I visited Lexington yesterday for a job interview, which was a four hour drive for me. I have been interviewing in several states, and a prerequisite for any job I apply for is that the area must have a scenic and flat bike trail of 5 + miles. I bike rails to trails regularly at home, and have been an avid rider on the Va Creeper Trail in Damascus, Va for about 10 years now, and hope to retire near it. Lexington is halfway to Damascus from my current home and a wonderful "old Va" town, so I was really looking forward to the visit. I had seen the Chessie Trail on line, and boy, was I frustrated! First of all, it took me half the day to find it. No one in downtown Lexington was familiar with it, and the bike shop owner said that the VMI, who oversees the trail, likes to "keep it a secret" (because their boys run on it?). The Lexington Visitors Center had no staff familiar with it, and handed me the same one line of info that I had already from the town website. I finally found the Lexington starting point, and walked on it for about an hour. It was very beautiful. I was thrilled at how lovely it was. Then I drove over to Buena Vista and found that about 1/4 mile from the starting point there was a locked gate that blocked all bike access!!! The gate was outfitted with a "turnstile" on one side, which allowed a body but not a bike, to get around the locked gate. I agree completely with the previous reviewer, who said that all gates on this wonderful trail should be converted to "weighted closure"- which are so simple even a child can install. They are the means by which all pastures on the Va. Creeper Trail allow access to bicycles without compromising the security of the field, essential to protect the livestock which inhabit them. Please, VMI and Rails to Trails, get to work! You are shutting us cyclists out and it hurts.

I MTB the Chessie on Dec. 29 on a cool 30 degree morning. The first two miles (south of Lexington) is nicely surfaced crushed stone. This is where most walkers and joggers partake. Once you go under the I-81 bridge it turns mostly to grass and dirt along with the occasional truck/tractor rut from the numerous farms accessing their fields. I only rode a bit over 5 miles one way; dismissing the last bit after lifting my bike for 5 of the 7 gates (if I recall). Also, upon seeing a cattle field (in view of US 60) with cow piles on the r-o-w to avoid while also keeping an eye for the cattle; well I turned around.
The trail could benefit from gates that only open one-way and self close for the cattle (Virginia creeper) now since bikes are allowed. The VMI foundation is the “caretaker”; perhaps an area parks and recreation department could “manage” the trail and be more suited for maintenance and improvement. One bridge I crossed (just before the I-81 bridge) did not have any side railings. I thought the scenery was great (river and cliffs/bluffs) and would love to ride it again in the future.

I'd heard at Lexington Bicycle Shop that velocipedes are, in fact, now permitted on the Chessie. As such, this morning, I ran (albeit slowly) from Buena Vista to Lexington (and back) and noticed that the "No Bicycles Allowed" signs have, indeed, been removed. Woot! Unfortunately, the pesky cattle gates are still very much in place, so cyclists will just have to pretend they're partaking in a cyclocross race, I suppose. Happy riding, everyone!

We hiked this trail today hoping it would be dry and no snow! We started at the Lexington side and hiked about 2.5 miles in and back out. It's a lovely flat, wide old railroad trail that follows the Maury River. This is a great trail for beginning hikers and families. We met several other people and their dogs and many runners. Everyone was extremely friendly and out to enjoy our long awaited warm day! We came across only one area that is blocked from the sun that still had ice and snow. Lots to see and in warmer weather having the river so close will definitely be a bonus! There were several spots for our dog to get water which helps greatly.

Like others who've reviewed this trail, I don't understand why bikes wouldn't be allowed. This would be wonderful for our fat-tired mountain bikes. It's wide enough and the gates on the trail would discourage racing and abuse.

We definitely plan to hike the entire trail soon.

"Me and a friend rode this trail with our mtn bikes a couple years ago. I don't remember seeing any ""no biking"" signs. Its not like they have guards or any park ranger presence anyways because it is a rural trail.They don't really maintain it. There was a lot of cattle farms that the trail cuts through which I though was cool. I road my bike right through a herd at a slow pace. Lots of native wildflowers blooming on the cliff when we were there in early April."

"I definitely do not understand how a trail of this nature does not allow bike access. It is dumb to say that because there are cattle guards across the trail that bicyclists would not want to ride that trail. I ride across cattle guards daily when I leave my driveway. As long as you hit them at a right angle and with a little speed you flow right over them. Any cyclists than can not negotiate a cattle guard obviously needs a little more practice, and if these are the reason for limiting access to this trail then I think the local government should know that hikers are much more likely to twist an ankle in one than a bicycle wrecking because it couldn’t roll over the obstacle.

I for one would love to enjoy this trail, but have not and probably will not until cyclists are allowed by law to use it. I do not believe in riding in areas where bikes are not allowed even if they are limited because of ignorance or prejudice. Bicycles are a safe and fun way to enjoy the outdoors and do it quietly with almost zero impact on the trails.

I bet they allow horses on the trail and not bikes because of Lexington’s horse history and culture. Horses for one are animals that should be limited from trails. They poop on the trail in large quantities to make all others have to smell and walk around. They also rut and gouge trails with their hooves because of the amount of weight put on small hard hooves.

I am sorry to rant on like this, but it peeves me to see a beautiful trail such as this limited to a number of responsible users that would enjoy it without harming it.
"

"The Chessie Nature Trail is NOT a bike trail. Signs along the trail clearly state that it is for pedestrians only. Even if people don't know the word ""pedestrian,"" there are numerous cattle fences across the trail that ought to be a clue to the no-bike policy."

"This trail is definitely not fun for bikes. It is nice and level, but the constant climbing of cattle gates and the dodging of ""cowpies"" is not worth the trouble. There is also a big bridge that is washed out and has no warning signs. Luckily we looked, or we would have suffed a fall of at least 50 -eet into the river. We can't believe the county hasn't taken the responsibility to gate off the access to the bridge."

"This is a nice trail. It's best used as a connector to get to the mountains beyond Buena Vista. Strangely enough, it clearly states that no bicycles should be on this trail (despite the fact that federal government funds were used to develop the trail). No one seems to mind, though, and perhaps a little civil disobedience is in order. It sure beats riding old Buena Vista road during rush hour just to get to the mountains.

-jk

NOTE FROM Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: Funding for some rail-trails comes from the Recreational Trails Program (see www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails), a program of the Federal Highway Administration. The Recreational Trails Program does not dictate to local jurisdictions that their trails allow bicycling. "

"Chessie Nature Trail is a pretty trail along the Maury River between Buena Vista and Lexington. It passes along step rock edges, through cow pastures and meadows, across 2 wooden foot bridges and under canopies of over hanging trees. Signs at either end state “Pedestrians Only” but, they do not explicitly prohibit bikes. There are 12 cattle gates which must be crossed. There are pedestrian step throughs in “>” shapes allowing walkers to cross to the other side but, bikes must be lifted over the gates.

The trail can be found from Buena Vista by going west on Rt 60 to right turn onto Stuartsburg Rd (Rt 608). Soon after turning onto Rt 608 you will pass by a small parking area on left to come to a second smaller parking area on left. There will be a steep gray rock edge on your right.

The trail starts from the second parking area although the first parking area may be the better place to park and then walk or ride up to the trail. Access to the trail from the Lexington side can be found at the juncture of Rt 11 and the Maury River. There is a gravel area behind a small oil company just east of Rt 11 on Old Buena Vista Rd (Rt 631) which is continuous with the trail going east. Old Buena Vista Rd will come to Stuartsburg Rd. There is a trail sign and paths on the opposite side of the Maury River just below VMI, however, there is no way across the river to the majority of the trail other than going up on Rt 11 and crossing the car bridge. "

The trail crosses the Maury river on a picturesque wooden bottom bridge. A great place for lingering...

I hiked this trail today in both directions and found it easy but rewarding for the views of the river and the traces of the old railway. The two miles near the Buena Vista end go through two different pastures with cows in them. This should be noted for anyone that is not used to animals of this type and could make someone uneasy if not expecting to see them. They are docile and no problem but just thought people should be aware of their possible presence. It is well worth the hike!