Biking in Richmond, VA

This weekend I went to Richmond, VA, for a conference. I had to give a paper, so it wasn't just a bike trip, but it was the biking that I looked forward to.

My original plan was to load the Bike Friday AND its trailer hardware into the suitcase and ride from the airport to the hotel (which looked like it was doable, about nine miles). But I didn't have time to practice loading the suitcase, and as I was doing it at midnight the night before, I couldn't figure out how to get the trailer wheels to fit. So I gave up.

As it turns out, it was pouring rain and getting dark when I arrived, so riding in wouldn't have been a good option then. But returning to the airport? Ach. It would have been perfect. I rode the route on Saturday. Easy. It would have saved me the $35 cab fare, more than paying for one checked bag fee.

But the riding in Richmond was nice. I went for two short rides on the south side of the James River (on US Bicycle Route 1), which was lovely: winding roads, beautiful views of the river and the houses overlooking the river, no traffic.

On Saturday, I went 43 miles, into the flatlands to the southeast. I visited a view battlefield sites, and made a big loop (down Osborne Turnpike, out Kingland Rd, then Long Bridge Rd, returning on Charles City Rd, dropping down at the airport to Darbytown Rd.

On Sunday, I went west, out Carey Rd, intending to ride on River Rd, on the north side of the river, but I accidentally found myself crossing the river on Huguenot Rd (a miserable stretch of riding). Once on the south side, I jumped onto USBR 1 and rode along the river to Old Gun Rd (and then a little more). Back all the way on USBR 1. Absolutely beautiful. Some of the nicest biking of the year.

Again, the Bike Friday was a dream. Checked through as a regular suitcase with nary a raised eyebrow. Very fun to ride. Well worth the $50 bag check fees.