Virginia Odysseys

About Us

A Little History

In 1982 Allen Turnbull, together with several Williamsburg friends, created Bike Virginia. This small bicycle touring company offered guided bicycling tours throughout the state. Over the years the number and location of the tours expanded to include the mid-Atlantic and all four seasons with winter tours in Florida and the Caribbean. Bike Virginia became Four Seasons Cycling in 1987, and was integrated into a New England bicycle touring company two years later. Allen also founded Bike Virginia, the annual cross-state bicycle adventure, and directed it from 1988 to 2007. In 2000, Allen created BikeWalk Virginia, a statewide non-profit organization promoting biking and walking for health, environmental, and economic benefits. In May 2008 Allen stepped down as Executive Director of BikeWalk Virginia.

Virginia Odysseys

Allen’s love of bicycling and love of his native state led to the creation of Virginia Odysseys in 2004. Now, with the help of several friends and 28 years experience of developing and managing bicycle tours, he will focus on the best on-road bicycle tours Virginia has to offer. Fortunately, even as much has changed in Virginia over the years, much has remained the same. The 1982 description of the Williamsburg tour read, “ride around unspoiled Jamestown Island; cool off with a ferry boat ride across the James River; visit Chippokes Plantation in rural Surry County.” This description is still accurate today, but the area now "boasts" of an additional treat: the newly completed Virginia Capital Trail. Over the next few years, Virginia Odysseys will develop and publish Virginia self-guided tour information on the web. These "Tour Books" will be available free as PDF downloads for those wanting to do-it-themselves. In addition, both guided and custom tours will be offered.

Management

Virginia Odysseys is managed by Allen and Mary Turnbull, who reside in Williamsburg. Both Allen and Mary are active in local bicycle activities, serving on the Board of the Williamsburg Area Bicyclists, the Historic Triangle Bicycle Advisory Committee, and the May is Bike Month Committee. Over the past 28 years Allen and Mary have biked throughout their beloved Virginia and have extensive knowledge of routes, accommodations, historical sites, and hospitality across the state.

The Team

Our team of bicyclists across the state is ready to plan, lead, and support your bicycling vacation. We are currently enlarging the Virginia Odysseys team. Contact Allen if you want to help other bicyclists explore Virginia the best way possible - by bike, of course!

Giving Back

Virginia Odysseys gives 10% of profits to Virginia statewide 501 (c) (3) Non-Profits promoting biking and walking for health, environmental, and economic benefits. Two are listed here. Help make Virginia bicycle Friendly by becoming a member today.

BikeWalk Virginia

Our Vision - A more active, safe, clean, and healthy Virginia where all Virginians and visitors can enjoy the benefits of walking, biking, hiking, paddling, and horseback trail riding for recreation or transportation.

An ACTIVE Virginia, where it is easy for Virginians and visitors to choose to walk, bike, hike, paddle and trail ride for recreation, health and transportation and where children are able to walk or bike safely to school.
A SAFE Virginia, where Virginians use safe walking, biking, hiking, paddling and trail riding practices and where streets and trails safely accommodate all users.
A CLEAN Virginia, less reliant on motorized transportation, where the natural beauty, greenways, blueways, and clean air of the Commonwealth are preserved for generations to come.
A HEALTHY Virginia, with communities designed for active living, and where increased outdoor recreation activities and transportation opportunities are part of everyday life.

BikeWalk Virginia is organized exclusively for charitable or educational purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Virginia Bicycling Federation

The Virginia Bicycling Federation was formed in the early 1990s by groups of volunteers — individuals, bike clubs, bike-related businesses, and other organizations — coming together to form a unified voice, to promote bicycling throughout Virginia. We work to change public policy and community attitudes, to improve the safety, convenience, and acceptance of bicycling.

The Virginia Bicycling Federation is all-volunteer organization, with no paid staff. Our activities are supported by membership fees and donations. As a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, Virginia Bicycling Federation fees and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

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