Around 1,700 bikers are taking to the Capital Trail Saturday for the annual Cap2Cap bike ride. The event celebrates one of Virginia’s most popular trails.
The Capital Trail is paved and off the road. It stretches 52 miles through fields and small towns from Richmond to Jamestown. Cat Anthony is head of the capital trail foundation.
“So it’s funny I’ll bike from my house to the capital trail on the roads, and as soon as I get to Capital Trail I breathe a sigh of relief because my anxiety is fully less. Because I’m on the trail. I feel safe. There’s no cars,” says Anthony.
The annual Cap2Cap ride began years before the trail ever existed - as a fundraiser. Now that the trial is open, the event raises money for maintenance, promotion, and could even help bring new trails to the area.
A similar path from Ashland to Petersburg is in the works.
“Think of the capital trail as kind of the beginning, and all these connector trails going throughout,” says Anthony.
Virginia has plenty of other popular trails across the state, including the High Bridge Trail in Farmville and the New River Trail in southwest Virginia.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
