The Virginia Creeper Bike Trail is an 18 mile trail along a former railroad track bed. If you start at the top at Whitetop Station, the trail is mostly a gentle 5° downhill grade.
There are a few companies that will rent you the mountain bikes and truck you up to the top of Whitetop. It is relatively inexpensive for a full day of fresh air, mild exercise and gorgeous scenery. (about $25)
There are bathrooms along the way, and in a few places you can even get something to eat. Bring hand sanitizer! The bathrooms are mostly waterless!
Your ride will take you through different varied terrain. You will pass through Mt. Jefferson National Forest, along rivers and creeks, past many gorgeous waterfalls and through picturesque valleys. You can stop along the way to picnic, to drink in the scenery, to hike a bit or to just rest.
There are many trestles and bridges along the ride. I think there are 40 something in all. Here is a link to a great website with tons of pictures of all the trestles. VA Creeper Trail I didn’t know they could be so pretty and photographic.
It is a lovely excursion for a nice day. The ride can take as long as you wish, but a typical amount of time would be about 3 hours. When we got back down to the bottom of the trail, we wanted to go back to the top and do it again.
Try it. You will love it!