Swamp Rabbit Trail - Greenville, SC

 

Section of trail I rode - 21 mi round trip

Monday afternoon I got to the Walmart in Travelers Rest, SC. This section of trail is North of Greenville. 

I started at Gateway Park about a mile from the Walmart, the parking lot had plenty of room for my RV and I biked to Reedy River Falls in downtown Greenville.

I loved this trail, very smooth wide asphalt with gentle hills. There are mileage markers every 1/2 mi, so it's hard to get lost.

There are many places along the way for food or drink, but this is also a very scenic trail. I took lots of pictures. There were a lot of people making use of the trail, walking, jogging and biking, but it was far from crowded. It was a nice suuny cool day, temps started in 50's and got to the mid 60's by lunch time.

I was going to bike another section on Wednesday but it looks like some rain may be coming into the area. So after my bike ride I left for Augusta, Ga at 12:30pm and got to my Walmart stop at 3:30pm. Traffic was a little heavier but no delays.

Filled up on gas at Sam's club for only $2.50/gal. I've gone 800 miles so far.

So after biking the Savananah River on Wednesday, depending on the weather forecast, I may head to Florida.

I can't believe this small town has put so much money into a bike trail. It's the best I've seen in any city, large or small.

Trail & Kiosk near a parking lot

Typical Trail Section

Reedy Falls from the trail

Reedy Falls from long bridge over the river

The Falls are right in the middle of their downtown

Virginia Creeper Bike Trail

Whitetop Train Station Visitor Center

I camped behind Adventure Damascus, the outfitter that provided a shuttle up to Whitetop Mountan(3600'), I'm glad I decided not to attempt to bike in both directions like I did 29 years ago. The grade from Damascus (2200') to Whitetop averages about 2% and the first 5 miles is more than 4%.

In fact for the entire trip I did not pedal more than 1 mile out the the total 17 miles. And the first 4 miles I had to be continually braking. It's a narrow trail, mostly dirt, full of leaves. It's really pretty but I was so busy making sure I didn't crash, I'm sure I missed a lot. There was one other couple on the same shuttle and they took off and I never saw them again. I did pass two strong mountain bikers peddling uphill and two e-bikes going up as well. I can't imagine dodging hundreds of bikers who do the trail when in season.

Even taking it easy and going slow I finished in 2 hours. I felt safer going faster when the trail got flatter.

Green Cove Station 

I guess I'm getting too old for all the maneuvering as you cross 30 bridges making your way down hill.

I don't think I'll be back here to bike again but it was a good experience.

The shuttle was at 9AM and it was a cool morning but I was dressed warmly. I got back and had lunch in my RV before driving 3 hours to a Traveler's Rest, SC , north of Greenvile, SC. Traffic was heavy and slow south of Ashville and a big accident had the road closed but it was cleared before I got there.

I found a quiet spot with no cars to spend the night at a Walmart.

If you want to know more about the trail and area watch Mary Jo Monte's from Ohio Video.

Tomorrow's plan is to bike the paved Swamp Rabbit Trail to Greenville's Falls Park and back. It's starting to get warmer, high 60's but clouding up.

First days in Southern VA

 

Map of VA mountains and the two bike trails

Here are some memories of Peggy 6 years ago when we first took our new tandem down the New River Trail.

The last time we did the VA Creeper Trail was 29 years ago on our mountain bikes. We started from the top at Whitetop Mountain and peddled down to near Damascus, Peggy waited for me to bike backup to the top and get the RV and continue south.

2023

I awoke early and was able to get on the road at 7AM for my 420 mile drive to Galax, VA. Being a Saturday and Veteren's Day, the traffic was very light. Very few trucks even on the WV Turnpike. So with a stop for gas and a couple of other short stops I got to my destination Galax, VA at 2:30 PM,  It was a mostly sunny day but cool, 56^o 

I decided to stay overnight in a Lowes parking lot. They had good wi-fi and it was very quiet, as opposed to the big Walmart across the road which was very busy & noisy. I had overnighted here before with Peggy at about the same time of year 6 years ago when we did the same trail. I decided to treat myself to a great Mexican dinner at Tlaquepaque Mexican Restaurant. It's a really popular place with a huge menu of unique meals. I had the chicken chefs special which was basically a mexican stir fry dinner, it was huge and very good, I took my leftovers for a nice lunch tomorrow.

Chestnut Creek

Galax is in the foothills of the mountains and has a nice gravel bike trail that goes from town and winds along Chestnut Creek for 11 mi to a bridge across the New River. It was cool morning 34^o, so I waited to 10 am to do the New River State Park Trail. 

You can go upstream along the New River for 5.5 mi to Fries or downstream over 40 mi. I wanted to go downstream for about 3 mi to the Byllesby Dam but the trail was closed to replace some small bridges over the local creeks. I took my time and some pictures along the creek.

Chestnut Falls

                                                         

When I got back to the RV, I had my great Mexican leftovers and relaxed for an hour before driving the very windy road to Damascus where I will camp for the night behind the shuttle service that I will use tomorrow to take me up to Whitetop Mountain, the start of the 17 mi VA Creeper Trail, where I will coast and pedal back to my RV.

New River

Leaving on Winter trip tomorrow - 11/11/23

I posted a more detailed trip plan, which could vary depending on the weather. I don't like to bike in the rain. Trip plans are very similar to my past FL trips and hopefully I won't have any trouble getting into the campgrounds that don't take reservations.

Cleveland Script Signs

I bought a new bike jacket and padded under shorts for all my expected bike riding when I head south. So I decided to take a short 14 mile ride around Cleveland to see the different views by the Cleveland Script signs near downtown.

Edgewater

Shoreway Overlook

Near Sokolowski Overlook

Columbus Road

Rock Hall