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Great ride. Wish the trail had more bathrooms along the trail
I rode the Virginia Capital Trail from Richmond, VA to Jamestown, VA over to Williamsburg, VA to stay the night and back to Richmond. I did it on my Trek Dual Sport + (E-bike) on the lowest assistance (1% assist). First I was really impressed I got over 60 miles on the charge with the extra battery so I made it both ways with an overnight charge.
The trail was nice with some rolling hills, nothing unbearable to climb. However the heat was bad. Yesterday the heat index was 110 degrees. I did have plenty of water and gatorade with me. On Monday the heat index, I think, was around 105 degrees. Majority of the trail is not shaded! And if you are looking for a bench to take a break, well most of the benches (not that there is a lot to choose from) are in the sun. There are places to stop along the way to replenish drinks but there is also about a 15 mile run where there really isn't any convenient place to get food or water. The cool thing with this ride is the American history and history markers along the route. There are many plantations along the way that you can stop. I didn't read most of the markers or stop at any plantations. Once I got to Jamestown I did stop at the visitors center for food and more water before heading to Williamsburg. I found out that part of the Colonial Parkway was closed which sucked since I had to take a little detour through Colonial Williamsburg in order to get to my hotel. This added about 3 extra miles in the heat.
On the way back it was brutal in the heat. On top of the heat I had 9 mph SW winds which meant I was riding into the wind. 9 mph isn't much but on a bike you feel it. It only took me 4 hours to ride from Richmond to Jamestown but 6 hours back. I did enjoy the ride to Jamestown from Richmond better than coming back but I think that was also because of the wind. I really loved the downhill as I got closer to Richmond.
Overall I am really glad I did the trail but I don't need to do it again. There are many other trails I want to do; I am really glad I did this one at least once. I feel very accomplished. This was my longest ride I have done as an overnight trip.
We only had one day to ride so rode from the Herring Creek trailhead to Jamestown and then back. We found the trail to be what most have stated previously. Signage was great, the asphalt trail was in great shape and it was not very crowded (we rode on Thursday). As other have stated there are not many facilities so pack food and water. Yes, there were some hills on that section but nothing crazy in our opinion. We gave it an "A". Would have been A+ if there had been even some port-a-johns here and there.
As stated in the last review, you cannot enter any circumstances ride the Amtrak train back to Richmond from Williamsburg with E bikes! While indeed, my wife and I managed to do that we will clearly be the last people to ever be allowed to do so. To say that it was a nightmare is a huge understatement. We expect to be inducted into the Virginia railroad museum Hall of Fame in the future as the only couple to ever ride the Virginia Trail and return with E bikes on a train. Of this, we are very proud and glad to be trendsetter such as those that sat down at the sit in the 60s in the 70s for equal rights.
We rode from Richmond to Williamsburg on our bikes on April 15. The first 30 or so miles to Charles city were some of the smoothest surfaces I’ve ever seen! We stated a wonderful bed-and-breakfast called the grace field inn bed-and-breakfast. Our host fed us dinner as well as the traditional breakfast both of which were excellent. Larry and Patricia were both thoroughly enjoyable and it was fascinating to talk with Larry about his extensive knowledge of colonial architecture and Williamburg itself. There was a highlight of our trip the next day we rode the slightly bumpier but still wonderful and possibly prettier ride into Jamestown where the trail ends. From there it’s a bit of a navigation Chore to find your way to Williamsburg without getting on a highway for much of the route. We managed to only have to ride one and a half miles of Highway riding without a bike trail. Important note!! Under no circumstances no matter what you read no matter what Amtrak tells you no matter if you even call customer service and talk to them ahead of time, can you possibly will you ever be able to take your E bike on the Amtrak train back to Richmond.
As others have said - this trail is very bumpy. Much of the trail still has railroad ties going across it. I did on a touring bike and even deflated the tires partway into the trail. I still called it after 8 miles. Just not much fun. Hope they will improve it a bit sometime because I lived the countryside and overhanging tree branches etc. Really beautiful. Good walking trail or mountain bikes.
I give it 5 stars because it is over the whole way. I rode Williamsburg to Richmond. There are very little roots coming through the pavement which is a positive Shaded for the first 30 plus miles. Plenty of parking in Williamsburg and Richmond. I missed one turn. One nice rest stop about 10 miles from Richmond I live in Chesapeake Virginia and this was very hilly for me. Constant up and down. The negatives are the lack of benches to sit. I counted 3 of them for about 40 plus miles. There was also a lack of stores. Bring you own hydration. The
Wonderful paved trail where I bike and lead rides for our local trail club. Great for all level of bicyclists as its mostly flat on the Jamestown end. Led a group of 10 recently for 36 miles and had lunch at the Jamestown Settlement. It is shaded in the summer. It is one of my favorite paved trail to ride. It is also part of the Trans American Trail for going cross the country.
Sandy
Four of us ONLY rode this trail between rte 605 (Western End Trailhead Parking) eastbound to rte 609 (crossing/Trailhead Parking) and return. Found many exposed tree roots, hazardous rusting railroad tracks, perpendicular decaying railroad ties and loose gravel resulting in a very bumpy and stressful ride. (With proper funding, this trail has enormous potential). Considering this Rails to Trail’s current condition, I would not use a road bike or trike and would be very cautious with a hybrid . I’d highly suggest a mountain bike with front fork suspension on Dahlgren Trail, considering it’s current condition! It’s has the potential to be an awesome 15+ mile Rail Trail!
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