The seven hills of Richmond by bicycle.

Richmond lore says that like Rome Richmond was built on seven hills. Given my affinity for History and cycling, I figure the only thing to do was map out a route that takes you, by bike, up each of the seven hills of Richmond. Duh. But first, which hills are the hills?

If you were to guess you might say: Oregon, Richmond, Church, Libby, Chimborazo, and ...? It turns out there is a lot of confusion around about which of the hills are actually The Hills; no one can seem to agree. Luckily in 1937 City Council, noting that Richmond "has as many hills as a rich man has shirts," decided to set the record straight once and for all. Eventually the records of city engineer and clerk Frank T. Bates were found and the seven hills were named:

• Union


• Church


• Council Chamber


• Shockoe


• Gambles


• Navy


• French Garden

This was all put in a resolution that unfortunately never passed, so there still is confusion today. But those are about the most official hills we've got. So that is what I went with. I'll post the route (at least pretty close) below/later. But here are some of the awesome things you ride past on this twenty mile tour of Richmond:

• Three projects: Mosby, Fairfield, and Gilpen


• Three parks: Great Ship Lock, Chimborazo, Jefferson


• Where the Annabelle Lee used to be


• St. John's Church


• Main St. train station


• Shockoe Hill cemetery


• The Jefferson


• Tredegar Iron works


• The capitol building

So seriously, an awesome ride.