OCTOBER 6th, 2007

 

I'm planning on a bike excursion on the Virginia Creeper Trail in the first weekend in October. (10/6/07) This should be a great time to enjoy the fall colors of western VA and have a relaxing "downhill bike ride for 17 miles. 

 Trail Information:

Virginia's finest rail-trail, the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail, ( http://www.vacreepertrail.com/index.html)  occupies the bed of what was once a rugged mountain railroad between Abingdon and the Virginia-North Carolina border about a mile east of Whitetop Community. At the trail's lowest point, where it crosses South Holston Lake on a huge curving trestle, it is 2,000 feet above sea level, but by the time it reaches Whitetop Community it has ascended 1,600 feet, some of it at nearly 7 percent grade.
With 100 trestles and bridges, sharp curves, and steep grades, the Virginia Creeper was the quintessential mountain railroad.

 The Plan:

Our excursion will begin at the top of the mountain (Whitetop Mountain) and proceed downhill approximately 17 miles (most of it downhill) into the community of Damascus, VA.  I have secured 10 slots with an outfitter to shuttle the group from Damascus to the Trail head at the top of Whitetop Mountain.  There are several café's along the route and we can have lunch about midway down the mountain.

 Particulars:

Saturday, October 6th, 2007

We are meeting at the Shuttle service at 10:30 in Damascus.  http://www.thebikestation.net/index.html . 

At 11AM we will leave Damascus for the top of the mountain.  We anticipate getting at the trail head at approximately 11:20AM. 

 The trail is mostly down hill with some parts being level. The trail end in Damascus is very close to "the bike station"

 I have secured 10 slots on the shuttle bus.  Two of which will be for Roger and for me.  Let me know that you are tacking on to the group of ten so I can keep track of who to look out for.  As some point I will need to give up those slots in favor of the outfitters' other clients if I don't get confirmed from the group.    So let me know ASAP if you want to go.  If you don't have a bike or want to rent a bike, they can accommodate you as well.

 Cost for the outfitters are as follows.

• Bike Transport Cost - (Bikers Own Bike) - $12.00
  Bike Transport Cost - w/bike rental - $23.00

Of course, if you just want to meet us at the top of the hill around 11:20ish or so and arrange your own shuttling, just let me know.

 We will be staying at Starlite Campground on Friday and Saturday night ( www.starlitelodge.com) and will leave approximately 8AM.   If you want to car-pool with us or caravan, let me know.  Also, if you just want to meet us in Damascus, let me know as well so I can keep a look out for you. 

What to Bring:

• A Bike (duh) --- you can rent one from the outiftters if you don't have one... (see above
• Riding helmet
• sufficent water for your 17 mile downhill journey
• trail snacks
• money for Lunch 

My phone number is 704.293.9207 and email is ray.w.cline@... if you have any questions.

 Thanks