Mile 3 is the legit beginning. The first 2 miles are on private land and the old Train station is located on the property of an aggregate supplier and cement plant.
Very helpful video. Learned of two more places to get food along the way. Had no idea that state park railroad depot in Cass had a restaurant inside. For those starting southbound, looks like a good place to get breakfast to fuel up for the day. Then there was Jack Horners. I see you did the New River Trail. If you ever get super ambitious, you could try the Trans Virginia bikepacking trail. If you had not heard of it, there are two diffetent routes you can do, but both roughly parallel each other. There is the easier Valley Route which utilizes much smoother terrain on scenic farm roads and easy gravel roads, and is slightly shorter and has much less elevation gain. Then there is the tougher route which goes over rougher terrain and has much more elevation gain. There's even a "grand depart" every year if you wanted to do it with others for some moral support. Or can do it any time of year. Your bike should be able to do the Valley Route no problem. With good tires and spares, you can probably tackle the tougher route, as according to the route creator, you dont need a mountain bike. This is a relatively new route that needs more people to utilize it. I hope to one day soon.
Clarification: Not to be confused with the long distance Virginia mountain bike route, whatever its name is, which from what I have read is one of the most brutal bike trails in the country - perhaps only rivaled by the Colorado Trail. The one I was referring to is a bikepacker friendly, and the terrain is doable on 28c (or even good 25c) tires for the Valley Route and maybe 37 to 45c tires for the tougher route.
John, thanks for the work you put into making the video. I plan on doing this ride with my son in April or May. What month did you do your ride on the trail? Thanks again, John
Nice video and helpful. Thank you for sharing. Happy bikepacking !
Very cool thanks for the video!
Some days just seem to drag on. I've had those days. When you do something great it doesn't always feel great when you're doing it.
Great video, love that trail. Catch you on the road. Just Subbed.
Mile 3 is the legit beginning. The first 2 miles are on private land and the old Train station is located on the property of an aggregate supplier and cement plant.
Very helpful video. Learned of two more places to get food along the way. Had no idea that state park railroad depot in Cass had a restaurant inside. For those starting southbound, looks like a good place to get breakfast to fuel up for the day. Then there was Jack Horners.
I see you did the New River Trail. If you ever get super ambitious, you could try the Trans Virginia bikepacking trail. If you had not heard of it, there are two diffetent routes you can do, but both roughly parallel each other. There is the easier Valley Route which utilizes much smoother terrain on scenic farm roads and easy gravel roads, and is slightly shorter and has much less elevation gain. Then there is the tougher route which goes over rougher terrain and has much more elevation gain.
There's even a "grand depart" every year if you wanted to do it with others for some moral support. Or can do it any time of year. Your bike should be able to do the Valley Route no problem. With good tires and spares, you can probably tackle the tougher route, as according to the route creator, you dont need a mountain bike. This is a relatively new route that needs more people to utilize it. I hope to one day soon.
Clarification: Not to be confused with the long distance Virginia mountain bike route, whatever its name is, which from what I have read is one of the most brutal bike trails in the country - perhaps only rivaled by the Colorado Trail.
The one I was referring to is a bikepacker friendly, and the terrain is doable on 28c (or even good 25c) tires for the Valley Route and maybe 37 to 45c tires for the tougher route.
Thanks Alex. Can you post a link to the Trans Virginia Bikepacking route?
John, thanks for the work you put into making the video. I plan on doing this ride with my son in April or May. What month did you do your ride on the trail? Thanks again, John
I went in the second half of May, 2022. It was a bit muggy but not too hot yet. I was able to use my old 40 degree bag and was plenty comfortable.
Once I get past 70 miles I kind of hit the wall. I try to keep it under 70. 😂😂