The New River State Park is the longest linear park in Virginia, passing through 57 miles of the Blue Ridge highlands.  It travels on an abandoned railroad right-of-way through the counties of Grayson, Carroll, Wythe, and Pulaski as well as the cities of Galax and Pulaski.  The trail is designed to accommodate horse riding, bicycling, and hiking.  It parallels the New River for 39 miles and is covered by a lush canopy of trees.

The trail is approximately 4 to 6 feet wide made of a low grade crushed stone and cinders.  Because it was once used as a railroad to haul iron ore across the state, the total elevation rise or fall is less than a 3% grade.  That means the average occasional trail user should have no problem traveling along the trail.

The trail offers primitive camping, potable water, 5 non-flush toilets, rest spots with picnic tables along with location maps, and many roadway access points.  There is also a livery for horses and at the Foster Falls Park headquarters one can rent bicycles and canoes and arrange for guided horse back riding trips.

The New River is the oldest river in the state of Virginia, and some of the structures along the river are at least 100 years old.  Iron ore furnaces, along with the Shot Tower, are within eyesite of the trail.  Shot Tower was used to make aminuition for use in the Civil War.  The Draper Mercantile with it's front porch rockers and country style restaurant and inn have served people for as long.

The tail offers bridge/trestle crossings of the New River at Hiwassee 951 feet, Ivahoe 670 feet and Fries 1,089 feet.  There are also about 30  smaller trestle crossings.  In railroad terms a trestle is a small bridge crossing made up of short deck sections joined together and supported underneath by piers in the water the entire width of the river.  A bridge is usually a long river crossing where the entire deck is supported from both banks of the river and has very few support structures in the river.  

One travels through two tunnels of 135 and 193 feet.  The tunnels are also used by hikers and horse back riders.  It is very dark in the tunnels, and to be safe you should have a light on your bike to help you see and to alert anyone else of you presence.

 The New River State Park at 116 Orphanage Drive, Max Meadows, VA 24360, publishes a map of the trail.  Their website is www.newrivertrail@dcr.virginia.gov.

A Video of the Beginning of the Bicycle Ride From Pulaski, Virginia to Austinville, Virginia
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Passing Through Several Large Rock Formations
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​A Typical New River Crossing
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Horse Livery for Trail Riding
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A Video of the Bicycling Ride From Austinville to Galax
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Shot Tower Monument
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Park Office/Headquarters and Campground
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End of the New River Trail in Galax,Virginia

Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
Psalm 119:133

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I recently traveled to Amsterdam on vacation.  I was impressed seeing the hundreds of bicycles in bike racks all over the city.  Amsterdam is called "Europe's city of bicycles." There are approximately 881,000 bicycles registered in the city.  Most of the people who work or play in the city go by bicycle or walk to their destination.  Most of the city's population are not over weight.  You see people of all ages riding bicycles.  They may be dressed up as if going to a party or in jeans looking for recreation.

There are pproximately 54,000 bicycles stolen each year since 2005.  A new bike costs around 200 Euros or around $240 US and 50 to 200 Euros used.

On the average there are 8,200 bicycles parked at the central train station every day. Each year there are approximately 12,000 - 15,000 bicycles pulled from the canals that radiate from the Rhine River each year.

Amsterdam has the only museum that you can ride through with your bicycle at Rijksmuseum.  There are 400 kilometers or 248.5 miles of bike paths throughout the city.  I had to be sure not to linger in the bike path because bike riders have no patience for walkers, as they ring of their bicycle bells.  At times motor scooters and skate boards travel in bike lanes.  It is not unusual to see young children being carried on the front as well as the back of bicycles.
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I have bicycled during all seasons of the year, and winter time is no exception.  

A small under the seat (saddle) carrying bag is needed to carry the bare essentials for bicycle repair.

Inside the carrying bag should be an extra tube, tire changing tool, and an emergency CO2 tube for inflating.

I always carry some tape, an adjustable wrench, and a few bungy cords.

A bike helmet is a must.  I like attaching the third-eye mirror to view any oncoming traffic.  I use this type of mirror because the mirror is close to my eye, enabling me to have a large field of view without turning my head.

I carry at least one water bottle and  two are preferably better.

When I have an attachment site on my bike, I like to carry a manual air pump for tire inflation.

It is very important to try to keep your hands as sanitary as possible.  Many of the port-a-potty bathrooms are not as sanitary as you would like, and it is easy to pick up the Norovirus from its use.

I use a neckerchief to help keep my neck from getting cold.

A good pair of wool socks will help to keep your feet dry and warm.

I am not a proponent of a cleated-type biking shoes and peddles.  I like the toe-clip type  peddles because I can, in case of an accident, remove my shoes from the peddles in a hurry.   If I break down or if I want to sightsee an area, it is easier to walk in non-cleated shoes.   Cleated shoes are good for racers, not for touring or trail riding. 

A good wool jersey will keep you warm and dry.

Biking tights will help keep the wind chill factor from making you cold.  Most winter tights have two layers of synthetic and wool material.

I usually like to wear three-fingered mittens with an inside glove liner.

 Leg or arm warmers may also be added if you are biking in freezing temperatures.

 Boots may be added over the biking shoe to keep the chill factor down.

A good wicking base layer shirt under the wool jersey will help to keep moisture from building up under your coat.

A balaclava head covering is good to keep the ears and neck warm.

To keep the wind chill factor down a peddle hoodie can be placed around each peddle.

It is important to wear reflective  gear when cycling at night.   

Reflective vests are also available. 

I bicycled to and from work--a distance of twenty miles for ten years--in all kinds of weather.   When I was training for a triathlon I ran seven miles at 4 AM, bicycled to work, swam at lunch time, and then bicycled home.  Sometimes I had to bicycle during a hail storm, and the pieces of ice passed through the slots in my helmet, hitting my head.   Snow and ice on the roadway made it slippery and difficult to peddle.   I was struck by an automobile twice and managed to walk away,   I always bicycle with a helmet and rear view mirror.

Many bird boxes have been placed along the trail to encourage the establishment of wildlife communities. ​

A sign marks the Town of Farmville, Virginia, and an area with modern bathrooms. ​