The Virginia Creeper

"Jeepers Creepers wheredya get those Peepers
Jeepers Creepers wheredya get those Eyes"

Somehow I just had to get that out of my system..... 
We began our journey with a hearty breakfast at Mountain Pie and Cake on  Hwy 25 in Hendersonville - Outstanding!!!

 

The Virginia Creeper Rails to Trails had reached almost mythological proportions in my mind. A continuous car free conveyance, 34 miles of converted rails crisscrossing the Appalachian Trail through pristine rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in southern Virginia. We began our ride at the southernmost point of the trail in Whitetop, elevation 5518 population 535 and wound our way to Damascus, elevation 1952 population 815 and back to Abingdon, elevation 2087 population 8191. My point in mentioning these stats is that we are traveling slightly northwest we are decidedly pedaling downhill for much of the way making the journey infinitely more enjoyable and definitely doable for everyone in the family. On this particularly

Take a shuttle to the Top

Creeper End Lodging

Jacks 128 Pecan

beautiful Saturday in September I would guesstimate the riding population to be double that of the combined populations of Whitetop and Damascus. Statistically the Creeper averages over 100,000 people per year and has generated over 1.6 million in economic impact, supporting close to 30 jobs.
http://resources.bikewalkvirginia.org/greenways/case-studies/the-virginia-creeper-trail-benefits-and-facts/

I see the Virginia Creeper Trail as a role model for the rest of us who would like to see the proliferation of these family friendly trails continue, like the Swamp Rabbit in Greenville, The Silver Comet in Atlanta and I hope the soon to be Ecusta Trail from Hendersonville to Brevard.

Til then I'll just keep pedaling.