I found your channel while I’m sitting at home recovering from a concussion. As a professional photographer I immediately noticed your skills. I was crossing the street in front of a school bus which was waiting at a stop sign. All of a sudden he decided to go and my head was the point of impact. It broke my helmet but I’m still here to write this. That full head of hair, of which I am envious, won’t protect you. Consider wearing a helmet. BTW, I have over 50 years of adult bike riding experience without an accident until 4 days ago. I’ll be watching🚴🏻♀️😎
Thanks for watching and I sincerely hope that you recover completely from your accident. Like I said, I wear one when it seems like a good idea based on the trail itself… and I very much avoid riding on roads with cars. I almost never do that. I hate it. I’ve seen and heard lots of personal anecdotes and stories about people that have received head injuries. But I’ve also watched RUclips videos where they present data that say walking is statistically as dangerous as riding a bike and yet we don’t wear helmets just to walk around. And then there’s one of the countries over in the Scandinavian region where there’s tons and tons of bicyclists… And almost none of them wear helmets. I think it’s Norway or Denmark. And they’re riding through busy city streets in large cities. I don’t know… I mean, I’m open to it and like I said, I will wear one if I feel like there’s a risk. Do I enjoy wearing a helmet? That’s an emphatic no. I have a large head so I think it makes me look goofy. It ruins my hair, it can be hot/uncomfortable, It’s one more thing to have to keep track of, etc. So I guess on this topic, I’m just gonna have to say “to be continued…” Thanks for your input, and I hope you heal up nicely!
The next venture on this trail must be in late JUNE when the cascading mountain rhododendrons are in full bloom. BREATHTAKING! One of the best trails ever!
Just found this channel, very impressed by the videos. Top notch camera work, cinematography an editing. I'm amazed these videos don't have more views yet, but that is obviously coming. Keep up the great narration as well, I'm definitely enjoying the sense of humor. I watch a lot of "bike trails" RUclips videos, and this is some of the best out there. Keep the videos coming!
Thanks so much for the encouragement! It’s a way of combining two things that I really enjoy - exploring bike trails and video production. I should’ve started a long time ago! 😆
I came across your videos and want to tell you how thankful I am that you got such beautiful video of our beloved Creeper Trail. After the unimaginable events of September 27, the Creeper Trail you recorded is all but completely destroyed. Eighteen trestles were completely destroyed and so much of the trail has been washed away. Your videos are beautiful and mean even more now. We will fix it, but it will take a minute.....or a long while. Just wanted to say thank you for giving us a beautiful record and memory of the Virginia Creeper Trail as it was before Helene.
Wow...very sorry to hear this. I'm so glad I visited last year when I did. I believe it will be back, better than ever...but it will take time (and money). You all are in my prayers.
I agree "Destination Trail" Love the Creeper Trail.. Good for the Soul.. I always feel better after a visit..Glad you challenge yourself.. Riding up does get more challenging the closer you get to the top.. Bonus is you get a different look of the trail.. Fantastic Video..
@@joyfultrails You could Actually Expand Trails & Greenways There’s - Greenways & Trails like Cayce RiverWalk great Day Trips😎 There’s - Destination Trails like Creeper Trail let’s make a weekend of it 🚴♂️😎 I would put Swamp Rabbit on this list.. so much to do in Greenville Then there’s trip of a life time trails Like - Great Allegheny Passage or Katy Trail.. were you make a week of it 🚴♂️🍁🏕️☕️
@@joyfultrails Speaking of trip of a lifetime.. When get older 🤪 You should look at RAGBRAI 🌽 it’s a bike ride across Iowa starting at the Missouri River bike ride to the Mississippi River now that’s EPIC
By far the best video ever on the Creeper! You do a outstanding job showing the beauty of the trail. Btw the only reason I took the shuttle to Whitetop was because I heard a lot of people come down rather fast so I wanted to avoid that. Loved the trail
Beautiful video, one of the best I've watched. I've seen the trail through its railroad days to the battle to create a bike trail to today's increasingly-crowded landscape (and currently live with a few hundred feet of frontage) and your video captures the spirit and diversity of the Creeper. Well done and thank you.
I used to live in Bristol. The Creeper Trail was the closest trail of that sort. I've been there many times, but it's been 25yrs since I've been there. My wife and I rented a couple of bikes, then took a ride on this trail. We loved it. That ride convinced us to buy a couple of mtn bikes. Many of the scenes you showed... I don't remember. What I DO remember though... you know all those 47 gorgeous bridges and trestles... Copperheads love them, too. They will get underneath the road surface, and when they don't detect anyone, they will go up, and sun themselves. When the first wheel hits the bridge, they will scurry away. I never let that stop me from riding over them, but I stopped using bridges for rest breaks. I agree that it's worthy of the title, "Destination Trail". I need to get back there someday.
@@gearhead366 Wow! Thanks for sharing your memories. I was there in late October and did not see any snakes. That would’ve freaked me out a little bit. You’re right, it’s a beautiful trail and I understand that the half from Damascus to Whitetop has been nearly destroyed by hurricane Helene. They’re in the process of trying to secure funding to rebuild now. Hopefully she’ll be back better than ever before too long.
@@joyfultrails "I understand that the half from Damascus to Whitetop has been nearly destroyed by hurricane Helene." 😥 That's a shame. I'm in upstate SC, not far from TR. I got quite a bit of damage from Helene, but I thought the damage didn't extend into VA. I hope they get it repaired.
Thanks for another great video. Your videos are always very entertaining and informative. Yes, the VCT is certainly a great trail. Your sense of humor adds to our enjoyment of your videos. 👍Keep them coming.
You must have been a photographer is a previous life, some of your camera angles are amazing, (ok all of your angles!) good eye for composition, content and points of interest. Thank you!
Thank you! Yeah, I've been a videographer and editor pretty much my whole professional life. I enjoy creating the videos as much as riding the trails. Thanks for watching.
I don't usually comment; but here goes: rode this trail in 2014. I was 64 yrs old. I've ridden RAGBRAI and many week long tours and rails-to-trails. So I was in great shape. I had an RV and would travel to trails and ride. This one was and is one of my favorites. There is an RV park past White Top at the border. The trail further degrades and is over grown past the border. Drove there, then rode down to Damascus and back. On the way back, I didn't take enough water. I saw a couple outside their house and asked them for water. They were more than nice. Then found an RV park in Damascus, and rode to Abington and back. One of the trestle bridges was not yet complete so it was get off and walk. Some of the places pointed out did not exist. It was in June and the Appalachian trail festival was happening in Damascus.The place was packed. Found my way to a bar and to my surprise the Tour de France was on the TV. I was in Heaven. Your videos are perfect; photography excellent; music tasteful. Being on radio has been a plus when listening to you. Thank you, keep up the good work. BTW ALWAYS wear your helmet. After a while you won't feel right without it.
Wearing a helmet ALWAYS makes sense! I won’t even believe me to my neighbor’s house without a helmet. My worst bike accident happened when I was not going fast at all. My helmet kept me from kissing the road.
The Creeper was our follow up to the KATY across Missouri. Almost 500 miles doing KATY both directions no problem. The Creeper kicked our butts on the upside!! We parked our van near the caboose. While getting our bikes ready a local woman was walking her little dog. She asked if we were doing the trail. When I replied "Yes! We're going to the top and back." She replied with a hearty "Hmph!" and continued on with her little doggie. She was RIGHT!!! It was almost the most challenging ride we've done, but oh, it was worth every pedal stroke. (Fighting the wind in Wyoming and Utah top our list of butt kickers)
We just stumbled across your channel and we are hooked! We've recently settled in the Asheville area so your videos are quite local. New knees have me sidelined for a while. Can't wait to hit your trails!
Your best videos yet! I love the scenery and there's just so much LIFE on that trail. I hope to make it a destination someday and try it out. Thanks for being so thorough and giving such a solid review. This is my kind of trail. I have a mountain bike, but I also have an Ebike (Lectric XP). This looks like an e-bike kind of trail (especially going UPhill). May try to book something for next fall...definitely the time to go.
Glad you enjoyed it. Some people say that E bikes are banned on the Virginia Creeper Trail. But I saw nothing posted to that effect and I believe I saw several E bikes on the trail…so you should be fine.
On my many trips to the Creeper, I’ve seen some of the worst crashes when people hit those slick wooden bridges. Another destination trail system would be the carriage roads at Acadia in Maine. You MUST do those.
Yes! The only 2 times I have had a spill as an adult - both times, it was because I applied the brakes too hard/too fast on a wet boardwalk. Thanks for the tip regarding Maine. I would love to visit the New England states...probably after I retire.
I very much enjoyed your part 2 of the VCT. Such an enjoyable and through review of the trail and the boroughs it connects. One 1uestion, is there a trail fee?
If you need to rent a bike and catch the shuttle, it runs around $30 or so. Reservations are recommended, especially Easter to Labor Day and on the weekends at other times.
Apparently, weather is often a factor there. In fact, I got rained out on the day between my 2 rides there. But when the weather's good...it's spectacular!
Another great video! I love that you rode the entire trail with no shuttle! I've always gone with a group and have never been able to talk the group into riding UP that mountain. Maybe one day! My wife & I were just talking and it really didn't seem like it was THAT far to the NC border from Whitetop. We have ridden up there a couple of times. The Creeper Trail campground is up there, as well. As far as wearing a helmet, I always choose to wear one, unless I forget it at home, because some of these trails get crowded & congested. Then of course, you always have that one person, or group that seem to think that they have to establish that new "Fastest Known Time" record for even the smallest of trails. SMH.
I loved it. I might make it a point to try to go in each season of the year. Somebody recommended that. Hey… Needing that picture of the North Carolina border just gives me an excuse to go back!
These videos were great. You've convinced me to add the Creeper to my list of trails I need to ride. I've seen the sign on the highway on the way to Knoxville, but never been able to check it out. I don't understand people taking a shuttle. Best part of the ride is getting to the top! Although 17 miles of uphill....that's definitely a challenge. There's a trail near Youngstown Ohio (of all places) that has almost 12 miles of uphill in about 15 miles of riding. One of my favorite rides in Ohio.
The VA Creeper trail is beautiful! Looking forward to trying this next year. We’re in Kingsport, TN so starting the trail in Abingdon isn’t very far. Thanks for the vid, info and scenic views! 👍
@@TonysBikeTreks-pm6mq Thanks! I understand the trail suffered a lot of storm damage, but hopefully it will be rebuilt and better than ever before too long.
Love the video, this trail is now on my list! I saw that you will now have the song artists displayed in the video, could you list them for this video please? A couple of cool tunes that I really liked.
Love the Creeper, It is a great trail and lot's of fun descending down the mountain from Whitetop. Hope you get to explore trails that are north of the Mason- Dixon such as the Greater Allegheny Passage.
Incredible video, thank You. FYI: if you get stuck without cell phone service and have an emergency your Phone 14 or iPhone 15 can use Satellite service for SOS.
I haven't ridden a bike since I was a teenager but I'm ready to go get one and hit the trails! Thanks for your awesome videos (I'm binge watching...) 😊
Gonna plan a trip for late summer or early fall with my wife. She doesn't ride though. I need an itinerary that breaks it up over 2+ days, where we stay at a nice place and explore the area on foot, once my riding is done for the day. I'm sure I'll find lots of info and suggestions online for just that. Thanks for reminding me that this is a trail I need to make time for.
Enjoy your video's, keep up the good work! BTW another great trail to try in Virginia is New River Trail State Park, I did that and the creeper trail a year ago, and liked the New River Trail even more!
I have rode both trails and agree. They are not that far apart either. We plan to bikepack there next Spring. We just did bikepack the Creeper last September
I didn't learn how to ride a bike until I was an adult, and I can barely do it now. Idk why that lady wrecked, but I'm pretty sure I could also manage to fall off my bike for no apparent reason.
Well, it certainly has changed a lot since I was there 19 something. Probably late 80s early 90s. It look nothing like that I can promise you. I guess this all means I need to go and ride that again. I won’t be taking horse trailer with me this time though. Great job on the video really.
Thanks! Yes, you should ride it again. You and Michelle can put your own unique spin on it… But she’ll probably want to walk her bike across some of the bridges! 😬
Im riding this trail in two weeks! Thanks for all the helpful info and for your beautifully videoed trails. It inspired me to go. Can you tell me the name of the first song and who performed it? It is beautiful too and I would like to hear more. (Was it you?)
Awesome...you will have a wonderful experience, I promise you that. That song is "Back Home" by Jack Schlegel. (Since making this video, I have started including the names of artists and song titles on my videos because people were asking!) Have a great time on The Creeper!
regarding helmets, “think-first foundation” will tell you approximately 1/2 serious head injuries happen from slow & and no speed side falls. i.e. why always a good precaution to wear a helmet when on a bike :)
One correction- it is only a little over a mile from Whitetop Station to the end of the VCT at the NC state line. As for riding the trail round trip, a gentleman named Lawrence Dye (aka Lawrence the :Legend) would ride from his home in Abingdon to Whitetop and back 4-5 times a week. In all, he logged close to 300K miles on the VCT until he got to where he could not longer physically ride. He's in his 80's or 90's now.
@@joyfultrails Since the shuttle services drop bikers off just beyond Whitetop Station, few if any travel that last mile. It is not well maintained but travelble by bike and foot.
Great couple of videos on the VCT...it's making me wanna go there this weekend! I might know the answer already but do you think it's good during winter too? --- War eagle from a new subscriber here :P
Ha…greatest rivalry in sports! The answer to your question is…I don’t know. BUT… a RUclipsr friend of mine who has been on that trail many times told me that I need to experience it in all four seasons of the year. 🙂
Awesome Video ! I have rode the Creeper Trail a lot ! You should visit the New River Trail in Virginia, 57 miles long, I bet you would rate it 5 stars as well ! Thanks again .
Really enjoyed both videos and plan to make a visit next year with friends. Will use your video as my sales brochure . What was the name of the artist and song in this video?
This was shot entirely on an iPhone and an Insta360 x3. The 360 is on a 9.5 ft "selfie stick" that disappears in editing, so it mimics a drone. I use the iPhone on cinematic mode for a lot of the off-bike shots.
Well… It took me all day. Because I do A LOT of stopping and starting and riding over the same bridge multiple times, etc. because I’m making a video. If I were to just ride it with no video recording, it would be interesting to see how long it would take.
@@joyfultrails Thank you for this video. I rode from Damascus to White Top last month. It took me about 2 1/2 hours to get up & a little over an hour to descend. What a great day!
I have a list in my head… mostly that I’ve learned about from other people’s RUclips videos. But I won’t know if they’re truly “all that” until I actually go there myself… 😬 As long as I’m working a full-time job it’s gonna be difficult to travel to a lot of these trails. I’ll just have to try to tackle one or two per year until I retire.
Dude the lowest point on that trail is 1735 ft heading to Whitetop and the final elevation is 2060. 325 ft elevation change over less than 10 miles, that should not be a killer workout.
I never look at elevation or distance, really. I don't have any cycling computers or measuring devices on my bike, I just go by how I feel and how hard it is to pedal up a hill for a long time! From Green Cove to Whitetop was a little difficult for me. The devices I carry tend to be video-related. Lots of action cameras! ; )
She grabbed the railing to try to slow herself to let the other guy pass so she did not hav to relase her feet and touch the ground ...... I have done that on a bridge myself .. ( the accident )
The angles on a Townie are great for coasting, but not so good for climbing. You don't get to put your whole body weight into it, and are relying on your legs completely. Kodos to completing the climb nonetheless....it looks easier in the other youtube videos because it literally is on a different bike.
By cheaters, do you mean E bikes? Yes I saw several E bikes. (Even though some people say they’re banned on the Creeper.) so… The actual order of my trip was different than what is presented in the videos. I actually did the Damascus to Whitetop leg first. Because rain was forecast for Friday, so I wanted to do the whitetop trip on a Thursday to avoid crowds on the weekend. so I went from Damascus to whitetop and back on a Thursday… And then the Abington to Damascus leg on a Saturday. Got rained out on Friday.
@@joyfultrails Most likely they ban e bikes with throttles (class 2 and 3) But on most of them, you can remove the throttle and then they're acceptable.
@@joyfultrails So your car was in Damascus? If so, then you also rode from Damascus to Abington and then back? From the chart you showed us, seem it as all the way up, from A to W and then a long descent back, not much pedaling, I guess.
Think bikes on sidewalks are for the thousands of AT hikers, burdened with 39-50 lbs on their backs, not being nimble enough to get out of the way. Plus bikers, not hikers, may collide with shoppers egressing the Damascus shops, homes and restaurants. Question: trail’s vertical rise to Whitetop?
As mentioned earlier, sadly this trail no longer exists in any meaningful form. The historic flooding from Hurricane Helene washed it off the map. Very sad as it was one of the best Rail Trails in the country. Also washed off the map (mostly) was the almost brand new New River Trail further west (also was an incredibly beautiful trail). Helene was a bad day for Virginia Bikers as their two premier trails were destroyed. Fortunately the high bridge trail survived. Lets hope these trails get rebuilt sometime in the next decade, but it will cost a lot of money...
Yeah, very sad. A govt official reached out to me and asked if I still had all my raw footage. I sent him copies of all the video I shot. He said it will be used to help secure funding and to restore the trail to the way it was. I know it will take time...
Yes, very sad. But I believe it will come back. In fact, some city and state officials with emergency management reached out and requested my raw footage, which I gladly shared with them. They said it would be useful in obtaining funding and in reconstructing the trail. 🙂 I hope it comes back, it was an awesome experience for me and so many others.
@@joyfultrails WOW Thats Good To Know, Iam So Glad You Covered It, Pretty Much The Damascus To Abingdon While It Had A Few Trees Down Is In Good Shape, But A Tornado Came Through There A Few Years Ago Turned Over The Tressel But They Got The Seebee's In There, In A Weekend They Reset It.
Yeah. I've done that , stopping to look over btidge rails, grabbing the rail, but late on the braking. Sometimes I can't chew bubblegum and ride at the same time.
Nice video. As a person who has toured extensively in America and Europe, I would implore you to always wear a helmet, if you care about someone else. I feel so strongly about this, I won't be watching anymore or your vids. Good luck to you.
“If I care about someone else?” Explain that to me. That’s a new one. Anyway, the vast majority of trails that I ride are flat. They are rail trails, riverwalks, greenways. Very little chance that I’m going to just mysteriously fall off my bike and zero chance that I’m gonna land on my head. This trail to Whitetop was different, as I explain in the video. I felt like there was a risk of an accident, so I wore a helmet. If you want to wear a helmet, wear it. Whether other people wear helmets is not your concern.
The thing about helmets is they give you a chance WHEN you fall. You even had video of that woman on the bridge that almost went over. I have gone down at 3 mph and 30+ mph. All it takes is a second to hit the ground, and I think you know you can't be super vigilant all the time you ride. Even falling from a completely stopped height of 3 feet, means you hit the ground at roughly 10 mph. The end result is WHEN you go down, someone you care about will have to deal with the outcome. @@joyfultrails
Get back , I really hope you ALWAYS wear a helmet, because it's obvious you have fallen before and received a substantial head injury. Wish you the best of luck in your lifelong recovery. God Bless
@@joyfultrails You don't land on your head. You land on your shoulder and the head/hemet bounces off the ground. Happened to me a couple of times. I've ridden thousands of miles. Outstanding video!
I found your channel while I’m sitting at home recovering from a concussion. As a professional photographer I immediately noticed your skills.
I was crossing the street in front of a school bus which was waiting at a stop sign. All of a sudden he decided to go and my head was the point of impact. It broke my helmet but I’m still here to write this. That full head of hair, of which I am envious, won’t protect you. Consider wearing a helmet.
BTW, I have over 50 years of adult bike riding experience without an accident until 4 days ago. I’ll be watching🚴🏻♀️😎
Thanks for watching and I sincerely hope that you recover completely from your accident. Like I said, I wear one when it seems like a good idea based on the trail itself… and I very much avoid riding on roads with cars. I almost never do that. I hate it. I’ve seen and heard lots of personal anecdotes and stories about people that have received head injuries. But I’ve also watched RUclips videos where they present data that say walking is statistically as dangerous as riding a bike and yet we don’t wear helmets just to walk around. And then there’s one of the countries over in the Scandinavian region where there’s tons and tons of bicyclists… And almost none of them wear helmets. I think it’s Norway or Denmark. And they’re riding through busy city streets in large cities. I don’t know… I mean, I’m open to it and like I said, I will wear one if I feel like there’s a risk. Do I enjoy wearing a helmet? That’s an emphatic no. I have a large head so I think it makes me look goofy. It ruins my hair, it can be hot/uncomfortable, It’s one more thing to have to keep track of, etc. So I guess on this topic, I’m just gonna have to say “to be continued…” Thanks for your input, and I hope you heal up nicely!
The next venture on this trail must be in late JUNE when the cascading mountain rhododendrons are in full bloom. BREATHTAKING! One of the best trails ever!
Ooo…thanks for the tip! I’ve had a cyclist friend suggest that I ride it in every season of the year. That sounds good to me! 🙂
Just found this channel, very impressed by the videos. Top notch camera work, cinematography an editing. I'm amazed these videos don't have more views yet, but that is obviously coming. Keep up the great narration as well, I'm definitely enjoying the sense of humor. I watch a lot of "bike trails" RUclips videos, and this is some of the best out there. Keep the videos coming!
Thanks so much for the encouragement! It’s a way of combining two things that I really enjoy - exploring bike trails and video production. I should’ve started a long time ago! 😆
I came across your videos and want to tell you how thankful I am that you got such beautiful video of our beloved Creeper Trail. After the unimaginable events of September 27, the Creeper Trail you recorded is all but completely destroyed. Eighteen trestles were completely destroyed and so much of the trail has been washed away. Your videos are beautiful and mean even more now. We will fix it, but it will take a minute.....or a long while. Just wanted to say thank you for giving us a beautiful record and memory of the Virginia Creeper Trail as it was before Helene.
Wow...very sorry to hear this. I'm so glad I visited last year when I did. I believe it will be back, better than ever...but it will take time (and money). You all are in my prayers.
I agree "Destination Trail" Love the Creeper Trail.. Good for the Soul.. I always feel better after a visit..Glad you challenge yourself.. Riding up does get more challenging the closer you get to the top.. Bonus is you get a different look of the trail.. Fantastic Video..
Thanks! I'm glad I went up. Like I said, you tend to see more and experience the trail in a different way.
@@joyfultrails You could Actually Expand Trails & Greenways
There’s - Greenways & Trails like Cayce RiverWalk great Day Trips😎
There’s - Destination Trails like Creeper Trail let’s make a weekend of it 🚴♂️😎 I would put Swamp Rabbit on this list.. so much to do in Greenville
Then there’s trip of a life time trails
Like - Great Allegheny Passage or Katy Trail.. were you make a week of it 🚴♂️🍁🏕️☕️
@@joyfultrails Speaking of trip of a lifetime.. When get older 🤪
You should look at RAGBRAI 🌽 it’s a bike ride across Iowa starting at the Missouri River bike ride to the Mississippi River now that’s EPIC
Youre pretty handy with that drone camera. Very well produced video.
Thanks! It’s the Insta360 X3. It kind of revolutionized my bike videos.
By far the best video ever on the Creeper! You do a outstanding job showing the beauty of the trail.
Btw the only reason I took the shuttle to Whitetop was because I heard a lot of people come down rather fast so I wanted to avoid that. Loved the trail
Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, it does feel like you’re going against the flow. Enjoyable either way, though!
Nice to relive the VCT. Done it about six times. Sad about Whitetop section being destroyed. Thanks for a beautiful video.
Thanks...and great news! Apparently, the state of VA is coming up with the funds needed to fully repair. Hopefully she'll be back before you know it.
Beautiful video, one of the best I've watched. I've seen the trail through its railroad days to the battle to create a bike trail to today's increasingly-crowded landscape (and currently live with a few hundred feet of frontage) and your video captures the spirit and diversity of the Creeper. Well done and thank you.
Wow. Thanks so much for your kind words. You have a real gem there. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and look forward to returning someday.
I used to live in Bristol. The Creeper Trail was the closest trail of that sort. I've been there many times, but it's been 25yrs since I've been there. My wife and I rented a couple of bikes, then took a ride on this trail. We loved it. That ride convinced us to buy a couple of mtn bikes.
Many of the scenes you showed... I don't remember. What I DO remember though... you know all those 47 gorgeous bridges and trestles... Copperheads love them, too. They will get underneath the road surface, and when they don't detect anyone, they will go up, and sun themselves. When the first wheel hits the bridge, they will scurry away. I never let that stop me from riding over them, but I stopped using bridges for rest breaks.
I agree that it's worthy of the title, "Destination Trail". I need to get back there someday.
@@gearhead366 Wow! Thanks for sharing your memories. I was there in late October and did not see any snakes. That would’ve freaked me out a little bit. You’re right, it’s a beautiful trail and I understand that the half from Damascus to Whitetop has been nearly destroyed by hurricane Helene. They’re in the process of trying to secure funding to rebuild now. Hopefully she’ll be back better than ever before too long.
@@joyfultrails "I understand that the half from Damascus to Whitetop has been nearly destroyed by hurricane Helene." 😥 That's a shame. I'm in upstate SC, not far from TR. I got quite a bit of damage from Helene, but I thought the damage didn't extend into VA. I hope they get it repaired.
Thanks for another great video. Your videos are always very entertaining and informative. Yes, the VCT is certainly a great trail. Your sense of humor adds to our enjoyment of your videos. 👍Keep them coming.
Thanks for the kind words!
You must have been a photographer is a previous life, some of your camera angles are amazing, (ok all of your angles!) good eye for composition, content and points of interest. Thank you!
Thank you! Yeah, I've been a videographer and editor pretty much my whole professional life. I enjoy creating the videos as much as riding the trails. Thanks for watching.
I don't usually comment; but here goes: rode this trail in 2014. I was 64 yrs old. I've ridden RAGBRAI and many week long tours and rails-to-trails. So I was in great shape. I had an RV and would travel to trails and ride. This one was and is one of my favorites. There is an RV park past White Top at the border. The trail further degrades and is over grown past the border. Drove there, then rode down to Damascus and back. On the way back, I didn't take enough water. I saw a couple outside their house and asked them for water. They were more than nice. Then found an RV park in Damascus, and rode to Abington and back. One of the trestle bridges was not yet complete so it was get off and walk. Some of the places pointed out did not exist. It was in June and the Appalachian trail festival was happening in Damascus.The place was packed. Found my way to a bar and to my surprise the Tour de France was on the TV. I was in Heaven.
Your videos are perfect; photography excellent; music tasteful. Being on radio has been a plus when listening to you. Thank you, keep up the good work. BTW ALWAYS wear your helmet. After a while you won't feel right without it.
Thanks for the kind words…and for sharing your memories and experiences!
Wearing a helmet ALWAYS makes sense! I won’t even believe me to my neighbor’s house without a helmet. My worst bike accident happened when I was not going fast at all. My helmet kept me from kissing the road.
@@Teetech37 Amen! I’ve been riding since ‘91 and was really surprised to see so many of these nice folks riding sans helmet. 😳
Where a helmet a thousand times and you only have to need it once.
Beautiful
Just plain fantastic. Excellent part 2! Glad you decided on a helmet. I would definitely build a vacation around this!
Thanks, buddy
The Creeper was our follow up to the KATY across Missouri. Almost 500 miles doing KATY both directions no problem.
The Creeper kicked our butts on the upside!!
We parked our van near the caboose. While getting our bikes ready a local woman was walking her little dog. She asked if we were doing the trail. When I replied "Yes! We're going to the top and back." She replied with a hearty "Hmph!" and continued on with her little doggie.
She was RIGHT!!! It was almost the most challenging ride we've done, but oh, it was worth every pedal stroke. (Fighting the wind in Wyoming and Utah top our list of butt kickers)
@@kevnrob1 It’s so worth it, right? Going to Whitetop was a challenge, but I’m so glad I did it. I hope to do the Katy Trail someday!
We just stumbled across your channel and we are hooked!
We've recently settled in the Asheville area so your videos are quite local. New knees have me sidelined for a while. Can't wait to hit your trails!
Your best videos yet! I love the scenery and there's just so much LIFE on that trail. I hope to make it a destination someday and try it out. Thanks for being so thorough and giving such a solid review. This is my kind of trail. I have a mountain bike, but I also have an Ebike (Lectric XP). This looks like an e-bike kind of trail (especially going UPhill). May try to book something for next fall...definitely the time to go.
Glad you enjoyed it. Some people say that E bikes are banned on the Virginia Creeper Trail. But I saw nothing posted to that effect and I believe I saw several E bikes on the trail…so you should be fine.
Wow. A work of art. Beautifully done.
Thanks so much!
On my many trips to the Creeper, I’ve seen some of the worst crashes when people hit those slick wooden bridges. Another destination trail system would be the carriage roads at Acadia in Maine. You MUST do those.
Yes! The only 2 times I have had a spill as an adult - both times, it was because I applied the brakes too hard/too fast on a wet boardwalk. Thanks for the tip regarding Maine. I would love to visit the New England states...probably after I retire.
I very much enjoyed your part 2 of the VCT. Such an enjoyable and through review of the trail and the boroughs it connects. One 1uestion, is there a trail fee?
Nope! No fee.
If you need to rent a bike and catch the shuttle, it runs around $30 or so. Reservations are recommended, especially Easter to Labor Day and on the weekends at other times.
Awesome job! Makes us want to visit the VCT when it isn't cold and rainy like the time we rode it.
Apparently, weather is often a factor there. In fact, I got rained out on the day between my 2 rides there. But when the weather's good...it's spectacular!
Another great video! I love that you rode the entire trail with no shuttle! I've always gone with a group and have never been able to talk the group into riding UP that mountain. Maybe one day!
My wife & I were just talking and it really didn't seem like it was THAT far to the NC border from Whitetop. We have ridden up there a couple of times. The Creeper Trail campground is up there, as well.
As far as wearing a helmet, I always choose to wear one, unless I forget it at home, because some of these trails get crowded & congested. Then of course, you always have that one person, or group that seem to think that they have to establish that new "Fastest Known Time" record for even the smallest of trails. SMH.
I loved it. I might make it a point to try to go in each season of the year. Somebody recommended that. Hey… Needing that picture of the North Carolina border just gives me an excuse to go back!
@@joyfultrails I hear ya!
These videos were great. You've convinced me to add the Creeper to my list of trails I need to ride. I've seen the sign on the highway on the way to Knoxville, but never been able to check it out. I don't understand people taking a shuttle. Best part of the ride is getting to the top! Although 17 miles of uphill....that's definitely a challenge. There's a trail near Youngstown Ohio (of all places) that has almost 12 miles of uphill in about 15 miles of riding. One of my favorite rides in Ohio.
It really is a great trail. Most of the uphill is very gradual; it's just the final 3 miles or so that gets a little tough. Thanks for watching!
I live close, and have been ridding the Creeper for over 25 years. After all these years, every time I ride the trail is like a new experience.
It's very special. Don't ever take it for granted! Thank you for watching...
Good job Buddy, great video. You've inspired me and have added it to the 2024 goals list. Thx 👍🏼
@@kevinwalker4890 You won’t be disappointed! It’s a GREAT trail.
The VA Creeper trail is beautiful! Looking forward to trying this next year. We’re in Kingsport, TN so starting the trail in Abingdon isn’t very far. Thanks for the vid, info and scenic views! 👍
You're welcome. You will definitely enjoy it!
Beautiful Scott!! Lovely fall trail!!
Thank you! I had a blast exploring it...
Outstanding video!
@@TonysBikeTreks-pm6mq Thanks! I understand the trail suffered a lot of storm damage, but hopefully it will be rebuilt and better than ever before too long.
Love the video, this trail is now on my list! I saw that you will now have the song artists displayed in the video, could you list them for this video please? A couple of cool tunes that I really liked.
Thanks! Yes, the song featured in this one is “Back Home” by Jake Schlegel.
Love the Creeper, It is a great trail and lot's of fun descending down the mountain from Whitetop. Hope you get to explore trails that are north of the Mason- Dixon such as the Greater Allegheny Passage.
One day! The day job keeps me tied up right now… But retirement beckons in a few more years!
Incredible video, thank You.
FYI: if you get stuck without cell phone service and have an emergency your Phone 14 or iPhone 15 can use Satellite service for SOS.
Thanks for the tip. And for watching… 🙂
I haven't ridden a bike since I was a teenager but I'm ready to go get one and hit the trails! Thanks for your awesome videos (I'm binge watching...) 😊
Your comment just made my day!
Doing this leg of the trail tomorrow with the husband and kids... I CAN'T WAIT!
Awesome!
Nice job Scott ! 👍
Thank you!
Absolutely have this on my “bucket list” of trails to ride in the fall of ‘24! What month were you there?
Third week of October!
Gonna plan a trip for late summer or early fall with my wife. She doesn't ride though. I need an itinerary that breaks it up over 2+ days, where we stay at a nice place and explore the area on foot, once my riding is done for the day. I'm sure I'll find lots of info and suggestions online for just that. Thanks for reminding me that this is a trail I need to make time for.
You will definitely enjoy it!
Enjoy your video's, keep up the good work! BTW another great trail to try in Virginia is New River Trail State Park, I did that and the creeper trail a year ago, and liked the New River Trail even more!
That one is on my list to get to, hopefully sooner than later. Thanks!
I have rode both trails and agree. They are not that far apart either. We plan to bikepack there next Spring. We just did bikepack the Creeper last September
Nice production! You have another subscriber.
Thanks! Welcome.
I didn't learn how to ride a bike until I was an adult, and I can barely do it now. Idk why that lady wrecked, but I'm pretty sure I could also manage to fall off my bike for no apparent reason.
😂
Well, it certainly has changed a lot since I was there 19 something. Probably late 80s early 90s. It look nothing like that I can promise you. I guess this all means I need to go and ride that again. I won’t be taking horse trailer with me this time though. Great job on the video really.
Thanks! Yes, you should ride it again. You and Michelle can put your own unique spin on it… But she’ll probably want to walk her bike across some of the bridges! 😬
Excellent video footage!!! This trail is on my bucket list! Do you have a e-bike?
No…not yet! I have a Townie Men’s 7-D step-over. I’m probably a year away from obtaining an e-bike, though. Thanks for watching!
Im riding this trail in two weeks! Thanks for all the helpful info and for your beautifully videoed trails. It inspired me to go. Can you tell me the name of the first song and who performed it? It is beautiful too and I would like to hear more. (Was it you?)
Awesome...you will have a wonderful experience, I promise you that. That song is "Back Home" by Jack Schlegel. (Since making this video, I have started including the names of artists and song titles on my videos because people were asking!) Have a great time on The Creeper!
Awwwwwwwwwwwww, you went on a short bike ride.
Yes! Took my time and stopped to shoot lots of video. The scenery was gorgeous! Great trail...
Just found the channel.....love it
regarding helmets, “think-first foundation” will tell you approximately 1/2 serious head injuries happen from slow & and no speed side falls. i.e. why always a good precaution to wear a helmet when on a bike :)
One correction- it is only a little over a mile from Whitetop Station to the end of the VCT at the NC state line. As for riding the trail round trip, a gentleman named Lawrence Dye (aka Lawrence the :Legend) would ride from his home in Abingdon to Whitetop and back 4-5 times a week. In all, he logged close to 300K miles on the VCT until he got to where he could not longer physically ride. He's in his 80's or 90's now.
Well, dang! I should’ve gone on. I got some misinformation from some other RUclipsr, I guess. As for Mr. dye… Wow. That’s amazing!
@@joyfultrails Since the shuttle services drop bikers off just beyond Whitetop Station, few if any travel that last mile. It is not well maintained but travelble by bike and foot.
Great couple of videos on the VCT...it's making me wanna go there this weekend! I might know the answer already but do you think it's good during winter too? --- War eagle from a new subscriber here :P
Ha…greatest rivalry in sports! The answer to your question is…I don’t know. BUT… a RUclipsr friend of mine who has been on that trail many times told me that I need to experience it in all four seasons of the year. 🙂
OK I’m sold gotta figure out make plans
You’ll be glad you did!
Awesome Video ! I have rode the Creeper Trail a lot ! You should visit the New River Trail in Virginia, 57 miles long, I bet you would rate it 5 stars as well ! Thanks again .
That one is on my list! Thanks for watching...
Really enjoyed both videos and plan to make a visit next year with friends. Will use your video as my sales brochure . What was the name of the artist and song in this video?
Good! Glad you enjoyed it. You will not be disappointed by the trail. The song is “Back Home” by Jake Schlegel.
What kind of gear do you use to get this wonderful video? Drone? iPhone? other?
This was shot entirely on an iPhone and an Insta360 x3. The 360 is on a 9.5 ft "selfie stick" that disappears in editing, so it mimics a drone. I use the iPhone on cinematic mode for a lot of the off-bike shots.
@@joyfultrailsThank you. Great work!
How long did it take you to get from Damascus to White Top?
Well… It took me all day. Because I do A LOT of stopping and starting and riding over the same bridge multiple times, etc. because I’m making a video. If I were to just ride it with no video recording, it would be interesting to see how long it would take.
@@joyfultrails Thank you for this video. I rode from Damascus to White Top last month. It took me about 2 1/2 hours to get up & a little over an hour to descend. What a great day!
@@jrhodes1122 Awesome!
epic
Do you have a list of what you deem destination trails?
I have a list in my head… mostly that I’ve learned about from other people’s RUclips videos. But I won’t know if they’re truly “all that” until I actually go there myself… 😬 As long as I’m working a full-time job it’s gonna be difficult to travel to a lot of these trails. I’ll just have to try to tackle one or two per year until I retire.
@@joyfultrails Sorry I meant of the ones you've visited already and made videos on? Thanks!
Dude the lowest point on that trail is 1735 ft heading to Whitetop and the final elevation is 2060. 325 ft elevation change over less than 10 miles, that should not be a killer workout.
I never look at elevation or distance, really. I don't have any cycling computers or measuring devices on my bike, I just go by how I feel and how hard it is to pedal up a hill for a long time! From Green Cove to Whitetop was a little difficult for me. The devices I carry tend to be video-related. Lots of action cameras!
; )
She grabbed the railing to try to slow herself to let the other guy pass so she did not hav to relase her feet and touch the ground ...... I have done that on a bridge myself .. ( the accident )
The angles on a Townie are great for coasting, but not so good for climbing. You don't get to put your whole body weight into it, and are relying on your legs completely. Kodos to completing the climb nonetheless....it looks easier in the other youtube videos because it literally is on a different bike.
Makes sense!
Did you notice any "cheaters" riding the trail? Wait!! Did you ride back to Abingdon? Not clear from the video.
By cheaters, do you mean E bikes? Yes I saw several E bikes. (Even though some people say they’re banned on the Creeper.) so… The actual order of my trip was different than what is presented in the videos. I actually did the Damascus to Whitetop leg first. Because rain was forecast for Friday, so I wanted to do the whitetop trip on a Thursday to avoid crowds on the weekend. so I went from Damascus to whitetop and back on a Thursday… And then the Abington to Damascus leg on a Saturday. Got rained out on Friday.
@@joyfultrails Most likely they ban e bikes with throttles (class 2 and 3) But on most of them, you can remove the throttle and then they're acceptable.
@@joyfultrails So your car was in Damascus? If so, then you also rode from Damascus to Abington and then back? From the chart you showed us, seem it as all the way up, from A to W and then a long descent back, not much pedaling, I guess.
Think bikes on sidewalks are for the thousands of AT hikers, burdened with 39-50 lbs on their backs, not being nimble enough to get out of the way. Plus bikers, not hikers, may collide with shoppers egressing the Damascus shops, homes and restaurants.
Question: trail’s vertical rise to Whitetop?
Chicago will give you a ticket for riding on the sidewalk if you catch the right cop .
Yikes!
Avoids prison. Rides the Creeper. About right? 😜
😂
As mentioned earlier, sadly this trail no longer exists in any meaningful form. The historic flooding from Hurricane Helene washed it off the map. Very sad as it was one of the best Rail Trails in the country. Also washed off the map (mostly) was the almost brand new New River Trail further west (also was an incredibly beautiful trail). Helene was a bad day for Virginia Bikers as their two premier trails were destroyed. Fortunately the high bridge trail survived.
Lets hope these trails get rebuilt sometime in the next decade, but it will cost a lot of money...
Yeah, very sad. A govt official reached out to me and asked if I still had all my raw footage. I sent him copies of all the video I shot. He said it will be used to help secure funding and to restore the trail to the way it was. I know it will take time...
This was beautiful and hard to see since the aftermath of Helene…
ruclips.net/video/SYenstLgYPM/видео.html
Yep... 😔
Sorry to report this, this section will never be the same. Lots of what you covered, is gone.
Yes, very sad. But I believe it will come back. In fact, some city and state officials with emergency management reached out and requested my raw footage, which I gladly shared with them. They said it would be useful in obtaining funding and in reconstructing the trail. 🙂 I hope it comes back, it was an awesome experience for me and so many others.
@@joyfultrails WOW Thats Good To Know,
Iam So Glad You Covered It, Pretty Much The Damascus To Abingdon While It Had A Few Trees Down Is In Good Shape, But A Tornado Came Through There A Few Years Ago Turned Over The Tressel But They Got
The Seebee's In There, In A Weekend They Reset It.
never reach out and touch a non-moving object
Yeah. I've done that , stopping to look over btidge rails, grabbing the rail, but late on the braking. Sometimes I can't chew bubblegum and ride at the same time.
Nice video. As a person who has toured extensively in America and Europe, I would implore you to always wear a helmet, if you care about someone else. I feel so strongly about this, I won't be watching anymore or your vids. Good luck to you.
“If I care about someone else?” Explain that to me. That’s a new one. Anyway, the vast majority of trails that I ride are flat. They are rail trails, riverwalks, greenways. Very little chance that I’m going to just mysteriously fall off my bike and zero chance that I’m gonna land on my head. This trail to Whitetop was different, as I explain in the video. I felt like there was a risk of an accident, so I wore a helmet. If you want to wear a helmet, wear it. Whether other people wear helmets is not your concern.
Freedom IS a wonderful thing!
The thing about helmets is they give you a chance WHEN you fall. You even had video of that woman on the bridge that almost went over. I have gone down at 3 mph and 30+ mph. All it takes is a second to hit the ground, and I think you know you can't be super vigilant all the time you ride. Even falling from a completely stopped height of 3 feet, means you hit the ground at roughly 10 mph. The end result is WHEN you go down, someone you care about will have to deal with the outcome. @@joyfultrails
Get back , I really hope you ALWAYS wear a helmet, because it's obvious you have fallen before and received a substantial head injury. Wish you the best of luck in your lifelong recovery. God Bless
@@joyfultrails You don't land on your head. You land on your shoulder and the head/hemet bounces off the ground. Happened to me a couple of times. I've ridden thousands of miles. Outstanding video!
Always wear a helmet