Virginia routing help.........

[markinsprings]

Hello all...........Late September I am touring from southern new Jersey to Roanoke Va. I am going to take ferries across the Deleware and Chesapeake bays and land in Reedville Va. From there I want to head to Richmond area and hook up with the transam trail. My only concern is crossing the Rappahannock river. Is anyone familiar with route 360 and the Tappahannock bridge? Just wondering what conditions are and if crossing the bridge on bicycle will be a problem. Trip should be clear sailing once I cross this river. Thanks in advance. 

[rvklassen]

Check out the discussion at

http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-631163.html

Looking at Google Maps street view it really doesn't look like fun.

[staehpj1]

It doesn't look great, but I've probably ridden worse bridges.  If traffic looks bad when you get there maybe hitch a ride across?  It looks like the little town of Warsaw might be a good place to ask around for a possible ride across.

[markinsprings]

Thanks alot for the feedback. Will see what its like when I get there and if it doesnt feel right I will hitch a ride by land or boat. thanks again. Cheers

[JimF]

Have you checked with VA DOT? I believe they have a bicycle coordinator (or at least someone designated as such) who should be able to advise you. My wife and I had to cross the Nice bridge (NO bicycles, VA to MD). MD DOT helped me contact bridge personnel and they transported us across. Good luck.

[litespeed]

Try calling the bridge itself. Most big bridges have offices or authorities who will give you a ride across.

[Tourista829]

I use to do business in Chesterfield, Va and if I remember correctly, Route 360 was business around there. I sometimes took it to Danville, Va via South Boston. The road is a 55mph highway and does not always have shoulders. I know the bridges around Richmond were not for the faint of heart, on a bicycles, but if they have shoulders you should be fine. It has been 10 years ago, so I can't remember everything and unfortunately didn't ride my bike around there. I would pick up Rt 307 into Rt 460 and go through Appomattox south of Lynchburg then pick up Route 24 onto Roanoke. Again, I believe parts of the road have a narrow shoulder or no shoulder at all. Terrain rolling hills on Route 360.