Michelle and I decided our first mountain bike trip of 2007 should be on the Virginia Creeper rail-trail near Damascus, Virginia. This converted rail bed runs over 33 miles from Abingdon to Whitetop. We started in Damascus and started the long 17.5 mile climb up to Whitetop station. The majority of people take shuttles to the top of the mountain and coast the 17 miles back to Damascus but we decided a little exercise would not hurt us. The grade was gradual most of the way but the climb from Green Cove to Whitetop got the calves burning. A light rain along this stretch was welcome and kept us cool during the climb. We saw lots of interesting birds along the way - the best being a pair of Louisiana Waterthrush who were working the rocks just below a trestle we were on. We also heard a single Swainson's Warbler on the way up. The ride back down to Damascus was truly enjoyable as we hardly had to peddle for 17 miles. We're already planning on a return trip to this rail-trail in the mountains.