This was the kind of ride where I have to look back at the map to retrace my steps to make sure I included it all.

With constant variation in the terrain, weather, and pace things were always a little hectic, in a good way.

Around 8 am we set off as a fairly large group from the shop heading towards Pocahontas State Park. After a 14-mile paved wiggle through Chesterfield, we hit the double track in Poco. The weather was in our favor, delivering cooler than normal temps and a cloudy sky. We zipped through the first three gravel sectors to traverse the northern and southern halves of the park without incident.  

By the time we hit mile 28 and the first “tree farm” sector, things had started to split up a bit and I found myself riding with some of the usual suspects like Mark and James, but also with some new faces from both in town and out of town.  

For the next 8 miles of mostly off-road riding, we were in an area that all but a few people on the ride had ever seen.

After another short time on pavement, we finally reached the Appomattox River at Lake Chesdin.  For the next 8 miles of mostly off-road riding, we were in an area that all but a few people on the ride had ever seen. As usual, this area delivers.  For those unfamiliar, this sector starts on a mellow gravel access road to the old canal dam.  After a nice scenic pause, it heads up a chunky gravel climb up to a brief paved part that takes you right to the store stop in Matoaca. 

The Matoaca stop is always a great regrouping spot and we chilled a bit, filled bottles, and had some snacks. Then it was time for the first crossing of the Appomattox River via the Matoaca bridge you then hang a left onto a remnant of the old canal towpath.  Next up a rutted out a drop-in, a bridge crossing, then a somewhat techy climb up to a super fun powerline cut.  Rip the whoops on the cut, sneak by the substation, hop the tracks and then it’s back onto some doubletrack under the train bridge. Hop on the road for a moment then back down into the park for more gravel along the old canal before popping out just below Virginia State University in Petersburg proper.

The recent rain accelerated the plant growth on the powerline cut and I was a little scraped up by thorns but otherwise, no worse for wear and feeling stoked.

The recent rain accelerated the plant growth on the powerline cut and I was a little scraped up by thorns but otherwise, no worse for wear and feeling stoked. After another 6-mile road sector, we were back on a tree farm. This time we start out following a long abandoned rail bed before veering west slightly to bang through some bumpy double track.  Right as we entered the woods the sky finally made good on the threat of rain and opened up. Honestly, the timing couldn't have been any better. With the way water pools in parts of this sector, you can’t avoid getting wet, so you may as well let nature wash some of the sweat off as you go. We pushed through more double track and deep puddles before popping out on the road again.

Next up is the Wawa store stop. It was still raining but it felt better outside than in so we made our stop in the store quick, fueled back up, and continued along.

All in this sector is 2.5 miles of constant climbing and descending over mostly crushed concrete ballast.

In past years “THE” powerline cut was longer, but thanks to a certain national car selling chain, about a quarter of it was bulldozed and fenced off. Not to be thwarted, I went out with the help of Phil a few days before and cut a new access point to the remaining part. It was a little rough, but it got the job done. The powerline cut was more overgrown than in previous years which made for a bit slower going but the sun decided to come out and dry us out a bit. All in this sector is 2.5 miles of constant climbing and descending over mostly crushed concrete ballast. Easily the hardest part of the ride from both a physical and technical standpoint.  

We regrouped again before heading towards Henricus Park. The loop of Dutch Gap comes at about two-thirds of the way through the course and fatigue was starting to set in a bit. Things split up further and I found myself with a diminished but solid group as we exited the park.

Double track through a lush forest, powerline cut, and a creek crossing through crystal clear water that I had to just stop and stand in for a bit and reflect on how lucky we are to have all these little green spaces to ride through.

A bit more pavement and it was time to hit a part of the course that I had never been on before. This year, James contributed a crucial new sector to the mix, and out of all the people on the ride, I’m pretty sure he was the only one who had seen it before. By now the rain had started again but we were unbothered. This sector was beyond pleasant and had a bit of everything packed into just 2.5 miles.  Double track through a lush forest, powerline cut, and a creek crossing through crystal clear water that I had to just stop and stand in for a bit and reflect on how lucky we are to have all these little green spaces to ride through.

The rain made for a super sketchy descent down the hill and at that moment I was nearly convinced I was going to eat it, but somehow rode it out. 

After another extremely short bit of pavement and we were back off-road along 95 south from Drewry’s Bluff to Falling Creek. The rain made for a super sketchy descent down the hill and at that moment I was nearly convinced I was going to eat it, but somehow rode it out. 

I’m grateful to live in a place where I can somehow stitch a route like this together and even more grateful for the company of old and new friends along the way.

One last longish paved section and it was onto the penultimate off-road bit of the ride along 95 and the quarry through a familiar cut. We opted to skip the cut through Poop Loop due to the weather and instead detoured through Manchester before picking up the route again under the 95 bridge. Up and over and onto Riverside Dr for the final push back to the shop and we were done.  

After a short pause, I immediately went out back to use the hose on both my body and bike to rinse away sweat, mud, and a little blood.  

What a day.  

I’m grateful to live in a place where I can somehow stitch a route like this together and even more grateful for the company of old and new friends along the way.