Virginia Creeper Trail, biking from Abingdon, VA to Damascus

NOTICE: details have changed. Mid-October is, I'm told by those who ought to know, the perfect time to visit the hills of Western Virginia, and a bike ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail is the perfect way to experience the wonder of the season. As most of you know, the "upper" trail was destroyed in the hurricane last fall. But the "lower" trail was untouched by the storm and is in fine shape. Unlike the upper portion, which is nearly all downhill, this part is virtually flat. I rode it about a month ago to make sure that it was do-able, and I found it pretty easy. The only portion that's actually "uphill" is so slightly inclined that it's hardly noticeable.

Let's meet at Sundog Outfitters (https://sundogoutfitter.net/) in Damascus at eleven on the 16th (Thursday) and do the trail that day. I plan to come up the day before (the 15th) and stay in Damascus, have dinner in Abingdon that evening, maybe take in a show at the Barter Theater there [update: there are no evening shows at the Barter that day], and ride the next day. I'd be happy to get together with any of you who so choose for any of that, too.

Standard bikes are $40, E-bikes (with little electric motors) are $75, and shuttle-only for those who bring their own bikes is $25. Be there (331 Douglas Drive, Damascus, VA) by 11:00 at the latest; a little earlier is better.