James River Park System Trails, Richmond, VA

Single Track Sunday

Place: James River Park System Trails, Richmond, VA

Ridden: January 2015

Click on video to play

As the Northeast was being hit by a winter snow storm, the Nankman family decided to head out of town to a warmer climate.  We also used this as an opportunity for the maiden voyage of our new van, purchased specifically so that we could sleep in it overnight. What a great weekend, seems like the van life will work out for us; additionally we found sunshine and temperatures in the 50s. Much better than riding on the home trainers while watching the snow fall outside.

After a night sleeping in a Cracker Barrel parking lot our adventures took us to Richmond, VA; to ride the James River Park System (JRPS).  This area is a unique part of Richmond's Department of Parks that includes over 550 acres of shoreline and islands along the James River in the capital of Virginia. Rocks, rapids, meadows, and forests make for an area of unspoiled natural beauty in the heart of the city.  Mountain bikers, kayakers, runners, dogs, rock climbers, and families are everywhere.

The trails of the James River Park System consist of a loop combining the five major downtown trails: Buttermilk, Buttermilk Heights, North Bank, Belle Island, and Forest Hill Park. In addition, we traveled the pavement a bit to also ride the Dogwood Dell Trail.  Loops of the system can range between 8 and 13 miles depending on the route taken. Overall the trails are twisty and turny with short, punchy climbs that typically involve at least one switchback.  Roots are not uncommon, and the Buttermilk Trail offers some rocky sections.  Belle Island has a small skills park and a pump track. Many unique features remaining from the old pump houses and urban development remain and become part of the riding there- tunnels to pass through, a spiral staircase, concrete pipes/bridges to ride over, and a suspension bridge across the river are just a few of the interesting things encountered.

The JRPS is one of our favorite destinations. Always good riding and always warmer than Pennsylvania

- words by Jess

- video by Joël

- staring roll by Clifford

Middle Run Valley Park, Newark, DE

Single Track Sunday
Place: Middle Run Valley Park, DE
Ridden: January 2015

Video- click on video to play

The bathroom is finished so now it is time to get back on the bike!

Middle Run Valley Natural Area is a 850 acre park owned and maintained by New Castle County, Delaware. Located within residential neighborhoods, the park consists of forests, fields, streams, and ponds.  It borders two portions of White Clay Creek State Park; Possum Hill area on the northwest and Judge Morris Estate on the southeast.  In addition, William Redd  Park can be accessed from the east side. On this day we only rode Middle Run, White Clay was closed due to hunting.


Middle Run has about 15 miles of trails. White Clay has about 20. Many of these trails loop around onto each other; thus to ride all the trails one would have to back track/ride the same trails twice. The trails are fast and flowy, with only a few rocks and roots present.  There are a few moderate climbs, but noting sustained for more than a few minutes. In addition to the trail system, White Clay also has a small skills park. Bridges, skinnies, logs, and small rock gardens are there to practice. But in general, throughout the trails many logovers, skinnies, and bridges are scattered about to practice.  So all in all these trails are a good place to go fast, have fun, work on turning skills, and practice riding skinnies.

The day we were there added an entirely new challenge to the day- ice.  Recent rains and the packing down of snow earlier in the week made for icy patches. One minute the trail would be dry and clear, the next minute one is laying on the ground wondering how they got there.  The ice also had many components to it- there was grippy ice that had a little traction, hidden ice that you didn't know was there until you are sliding around, and slippy ice that developed when it started to get warm and the ice had a thin layer of water over it.  These conditions had us slipping and sliding around, laughing and cursing, and at time walking (or trying to walk, even walking was tough on the ice).  But by the end of the day we were all happy to be out on the bikes, had fun with the challenging conditions, and got in a decent ride.

Middle Run and White Clay are fun places to ride, we definitely recommend them. They make for a fun day, even when icy!

-words by Jess
- video by Joël

Still no riding, still working on the bathroom

Our plan was to get back on the trails this past weekend. However, the end of our bathroom remodeling project was in sight. Do we take time to ride but know we will have to push finishing off the bathroom by another week or do we just decide to skip a ride and get the bathroom project done was the question we asked ourselves.

The weather was cold and we were in a home improvement grove so we decided to skip the ride and put the time into getting the last big part of the bathroom project finished. Walls are painted, new flooring is down, trim is attached, vanity and mirror are in...all the major things are completed. Now just the finishing touches to be completed;  a shelf, some photos, caulking, and it will be finalized.












As of today we are back on the bikes again, home trainer this morning due to the rainy weather. So look out for a Single Track Sunday from the trails next week.


- Jess and Joël

No riding- working on the bathroom

This week we regret to inform you no video and no review of some awesome riding destination.  Sorry all.

Every year we choose a week in December or January to take time off from riding. It gives our bodies and our minds time to recover and rest.  The hours we would normally by cycling are spend working on home improvements and projects that have been neglected all year.









The project we decided to embark upon during our week off from cycling is re-doing the bathroom. The bathroom in our home is completely covered- walls, ceiling, cabinets, countertops, around the bathtub- in formica. Formica with a brown and green leafy pattern on it. Not hideous but definitely worth changing.

So this week the bathroom is getting an overhaul. We may not be pedaling but we are getting just as good of a workout hammering, painting, and lifting. We are experiencing the smell of 400W primer (specialty primer to paint over formica) and climbing through a maze of 2x3's to use the toilet.  Oh, this is our only bathroom, so it's going to be an interesting week.


As a bonus, with the extra time I have been able to spend a little extra time riding my new horse Moe (he has been at the farm for a week now). It's been nice to have the extra time to help him acclimate to his new surrounds and get to know each other.

Happy home improvements and back to the single track next week,

- Jess and Joël