Riding the VA Creeper Trail

We left the White Top Station on a cool overcast and somewhat misty morning—more like an early fall morning than mid-July, and this is after coming from Richmond in the mid 90s, a rather stark contrast, but very nice. 

We travelled down the trail with which was somewhat full of other people and families of all ages and abilities. This bike ride is a breeze as it is all downhill for a good portion of the trail.  Unfortunately, if you hadn’t brought extra clothing, the ride was almost too chilly in places.  We passed many homes and steep hilly fields with sheep, goats, cattle and horses, as well as many, many Christmas trees in various stages of growth—small trees that were barely a couple of years old to others about 12 years old and ready for harvest this coming fall.

About 2 hours into the ride, we spotted the Creeper Trail Café and crossed over the bridge and stream and had a quick, reasonably priced bite to eat.  They have plenty of 3-layer chocolate cake which is “world famous”, but I have a recipe to beat it!!  The deck and picnic tables were a bit wet to sit down on so we ate inside and soon were finished with lunch and on our way to Damascus, VA, with the sun poking out.

In another 45 minutes we were in Damascus, VA and our ride was concluded in a considerably warmer and sunnier place than we started.  We boarded the shuttle bus back to White Top, and then onto our campsite.  Another great trip!!  This is a “must do” for fall and I’m already planning that trip.

SATURDAY:  Meet at the Whitop Station trailhead at 10 a.m.:

 https://www.google.com/maps/place/White+Top+depot/@36.598828,-81.6246552,18.15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x31ae6f5a3255acda!8m2!3d36.5991198!4d-81.6255118?hl=en

A relaxing but INCREDIBLY beautiful ride from the VA Creeper Campground , which is short ¼ mi from the White Top Station to Damascus VA on the VA Creeper Trail, a converted Rail Trail crisscrossing a mountain river about 20 times on sturdy wooden bridges and one trestle bridge.  We’ll stop half-way for lunch on the banks of the river.  Bring your lunch or buy it at the Creeper Café with a deck overlooking the river.  Ride takes 2-3 hours, depending on how fast you like to ride.  We’ll take bus or my truck and trailer back to the campsite.

http://www.vacreepertrail.com/ Maps, Info, & Advisories on the Virginia Creeper Rail Trail.

NOTE:  There is no cell service at the trailhead nor the campsite, but there is some cell service at a Quick Stop a few miles away.  PLEASE plan ahead and give yourself PLENTY of time to get to the campsite and/or trailhead.  I’ll be wearing a bright red shirt on a tan Cannondale.