The Virginia Capital Trail recently expanded our Trail Ambassador program to include a new volunteer leadership position, Capital Trail Coordinator. This volunteer position will lead community events, assist with advocacy and Trail activities, and help guide new Trail Ambassadors. Trail Coordinators agree to serve a one-year term that may be renewed in December.
We are excited to announce that the following individuals were selected to serve as our inaugural Capital Trail Coordinators: Benjamin Ash, Ephraim Seidman, Dan Schmitt, Loretta Troen, and Nadine Zimmerli.
Meet Nadine
Nadine's love for skating began during her elementary school years, and it's been a lifelong passion for her. Whether on asphalt or ice, skating has never felt like exercise to her; it's pure joy and freedom. She brought this passion with her when she moved from Germany to the United States two decades ago, eventually settling in Richmond.
Nadine attributes training on the Capital Trail to her success in completing her first-ever half-marathon skate race at the 2021 NorthShore Inline Marathon and Skate Fest in Duluth, Minnesota. Nadine's journey is a wonderful example of how our local trails can inspire and enable us to achieve our passions and dreams.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A TRAIL AMBASSADOR?
The Capital Trail is such an amazing regional resource; skating and riding on it brings me so much joy and it's the perfect 'gym' for an inline skate half-marathon in Duluth that I train for every year. I see volunteering as a small way to give back, to keep the Trail in top condition and advocate for it to the wider community. What I love most, though, is riding lead bike for the Halloween 10 Miler. Being the 'rabbit' is so much fun, and I'm in awe of the runners - I couldn't do what they do. I need eight wheels to comfortably compete in distance races :)
ANY TIPS OR TRICKS YOU WOULD LIKE TO OFFER FIRST-TIME TRAIL USERS?
For new inline skaters or rollerbladers, I recommend the Jamestown end; fewer hills!
As a casual cyclist (i.e. someone who still owns a single speed, steel frame city bike with a coaster brake) it was a revelation that it's much easier to complete the Trail in one go -- i.e. riding a half-century -- when going from Jamestown to Richmond. You can coast the last 2.5 miles into town! Whereas setting out from Richmond, you a) have to ride up a lot of hills right away and b) pedal all the way to Jamestown - no coasting. So for anyone who is attempting their first 51.7 mile ride, I'd say start at Mile Marker 0 and head west.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE Trail MEMORY?
On Christmas Day in 2021, I set out from Shiplock and skated up the big hill just outside of Richmond. It was such a lovely, serene, crisp morning. The few of us out on the Trail all wished each other a Good Morning and Happy Holidays as we passed -- which to me encapsulates the friendly Trail community. It was a wonderful way to start the holiday weekend.
what are some of your passions?
This is very niche, but I love watching the Diamond League track & field competitions in the summer and biathlon and cross-country World Cup races in the winter. (Can you tell I'm European yet?!) Biathlon is the no. 1 winter sport on TV in Germany, where I grew up, and I love that those competitions can change on a dime (which is why they make for great TV). This past winter I finally saw my first world cup live in Oslo -- an unforgettable experience!
