Biking the High Bridge State Park Trail 4/30-5/1/2012

The Tuesday Group took a rare overnight adventure to explore the brand new bike trail at High Bridge State Park. The High Bridge Trail is a multi-use trail and the highlight of the new High Bridge State Park. The trail has a crushed, packed surface that is 31 miles long running from Pamplin City to Burkeville. The trail project began in 2007 when Norfolk Southern Railway donated a 31 mile stretch of abandoned rail to the state for the creation of a new state park. Trail and bridge were finally completed in April 2012. The Tuesday Group jumped on this right away wanting to explore this new bike path.The plan was to rendezvous at Pamplin City at 10 am Monday morning. The weather forecast was excellent and everyone was eager for a day of biking. Ellis’ truck had other plans. Ellis, Marti and Ken were hoping that the little red light on the dash was simply the old Ford’s way of cheering them on but this wasn’t the case. They’d made it about halfway when the truck quit, forcing Ken and Marti to get out and push her into a service station. Triage revealed a failed alternator but fortunately the able mechanics were able to locate a match that could be installed, charged and ready to go in short order. Meeting up at the service station to await the procedure were Vic and Margaret P, Sandy B and Phyllis. We were at a loss as to what to do for the 90 minutes it would take but fortune smiled upon us with a “Pasteleria” (Mexican Bakery) right next door! We walked over and picked out a 1/2 dozen pastries (only $6) despite our limited spanish and their limited english. Then we got some coffee from the Hardees across the street and altogether had a fine tailgate party! Dottie and Margaret J. were further on down the road and they stopped for breakfast at a roadside diner.

Sugar cravings fulfilled and alternator installed, we all got back on the road headed for our destination. The weatherman scored a big “0” for the day as it began to rain, though it did stop by the time we reached the trailhead at Pamplin City. Our original plan to set a shuttle was shelved as we had all had enough time driving, it was already after noon, and we were eager to get on our bikes. So we loaded up our gear and headed down the trail. We made good time as it was cool, the rain had stopped and we were pedaling on a gentle downhill grade almost all the way. We passed Elam and Prospect (stopping at their very nice restrooms) and then took a break at Tuggle where we ate our lunches. After lunch, Ken noted that a spot on one of his tires looked a little “bulgey”. We diagnosed dry rot and since the tube still seemed okay we felt we could continue on. (Basically, there was no other choice). Vic’s rear tire was a little soft as he had a slow leak in his tube. He was able to pump it up with hopes that Farmville would have a good bike shop. We continued on down the trail when just short of Farmville, a loud “BANG” reverberated through the forest. It was Ken’s tire giving up the ghost. It wasn’t much farther to Farmville though where we found a very quaint Main Street with all sorts of shops--including a bike shop that didn’t do much with bikes. He wasn’t able to get Ken a new tire but he did rent Ken a bike to use until the next day. Vic also got a new tube for his bike. Margaret P. opted to hang out in Farmville while the rest of us got back on the trail heading back to Pamplin City. This was not as easy as we thought it would be as that gentle grade heading east became a steady incline going west. We were all pretty whipped by the time we made it back to the vehicles at Pamplin City. But we had made lots of stops for water and to admire local wildlife-a black snake, chickens. and a cat. Vic even saw a family of foxes. We loaded up the bikes and headed back to our hotel in Farmville (really nice Hampton Inn) for showers and then on to dinner at Charley’s Waterfront Cafe. No time for happy hour this night. We arrived ~8:30pm for dinner at the 150 year old tobacco warehouse turned bistro. We had a wonderful meal at a table overlooking the Appomattox River. Afterwards, everyone went back to the hotel and crashed, hopeful that the next day we could bike to the bridge.

Monday morning dawned bleak and rainy. We met downstairs for an excellent continental breakfast (eggs, Canadian bacon, biscuits, waffles, fresh fruit, etc, etc) and watched the skies clear and the sun come out. It was going to be a good day to ride.

We planned to bike from Farmville to Rice-this time setting the shuttle. The weather was absolutely perfect-warm with a balmy breeze at our backs. We pedaled the 4 miles from downtown Farmville to the High bridge in no time and took a moment once arriving to admire this amazing structure before starting across.

The original bridge was constructed in 1853 by Southside railroad. Nearly 4 million bricks completed the 20 piers. (These piers are still visible today). The Confederates set the bridge afire after retreating across it following the Battle Of High Bridge in April 1865. The bridge survived though 4 spans were destroyed. A new bridge was built next to it in 1914 and the final train crossed it in 2005.

Timbers were replaced, a solid decking and handrails installed and numerous areas to view the river, river basin and surrounding mountains created. The bridge is 2422 feet long and 125 feet tall and is spectacular. We took our time going across, stopping to chat with several VDOT engineers along the way.

After lingering on the bridge for quite awhile, we continued on our way, noticing a Civil War archeological dig along the way. It wasn’t long before we’d reached our vehicles in Rice and headed back to Farmville for another fine meal at Charley’s. This time, we sat outside on the veranda and enjoyed great food and great conversation. Afterwards, we visited Appomattox River Company where Ellis and Marti shopped for his and her kayaks. Before heading home we made every attempt to fulfill our Tuesday Group obligation for ice cream, but the local diner hadn’t gotten the memo and was closed! A bit disappointed we headed back to our cars, said our goodbyes and headed back home.

This was a truly outstanding trip for the Tuesday Group and certainly one we will repeat again!

View Marti's pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/m.malabad/5112?authkey=Gv1sRgCJytsp_QgaPTdA

View Phyllis' pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/crashneumann/HighBridgeTrailStatePark?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNC9ssf0ot3BAg&feat=directlink

Dottie's Pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/105914828772447442006/12HighBridgeBikeRide?feat=email