Virginia
Bike Virginia Creeper Trail: Nature in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Program No. 11662RJ
Bike the Virginia Creeper Trail — a rail trail through forest and over restored trestles. Learn about ecology and historic towns, and attend a performance at Barter Theatre.
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5 days
4 nights
11 meals
4B 3L 4D
3
Bike Abingdon to Damascus, Barter Theater
Abingdon, VA
5
Program Concludes
Abingdon, VA
At a Glance
Ride the beautiful Blue Ridge highlands of Virginia on expert-led bicycle rides to experience rich history and its variety of nature. Bike through cool forests and over high, wooden railroad bridges on the Virginia Creeper Trail, a scenic retired corridor of the Virginia-Carolina Railroad.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Biking 12-20 miles daily on mostly level terrain. Mountain bikes provided. Elevations up to 5,520 feet.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Bike the entire 35-mile Virginia Creeper Trail, plus enjoy a ride on the scenic Mendota Trail.
- Explore centuries-old architecture and history in the picturesque small town of Abingdon. Now adorned with boutiques, restaurants, and galleries, Abingdon was once an important destination amongst settlers bound for the new American frontier.
- Enjoy the historic and culturally-rich town of Abingdon, Virginia.
General Notes
The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for light exercise, interaction with the local community, a farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, a live performance or event and a value-priced single room. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Suggested Reading List
(7 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Bike Virginia Creeper Trail: Nature in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Program Number: 11662
Virginia Rail Trails: Crossing the Commonwealth
These classic rail lines of Virginia that were once only accessible to train engineers or a few lucky passengers can now be enjoyed by anyone looking for a scenic hike or bike ride. The trails highlight the natural beauty of Old Dominion, from the sunrise side of the Eastern Shore to the setting sun at the Cumberland gap, and each trail, with names like the "Virginia Creeper" and the "Dick & Willie," has a personality and grandeur all its own.
Virginia Creeper Trail Companion The: Nature and History Along Southwest Virginia's National Recreation Trail
This guidebook will enable the user to understand the trails origin as an important railroad and the natural world encountered along this scenic route. With photos, old train schedules, detailed maps, and es-says on geology, trees, wildflowers, fish, birds, and mammals, the companion will enhance the trail experience for anyone who travels this route.
Virginia Highlands
This book highlights the history of the local region, including Wythe, Smyth, Grayson, and Washington Counties.
Washington County
Washington County provides an intricate visit to yesteryear, with over 200 historic scenes of this rural region. Highlights include beautiful photos of The Virginia Creeper trains and the communities of Damascus, Meadowview, and Glade Spring.
The Virginia Creeper Trail Companion
With photos, historic train schedules, and detailed maps, this guidebook enables the user to understand the Virginia Creeper Trail’s origin as an important railroad. Also included are essays on the region’s geology, trees, wildflowers, fish, birds, and mammals. The combination of the historical perspective and the modern natural science in The Companion will enhance the trail experience for anyone who travels the Virginia Creeper Trail. This book is available at the SWVA 4-H Educational Center to read.
Abingdon, Virginia - Then and Now
This book contains around 200 historic photographs taken over the past century of Abingdon’s many well-known town entities, personalities, and businesses. The Stonewall Jackson Female Institute, Martha Washington Inn, and the Barter Theatre are all included in this beautiful celebration of Abingdon’s heritage.
Back in the Frame: How to get back on your bike, whatever life throws at you
Jools Walker re-discovered cycling aged twenty-eight after a ten-year absence from the saddle. When she started blogging about her cycle adventures under the alias Lady Vélo, a whole world was opened up to her. But it's hard to find space in an industry not traditionally open to women - especially women of color. Shortly after getting back on two wheels, Jools was diagnosed with depression and then, in her early thirties, hit by a mini-stroke. Yet, through all of these punctures, one constant remained: Jools' love of cycling.
Program No.
11662
Duration
5 days
Program Begins
Abingdon, VA
Program Concludes
Abingdon, VA
Group Type
Small Group
Activity Level
At a Glance
Ride the beautiful Blue Ridge highlands of Virginia on expert-led bicycle rides to experience rich history and its variety of nature. Bike through cool forests and over high, wooden railroad bridges on the Virginia Creeper Trail, a scenic retired corridor of the Virginia-Carolina Railroad.
Best of all, you'll...
- Bike the entire 35-mile Virginia Creeper Trail, plus enjoy a ride on the scenic Mendota Trail.
- Explore centuries-old architecture and history in the picturesque small town of Abingdon. Now adorned with boutiques, restaurants, and galleries, Abingdon was once an important destination amongst settlers bound for the new American frontier.
- Enjoy the historic and culturally-rich town of Abingdon, Virginia.
General Notes
The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for light exercise, interaction with the local community, a farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, a live performance or event and a value-priced single room. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Biking 12-20 miles daily on mostly level terrain. Mountain bikes provided. Elevations up to 5,520 feet.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List: 7 Books
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Tour Length
5 days
4 nights
What's Included
11 meals
4 Breakfasts
3 Lunches
4 Dinners
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Activity Note
Check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration:4:00-5:00 p.m in the upper level of the Dickenson Conference Center (DCC). Join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
IIn the 4-H Center Dining Hall, we’ll have a buffet dinner.
Evening:
Orientation: 7:00 p.m. in the lower level of the Dickenson Conference Center. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and requirements throughout the program. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of vans; driving about 13 miles to bike fitter, approximately 1/2 hour; about 18 miles to trail head, approximately 1/2 hour. Biking 17 miles, approximately 3 to 3.5 hours; biking from 4,520 feet elevation to 2,100 feet elevation; well-groomed, shady national forest trail. Early morning temperatures at higher elevations average in the 40s Fahrenheit; expect temperature increases throughout the day as we drop in elevation; dress in layers, wear gloves.
Breakfast:
In the 4-H Center Dining Hall, choose what you like from the breakfast buffet. We will also make our own bag lunches.
Morning:
We will hop in the van and ride to the bike outfitter to be fitted for bikes and helmets. We will then shuttle up to Whitetop Station and begin our biking adventure on the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail, considered the best rail-trail in the eastern U.S. From there, we’ll begin our 17-mile biking field trip to Damascus. The trail winds through beautiful scenery. We will make stops along the way for expert commentary. The trail floor is dirt with some gravel and road crossings. There are roots and rocks present as much of the trail runs through state forest land. We will also cross several bridges remaining from when the trail was a railroad.
Lunch:
At a scenic spot on the trail, we’ll have the bag lunches we made for ourselves this morning.
Afternoon:
We will shuttle back to the 4-H Center with some time to freshen up and relax. Later in the afternoon, we’ll gather in the downstairs level conference room for a presentation by a member of the Virginia Creeper Trail Club and get a historical overview of the trail.
Dinner:
Dining Hall buffet.
Evening:
We’ll be joined by local musicians for a concert exclusively for our Road Scholar group.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of vans; driving approximately 10 minutes to trailhead. Biking 17 miles, approximately 4 hours; mostly level terrain, steady grade; temperature will increase throughout the day if sunny.
Breakfast:
Dining Hall buffet. We will also make our own bag lunches.
Morning:
We’ll board the vans and shuttle to Abingdon where we’ll begin our 17-mile biking field trip to Damascus along another section of the trail through farmland and fields with views from high railroad trestles. We will make stops along the way for expert commentary and to tour treehouses that can be seen from the trail. The trail floor is dirt with some gravel and road crossings. There are roots and rocks present as much of the trail runs through state forest land. We will also cross several bridges remaining from when the trail was a railroad.
Lunch:
At a scenic spot on the trail, we’ll have the bag lunches we made for ourselves this morning.
Afternoon:
Returning to the 4-H Center, the remainder of the afternoon is free. You might like to take a walk around the grounds, go into downtown Abingdon, read a book, or just relax.
Dinner:
Dining Hall buffet.
Evening:
We will ride in to Abingdon and attend a professional theater performance at the renowned Barter Theatre, the State Theater of Virginia. Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not available. When confirmed, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Founded in 1933 during the Great Depression, it was called the Barter Theatre because so few people had money to spare and could pay the equivalent of 40 cents in bartered goods for admission. Today, it is one of the few remaining professional resident repertory theaters in the U.S. operating year-round.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of vans; driving approximately 20 minutes to trailhead. Biking 12 miles, approximately 3 hours; mostly level terrain with some gradual ups and downs.
Breakfast:
Dining Hall buffet. We will also make our own bag lunches.
Morning:
We’ll board a shuttle van and ride to Mendota Trail where we’ll begin our 12-mile biking field trip. This is another ‘rails to trails’ adventure with the same style trail base and beautiful scenery.
Lunch:
At a scenic spot on the trail, we’ll have the bag lunches we made for ourselves this morning.
Afternoon:
For those who would like a break from biking will ride to the Abingdon Winery for an opportunity to relax in a beautiful setting.
Dinner:
We’ll gather in the Dining Hall for our Farewell Dinner.
Evening:
Returning to the 4-H Center, prepare for check-out and departure in the morning. Enjoy a free evening of relaxation before your departure.
Activity Note
Check-out 10:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
Dining Hall buffet. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!