Twenty years ago, with segments of the 52-mile paved trail connecting Jamestown and Richmond still incomplete, the executive director of the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation had an idea for a unique fundraiser: a sponsored ride that connected the colonial Virginia capital with the current one. Dubbed Cap2Cap, the event became an instant success, attracting cyclists of all abilities.
Back then, the ride took place largely on the rural roads that wind their way through the rolling farmlands and forests, made possible through the cooperation of local governments and their police. Riders met up for lunch at a church in Charles City County, and the beers and camaraderie flowed well into the late afternoon.
Today, as the event is set to mark its 20th anniversary on May 9 and 10, Cap2Cap presented by Dominion Energy is a much different ride – still popular, still great fun, still a mixture of all kinds of cyclists – but the 2025 version of the C2C, as has been the case for the past four years, takes place entirely on the Trail itself. No worries about cars and traffic, just a stress-free ride, whether it’s the Century (100 miles), Half-Century (50 miles) or shorter distances.
This year’s Cap2Cap will be the fifth for Ben Ash, a 40-year-old data analyst from Staunton who now makes his home in Richmond.
“What I love about the Cap2Cap is that it’s so peaceful and relaxing, and so well-supported,” he says.
“You don’t have to worry, ‘do I have enough water? Do I have enough snacks? All that is provided, and there’s just such a great sense of community.”
Not only will riders find five rest stops staffed with volunteers along the Trail, but they’ll also find “party zones” – one in Chickahominy Park on Friday and another in Dorey Park on Saturday where there will be music and food and beer trucks and some Skill Share classes (how to fix a tire, etc.).
Another notable change from the early days is the fact that the ride is self-starting. While there used to be a large congregation of riders starting near the end points of the Trail (about 1,500 cyclists in all), riders can now pick where they want to start and manage not only how far to go but when to stop for a break, grab lunch or snacks or simply hang out with other riders.
While the ride is not designed as a race, Cyndee Dragoo of the VCT Foundation suggests getting a group of friends together for a group competition – not to get your fastest PR time but to challenge one another in fun ways.
“Once you sign up, you’ll get an email on suggested routes, based on how far you’re planning to ride,” Cyndee says. “And we provide riders with a brochure guide with a suggested itinerary and a map, so they know where the rest stops and party zones are.”
Cyndee also encourages participants to consider another popular option – camping at the Chickahominy Riverfront Park in James City County where you’ll find Ben Ash again this year. The park has a full suite of amenities.
You can sign up to participate in or volunteer for the Cap2Cap here. Special thanks to presenting sponsor Dominion Energy.
