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VA Creeper Trail
We made it to the Virginia Creeper Trail this past weekend and it was a gorgeous day to bike 34.... er.... 17 miles. Yes, w
e were only able to do 17 miles. NOT b/c we couldn't do the entire 34, but it seemed as if Ike had different plans for us. No, we didn't get hit by hurricane Ike per say. We got hit by what hurricane Ike caused.... gas shortages. Our 34 mile bike ride was short changed b/c the shuttle service didn't have fuel. Seems as if the gas stations in the area were closed b/c they were out of gas. All in all, it worked out for the best. I was a bit nervous about 
doing the entire 34 miles anyways. Not b/c I couldn't do it, but b/c of how long it would of taken me to do it. See.... we went with a group of VERY fit people. Infact, some of the people in our group biked 68 miles that day! So when we heard that the shuttle couldn't pick us up at the end of the trail in Abbington VA, I was a bit (no, ALOT) relieved. It was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders and I was able to relax and enjoy the day knowing we had 3 1/2 hours to do 17 miles. I was seriously worried that I would have had to pedal my ass off and not taken in the scenery or get any good photos b/c I had
to make sure I kept up with the fast crew in order to catch the shuttle on time. Anyways.... enough about hurricane Ike, stress, and the fit bikers. About my trip. So we get meet up location for the group and all follow each other to the bike outfitters (Creeper Trail Bike Rentals.) We pick out our bikes and are ready to go around 12pm. The rental shop is about a mile away from the bike trail head, so we pedal on over. It was a nice 1-mile ride, mostly down hill and passing through farm land. We get to the Whitetop Station trail head (which is an old train station thats now converted into a li
ttle store/museum for hikers and bikers), snap some photos and Boo begins the trail. The Virginia CreeperTrail by the way, is a former railroad bed that passes through the beautiful, rugged, backcountry of southwest Virginia. The entire trail is 34 miles in length one way and can be biked, or hiked going in either direction. There is even a section of the Appalachian Trail that merges with the Creeper trail for a few miles. (I wonder if we would be able to cross that section of the AT trail off since we technically were ON the AT? hahaha!). So we rode the 17 miles from Whitetop to Damascus going down almost the entire way. What a gorgeous trail. It passed through the woods of Mt. Rogers National Park, it passed through open meadows, Christmas tree farms, and at times even wooded private property. The trail rides along a meandering river that likes to snake from right to le
ft, sprinkling the entire trail with about 100 tressles and bridges. About mid way, we stopped for lunch. We hiked down about 15 feet to the river, sat on some large rock croppings that had some good views of a few small waterfalls, and ate PB&J sammies, bananas, and chocolate chip cookies. After a nice 30 min. break, we hopped on the bikes, pass Green Cove Station, and continue on our way. At mile 11 there was a busy cafe aptly called the Creeper Trail Cafe. I've read some good things about it, but we weren't hungry and continued on to Damascus. The trail gets a bit more flatter, but it was nice to actually pedal for a bit. Soo
n we enter the town of Damascus VA, and see the ice cream shop that I've read has the best ice cream. We still weren't too hungry, so we continue through the tiny town and head to the shuttle area. We ride back up to Whitetop and to our car. Both of us agreed that we would definately come back and do the entire 34 miles someday. Boo wants to do it going warp speed to see how fast he can complete it. Me... I just want to enjoy being outdoors, letting the breeze flow through my hair, watching the river float on by, and working up an appetite for that reward ice cream cone! Can't wait to go back. Til then.... Get outdoors and PLAY!!!
e were only able to do 17 miles. NOT b/c we couldn't do the entire 34, but it seemed as if Ike had different plans for us. No, we didn't get hit by hurricane Ike per say. We got hit by what hurricane Ike caused.... gas shortages. Our 34 mile bike ride was short changed b/c the shuttle service didn't have fuel. Seems as if the gas stations in the area were closed b/c they were out of gas. All in all, it worked out for the best. I was a bit nervous about 
doing the entire 34 miles anyways. Not b/c I couldn't do it, but b/c of how long it would of taken me to do it. See.... we went with a group of VERY fit people. Infact, some of the people in our group biked 68 miles that day! So when we heard that the shuttle couldn't pick us up at the end of the trail in Abbington VA, I was a bit (no, ALOT) relieved. It was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders and I was able to relax and enjoy the day knowing we had 3 1/2 hours to do 17 miles. I was seriously worried that I would have had to pedal my ass off and not taken in the scenery or get any good photos b/c I had
to make sure I kept up with the fast crew in order to catch the shuttle on time. Anyways.... enough about hurricane Ike, stress, and the fit bikers. About my trip. So we get meet up location for the group and all follow each other to the bike outfitters (Creeper Trail Bike Rentals.) We pick out our bikes and are ready to go around 12pm. The rental shop is about a mile away from the bike trail head, so we pedal on over. It was a nice 1-mile ride, mostly down hill and passing through farm land. We get to the Whitetop Station trail head (which is an old train station thats now converted into a li
ttle store/museum for hikers and bikers), snap some photos and Boo begins the trail. The Virginia CreeperTrail by the way, is a former railroad bed that passes through the beautiful, rugged, backcountry of southwest Virginia. The entire trail is 34 miles in length one way and can be biked, or hiked going in either direction. There is even a section of the Appalachian Trail that merges with the Creeper trail for a few miles. (I wonder if we would be able to cross that section of the AT trail off since we technically were ON the AT? hahaha!). So we rode the 17 miles from Whitetop to Damascus going down almost the entire way. What a gorgeous trail. It passed through the woods of Mt. Rogers National Park, it passed through open meadows, Christmas tree farms, and at times even wooded private property. The trail rides along a meandering river that likes to snake from right to le
ft, sprinkling the entire trail with about 100 tressles and bridges. About mid way, we stopped for lunch. We hiked down about 15 feet to the river, sat on some large rock croppings that had some good views of a few small waterfalls, and ate PB&J sammies, bananas, and chocolate chip cookies. After a nice 30 min. break, we hopped on the bikes, pass Green Cove Station, and continue on our way. At mile 11 there was a busy cafe aptly called the Creeper Trail Cafe. I've read some good things about it, but we weren't hungry and continued on to Damascus. The trail gets a bit more flatter, but it was nice to actually pedal for a bit. Soo
n we enter the town of Damascus VA, and see the ice cream shop that I've read has the best ice cream. We still weren't too hungry, so we continue through the tiny town and head to the shuttle area. We ride back up to Whitetop and to our car. Both of us agreed that we would definately come back and do the entire 34 miles someday. Boo wants to do it going warp speed to see how fast he can complete it. Me... I just want to enjoy being outdoors, letting the breeze flow through my hair, watching the river float on by, and working up an appetite for that reward ice cream cone! Can't wait to go back. Til then.... Get outdoors and PLAY!!!
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