2026 Rides On

Current riding statistics (as of 4/30):

16 rides, 217.45 miles, 3,796 feet elevation gain, 22 hours 57 minutes riding time

The first third of 2026 is behind us now, and the cycling is doing pretty well. We survived the snowcrete catastrophe of 2026 (and a full week of snow days from school), but the weather for long periods of the year has been less than perfect for riding. As always, I don’t ride in the wet, or when temps dip too much below 60 degrees. Despite that, my number of rides is up over this time period last year.

My plans for this year are clear. My primary goal is to add 100 miles to my personal best from last year. That would put me at 1,200 miles. I have a secondary, aspirational goal of 2,000 kilometers. That would require 42.74 more miles for a nice round number. Certainly possible, but it’s going to take some organization.

This is what I’m looking at now:

• One 52-mile one-way ride of the Virginia Capitol Trail. I’d really like to do two, but that’s in the aspirational category. I’ve never done it twice in the same year. Ideally, that would be a spring and autumn pairing, to keep me away from the heavy heat and humidity of high summer.
• One “side-road ride” along the edge of the Cap Trail per month. There are some beautiful roads that parallel or wander a little through the countryside, including some Civil War battlefields. These rides are in the 20 to 30-mile range. I did virtually none of these last year, so it’s a quick pickup of extra miles.
• Ride some other trails. There are some interesting trails out there to ride. On my list to consider are:
  • The High Bridge Trail near Farmville. This is a rail to trail path I tried pre-pandemic. It’s packed stone, and I was riding some pretty high pressures in my tires, which I’m now told is not optimal for that kind of trail. It’s only about an hour from my house, so an easy day trip. The trail is 32.2 miles, with Farmville as the midpoint. I’ll start there and see how it goes. I’ll probably just do an out and back in one direction the first time and then look at doing the whole thing in the future.
  • Riding the roads on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Lots of flat, flat, flat riding near the big water calls to me. I’m concerned because it doesn’t look like there’s a lot of trees, so I’ll have to pick my season for this one as well. A quick look at the map seems to show enough roads off the main roads for a safe ride.
  • The Washington & Old Dominion trail runs from Arlington to Purcellville. Again, probably do an out and back on just half the trail the first time. The trail is 45 miles long (paved), but I’m not sure I can do 90 miles in a single day.
  • Norfolk’s Elizabeth River Trail. It’s the shortest trail on this list at 10.5 miles, making it an easy out and back ride. Lots of things to see (like a BATTLESHIP! The U.S.S. Wisconsin (BB-64)) and to eat. Should be an easy ride and maybe follow up with some camera tourism.
  • There’s a short, paved trail in Richmond that I’ve only just discovered that runs from the Potterfield Bridge to the other side of the Mayo Bridge. It’s not long at 2.7 miles, but it’s new to me, and puts you right by the river. Looking forward to adding that to my list.

Those would add some fun new adventures and miles this year. On the truly aspirational side would be the full W&OD trail, the Chesapeake & Ohio and/or the Great Allegheny Passage that runs from Washington, D.C. to Pittsburgh. That trail combination is over 300 miles, and thus a multi-day ride. There’s also the Armstrong Trail, which runs along the Allegheny River through a part of western Pennsylvania where I have some serious roots. It’s another option that requires a bit more planning.

The core of the riding will be in and around Richmond, however. Lots of rides with my friends of the Bike Monday Bros. (Monday evening, we gather at the Starbucks on Robinson at 5:30, then roll out around 6. Social, no-drop ride. Come join us). There will be explorations of the city as well. I need to look north to the Fall Line Trail that is coming out way from Ashland. I hope that they’ll get that finished (full trail is Ashland to Petersburg) while I’m still able to ride it.

The other stuff I need to remember are the lessons I’ve learned about riding in central Virginia. Temperatures are rising over 80 degrees, and that means I have to adjust how I dress and the water I carry. Oh, and to always, ALWAYS remember the sunblock!

So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get riding!