Volunteers hard at work on Buttermilk East. Credit: Richard Chittick

Volunteers from RVAMORE and the James River Park trail builders are set to resume work on the new Buttermilk East Trail on Saturday morning. Construction on the trail began in early January, and when complete in the spring, it will connect the Buttermilk Trail from the 22nd Street tower on Riverside Drive to where the trail passes underneath the Lee Bridge.

Currently, cyclists looking to ride over to the Manchester Bridge and the Floodwall must use Riverside Drive and parts of the ramps onto the Lee Bridge. The new trail will make it possible to ride on dirt from 22nd Street directly to Railroad Avenue behind the SunTrust Building that stands guard over the foot bridge leading to the Manchester Wall overlook.

Many mountain bikers already know that this route then leads to the Manchester Slave Trail and the loop of singletrack known locally as the Poop Loop, due to it’s proximity to Richmond’s wastewater treatment plant.

More than 30 people have shown up to help with the each of first two rounds of trail construction that were done on January 10 and 17. Several hundred feet of the trail traverses a steep hill which requires significant bench cutting, and RVAMORE can use as much help as possible.

“We have a couple of connecting sections to cut in,” reads a press release sent out by the group yesterday. “There’s some bench cuts that need a little more work — perhaps a small retaining wall or two and there are a few rocks to rearrange under the [Lee Bridge].”

Those interested in helping can find out more at www.rvamore.org or simply show up to find the crew ready to go at 9 a.m. on Riverside Drive a few yards east of the 22nd Street Tower. Simply look for the JRPS work truck.

Mike Burton (front) and Greg Rollins work on Buttermilk East. Credit: Richard Chittick

Trailicious 3

Speaking of RVA MORE, their annual mid-winter party is all set to go on February 21 at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

This 3rd annual event includes live music by Andrew Ali & Last Night’s Blues Band and Lucky Stiff’s. Registration is $30 and includes a pint glass and raffle ticket, featuring prizes from Riverside Outfitters, Shinecraft Vessels and Second Gear Designs.