Steady progress on the Capital Trail

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Earlier this week I was at a coffee shop downtown with a friend who started telling me about how exciting the Virginia Capital Trail was going to be. He did not know that I help out Rocketts Landing with this blog, or that I enjoy biking.

He told me that people here, “Don’t even know how great it will be” as if to say that Richmond can’t conceive of the future recreational impact. My friend, who manages a local business, also said it will be great for Shockoe Bottom shop keepers.

Refreshing to here such positive thoughts these days, no?

And it reminded me that it’s about time to check in again on the status and plans of the Capital Trail Foundation.

For those who haven’t been following, the Capital Trail is a bike path (you can also walk) that will connect Williamsburg to Richmond. It will pass along the James River at Rocketts Landing.

According to Executive Director Beth Weisbrod, with whom I spoke late this week, the various stages are progressing as expected. The trail is still on track to be completed in 2013. Right now, seven miles in Charles City County are under construction. Meanwhile in Richmond, construction on a piece near the Shiplock Park should start in the spring.

Beth also said the Foundation is looking to improve its popular Cap-to-Cap ride, which is on May 9th. I covered that event last year and was amazed at the turnout. Registration should open up online in a week or so, she said.

“We want to up the fun factor, make it feel more like the Tour de France,” she said. “We know we can make it even better and try to attract people who are new to cycling with some shorter distances, and people who don’t consider themselves avid cyclists.”

Please send blog ideas to ak@telosmedia.com