ROLL! Camp and MTB at Pocahontas State ParK

Get ready for a fun and exciting weekend at Pocahontas State Park. This will be a two night camp and mountain bike adventure. This park offers some great trails of varying difficulties. Everyone should arrive on Friday night to get their campsite setup and prep for the ride on Saturday. The reason for this is so we are not waiting on people to arrive on Saturday morning and get set up, but if you can only come on Saturday you are welcome to do so pending there is room available. I will not be coordinating a carpool for this event since I expect people at all different times on Friday night, but you are obviously welcome to do that on your own if you wish. There will be multiple rides available all day Saturday and the option to ride on Sunday as well. There may even be a Friday night ride if there is interest from the group and if everyone has lights. Your time of arrival does not matter as long as it is after 4 p.m. on Friday night (this is park check in time). I realize people work until different times and have differing situations. In the event that the list fills up their may be an option to get your own site at your own cost and still ride with the group.

Level: Intermediate to Advanced (There are single and double black diamond trails at this park for those brave (and skilled) enough.

Trail Type: Singletrack MTB (There will be Fire roads and alternate trails for those who wish to separate from the group on more difficult trails)

Pace: Ranging from Moderate to "Balls to the Wall"

Fee: There WILL be a FEE for this meetup which will be a FLAT RATE of $20 per person. This fee applies to every individual person and will be applicable if you come for one or both nights. The fee will cover the campsite, a main course dish that I will be bringing to share with everyone, and firewood. If there is any money left over the proceeds will be donated to the EVMA trail fund. I am not charging to make money, but to cover costs. I would highly appreciate it if everyone who is planning to come and has RSVP'ed to please send me a payment of $20.00 so I know for sure you are coming. I will contact you via email with my address once I make the official payment to the park.

No Pets will be permitted at this event since the park charges extra for each pet per night. It will also likely be hot and there is no place to keep your pet comfortable when riding.

LOCATION: In Chesterfield County, about 20 miles from Richmond. It's easily accessible from Interstate 95, Route 288 and Route 360. See below for detailed directions.

Its address is 10301 State Park Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832-6355; Latitude, 37.373973. Longitude, -77.571782.

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, two hours; Richmond, half an hour; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, two hours; Roanoke, three hours

Directions:

From Interstate 95 south of Richmond: Take exit 61 onto Route 10 west, then left onto Route 655 (Beach Road). Go about four miles to State Park Road, which is on the right.

From Interstate 95 north of Richmond: Take Interstate 295 south to Route 10 west (Iron Bridge Road) to Route 655 (Beach Road) to State Park Road.

From 64 west of Richmond: Take Route 288 south to Route 10 east (Iron Bridge Road) to Route 655 (Beach Road) to State Park Road.

From 64 east of Richmond: Take Interstate 295 south to Route 10 west to Route 655 (Beach Road) to State Park Road.

CAMPING: All campsites have electric and water hookups (no sewer), grills, picnic tables and lantern holders. There are centrally located restrooms with hot showers.

Swimming and boat launch free for overnight guests. Refunds and rainchecks will not be given should swimming be unavailable for reasons beyond the park staff's control. All sites accept 20 and 30-amp current; sites 66 through 129 accept 50-amp. Firewood is available for sale in the campground or park office. Two vehicles and the camping unit are allowed at each campsite. Extra vehicles must park in overflow parking and pay the daily parking fee. Each campsite has a steel fire ring that can be used for cooking and campfires. Visitors to overnight guests must leave the park by 10 p.m. and are required to pay the daily parking fee. Buddy - Buddy site for a maximum of 18 people; electric and water group site; three campsites in each buddy site; tents, pop-ups and RVs up to 50 feet; tents must fit on 20' x 20' tent pad. The cancellation fee for buddy sites is higher; the park's five buddy sites are apart from each other.

At this time this meetup will be limited to 12 people for a more manageable group size for rides and for the sake of the camp site layout. There are three 20' x 20' pads available that can have multiple tents, but the tents must be on the pads.

WHAT TO BRING:

Bike in proper working order with no known mechanical issues and rugged off road tires, necessary bike tools, spare tubes, pump, camera, snacks, plenty of water. Helmets are required to ride with the group.

All participants are expected to bring proper camping supplies i.e. tent, sleeping bag etc. Everyone will be responsible for their own food. There is water available at the site. On Saturday I'd like to do a potluck style dinner where everyone should bring a dish that is for the group. We can coordinate who will bring what in the comments below. We will need a few main dishes, drinks, desserts, etc.

I will be making the reservation early this week and I'll be updating the meetup accordingly based on park accommodations and interest. This is also be in coordination with the EVMA southside group and some of its members. I reserve the right at any time to cancel this meetup if interest is low or the chance of severe weather is over 50%.

REMINDER: To be an official participant in this event you must pay me BEFORE the event so I know you are coming. If I do not receive payment before the event you will be removed from the RSVP list so other serious individuals can get a spot. The reason for this is I'm taking all the risk with reserving the site and I've had issues in the past with people no showing and I won't be left holding the bill. If there is any issue with this contact me offline and I'll make decisions on a case by case basis on how to handle the situation.