Virginia Creeper Trail: Biking all 34 Miles in 1 Day

[@randycraig978]

Thanks very much for watching this video. We hope you enjoy, ‘like’, and share! And we encourage you to ask questions or provide comments below.

[@KathyEgan-z6g]

I loved this video for the mini history lesson, fun old-timey explorer music, smiling friends, and maps with pedaling-difficulty-expectations. Most of all I loved the grandpa-esque geeky narration. ❤ This little video made me want to strap on my bike helmet and hop on the Virginia Creeper Trail! Thank you Randy

[@randycraig978]

Hey Kathy, thanks so much for your very nice comments about this video! 😀 You made my day! 🤗 I had a lot of fun making this video and you picked up on a lot of the nuances that I am proud of. Best of all, you are now interested in experiencing the Creeper Trail yourself. Best complement of all! ♥, Randy

[@hemaccabe4292]

I love how you explain so much about the details of taking the trip if we want to follow. I also like how you made your trip into a story. Great video. Thank you.

[@randycraig978]

Thanks for watching and for your nice comments! It’s a great trail and I highly recommend it. 👍 😃

[@karencraig3990]

Great job Randy!

[@sferguson11809]

Wow-Looks like a fun day! I bet when the Fall leaves are changing it would be even more stunning! Good job Karen and Randy for finishing the ride!

[@randycraig978]

Thanks Stacey! And yes, I have seen pictures of this area in the fall. It really does look great. We have already considered that our next trip to this area would be during the time when leaves are changing colors. 🙂

[@robertpoole9136]

Looks like fun!

[@stevehague3836]

I was lucky enough to get to ride from Abingdon to the top and back down in 1 day using a mountain bike, in 2001. Still have the bike and the memory of a great ride ! Great work on your presentation !

[@randycraig978]

Interesting Steve! Would love to know if you see changes since your ride in 2001. Thanks for watching, and thanks for the nice comments!

[@stevehague3836]

@@randycraig978 there doesn't appear to be as many gates to stop at and open as before. And the new bridge too ! That's all I could see different

[@randycraig978]

OK, interesting. Thanks for following up on that Steve.

[@alisondonnelly5053]

Love how you change the music to match the mood of the trail. Might just put the VCT on my bucket list!

[@randycraig978]

Thanks for watching Alison, and for the kind words! 😀 And yes, I had a lot of fun lining up background music for this. 🎵 Hope you do get there someday. It's a great, inexpensive vacation activity.

[@Tony-Riley]

Amazing! I try to ride this several times a year! One of my favorites! Great video. Loved it 😊

[@randycraig978]

Alright! A fellow Creeper Trail enthusiast! 👍 😃. I rode the entire trail again 2 more times this year. It was great as always. Especially with the fall colors in mid-October. Thanks for watching, and thanks also for kind words!

[@dannyboy7765]

Well done! That was a good video!! I’m going on the Creeper Trail next weekend. Your video was very informative and I think I’m going to do the 34 mile bike ride. I had no idea that was an option. Thanks!

[@randycraig978]

Thanks for watching and for your nice comments! 👍 Hope you have a great trip next weekend. And hope you do the whole 34. It is a great feeling of accomplishment! 💪 😃

[@LifesSweetJourney]

AHHH how did I miss the Christmas tree farm?! I will have to be on better lookout for that next time!!

[@randycraig978]

😀The Christmas trees are pretty cool. Thanks for watching our video!

[@butchie2752]

Nice vid. See many e-bikes on the trail?

[@randycraig978]

Thanks! Glad you liked our video. And I do remember seeing a few e-bikes. This would be a great trail for that. Especially if you were riding the 17 miles uphill from Damascus to Whitetop. Also, I ran across another Creeper video from someone who was on an e-bike. Search for "RIDING THE CREEPER TRAIL ON MY LECTRIC XP!!". Looks like fun!

[@scotthanback4530]

Plan to go in the fall

[@randycraig978]

Yes, good plan. It is supposed to be beautiful when the leaves are changing colors. I, and the same crew in this video, plan to make a return visit this Fall as well. Thanks for watching!

[@ZillaYT]

Nice area.

[@bridgetz851]

Which half of the trail did you enjoy the most question? And which half has the best scenery? Also, do you know of a shuttle from abington to whitetop? I'm thinking of doing it in one day, but how do you get back. 😊

[@randycraig978]

Thanks for watching our video! As pointed out in the video, the first half from Whitetop to Damascus is more popular as it is all downhill. It is a little more woodsy and nature-esque as well. But the second half from Damascus to Abingdon has nice, rolling farmland and the long trestle bridge over the scenic Holston River. And you get more exercise riding the 2nd half as well. 💪 Personally, I do not have a preference as I liked both halves for different reasons. 😀 Riding all 34 miles if you can is definitely the best way to get the full experience. And if you are doing that, staying in Abingdon the night before makes good sense. I believe Abingdon has a little bit more to do than Damascus with respect to restaurants and things to see. Also, I believe it is straightforward to rent bikes and get a shuttle to Whitetop from Abingdon. E.g., vacreepertrailbikeshop.com/trail.html . And here is a site with more general info and lots of links to more stuff including lodging options: visitabingdonvirginia.com/. Hope you do plan a trip and ride the trail. It is a great, inexpensive vacation activity!

[@bridgetz851]

@@randycraig978 Great, thank you so much! Definitely planning a trip.

[@is3260]

So many safe and respectful biking rules broken during this video. Share the trail. Don't assume you are the only ones using it. Amazed no one got hurt.

[@randycraig978]

Thanks for watching our video! Interesting that you feel like we are breaking safety rules in this video. I feel like we were being very safe. I do think it is quite possible that the video masks over how safe we generally are. For one thing, some of the video scenes are sped up for effect. For another, the actual sound is often overshadowed by music or narration. For example, the video does not show us shouting “Hello, on your left!!” and waiting for acknowledgement as we approach and pass others. Perhaps you are seeing issues that are not really there?

[@darylcarty6979]

Sundog Outfitters Damascus -full service bike rental/shuttle service

[@ElysianProjects]

Is there a shuttle to take you back to Damascus at the end?

[@randycraig978]

Yes, the same shuttle service picked us up in Abingdon and returned us to Damascus. I should have included that in the video. The shuttle service I am talking about is 'Adventure Damascus'. You can read about their various options on this page: www.adventuredamascus.com/creeper_trail_bike_rental.HTM. Note that the "The Full Double Dog Combo Package" option is the one that includes both a ride from Damascus to Whitetop in the morning, and a ride from Abingdon back to Damascus in the afternoon.

[@ElysianProjects]

@@randycraig978 Super helpful! Thank you Randy. I’m going in June on my birthday and very excited!

[@randycraig978]

Thanks Sandra! And I hope you have a great trip!

[@charlesphelps2730]

It's more fun if you ascend then reward yourself with the descension.

[@randycraig978]

I am sure you are right about that! I would love to try that sometime. Thanks for watching our video.