Ride Report: Lynchburg's Riverwalk and Blackwater Creek trails
/On Friday, September 1, the Biking Group went to Lynchburg to ride that city’s Riverwalk Trail and nearby Blackwater Creek trail. Despite some morning rain - which never “dampened” our spirits - we joined a few other bikers, runners and walkers to experience these two downtown trails.
We started first on the Riverwalk Trail, pedaling over to Percival’s Island to ride along the James River. We rode as far as we could on the paved portion, passing through woods that gave us some great views of the river; we then turned around and headed back toward downtown and our starting point.
Once there, we set out for the beginning of the Blackwater Creek Trail.
This trail, formerly a railroad right of way, gave us a gentle lift up from the river. About a mile into our ride, we passed through the Hollins Mill Tunnel, cut in 1851-52 through 500+ feet of solid rock. It was last used as a train tunnel in 1982.
Most of us eventually rode on to the vicinity of the Blackwater Creek Nature Center before turning back toward downtown and our lunch plans.
Riding out and back on the Blackwater Creek Trail we noticed options for two connecting paved trails, the Point of Honor Trail and the Kemper Street Station Trail [map]. These will be ride options on our next trip to Lynchburg. Overall, riding the Blackwater Creek trail was like riding through a beautiful, wooded park.
Our group went for lunch at Waterstone Restaurant, a spot very close to where we’d parked our cars. Our group's consensus opinion: Here’s a place for good conversation over good food in a nice, friendly atmosphere.
Lynchburg, we'll be back.
Bob Browne
Barbara Fenton-Thornsvard
Chuck Thornsvard
