Biking on Virginia Capital Trail

Due to local rain showers the start time was pushed back one hour.

We left the Charles City County Offices parking lot at 3:30 pm and headed east going at a nice pace getting our legs used to pedaling a bike again, which we soon learned we were pretty out of shape having our bikes in the garage all winter long!

We biked 5 miles before stopping at the old Westover church, est. 1619, which was ¼ mile from the main road, set back from the main road behind rolling hills of green wheat.  We headed on west and got to our turn-around spot very quick and decided to forge further west another 2-1/2 miles until we hit the 10 mile mark and then headed home letting the thoughts of a good hearty meal at the local grill café pulls us back at a faster pace.

At mile 6 one of our riders had a rather dicey spill and was a bit shaken up, but picked himself up to walk it off and I headed back to get a vehicle just in case he needed a ride back.  When I drove back he had ridden almost 5 miles and was within a mile of the parking lot.

We drove back to the parking lot and had a great meal as a reward.  We even shared a piece of 4-layer, lemon coconut cake which was incredibly moist.  Next time, no sharing cake!

Biking approximately 14 miles, 2 hour trip.

Heading west from the courthouse, the Charles City County segment passes many colonial plantation homes, including the Berkeley Plantation (just off Harrison Landing Road). It’s the ancestral home of U.S. Presidents William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison.  We’ll proceed to Edgewood Plantation or end spot swinging by Berkley and Westover Church. 

Upon returning, we can grab a snack/early dinner at Cul’s Courthouse Grill located across the street from our start and return points.