Ben Harrison Bridge

Okay thanks, I think I was looking at the Hopewell Bridge but even at that point it would be a big detour.

I’ve ridden over the Benjamin Harrison bridge multiple times. It’s not great, and drivers don’t like it. The steel grates are pretty cool to ride over. You end up looking directly down into the water. The varina enon bridge is on 295 and is illegal to ride human powered vehicles.

Jackie, the route you propose sounds amazing!

I have crossed that bridge by car on my way to Petersburg historic sites and can tell you it lacks sufficient borders to pull over or sidewalks, forcing you to ride on the traffic lanes. You also have the steel grid plates at the middle of the bridge, a real hazard for narrower tires. VDOT and others have been talking about providing crossing alternatives at this point since at least 2017 ( www.craterpdc.org/environment/documents/Technical%20Document_071118.pdf ) such as a dedicated bike/pedestrian ferry or shuttle vehicle, neither of which have taken hold.

May I suggest your best option to do this route is post a request on the day of your ride for a lift across the bridge on the day of your ride. It would be a matter of coordinating the time to meet and where just before the bridge (there's a few options). Depending on the day and time I would be willing to help you out.

I am planning a century ride from Charles City CH up to the Ben Harrison bridge, down the the southside to the ferry then back up the Cap Trail to CC. Is the Harrison bridge rideable? The heat maps on RidewithGPS and Strava are not encouraging. Alternative would be the Varina Enon bridge then through Hopewell. Would love any input from others who have experience riding there or maybe not to ride there. Thanks!