On the Bike:
The High Bridge Trail is 31 miles of finely crushed limestone for most of the ride. We started on a asphalt section of the trail and trust me, when Beth was dying on the way back, the asphalt was a welcome relief on the legs (we did a 24 mile round trip ride) The highlight of the trail is the bridge. It goes over the Appomattox River and is 2400 feet long! Such an awesome sight. Stop, get off the bike, and just look out over the landscape and enjoy the view. This ride is not for road bikes. The limestone was not firmly packed in many areas. Our hybrids handled the trail, but the going was slower than we would normally ride. Make sure you have water on your bikes. There is no place to get water on the trail.
Take a minute now and read about the bridge’s history and its role in the Civil War.
We parked at the Rice Depot parking lot (restrooms available), which is 3.1 miles from the bridge and 8 miles to Farmville. You could also park on the other side of the bridge at the Main Street plaza parking lot in Farmville; the bridge is 4.5 miles from that lot. Don’t forget to pay for your trail day pass (honor system).
- Rice’s Depot Road Trailhead, 1/4-mile off U.S. 460 at Rice, near trail milepost 3.5E*
Staying in Virginia longer? Virginia is home to a lot of great trails for bike riding.
The Virginia Creeper is one of the top rated rails to trails rides in the Country, and a member of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame. (Find out all the information you need on this legendary trail about the trail itself, get maps, and info on bike shops and shuttle options). Our original planned ride. We changed plans on the road as we talked car time, bike time and getting to West Virginia and the Greenbriar Trail on the next day. A few important pointers on the Creeper… The 35 mile trail is downhill from Abingdon to Damascus. From Damascus, it’s up hill 17 miles to Whitetop. We will ride this great trail before we die….
Off the Bike:
Macado’s in Farmville– great food, big portions and the outdoor covered seating area was too good to pass up after a challenging day on the bike.
Virginia Diner Peanuts Wakefield, VA Our favorite peanuts. We couldn’t drive past the Diner without stopping and getting some samples, gifts and treats for the road.
Hampton Inn Roanoke – overnight camp before we head on to West Virginia and the Greenbriar Trail in Cass
The Mini Report – the Mini ran well all day long. The damn check engine light is still on…..