Riding Through History - Virginia Capital to Capital

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

Riding through History – Virginia Capital to Capital  

OVERVIEW   Experience history firsthand on this bicycle tour of Richmond, capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and “America’s Historic Triangle”: Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown. We’ll explore Richmond’s rich Civil War history before we travel even further back in time to pre-colonial/settlement days in Jamestown; colonial times in Williamsburg; and the Revolutionary War era in Yorktown.  This tour has 2 nights in Richmond, 4 nights in Williamsburg and the final 2 nights in Richmond with luggage van support.

We’ll begin the tour on Saturday, October 22, 2022 in downtown Richmond where tour participants will stay at the historic Linden Row Inn.  After convening in the hotel lobby, we’ll make our way to the waterfront for a boat tour of the James River and Kanawha Canal.  Our guide will share centuries of Richmond’s history as we travel in an authentically-styled, flat-bottomed boat. Next, we’ll make our way to our welcome meeting, happy hour and dinner.

On Sunday we’ll continue our trip back in time. Richmond was the capital of the Confederate States during American Civil War. From 1861 to 1865, armies battled around the city, while inside the city, factories forged iron into weapons, and hospitals cared for the sick and wounded. Every life in and around the city was touched by the war. We’ll pass (and visit) the Chimborazo Medical Museum, and the Visitor Contact Station at Tredegar iron Works then head out of town to the Richmond National and Fort Harrison Battlefields. Tour participants may also want to visit The American Civil War Museum or the White House of the Confederacy. 

On Monday, we head out on a paved bike path, the Virginia Capital Trail, snaking along the James River and scenic State Route 5 to Williamsburg.  We’ll pass Revolutionary War battlegrounds, wetland and wildlife areas, plantations, presidents’ homes and historic buildings along the way, ending the day at the Best Western Historic District, just a short walk to Williamsburg’s Colonial area. Each Ride participant will receive an America’s Historic Triangle (AHT) Ticket providing 7 consecutive days’ admission to Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestowne, Jamestown Settlement, American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, and Yorktown Battlefield. 

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the tour offers 3 fixed based rides in and around Yorktown, Williamsburg, and Jamestown. On Tuesday, we’ll ride the Colonial Parkway to Yorktown to explore the American Revolution Museum (included in the AHT Ticket) which tells the story of the nation’s founding in films, galleries, and outdoor living history areas. We’ll ride through Yorktown passing restored and reconstructed historic buildings into the battlefields where allied American and French forces besieged General Charles Lord Cornwallis’s British army, effectively ending the war and ensuring independence.  

On Wednesday, there’s a planned day off for exploring Williamsburg, founded in 1632 on high ground between the James and York rivers. The city was the capital of the Colony and Commonwealth of Virginia from 1699 to 1780 and the center of political events in Virginia leading to the American Revolution. The AHT Ticket provides complimentary shuttle service around Colonial Williamsburg; interpreter-led tours of the Governor's Palace, the Capitol Building, and all Government Buildings; admission to two world-class art museums; and discounts on carriage rides. Participants may take an optional bike ride into the countryside North and West of Williamsburg. Tonight we’ll dine together in one of Williamsburg’s historic taverns.   

On Thursday, we’ll ride the Colonial Parkway in the other direction to the Jamestown Settlement, a living history museum which includes a re-creation of the original James Fort, a Powhatan Native American town, and replicas of the original settlers’ ships. Adjacent and complementary with the Settlement is Historic Jamestowne, a National Park site with an active archaeological dig and artifact museum.  Admission to both the Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne are included in the AHT Ticket. 

Of course, tour participants can do the Williamsburg/Jamestown/Yorktown rides and tours in any order.

On Friday, we reverse direction and head west on the Virginial Capital Trail back to the Linden Row Inn.  On Saturday, we’ll have an optional ride around Richmond, exploring the city and visiting historic and contemporary sites.  We’ll end our tour with a closing dinner at the Tobacco Company Restaurant in an old tobacco warehouse dating back to 1866.  Departure day is Sunday, October 30.

RIDE RATING The BAC ride rating is 1B!. Most of the daily rides are loop rides of about 35 – 45 miles.  There are 2 days on the paved Virginia Capital Trail where participants will be required to ride about 55 miles. The ride is mostly flat with only a few hills and no grade greater than 6%. 

WEATHER  The daily temperatures in late October average 45 – 71 degrees.  Historically, there’s a 20% chance of rain each day during the tour. If it rains it can be chilly.  Full rain gear, long-fingered gloves and long rain pants are recommended.

LODGING & MEALS This is semi-fixed-base tour. We’ll stay in the Linden Row Inn in Downtown Richmond for the first two and last two nights. We’ll stay at the Best Western Williamsburg Historic District for the middle 4 nights. No breakfasts or lunches are included in the ride cost..  Of course, all happy hour drinks and snacks are included in the ride cost. Also included in the ride cost are welcome and farewell dinners in Richmond and a tavern dinner in Williamsburg.  

LOGISTICS The tour begins and ends in Richmond, Virginia at 3:30 PM Saturday October 22, 2022.  The tour ends on Sunday morning, October 30, 2022. The Linden Row Inn is about 10 miles from the Richmond International Airport.  Richmond can also easily be accessed by Amtrak train. The hotel is 1.2 miles from the Amtrak Main Street Station. Unboxed bikes can go on the trains for a small fee by reservation.  Boxed bikes may incur a luggage fee. 

PARKING:  There is no parking at the Linden Row Inn in Richmond.  Participants may leave their vehicle in a city garage one block from the hotel.  The 2021 garage rate is $7/day. This is NOT included in the tour fee. 

BIKE BOXES will be transported in the luggage van. The Ride Leaders will provide a bike stand, pump, and basic tools for bike assembly. Riverside Cycling in Richmond, 804-496-0226 offers repair services.  In addition, they offer assembly service for those who wish to ship their bikes. 

EBIKES AND TANDEMS are welcome.

BIKE RENTALS: Bike rentals are available in Richmond.  Riverside Cycling, 804-496-0226 offers road, hybrid, and possibly, Ebikes for rent for the week of the tour.  Other bike rental companies are also available in Richmond. Participants should make their own arrangements for bike rental. 

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT/VEHICLE SUPPORT: This is a semi-fixed base ride. Luggage will be transported by rental van from Richmond to Williamsburg and back again to Richmond.  Participants will be responsible for loading and unloading their own luggage. The ride leaders will not provide SAG support but a private vehicle (Richmond) and the luggage van (Williamsburg) will be available for participant emergency support.   

RWGPS FILES AND CUE SHEETS:  Ride with GPS (RWGPS) files and cue sheets will be available to ride participants approximately 1 month before the tour start. 

COST & ADMINISTRATION The per person cost of the trip, $1450, includes 8 nights in hotels, the historic boat tour in Richmond, 3 group dinners and the America’s Historic Triangle (AHT) Ticket. The initial deposit for this tour is $750.  The balance of $700 is due on May 22, 2022.   

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY Singles (2 participants sharing a room) and solos (participants not sharing a room) are welcome on this tour.

Singles: Singles should try to find their own roommate. The Ride Leaders will assist.  After receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until May 22, 2022, to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fee) or participate as a solo as space allows. If a single converts to a solo and pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate.

Solos: There are spaces for 3 solo riders on this tour.

·       The solo supplement is $640 payable by check made out to BAC

·       Due at the BAC office by May 22, 2022.

·       Note the tour name on the check

·       Mail the check to Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

CANCELLATION POLICY   The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled due to participation below stated minimum requirements. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost because of cancellations. If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions. Before participating in any BAC tour, members should assess their medical coverage and, if needed, purchase additional travel medical coverage. BAC maintains a limited coverage policy for medical expenses associated with accidents incurred by US residents when on tours within the US. BAC insurance policies do not cover costs associated with any quarantines.  

COVID PROTOCOLS: Members should ensure that vaccinations are up to date.  All participants will be required to show proof of COVID 19 vaccination and, if applicable, booster(s). Participants are highly encouraged to be vaccinated for influenza before the tour start.   Depending on Covid levels at the time of the tour, participants may be required to wear masks when interacting indoors with people outside of the tour group. The Ride Leaders will determine if masks will be required prior to the tour. Please do not sign up for this tour if you are unwilling or unable to wear a mask indoors. 

SIGN-UP To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description. When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List and you will receive notification to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee plus the initial tour deposit ($700.00) by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.