What a horribly maintained bike trail. If the town of Richwood wants to compete for tourism dollars, this trail is not going to make it happen for them. We started at Holcomb, rode close to a mile and returned to our truck. The surface was not at all what a bicycle trail should be. The gravel was road type gravel, way to big to ride on with a bicycle. The ride was bumpy and way too rough!!. We went back to the truck to possibly begin our ride back towards Richwood, and that part of the trail too was impassable. The grass was waist high and the muddy. I would not recommend this trail to anyone.

I note that a prior reviewer rode this trail in Jan 08. I recently went on this trail (summer 08) and found grass as high as my shoulder and a small lake blocking the path several miles north of Holcomb. Water runs parallel to the trail in many places and floods the trail.

A MUCH better trail is the Greenbrier that runs from Lewisburg to Cass, WV.

People in the area were gracious and deserve your huge respect and great manners. I started at the Trailhead sign at CR39 bridge. This end of the trail would be considered rougher in spots by riders who want a perfect surface. I didn't see a perfect surfuace anywhere but it certainly was quite rideable just a little more coarse than a perfect trail. Starting at Fenwich is better and starting at Hocomb is better than that. I personally loved it all but did have to get off the bike and get muddy for short distances. No Tears! Right back on and having a ball. The Cherry River was not as visible as I would have liked due to tree growth but still had many sweet veiws from the trail. When you see a concrete structure that resembles and little light house - you are starting up he Gauley River and will encounter a number of places to go off trail to see the River. Please do so. Take a camera, fishing rod, and lunch. The surface got smoother here. You will cross the Cranberry in a few more miles and be fairly close to the tunnel. Alot of folks turn around here and return. The few muddy places on the trail showed animals tracks. I went all the way to the Adkins Store where I got drinks and food and rested for the return trip. Nice people there. I pushed it too hard to get to this point and found my return trip was tiring. Got some water from the Folks near the Cranberry bridge. By the time I got back it was dark and I was whipped. I hadn't ridden for a while.
A few precautions need mention on this trail. I didn't encounter many people on the trail - Make sure you have great tires and know how to change/fix a flat. Finding help might be a real problem. This area is remote, beautiful and just a little more ruff, not much at all.
In my opinion if you pass on doing this trail - you are missing a great one! I loved it. Go early and take your time.

"I love this trail, but it is not accessible for people to ride horse back, that do not have a trailer. I live on the allingdale side and can ride my horses from my house to the first trustle which is very large. I am unable to get my horses across. I would love to ride the trail on horse back, but you can see my dilima. I would love to see something done to help with this problem. Putting a solid floor down on them would help alot. I know they have problems with 4-wheelers on the trail but if the entrance was narrowed on or before the trustle the 4-wheelers could not cross.
thanks, Mary"

I have reviewed this trail and it is not fit to walk your dog on let alone ride a bike. Want more information e-mail me at the above address.

"The trail was a little wet and soft, but this time of the year you have to expect that. A good view of the river. A lot of big rocks in the river and the current was moving pretty fast."

"Trail is 16.5 miles, not 26. Although the 3 miles from Richmond to Fenwick is supposively not in good shape. Section from Fenwick to Holcomb was a little bit overgrown, but still rideable on a MTB. Section of Holcomb to end of trail near Allington was in great shape. Trail is new and not completely shaded, so you might avoid in on midday during the summer."

"As the web site said-The Recommended Trail Head is Holcomb. We used Richwood & the 1st 3 miles were NASTY Nasty nasty-Tall grass w/standing water, 4"" soft sludge mud (sewage draining down from houses up on the ridge above the trail, over grown w/briar, wild rose bushes, broken glass & one area had like red clay packed (imported dirt from GA?)that had all sorts of rutts, ridges - Looked like it was dump there for trail improvement, but never evened out. There was 2 places where a huge pile of small stones were dumped(never evened out) & you have to horse around them. Needless to say this area is not maintained, which is a shame because there is several homeless people on this portion of the trail. A local informed us that Richwood can not manage funds. Hopefully Rails-To-Trails will ivestigate this one, since I donate to them. The rest of the trail was rough, using some attention,but at least it wasn't a constant challenge. We rode the trail on a Sunday in June & nevr saw another biker or soul - But plenty of deer! Sarah's Tunnel is a real treat! Richwood has a Family Dollar, FoodLiner, & a Outfitter Store for those camping needs you forgot. It also has a WaterGate Motel & Four Seasons Lodge (motel), which was Really, really Nice-in a very nice setting Rte 39"