Me and my dad haven’t done a father son trip in 20 years and are traveling from southern Indiana to Fleetwood nc next weekend. This trail was recommended to me by locals on Reddit and your review sealed it for me. Thanks for taking the time to provide such an informative review! Looking forward to making good memories with dad and this helped me decide something for us to do.
I have been to the VCT many times, like a home away from home, but I hike it instead of biking. To re-affirm some things mentioned, the section from Whitetop to Damascus gets VERY crowed on weekends in the summer and at other select times with crowds of cyclists. Most if not all of the bathrooms are open again. They are located at Whitetop station, Green Cove station, Taylor's Valley, Straight Branch & Creek Junction trailheads, and in Damascus. There are snacks available at Green Cove and the cafe at Taylor's Valley is supposed to re-open under new management in the spring. If you chose to do the Damascus to Abingdon section, it is much less crowded. It is flat from Damascus to Alvarado station and then uphill into Abingdon, if you call 500-700 feet altitude gain over 8 miles uphill. Take time to read the interperative signs along the way. And finally, stop in at Green Cove if they're open and learn about Lawrence "the Legend" Dye.
Just bought a new 2022 trek marlin 8 mtn bike 3 weeks ago. So I am riding it on the kingsport greenbelt getting use to riding a bike again in my golden years. I am turning 59 later this year in October. I hope to be in good enough shape to go ride on the creeper trail in late September or by mid October to see the beautiful changing fall colors.
Thank you very much for this review! Me and my dad are going on this trail next Tuesday, which is during the week so it hopefully won’t be that crowded! Thanks for all the info :)
We were there about a week after your trip!! We had a blast!! The morning we left out of Whitetop it was 28* and a very blustery wind! But we had layered accordingly and began peeling off the layers on the way down to Damascus and further on into Abingdon. It was Sunday when we were there and a bit crowded, but not to the point that we were bogged down in traffic We saw road bikes on the trail as well as a few adult tricycles, AND a couple of lone riders riding UP towards WhiteTop!! We will definitely be doing this trail again, maybe a week or so into October (we life in FL and get no Fall here at all!!) and NOT on a weekend day. Hopefully, more bathrooms will be open after COVID gets by us a little farther. Thanks for your video review of this trail. Your review was spot on!!
Thanks for watching, Larae, and for sharing with everyone! I’m also glad you enjoyed it as much as we did. I hope you can make it back there soon. Thanks again! And subscribe while you’re here if you would 😊
I biked this a few years ago in BSA and it was by far the best biking trip we went on. Personally, I think it was just as good as when we did canoeing and kayaking.
Thank you for this review, you answered most of my questions, I have a Canondale hybrid, and it sounds like it will be fine on the trail. My wife has an electric bike she uses because of some health issues but if it's downhill maybe she can rent a hybrid. I stumbled across this trail by reading a review about a mountain bike, I never heard of before and can't wait to get there. Thank you for doing this review, it was more than helpful!
I hope you both love it! There are some flatter places where you will need to pedal, so use what makes you comfortable. You may want to just check in and make sure they haven’t made any regulations against ebikes. Have fun!!!
@@ReviewThisThing It isn’t too bad, pretty gradual. I think I ‘big ringed’ the entire thing. 😉 It just goes on and on. Think it took me about 90 minutes or so to get to Whitetop.
one thing after completing the trail, is that the trail requires your attention. The road surface is a little on the rough side, combining with the speed of a down hill run and the large number of people using the trail, you really need to be alert. It is a fun ride.
When we were there, the public restrooms were closed because of COVID. There was one bathroom we found off the trail at a parking area for the accessible fishing piers, but you have to ride about a half-mile ish or so, I believe, back off the trail to get there.
The rough parts weren’t too very long. Now we were there over a year ago, so depending on weather and maintenance, it may be a little different. I think your trikes would be fine. Just be careful on the bridges and watch for oncoming traffic (but there usually isn’t much). Also, I’d call a couple of the bike shops and make sure they’re equipped to carry your bikes up the mountain. Thanks for watching!
@@ReviewThisThing Thanks for your reply. Yes, trikers using shuttles have to call ahead. Understandable that they would charge more if they did agree to carry trikes. Otherwise, trikes and bikes are very similar except in the riding experience. Most people like to focus on speed so they don't like trikes, but others quickly realize how much energy they're saving by not balancing. Helpful for old folks like me who tend to lean. :-)
I did the trail last year on Friday OCT 15 2021, from Whitetop Station to Damascus. Yes it was pretty crowded. I have a Catrike Dumont. I stopped in a couple days before and inquired about the shuttle, I made sure they understood it was a recumbent trike. No problems. . The guys who put the trike on the trailer, said he never had one of these before. At the time, they did not charge me any more than what a "normal" bike cost to haul it up to the top. Since you have 3 tracks to look out for, I would deflate your tires just a bit, there are small rocks ( fist size, give or take) that you are going to have to be aware of. There are going to be a bunch of people who are going to fly by you, . If you ride any trails you are going to have a lot of patients, most people there don't really know bicycle trail etiquette, but don't let it get to you . Take your time , enjoy the ride. beautiful scenery. Well worth your time. If you can help it, don't go on the weekend ! Good luck and enjoy!
@@jefflee66 Thanks for your great advice. Appreciated. And yeah, I know all about people who don't know trail etiquette. Don't even get me started on that subject!!! 🙂
Nice review. We stayed in Damascus and started with the White Top section. I hated the van trip up. So I asked what was the record was for the downhill. They told me 48 minutes. We got back in 43 minutes. I might have missed some of the scenery. Maybe next time. 😉
Nobody seems to be able to answer my question: Can you ride the entire trail both ways? I want to spend all day riding, both ways, I don’t want any shuttles. Thank you.
You definitely can! You’ll just be climbing if you take it up to White Top. And I would Highly recommend you watch for folks coming the other way and give them the right of way as that’s the direction most people will be coming.
2014 my wife and I rode from White Top to Damascus. The crazy thing was she took a Joyrider. (3 wheel daemon) 24" rear 12" front. God was watching us. Way too fast for her. The brakes did not work very well. But we made it. Could you do it again yes JOYRIDER NO? Silly us did not wear helmets, There were lots of friendly people, and one lady let my wife use her bathroom.
Check out our linktree linktr.ee/reviewthisthing
Thank you for watching!
Me and my dad haven’t done a father son trip in 20 years and are traveling from southern Indiana to Fleetwood nc next weekend. This trail was recommended to me by locals on Reddit and your review sealed it for me. Thanks for taking the time to provide such an informative review! Looking forward to making good memories with dad and this helped me decide something for us to do.
I hope you love it! Come back and let us know!!! Be safe and have fun.
I have been to the VCT many times, like a home away from home, but I hike it instead of biking. To re-affirm some things mentioned, the section from Whitetop to Damascus gets VERY crowed on weekends in the summer and at other select times with crowds of cyclists. Most if not all of the bathrooms are open again. They are located at Whitetop station, Green Cove station, Taylor's Valley, Straight Branch & Creek Junction trailheads, and in Damascus. There are snacks available at Green Cove and the cafe at Taylor's Valley is supposed to re-open under new management in the spring. If you chose to do the Damascus to Abingdon section, it is much less crowded. It is flat from Damascus to Alvarado station and then uphill into Abingdon, if you call 500-700 feet altitude gain over 8 miles uphill. Take time to read the interperative signs along the way. And finally, stop in at Green Cove if they're open and learn about Lawrence "the Legend" Dye.
Hey! Thanks so much for that info!
Just bought a new 2022 trek marlin 8 mtn bike 3 weeks ago. So I am riding it on the kingsport greenbelt getting use to riding a bike again in my golden years. I am turning 59 later this year in October.
I hope to be in good enough shape to go ride on the creeper trail in late September or by mid October to see the beautiful changing fall colors.
Congratulations! You’re going to love it!
Thank you very much for this review! Me and my dad are going on this trail next Tuesday, which is during the week so it hopefully won’t be that crowded! Thanks for all the info :)
I hope you have an amazing time!
We were there about a week after your trip!! We had a blast!! The morning we left out of Whitetop it was 28* and a very blustery wind! But we had layered accordingly and began peeling off the layers on the way down to Damascus and further on into Abingdon. It was Sunday when we were there and a bit crowded, but not to the point that we were bogged down in traffic We saw road bikes on the trail as well as a few adult tricycles, AND a couple of lone riders riding UP towards WhiteTop!! We will definitely be doing this trail again, maybe a week or so into October (we life in FL and get no Fall here at all!!) and NOT on a weekend day. Hopefully, more bathrooms will be open after COVID gets by us a little farther. Thanks for your video review of this trail. Your review was spot on!!
Thanks for watching, Larae, and for sharing with everyone! I’m also glad you enjoyed it as much as we did. I hope you can make it back there soon. Thanks again! And subscribe while you’re here if you would 😊
Great Review, thank you!
Thank you for watching!
Great Review!
Thank you!
I biked this a few years ago in BSA and it was by far the best biking trip we went on. Personally, I think it was just as good as when we did canoeing and kayaking.
It’s definitely a gorgeous place!
Thank you for this review, you answered most of my questions, I have a Canondale hybrid, and it sounds like it will be fine on the trail. My wife has an electric bike she uses because of some health issues but if it's downhill maybe she can rent a hybrid. I stumbled across this trail by reading a review about a mountain bike, I never heard of before and can't wait to get there. Thank you for doing this review, it was more than helpful!
I hope you both love it! There are some flatter places where you will need to pedal, so use what makes you comfortable. You may want to just check in and make sure they haven’t made any regulations against ebikes. Have fun!!!
Was a great ride from Whitetop on my gravel bike. Going to Whitetop was the longest climb I’ve ever done. Basically 17 miles uphill.
We didn't go that direction!
@@ReviewThisThing It isn’t too bad, pretty gradual. I think I ‘big ringed’ the entire thing. 😉 It just goes on and on. Think it took me about 90 minutes or so to get to Whitetop.
@@stevedeibler2181 It's much easier if you ride the bus 😅
@@ReviewThisThing very true! 😉 But where is the challenge in that. 😁
@@stevedeibler2181 excellent point!
thank u for this! i’m going tmr
Come back and let us know your experience!
one thing after completing the trail, is that the trail requires your attention. The road surface is a little on the rough side, combining with the speed of a down hill run and the large number of people using the trail, you really need to be alert. It is a fun ride.
Great point. It wasn’t very but when we were there, and the weather had been pretty good so it wasn’t too rough.
I’m new to mountain biking and am traveling to Damascus to ride on that trail on Easter weekend
Have fun! Let us know what you think!
Thanks. Going after the July 4th weekend. Very informative.
Thank you for watching, Jerry! Come back and let everyone know what you think after you go!
Maybe I’ll see you there, I’m going around that time with my scout troop.
@@HiHi-wd4sl HAVE FUN!
Have heard of some riding electric bikes on this trail. Have you seen this and if so. Are they safe.
Hmm…I feel like when we went it was illegal, but I’m not sure if that’s true now.
are there places to use the bathroom along the way? specifically the 17 mile downhill section
When we were there, the public restrooms were closed because of COVID. There was one bathroom we found off the trail at a parking area for the accessible fishing piers, but you have to ride about a half-mile ish or so, I believe, back off the trail to get there.
How long are the rough spots? Would our recumbent trikes be okay there? They're 32 inches wide and very stable.
The rough parts weren’t too very long. Now we were there over a year ago, so depending on weather and maintenance, it may be a little different. I think your trikes would be fine. Just be careful on the bridges and watch for oncoming traffic (but there usually isn’t much). Also, I’d call a couple of the bike shops and make sure they’re equipped to carry your bikes up the mountain. Thanks for watching!
@@ReviewThisThing Thanks for your reply. Yes, trikers using shuttles have to call ahead. Understandable that they would charge more if they did agree to carry trikes. Otherwise, trikes and bikes are very similar except in the riding experience. Most people like to focus on speed so they don't like trikes, but others quickly realize how much energy they're saving by not balancing. Helpful for old folks like me who tend to lean. :-)
@@gmaneis thank you for updating! I bet a trike will be a very nice experience on that trail. Come back if you go and update us!
I did the trail last year on Friday OCT 15 2021, from Whitetop Station to Damascus. Yes it was pretty crowded. I have a Catrike Dumont.
I stopped in a couple days before and inquired about the shuttle, I made sure they understood it was a recumbent trike. No problems. . The guys who put the trike on the trailer, said he never had one of these before. At the time, they did not charge me any more than what a "normal" bike cost to haul it up to the top.
Since you have 3 tracks to look out for, I would deflate your tires just a bit, there are small rocks ( fist size, give or take) that you are going to have to be aware of.
There are going to be a bunch of people who are going to fly by you, . If you ride any trails you are going to have a lot of patients, most people there don't really know bicycle trail etiquette, but don't let it get to you .
Take your time , enjoy the ride. beautiful scenery. Well worth your time. If you can help it, don't go on the weekend !
Good luck and enjoy!
@@jefflee66 Thanks for your great advice. Appreciated. And yeah, I know all about people who don't know trail etiquette. Don't even get me started on that subject!!! 🙂
Nice review. We stayed in Damascus and started with the White Top section. I hated the van trip up. So I asked what was the record was for the downhill. They told me 48 minutes. We got back in 43 minutes. I might have missed some of the scenery. Maybe next time. 😉
Haha. Thanks for watching! I’d definitely say you missed some stuff 😊
Nobody seems to be able to answer my question: Can you ride the entire trail both ways?
I want to spend all day riding, both ways, I don’t want any shuttles.
Thank you.
You definitely can! You’ll just be climbing if you take it up to White Top. And I would
Highly recommend you watch for folks coming the other way and give them the right of way as that’s the direction most people will be coming.
@@ReviewThisThing Thank you so much! 🚴🚴🚴🚴
Have fun and be safe!
i give that video 5/5!
Thank you so much! I appreciate you watching!
@@ReviewThisThing I have 32c tires on my hybrid, do you think that will be OK on the VCT?
As long as it’s still like it was then, hybrid tires should be good.
Maybe show a video of you actually being on the trail?
There are a few clips in there. Granted, there could definitely be more. We’ve gotten a little better, hopefully. 😊
2014 my wife and I rode from White Top to Damascus. The crazy thing was she took a Joyrider. (3 wheel daemon) 24" rear 12" front. God was watching us. Way too fast for her. The brakes did not work very well. But we made it. Could you do it again yes JOYRIDER NO? Silly us did not wear helmets, There were lots of friendly people, and one lady let my wife use her bathroom.
That sounds like quite the adventure! I'm glad you survived and had fun either way 😄
Is it all down hill?
If you take a van to Whitetop Station and ride back to Damascus, it’s pretty much all downhill and flat.
Why are ebikes not allowed? Ebikes are the only way a lot of older riders can still keep riding due to problems associated with aging.
I’m not saying they aren’t - I don’t know. I would just check. I know at Glacier NP a few years ago they weren’t allowed on Going to the Sun Road.
@@ReviewThisThing thank you for your response. I actually checked and it did say no ebikes.
I’m sorry to hear that.