I believe the best thing about bicycling is all of the wonderful people you meet while on the road. I met the man who would eventually become my husband while out cycling one afternoon with a community cycling club. That was the very first bike ride I took outside my own neighborhood. Little did I know on that day, my life would change forever.
Since that first club ride, I have celebrated many other “firsts” with this extraordinary man. My first new bicycle, my first flat tire, my first multi-day tour, and most recently, our first tandem bike. But there was one “first” I was most hesitant to try – riding off the paved road. That is until we found the New River Trail State Park, a 57-mile multi purpose trail winding along the New River from Galax to Pulaski, Virginia. This is one of the most scenic and historical sections of the Southwestern Virginia Highlands.
Some friends told us about the trail and brought their pictures for us to see. That was it…I had to see this beautiful place even if I had to ride on the dirt! We put the two-inch knobby tires on our Santana Rio, and started out to find the trail.
It took us most of the day to drive to Galax (the southern terminus of the trail), and we arrived with only enough time to take a short walk on the path before nightfall. It was nice to stretch our legs and it gave me a chance to get a look at the trail before getting on the back seat of the tandem (trust can only go so far when there is fear involved). But the earth was hard-packed with a fine, black cinder rock covering and it did seem pretty solid. OK, I thought, I can do this. All the time, the fear of what might be lurking around the next corner was ever present in my mind.
We got off to an early start in the morning with eagerness and excitement – we had read about the many railroad trestles, bridges, waterfalls, tunnels, and The Shot Tower, built over 150 years ago to make ammunition for firearms of the early settlers. And it was all there within the pristine beauty of the New River.
We mounted the bike and off we went, right out onto the trail. It was a cool, crisp morning with dampness in the air. The trail was smooth and straight and it wasn’t long before I was feeling comfortable with the whole “off-road experience.” OK, so I admit, I rather liked it. I was beaming with pride over my modest accomplishment.
Once you get out on the trail, it is very isolated so be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks. There is an abundance of magnificent scenery along the way as you pass the mile markers. First was Cliffside Mansion at 2 1/4 miles, Falls of Chestnut Creek at 5 ½ miles, the Chestnut Creek Tunnel at 11 ½ miles, and the Fries Junction Trestle (951 feet long). Here you can continue north or take the cut off to Fries, a quaint little town where you can get a little rest and a bite of food.
At the 20-mile mark, we stopped at a pleasant rest area in Ivanhoe. Just as we got out the snacks, though, our nice spring day turned rainy and cold. We thought, “It’s just a little thunderstorm. It will pass.” But after waiting over 30 minutes, we realized the rain was here to stay. With adrenaline moving us along, we rode the 20 miles back to the trailhead in the cold, wet weather. And while we were at it, we picked up about 20 pounds of mud along the way! Arriving back at the trailhead, we found the wonderful people at the New River Riders Bike Shoppe. They offered their garden hose to wash the mud away and brought us homemade oatmeal cookies. What a treat!
We knew we would return to finish our ride and it wasn’t be long before we were back on the trail again. The next time, the weather would certainly be more cooperative…we hoped.
We did a little research in the meantime and found Charles and Kathy Patterson, the owners of Cherry Creek Cyclery and “Bed Without A Breakfast.” Bed Without a Breakfast (located just two blocks from the Foster Falls Trailhead of the New River Trail) was built in 1897, as the Foster Falls United Methodist Church Parsonage, a Victorian farmhouse of frame construction. Charles is a teacher of handicapped students at an area school during the week and maintains the Bed Without a Breakfast/Bike shop on weekends. The entire second floor is devoted to cyclists who come to ride the trail. With two bedrooms, bathroom, TV room, and full kitchen, there is plenty of room for a large group to relax and recuperate after a great ride. There is even a washer and clothes dryer in one corner of the kitchen that certainly came in handy since we got doused with rain and mud a second time. So much for hopes!
With ominous clouds lurking overhead, we packed up our day’s provisions and started out on the trail once more. We headed north, visiting the Foster Falls Railway Station (with an information center and exhibits), Baker Island, Calfee Cemetery, the community of Bertha, and finally Pulaski, the northern terminus.
The New River Trail is a place that you can visit again and again and never tire of its exceptional beauty. It is easily accessible from many small towns along the river and there are numerous motels at each end of the trail. However, I would suggest the best time of the year to go is in the fall, lots of foliage, but not so many bugs; pretty clouds, but not so much rain.