By
rhoude
in
8/10/2004 12:00:00 AM
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"Reviews had declared the Virginia Creeper Trail one of the best trails in Virginia. Well, they were true, and then some. We detoured from Virginia Beach on our way back to Montreal, Canada (yep! a bit of a detour). We stayed in Abingdon at the Summerfield Inn (Janice and Jim are among the best hosts we have ever met and the Inn is top-class).
We decided to take the shuttle to White Top Station and ride all the way back to Abingdon. The White Top Station to Damascus section of the trail is absolutely breathtaking. The trail meanders through the country side right along the river for a good part of the way, crossing from one side to the other. There a a good number of very impressive bridge crossings.
The Damascus to Abingdon section is a complete change of scenery. Although not as impressive as the first section, it has its definite charm. The Damascus/Abingdon section is in poor shape in spots, shrivelling down to barely a single track on some of the private properties. Also, be aware that some of the bridges are getting a new deck surface and rails on this section of the trail and you are advised by work crews that you cross the bridge at your own risk.
A recommendation for occasional bikers. Do not let the White Top Station to Damascus section of the trail lure into believing that this is an easy beginner`s ride. The Damascus to Abingdon section goes uphill (although ever so slightly) most of the way, which can become tiresome for the unexperienced.
All in all, this was one of our most memorable trail rides this year."
By
rhoude
in
8/7/2004 12:00:00 AM
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"We discovered the Cape Henry Trail on our beach vacation last year. We loved it so much, we had to come back in 2004. The Cape Henry Trail was part of our daily vacation routine.
We stayed at a hotel on Atlantic Ave. From there, we rode the boardwalk bike path to 40th Street, then around the Cavalier hotel to Oceanfront Ave. We prefer Oceanfront Ave to the Pacific Ave bike route. There is much less traffic and the sights are much more enjoyable.
We then rode all the way to 62th Street, then crossed over to the Pacific Ave bike route. We accessed the Cape Henry Trail from the 64th Street entrance.
The round trip is about 20 miles. The trail is absolutely wonderful and in good shape. This is the best of urban and off-road riding around."
By
rhoude
in
8/7/2004 12:00:00 AM
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"This was to be the last ride on our three week 2004 summer vacation. Other stops included the C&O Canal trail in West Virginia (from Harper`s Ferry), the Cape Henry trail (Virginia Beach) and Virginia Creeper (Abingdon) trail in Virginia.
We rode from White Haven to Penn Haven and back (approximately 32 miles). We wish all trails were in such great condition. Although there is a good drop to the trail (600 feet) between the trail heads, White Haven and Jim Thorpe, the slope is always gentle and the ride can be done with no trouble either way.
I encourage everyone to take the time to seek out the remnants of the Lehigh Canal. They are an impressive sight, and a ghost of an impressive infrastructure. In places there is still water in the old canal bed. I wish the park authorities would post trail markers showing where each of the canal locks and dams had been.
This is a ride that is definitely worth a detour."