The Richmond Area Bicycling Association (RABA), upon the nomination of one or more of its members, has now granted a total of 31 Bicycling Friendly recognitions since the program was developed by the Virginia Bicycling Federation (VBF).
Of the recognitions thus far granted, a total of 14 are country stores where we make stops during rides, and in all cases are welcome to use their rest room facilities. These include (their area is mentioned, if not included in their name) the Coatesville Country Store, M. L. Kersey General Merchandise in Inez, Walkerton Country Market, Columbia Country Market, Studley General Store, Horizon Food Store in eastern Henrico county, Thornton Store in Sussex Courthouse, Price’s Pantry in Orchid, B & L Store in Bumpass, Do Drop In on Rt. 13 west of Powhatan Court House, Chestnut Level Store in southern Chesterfield county, the Countryside Shoppe in northern Amelia county, the 600 Market in Point Eastern, and Verbeeck’s Country Store on Bike Rt. 76 in Bumpass.
Another fourteen are restaurants where we have meals before, during, or after rides, and in several cases, park there while we are riding. In this category are Homemades by Suzanne, Hardee’s, El Azteca, Virginia Barbecue Co., and Ashland Coffee & Tea in Ashland; Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream on Forest Hill Avenue in Richmond; Maria’s in the Laurel Park Shopping Center in Henrico County; the County Seat Restaurant in Powhatan Courthouse, Coppahaunk Tavern in Waverly, Hickory Notch Grill in Oilville, Stuart’s Restaurant in Highland Springs, The Hanover Cafe in Hanover Courthouse, Smithfield Station in Smithfield, and Trail Head Cyclery on the south side of the James River in Richmond.
The final three recognitions thus far granted have been to two State Parks — Pocahontas (a very popular venue for RABA’s off road riders) and Westmoreland (the mid-point of one of RABA’s popular overnight camping rides) and the City of Richmond’s James River Park system, which contains a number of off road cycling trails (and whose Director, Ralph White, is one of the most Bicycling Friendly public officials in the area).
In each case, the RABA member who nominated the establishment, and/or an officer of the club, has scheduled a ride to the location being recognized, so that as many RABA members as possible have been present for the presentation of the framed certificate and window decal. We also make certain that we have a camera with us so we can take a picture of the presentation to submit to the local newspaper if there is one, and to publish in the RABA Pedaler (after which we will give the establishment a copy for their files).
RABA has found this to be a very effective (and very inexpensive, at $5 per decal and about the same for the framing of the certificate) way to make friends for our cyclists, and encourages its members to nominate any further establishments they feel should be considered for recognition. It also encourages the other member clubs in VBF to participate in the program, so we can recognize the friends of cycling all across the Commonwealth.
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