The idea of converting miles of unused railroad lines into safe and scenic hiking/biking trails was pure genius. We rode a few last year as we traveled across country and back, enjoying the smooth paths free from traffic and cross streets. This year, again with trailer in tow, we hit the road in search of new trails to ride.
It’s always fun to ride toward an exciting destination, so Reg and I drove to High Bridge Trail State Park to catch the rail trail in the town of Farmville, Virginia, close to the midpoint of the 31-mile stretch, thus assuring us (me) that we (I) wouldn’t poop out before reaching the spectacular centerpiece of the trail.
More than 2,400 feet long and 125 feet above the Appomattox River, the High Bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s the longest recreational bridge in Virginia. The original bridge opened in 1854, was rebuilt in 1914 and saw the last train cross in 2005. In 2012 the renovated bridge opened to the public, 147 years after the Battle of High Bridge.
Not only was the bridge a thrill to ride across, but it provided us a lunch stop with a pretty good view.
carryoncouple 