Mark McClure from Trail SolutionsвЂ™ international crew even made sure to stop by. IMBA Trail SolutionsвЂ™ Randy Spangler is on the job, and expects to be finished this section by the first week of December, rain and cold-weather notwithstanding. These two trails are part of a bigger picture that will see a new 20 miles of trail added to Pocahontas State ParkвЂ™s existing 40 miles. For example, in the future, we would build larger intersections to accommodate handcycle groups so they have enough space to hang out and socialize.вЂќДЄdding to the handcycle-able terrain of the Gateway Trail is a new flow trail, just over half-a-mile long, now underway thanks to a Bell Built grant and the generous support of Virginia Association for Parks, Virginia State Parks, Friends of Pocahontas State Park, RVA MORE, and James River Equipment. вЂњWith a few minor tweaks, we can make trails that work well for mountain bikes work well for handcycles.

вЂњIt was great to see how compatible the trail experiences are,вЂќ said Edwards. Although they have some things in common with traditional bicycles, one major difference is steering: A chest plate connects by cable to the two front wheels and the rider rotates their shoulders in the direction he or she wants to go. Handcycles are powered hand rather than legs, have three wheels (two in front, one in back) with familiar controls like gears and brakes rounding out the handlebar. вЂњIt was very educational as trail designers and builders to both watch the handcyclists use the trail, and then for us to be able to hop in and take a lap or two to get some insight from that experience.вЂќ вЂњThe next day, my arms hurt in ways they have never hurt before,вЂќ said IMBA Trail SolutionsвЂ™ Rich Edwards. As the handcyclists did laps, talk of racing the circuit bubbled up before they graciously let the Trail Solutions crew try their rigs. вЂњItвЂ™s freaking awesome,вЂќ said Geoff Hopkins, a local Paralympian and veteran who came to test out the new Gateway trail. CatherineвЂ™s School were on the scene, volunteering to add some finishing touches before everyone-all levels and ages-got out to enjoy the trail together, just as designed. On November 15, the new Gateway trail opened at Pocahontas State Park, welcoming four handcyclists on its first day.

Pocahontas state park