Resources
Bicycle Advocacy | Guides & Maps | Virginia Bike Laws | Virginia Bike Trails | USA Made Cycling Products
BICYCLE ADVOCACY
Roanoke Outside Foundation – The mission of the foundation is to make outdoor activity and environmental stewardship a core component of the community’s lifestyle by promoting a “conservation through recreation” philosophy. Roanoke Outside seeks to organize or partner with others to create outdoor-oriented activities and programs that educate citizens about benefits of activities such as hiking, biking, climbing and paddling.
Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition – is a nonprofit organization engaged in advocacy to reclaim streets, trails, and public places for current and future generations of walkers and riders, and encouraging the creation of exceptional mountain bike trails, greenways, safe routes to school and welcoming road riding routes.
Virginia Capital Trail Foundation – The foundation’s most important function is serving as the unified voice for the Trail, which extends from Richmond to Williamsburg. As a nonpartisan advocacy organization it provides Trail expertise, seeks to raise public awareness of the Trail, and seeks funding and contributions to enhance and promote the continued development of the Trail.
Virginia Bicycle Federation – is a statewide advocacy organization working to change public policy and community attitudes, to improve the safety, convenience, and acceptance of bicycling; and to promote bicycling for transportation, recreation, public health and economic development.
League of American Bicyclists – The League has been protecting your rights to safe and enjoyable bicycling since 1880. What started as a movement by “Wheelmen” on high-wheel bikes to get roads paved continues today with advocacy on the federal level. The organization provides valuable education programs, help create better biking environments, promotes bicycling as the option of choice and helps to create bicycle-friendly places.
GUIDES & MAPS
Adventure Cycling Association – Adventure Cycling Association’s mission is to inspire and empower people to travel by bicycle. The organization works in partnership with Amtrak, the National Park Service, state parks, and tourism and economic development agencies to facilitate bicycle tourism. It has researched and produce cycling maps for the Adventure Cycling Route Network, one of the largest cycling route networks in the world at 47,283 miles and growing.
Bicycling and Walking in Virginia – is a map produced by the Virginia Department of Transportation and includes setting, terrain, elevation and surface conditions on selected routes, and enlargements of selected locations. It also includes helpful information such as state and national parks, camp sites, and family-friendly trails. This is not a comprehensive inventory.
Bikepacking – A common misconception is that bikepacking requires a small fortune to fully appreciate the ride; the perfect bike, custom bags, and all the latest ultralight camping gear. Discover what you really need for a multi-day backcountry ride. This site provides in-depth gear reviews, planning insight, news, and events.
Crafting a Marketing and Promotional Strategy for Recreational Cycling Events – This paper is about marketing and promoting recreational cycling events. This is a free publication put together by Cycling Virginia for the purpose of encouraging and supporting recreational cycling event promoters.
Gravel Cyclist nice website with lots of good information on gravel events, product reviews and information about riding gravel.
Guide to Cycling the Blue Ridge Parkway – this site provides tips and information about cycling the scenic, but challenging Blue Ridge Parkway and includes maps and a trip planner.
Riding Gravel – website features gravel events, product reviews and news about traveling by gravel.
VIRGINIA BIKE LAWS
The Virginia Department of Transportation provides a summary intended to help road users understand the laws that apply to the operation of bicycles in Virginia.
VIRGINIA BIKE TRAILS
Belle Isle State Park – The park is located on Virginia’s Northern Neck, a peninsula of land in northeastern Virginia between the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers. There is A 10-mile network of trails — most of them gravel double track paths ideal for casual bicyclists. The park as a whole is very quiet, so you can add bicycling paved park roads to the trail system. You can rent bicycles at the park by the hour or by the day.
Breakdown Bikepacking Route – this route explores the vastness of the Pine Mountain region starting at Breaks Interstate Park and heading off west towards the sunset and the infamous Wardaddy Loop. Traversing the Grand Canyon of the South, it is a showcase of the best these rugged and historic Appalachian Mountains has to offer. Superb mountain-line scenery tracing the Virginia/Kentucky border and a tradition of pure, hard adventure.
Capital Trail – The Capital Trail is a dedicated, paved pedestrian and bicycle trail that connects Jamestown and Richmond and traverses along the scenic Route 5 corridor and the James River. The start or ending point depends on where you begin in either Richmond or James City County. The Trail traverses approximately 52 miles alongside some of Virginia’s most beautiful and historic sites.
Dick & Willie Passage Rail Trail – is a beautiful soon to be 11 mile paved rail trail that is located in Martinsville and Henry County. The trail begins at Virginia Avenue and will end at the Smith River Sports Complex. The trail can be accessed at one of six locations; Virginia Avenue, Liberty St., Doyle St., Fisher St., Spruce St. and the Smith River Sports Complex. This trail is great for walking, biking, running or rollerblading.
Fairfax County – Has an extensive trails network provided by the County’s Park and Recreation Department. Follow the link to the website and scroll down to the County’s “Trail Buddy” map to see the trail system and find where you can start your ride.
Guest River Gorge Trail cuts through the scenic deep gorge and is an out-and-back trail that follows the old Norfolk/Southern railroad bed for 5.9 miles. This flat and paved trail has great views of tall cliffs, waterfalls, and goes through an old railroad tunnel.
High Bridge Trail – This 31 mile trail is a Virginia Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The central feature, which the trail is named for, is a bridge nearly a half-mile long – towering 125 feet above the mighty Appomattox River. It is an unforgettable experience. Bring drinking water because none is available on the trail.
Huckleberry Trail – Is a 13.75 trail which takes its name from the former route of the Virginia Anthracite Coal and Railway Company, nicknamed the “Huckleberry”, upon which the trail was constructed.[2] The “Huckleberry” moniker was introduced by the railroad’s passengers, who would pick huckleberries alongside the tracks during the railroad’s frequent service interruptions and breakdowns.
Mount Vernon Trail – Located just across the river from Downtown Washington D.C. is a multi-use recreation trail. Nearly 18 miles long, the Mount Vernon Trail follows the Potomac’s Virginia shoreline from Theodore Roosevelt Island (near Rossyln, VA) to George Washington’s Estate located at Mount Vernon. There are also several points-of-interest along the way, including Olde Town Alexandria, Arlington National Cemetery, and the local’s favorite Gravelly Point.
Newport News Park Bikeway – This 5.3-mile loop trail is just one of over 30 miles of trails at this park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. The Newport News Park bikeway is not paved but is in good shape. It traverses rich woods through the 7,000-plus acre park. Part of the trail connects to the George Washington’s Headquarters at the Battle of Yorktown, a portion of Colonial National Historical Park. Bike rentals are available at the park’s campground office.
New River Trail – The 57 mile trail parallels the scenic and historic New River for 39 miles and passes through Grayson, Carroll, Wythe, and Pulaski counties along the New River. Along the way, you’ll see many railroading highlights, including cavernous tunnels, steep dams, the historical Shot Tower and trestle bridges (you’ll marvel at the impressive 950-foot Hiawassee trestle around mile marker 8). Both termini (Galax and Pulaski) have all your post-trail amenities.
Roanoke River Greenway – Over 30 miles of paved trail. A large portion of the system is located within close proximity to the Roanoke River, offering opportunities to take in the beautiful views of the water and also observe local birds and wildlife that create habitats along the water.
Tobacco Heritage Trail – Explore 22 miles of natures beauty on this Southern Virginia rail-trail; on horse, bicycle, or foot and journey back to the history and culture of a simpler time. Surrounded by unspoiled woods, tobacco farms that have been passed from one generation to the next and homey little towns, the Tobacco Heritage Trail is a path to your outdoor recreation and relaxation.
TransVirginia Bike Route – Ride from DC to Damascus, VA, traverses 554 miles. The Transvirginia website provides a detailed map of the route, list of cabins, places to camp, and places to get provisions along the way. This is one of Virginia’s newest gravel, bike packing, and touring route’s focused on rideable, non-technical, unpaved terrain and is intended for multi-day trips carrying overnight gear.
Virginia Creeper Trail – The 34 mile trail stretches from Abingdon, VA to Damascus, VA along the Whitetop Laurel River and up to its highest point Whitetop Station near the NC State Line at Whitetop, VA. This former rail bed also passes through the Mount Rogers National Recreation area and the highland country of Southwestern Virginia. The trail is open year round to hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
Washington Old Dominion Trail – A 45-mile trail which runs along the former roadbed of the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad. The paved route begins in the Shirlington area of Arlington County, just off I-395 Exit 6 and ends in rural Purcellville, VA. Along the way, it passes through quaint villages like Falls Church and Leesburg, and high-tech centers such as Reston and Herndon. The trail can be quite crowded at times with walkers, runners, cyclists and skaters.
USA MADE CYCLING PRODUCTS
USA Made Cycling Products – When you make a purchase do you ever ask – “Is this made in America?” Maybe you should. Buying products made by foreign companies does little to help create American jobs or contribute to local taxes, which help local economies to pay for schools and services. American companies have more at stake to provide you with quality products or they won’t survive in the global economy. So, please consider cycling products made in the USA and support your fellow Americans who take pride in making the things you need.