roadrider

Has anyone ridden form Abingdon to Whitetop the full 34 miles to the top and how long did it take you?
Just trying to get a idea so I can plan my day.

BikeWNC

I've done Damascus to the top and back but I can't remember how long it took. We weren't racing that's for sure. The issue with the Creeper Trail is the number of other users and that will limit your speed. Most choose to take a bus ride to the top and ride down so the ride up, at least from Damascus up will be slowed by dodging those descending. I would recommend you just go for the ride and not worry how long it takes. If I had to guess, I bet it could be done in 2 hours up but realistically expect much more. Coming back down is all about safety of the other trail users. So don't bomb it. I don't think the grade ever exceeds 3% and that is only near the top.

roadrider

Thanks WNC, I have rode down before and know how conjusted it can be, but I
was just courious about the time going up.

IAmCosmo

I did it at the end of last year. Like Bike WNC said, you have to dodge herds of families on rental bikes unless you do it like I did. I started riding at 6 am. Pretty much had the trail to myself aside from a couple joggers and a guy walking a dog. Got to the top at about 8:30 or so, just in time for the first buses to start showing up to drop people off to ride down.

roadrider

IAmCosmo did you start in Abingdon or Damascas?

Tony N.

This is the beginning of the best time of the year for VC. There is a nip in the air early mornings and the leaves should start turning soon. It is not one of those rides that you will want to race becaue it is just so beautiful with lots of places that you may want to stop, take pictures and just enjoy God's creation.
We usually take our travel trailer and camp at the Christmas Tree Farm at the top and park our tow vehicle/truck the whole time we are there and bike wherever we are going using the VC both ways.
So far, the VC is our favorite Rail Trail.
Have fun!!!!!

IAmCosmo

I'm not sure. It was like 33 miles from start to finish.

roadrider

ok that was from Abingdon if it was 33 miles. Its a great time to go. We have a cabin on the trail
rented for the weekend. Only 3 more weeks till we go.

joeprim

It took me ~4 hours at a slow pace to go from Damicus to WHS and back. Stopping to take pictures ...

Have a good ride
Joe

rm -rf

Yeah, the scenery is too good to just keep grinding up the trail. You'll want to stop a lot. The round trip from Damascus to the top and then back downhill is a lot better than getting the shuttle ride from the top. You can really see everything while climbing.

I rode up from Damascus a few times in the fall on a weekday. The trail was pretty empty.

barndoor

This is definitely on my "to do" list......

roadrider

Thanks everyone, friday I'm riding to the top and down, then saturday I'm taking the shuttle to the top with my girlfriend and riding down. I'm figuring 2 to 2 1/2 hours to get to the top.

akcapbikeforums

We did Abingdon to Whitetop and back last summer -- I rank it as one of the best bike trips I've ever made. I want to go back, bad. We left at 8:30 in the morning and got back at 6PM.

Do NOT go when there are likely to be a lot of people on the trail... it's a real buzzkill seeing people hurtling down the mountain looking like they haven't been on a bike in twenty years and holding the handlebars like it's an infected garden hose.

mrz80

Oooh, that's the N&W's old Abingdon Branch right-of-way! That'll have to go on the list of places to go and things to do.

roadrider

We went last Sept. and rode down from Whitetop and I know about all the people. Maybe it won't be as crowded in Oct.
Its a great place to stay for the weekend, ride and go to the theatre.