Riding the Virginia Creeper Trail

The Virginia Creeper Trail is indeed one of
the top rails-to-trail bike rides in the states

I decided to load the camper with the dogs and make a week-long adventure on the Virginia Creeper Trail. I met my good friend Pat Zoleman on Tuesday, October 12, at the Abingdon Bike Shuttle to take our bikes to the trailhead on Whitetop Mountain.

The downhill ride took us through beautiful valleys and along several creeks. A little more than halfway down the trail we stopped at a coffee shack, located across a small stream. We enjoyed an outstanding cup of special blend coffee and a homemade blueberry muffin. Continuing on our 17-mile ride to Damascus we stop at the Damascus Dinner for lunch and refreshments.

The second leg of our trip was a ride from Damascus back to Abingdon another 17 miles. Rather than being downhill, it was a slight uphill climb back to Abingdon.

Wednesday was another beautiful day so I decided to ride from Damascus to Abington and back. The ride reminded me of the Chessie Trail in Lexington, Virginia.

I had no RSVPs from WSC’s biking members for the scheduled creeper ride on Friday, but I hung out at the Damascus bike shuttle for an hour, just in case. When the shuttle owner found out I have an e-bike he challenged me to ride to the top. With a lot of peddling, I made it to the top and, thank goodness, it was all downhill from there. - Tim Jordan