Bike the Best River Town in America

It is the fourth largest river in the United States with a drainage basin the size of France.  The Columbia River emerges from the Rocky Mountains and flows west to Washington State forming the state’s border with Oregon.  It is a sportsman’s paradise for boaters, fishermen, and outdoorsmen of all walks.  The Columbia spawns 14 major tributaries in addition to some of the best salmon in the world.  The towns that dot the Columbia are part of Rocky Mountain lore: Astoria and Portland in Oregon, Vancouver and Longview in Washington, and Revelstoke in British Columbia.  Yet none of these cities were named the best river town in America.  For that distinction you will need to move a couple of time zones to the east.  Richmond, Virginia was recently named the Best River Town in America by Outside magazine. 

Richmond, the former Confederate Capital, was first incorporated in 1742.  Steeped in history the city remembers its past with Monument Avenue and the granite tributes to Robert E. Lee, JEB Stuart, and Stonewall Jackson.  But Richmond also honors hometown legends Arthur Ashe, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and oceanographer William Maury.  The town is a falls-city meaning the fall line of the James River through town creates enough force and energy to power a variety of mills. For many years these mills made Richmond the cigarette capital of the world and later a burgeoning chemical industry was powered by the James.  In time, the James became one of the most polluted rivers in the United States.  For a period of 13 years the James was closed to recreational and fishing activities.  The closing of the James came in 1975 and was just part of a significant decline for Richmond as a city.  Sewage levels in the river actually stripped the paint from the bottom of boats and the waterway smelled of sewer. The river shutdown came at one of the lowest ebbs in Richmond’s history as it coincided with an ever-rising crime rate that by 1981 would rival Detroit. 

Richmond saw what was happening to its river before they shut it down in 1975.  In 1972 city officials pressed for funding that would come from the brand new Clean Water Act.  Over the next decade the city transformed the river with anti-pollution controls, storm-water control, new sewer and water lines and more.  Today, the James is cleaner than ever with a leading indicator being the healthy return of the American Shad.  Business has changed as well as gleaming Fortune 500 skyscrapers have replaced tobacco field and mills.  

The river is consistently busy with whitewater rafters, kayakers, bikers, hikers, joggers, boaters, fishermen and even snorkelers who bob in the river harvesting blue crabs by hand.  The city is serious about its river with an active anti-graffiti patrol that goes into action once they spot any tagging.  The crew immediately covers the unpleasantness with a special paint developed to match the river’s granite boulders known as “rock gray.”    

Richmond’s James River Park System hosts a variety of festivals and special events throughout the year with one of the highlights being the Dominion Riverrock Festival.  Held over three days each May the event attracts outdoor enthusiasts from all over the country.     

Bike riders can be found all along the James with trails and routes on both banks.  Mountain bikers gather each June for the Xterra East Championship.  Visit our website at www.stickybottleteam.net
for a quick video of the James River. 

Arthur Ashe Monument

Lee aboard Traveler