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MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating:	9 trail reviews
Status: Open updated 5/4/08 by westjw2 Closed Open Wet / Sketchy	Difficulty: Advanced
Length: 5 miles	Global Rank: 367
Tread: Singletrack	Configuration: Other
Ridden: 82	Wishlist: 40
Avg. Speed: 6.61 mph	Avg. Time: 0hr 45min

 

Pocahantos State Park in Richmond

 

Northbank Trail in Richmond

 

Forest Hill Park in Richmond

 

  
reviewed by DarkAngel on November 10, 2009

This trail has everything head out last saturday with the old man....at 51 he did the entire trail starting from Belle Island going through Buttermilk and Northbank. Very tough climbs and technical downhills. Overall a GREAT flow!! BRING WATER. the only water fountain along the loop does not work :(

Similar Trail: Northbank also in richmond

  
reviewed by jswalpole on October 13, 2009

It was exhausting although it had a pretty view of the Richmond City Skyline. And there were a lot of sketchy cliffsides :) just my favorite.

Similar Trail: NorthBank Trail

  
reviewed by urasquid on May 31, 2009

I've been riding since I was in collage 20 years ago when mountian biking was just getting started and Buttermilk is some of the best singletrack I've been on. Great ride and very technical in many places.

  
reviewed by ac90002 on November 16, 2008

Well-conceived, continually challenging trail. Great job by those who built it and keep adding to it.

  
reviewed by vculee2002 on August 3, 2008

This trail can be initimidating to the beginning moutain biker--I speak from experience!! The first time I rode it about a year ago, I was terrified for 2 reasons, one was because I was not accustomed to riding a more technical trail & secondly because I was riding with clipless pedals. I would recommend doing neither unless you are very quick at getting out of the pedals BUT I will say that now I absolutely LOVE this trail. This is my favorite pick as far as trails go in Richmond. It has something for everyone including rolling singletrack, climbs, roots, rock gardens, rock faces & even some stream crossings. I saw the posting from someone who lost their brother on this trail & that is tragic but as she said, WEAR YOUR HELMET...To ride without a helmet is like walking down the center line of the highway& hoping you don't get hit. My brother & I ride this trail about once a week & we start on what we call Upper Buttermilk which eventually feeds down into the Reedy Creek parking lot. From there, we take the path over to Belle Isle & the walking bridge over to North Bank trail. This follows along the river & eventually along Maymont Park before coming up onto the Nickel Bridge. Ride across the bridge & cross back onto Buttermilk. The last time we rode, they had made some new improvements in some tighter sections and made it really fun to ride. Have fun & ride to live.

Similar Trail: Pocahontas--Little West VA section

  
reviewed by rizzocr on June 1, 2007

This trail has several faces on it - it just depends on the weather. I have ridden this for a couple of years, some days not a problem, but it it's even somewhat wet - god help you! Definitely wear a helmet, and watch out -it's crowded with other bikers.

Similar Trail: Pocohontas; Powhite

  
reviewed by bblizard on November 21, 2005

This trail gives a great workout, starting from the original buutermilk trail across from belle Isle, and going to the progressively harder Buttermilk west and Buttermilk heights. There are some tricky sections and some ride fast sections and there are options for those who don't want to take all the obstacles. Overall, a fantastic trail that takes a few rides before you can clear it

Similar Trail: Northbank Trail

  
reviewed by SantaCruzer on May 4, 2005

I ride this trail 2 or 3 times a week and I think about Sean every time. I didn\'t know him, but I would bet he was a good guy, most mountain bikers are. You have to be careful out there always. I love this trail. I can ride from my office and can be on it in about 10 minutes. It\'s a beautiful ride. I still find challenges every ride. Love it. We\'re so lucky to have it.

  
reviewed by FinsFan on January 4, 2005

A great trail in the city, can be very challenging at times but all very fun. The trail is broke up into three sections, buttermilk, buttermilk heights and buttermilk west. Buttermilk is a nice warm up (fairly flat and a few techinical sections) Buttermilk Heights has more climbs (although not to long, steep and techinical at times) a good set of switchbacks and a few log crossings. Buttermilk West (across westover hills blvd.) is a little slower paced but has many techinical sections and few nice switchbacks at the end. Altogether it is about 4-5 miles one way but turn around at the end and ride the other way and it gives the trail a different look.

Similar Trail: Pocahontas State Park

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