VCT-GS-24 E

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Richmond, VA, US

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Route Overview

Road-Tested Bike Tours, LLC

Bike tour planning

24 mi.

693 ft.

This ride is wonderfully diverse. You’ll start at Great Shiplock Park, the Richmond endpoint on the Virginia Capital Trail and will ride through the Richmond National Battlefield Park via roads. You'll enjoy a spectacular view of Richmond as you return to Great Shiplock Park on the Virginia Capital Trail.

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Route Details

# GREAT SHIPLOCK PARK - 24 MILES

This ride is wonderfully diverse.  You’ll start at @point[@photo[Great Shiplock Park](1699519)](d,53.46), the Richmond endpoint on the Virginia Capital Trail.  As you ride east along the James River, you’ll pass folks enjoying this paved, 52-mile, multi-use trail.  Passing on the left at a slow pace and greeting with a “good day” or a light ring of your bicycle bell is a common courtesy.

Within a mile you'll reach @point[Rocketts Landing](d,1560.36), a riverside community with restaurants, a marina and home to the Virginia Boat Club and the crew clubs for the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University.

@slice[You’ll climb the next two miles](d,2687.7,3846.41), passing fields of wheat and corn as you cross the Richmond City Limit into the countryside.  At @point[mile 3](d,4699.24), you’ll leave the Virginia Capital Trail to @slice[ride on a road instrumental during the Civil War](d,4750.23,7652.41).  Then you’ll bear right at the @poi[Wolf Creek Cherokee Museum](2129062) to continue your climb up to Richmond National Battlefield Park @slice[on a rural, shaded country road](d,7667.34,12073.69).

You’ll experience the hallowed grounds of Richmond National Battlefield Park @slice[from miles 7.5 to 13.7](d,12073.69,22019.73)
.  There are many opportunities to explore the well-preserved Civil War forts, earthworks and interpretive signs. Park Rangers are available during operating hours to answer your questions at the @poi[Fort Harrison Visitor Center](2130002).

At @point[mile 13.7](d,22026.73) you’ll leave the Park to ride along its boundary.  Enjoy expansive views of farmland before reaching @poi[Fort Harrison National Cemetery](2130001) at @point[mile 16](d,25699.41). You can stop and quietly explore the hallowed grounds and Visitor Center if you wish.

Take a break at @point[mile 17.5](d,28226.86) to enjoy @poi[Ronnie’s BBQ](2094392) famous smoked pork, chicken or brisket sandwiches and homemade French fries!  Ronnie and his crew love cyclists and have picnic benches, tree trunk seating, hand-crafted bike racks, a bike pump, and outside restrooms available.  You can watch cyclists passing by on the Virginia Capital and listen to oldies playing through Ronnie’s outside stereo system.

You’ll @point[hop on to the Virginia Capital Trail](d,28457.03) to finish the remaining six miles of your ride.  @slice[Savor the downhill ride](d,34257.84,35563.37)  back to @photo[Great Shiplock Park](1699519) starting at mile 21! You’ll pass acres of farmland before your @photo[spectacular view of downtown Richmond](1699539).  As you end your ride you will likely @photo[see freight trains passing on the overhead trestle tracks](1699540).

## Cycling Adventures Along the Virginia Capital Trail

For more adventures, check out my guide book [here](https://roadtestedbiketours.com/virginia-capital-trail-guide-books/)!

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VCT-GS-24 E

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