23:

Pros Ride – Mens Elite Time Trial, 1:30 p.m.

You Ride – Powhite Hot Laps, 5 p.m., Powhite Park

Afterparty – Chez Andre, Blakemore Road (Southside), just like every Wednesday

Thursday, September 24:

No pro racing

You Ride – Pocahontas State Park, 10 a.m., Amphitheater Parking Area

Afterparty – TBD

Friday, September 25:

Pros Ride – Womens Jr./Mens U-23 Road Race 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shmoes Ride – Conquer The Cobbles 7 to 9 p.m.

You Ride – Road Course Poach – 2 laps, 4:30 pm, Starts/Finishes at Libbie Hill Park

Afterparty, Awards and Heckling – Pit O’ Disrepair, E. Franklin Street (Church Hill)

If you can survive all that, then you may be a GC contender, and have your shot at some crappy homemade prizes. I have good intel that the women’s race is heating up already. I expect old grudges will be settled and new ones forged. Remember, the world will be watching.

Parking and car travel city-wide will of course be limited, so ride to the ride wherever possible.

As more details reveal themselves, I will update this page accordingly.

Shane Cusick is an avid local road and mountain biker, and the Event Director for the non-profit Bike Virginia. He spent much of the past year with business partner Chris Peel designing and manufacturing what they call “the ultimate kids bike.” Their company Pello Bikes aims to “give children the joy and freedom of cycling by providing bicycles that are high quality, lightweight, safe and designed specifically for them.”

I heard about Pello Bikes not too long ago and caught up with Cusick recently to hear about the project:

RO: With a 5 and a 2-year0old at home, I love the idea of a bike designed for kids. Where do things stand?

SC: Currently our focus is on finalizing the details for our cranksets.  We are working with a leading crank manufacturer to design our own cranksets that will tighten up the Q-Factor (the distance between the pedals). What this means is that the cranks will be more proportioned to kids “hip” sizing, making them fit better and be more fun to ride.

RO: What’s the timing on bringing the bikes to market?

SC: Once we have the cranksets dialed in, we are then going to have a final round of prototypes built to ensure everything is up to our standards. It’s our hope that we will have our prototypes in September, and provided all the details are worked out with the prototypes, we hope to have the first batch of bikes for sale in December!!!

RO: How are you promoting the Pello brand in the meantime?

SC: We are also in the process of getting T-Shirts (kids and adult sizes), little water bottles, and stickers made and should have all of this by the end of August. They’re available on our website. Also, we’re going to have a booth at the Pop Up Revolution during the UCI World Cycling Championships here in Richmond next month. Feel free to swing by and learn more. We will have bikes on hand for little ones to ride and cool things to give away!

SC: We’re really excited about the changes we’re making to the first version of the bikes. Check our site for updates on our progress of bringing the “Ultimate Kids Bike” to market, thank you again for your support!

The Virginia Capital Trail now traverses this handsome bridge over Gillies Creek in Richmond.

I went for a bike ride with a friend on Sunday that took me all over the city. We were on our mountain bikes, so we hit a few trails, but they were pretty muddy. Eventually we hopped on the road and tooled around downtown, ending up on Dock Street and then the Virginia Capital Trail near Great Shiplock Park. I hadn’t been out that way in a while and when we reached the Intermediate Terminal building and the Lehigh Cement silos, I was in for quite a surprise: The Capital Trail has been paved! Not only that, but the bridge over the Gillies Creek outflow is finished as well; and work has begun on the trail between Great Shiplock Park and Ash Street, where the silos are.

We rode the trail past the Boathouse and Conch Republic restaurants and Rocketts Landing, where the pavement ends. There, however, the crushed gravel has been tamped down and you got the sense the pavement will go down at any moment.

The last time I wrote about the trail, I wondered openly if it would be done in time for the UCI World Cycling Championships in mid-September. From what I saw Sunday, that seems much more likely now than it did two months ago.

This image shows Dock Street between Great Shiplock Park and the Lehigh Cement silos. The newly paved trailed begins just west of the silos between them and the river.