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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Itinerary
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.
Read More.
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.
Duration
5 days
4 nights
What's Included
11 meals (
4B, 3L, 4D
)
1 expert-led lecture
4 expert-led field trips
2 performances
An experienced Group Leader
4 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Abingdon, VA
Meals:
D
Stay:
Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center
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.
Day
2
Whitetop Station - Damascus, Creeper Trail Talk, Performance
Location:
Abingdon, VA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center
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.
Day
3
Bike Abingdon to Damascus, Barter Theater
Location:
Abingdon, VA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center
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.
Day
4
Bike the Mendota Trail, Abingdon Winery, Farewell Dinner
Location:
Abingdon, VA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center
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.
Day
5
Program Concludes
Location:
Abingdon, VA
Meals:
B
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!
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