Riding the VA Creeper Trail in December was quite a treat. I never expected to experience a wide open trail without hundreds of riders zooming down from White Top. I barely had to use my bell and the weather was ideal – sunny and mid-50s – the perfect pre-holiday ride.
The bike shuttle companies were closed and the little town of Damascus was quiet and sleepy. There were a few locals using the trail. One gentleman was eager to chat about my ride to White Top and share his adventure with me. It was obvious to me that he is very proud to have the Creeper in his backyard.
This was the day for the guys to pull the lead. Weighed down by my ultra-heavy mountain bike, fat tires and a full Camelbak, I lost the power-to-weight ratio advantage over David that I normally enjoy on road rides. Bill was sporting a light cross bike with much thinner tires and he zoomed along without effort for the entire 17 mile climb from Damascus to White Top.
We enjoyed spectacular views of the creek, a waterfall, bridges, and some beautiful Christmas tree farms. The trail is very well maintained and, during season, there are a few amenities along the way – including ice cream. Be sure to put the VA Creeper Trail on your 2013 list of great places to visit.