Virginia State Park Ride Challenge

2007 Virginia State Park Ride Challenge

Map from the Virginia State Parks web site. By permission of Virginia State Parks

The 2007 Virginia State Park Challenge

Made by Jim Richardson

Virginia has a beautiful system of state parks spread throughout the state (Virginia State Parks). When you look on the Parks web site (http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/state_park.shtml) you’ll see that they are divided into 5 geographic regions: Blue Ridge Highlands, Central, Northern Virginia, Tidewater and Eastern Shore, and the Shenandoah.

Your challenge is simple: between March 2007 and our Rally in October, ride your motorcycle to at least two State Parks in each of the 5 regions, get visual proof you were there, get a hard copy of that proof back to me, Jim Richardson, or Larry Martin at any regular monthly club meeting or at the Rally. The visual proof is a picture of your bike at an undeniable landmark or sign at the location. The hard copies are so we can compare notes at the Rally. I know if you are riding alone there may not be someone else handy to take a picture, so your bike with your helmet in the picture will be proof enough. Doing this will take you all around our beautiful state and give you somewhere to go anytime you have some time available, all within a day’s ride of home. You can do it solo, or even get with other club members to ride together. You can go to as many State Parks as you wish, maybe even try for all of them

You will be surprised at the wide variety of sites at the State Parks. For instance, at Pocahontas State Park near Richmond they have a museum dedicated to the C.C.C. workers who built so many of the Parks that started the system. Since my father was in the C.C.C. at Stanton River State Park, I can't wait to see this museum. False Cape State Park is accessible to bicycles only, so a photo of your motorcycle at the trail head will be great. Our State Parks all have unique features and so they all deserve to be visited.

Jo Smithdeal has generously volunteered to donate Tool Rolls to the first 12 finishers, so you do win something worthwhile if you meet the challenge. I'm looking forward to getting and recording your efforts, lots of good club discussion about your riding adventures, and reports of the fun you've had on your motorcycle. Let's all ride safely and meet the 2007 Virginia State Park Challenge!

Optionally club members can send copies of proof pictures to the webmaster to be displayed below.

Sample Members Pictures

First Rest Stop - 21 Apr 07	First Rest Stop - 21 Apr 07	First Rest Stop - 21 Apr 07
First Rest Stop - 21 Apr 07	Belle Isle Park - 21 Apr 07	Belle Isle Park - 21 Apr 07
Belle Isle Park - 21 Apr 07	Pocahantas Park - 21 Apr 07	Pocahantas Park - 21 Apr 07
Pocahantas Park	Pocahantas Park - 21 Apr 07	Chippokes Park - 21 Apr 07
Chippokes Park - 21 Apr 07	Chippokes Park - 21 Apr 07	19-20 May 07 Ride to Claytor Lake - Starting Group
Tim at Occoneechee State Park	Pat at Occoneechee State Park	Biran at Occoneechee State Park
Tim, Pat, Brian at Claytor Lake State Park		Brian at New River State Park
Tim at New River State Park	Pat at New River State Park	Group at Shot Tower State Park
What is a shot tower? Click on image to read more.	The above ground part of a shot tower	Memoral Day Ride Belle Isle State Park
Father & Son at park	Westmoreland State Park	Father & Son at park