We’ve had a lot of interest lately in US Bike Route 1, which traverses Virginia from north to south, passing through Richmond along the way. The official state bike map shows the route, but the Richmond section is not shown in detail. However the signage is good enough that anyone should be able to follow it through Richmond without problems.
Today Andy Thompson of the Times-Dispatch has an excellent article about US Bike Route 1, and a 17 mile ride he did on the Richmond section. This looks like an interesting ride for anyone in the Richmond area, plus the article is a good read for anyone interested in US Bike Route 1.
For more route information, see our Virginia Bike Routes page.
Comments on this entry are closed.
On the North side of Route 1 close to Glen Allen, Virginia there are some GREAT restaurants in the area and a couple of inexpensive hotel/motels as well. One of the most inexpensive is the Cavalier Motel at 8827 Brook Road ((route 1)). I stayed at this motel while I was doing a contract job in the area. Was there for a couple of months. Close enough to have access to everything and yet far enough away to be quite comfortable in the evenings.
“BICYCLING in VIRGINIA” doesn’t show detail _anywhere_. Look, for instance, at the Virginia Capital Trail, that will follow the Colonial Parkway from Williamsburg to Richmond (once the trail is completed). The map does not indicate the detour required of cyclists to bypass sthe tunnel under the heart of Colonial Williamsburg, from which bicycles are banned.
Compare this map with the official state highway map that shows the most direct route from Richmond to Norfolk is I-64 East, but does not show how to get from downtown Broad Street to I-64.
To the north of Richmond on Route 1 there are some other places that one may find of interest as far as places to stay if you’re camping. There is an Americamps just east of route 1 in Ashland. It’s a little hard to get to by bicycle and, although I stayed there I won’t be going back. It was too hard to get anyplace to get supplies or anything to eat. I would seriously consider going a little further north to Doswell and, if you travel east from route 1 on route 30 you will see Kings Dominion Amusement Park on the right and the All American Truck Plaza on the left. A little known campground is available there and it’s more than reasonably priced. Also, f the weather is bad they do have a motel available at some decent rates too. Since it’s a full service truck stop it’s open 24/7 and the restaurant offers a variety of usually home cooked meals. There is also a store there to get a few supplies but that can be rather expensive. I would opt out and wait until I got back on route 1 and stop at the grocery store in Doswell if that’s needed. More to come later I hope. Any questions????
Harry, Thanks for the tips on that rest-stop in Doswell!
Visiting from the UK in JUly I rode about 30 miles of route one from down town Richmond through to Mosely Virginia on several occasions (until I discovered the mountain bike routes in the Pocohontas state park), pretty well sign posted in both directions, Cars and trucks VERY well behaved compared to European drivers, made good use of a walk in in beer fridge at a gas station on a 100 degree day, phew!
***UPDATE***
If you do happen to go to the truck stop at Doswell, the campground is now closed. I guess that it wasn’t quite the “cash cow” for the new owners. There is still the Kings Dominion campground just up the road. But, if you go there while Kings Dominion is open be prepared for a LOT of kids running around.
Stop by the YMCA in Ashland (217 Ashcake Road, Ashland, Virginia 23005, approx. 200 yards east of where USBR 1 and 76 diverge) and they may have some camping suggestions for you….
Very nice folks!
i will be visiting again from England in late july, if anybody would like to join me on a ride in the Pocohontas or around richmond sometime please leave a message, cheers chris