DAMASCUS, Va.— Local business owners are still scrambling to recover after one of the most powerful storms in history swept through the region in late September, shuttering stores and leaving a financial toll behind.
Among those businesses hurting from the impact of Hurricane Helene are bicycle shops in Damascus and Abingdon—-the unexpected heroes that help to build a vibrant economy in the tourist town.
In an effort to extend the season for cycling businesses, the town of Abingdon is launching a family friendly fundraising event to help bicycle shop operators who are suffering a loss of revenue this fall.
The community is invited to participate in a Turkey Trail Ride on Nov. 23 when cyclists will gather to take an excursion on the Virginia Creeper Trail. Starting times for the trail ride are staggered at 9 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to prevent trail congestion and create a better flow for cyclists.
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A live turkey will make a holiday appearance at the trailhead that morning to welcome cyclists and usher in the Thanksgiving spirit.
Abingdon Town Manager Mike Cochran anticipants as many as 300 or more people will participate in the fundraiser.
“We want to give those bike shops that are still operating one last chance to help recover financially,” said Cochran. “Our entire goal is to support them.”
The Virginia Creeper Trail Welcome Center located at the trailhead on Green Spring Road will be open, offering trail merchandise for sale including newly-designed T-shirts that represent the recovery efforts of the Virginia Creeper Trail.
The Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to the maintenance and preservation of the Trail corridor, will sell “Rebuild the Ride” campaign merchandise at Damascus Outfitters. The sales will benefit the rebuilding of the second portion of the trail that remains closed due to damages from the hurricane.
The trail ride is an event for seasoned or beginner cyclists, allowing participants to ride at their own pace while exploring the landscape from Abingdon to Damascus, the portion of the trail that has reopened following flooding from Hurricane Helene.
According to Cochran the portion of the trail from Damascus to Whitetop remains closed while restoration efforts continue.
Cyclists can purchase a $35 shuttle ticket or make a donation online at www.visitabingdonvirginia.com. The money goes directly to participating bike shops including Shuttle Shack and The Bike Station, both in Damascus, and the Virginia Creeper Trail Bike Shop in Abingdon.
Participants can bring their own bikes but can still arrange for the shuttle services. Shuttle passes also will be available at the trailhead in Abingdon on the morning of the event.
A shuttle service will offer rides to participants until 2 p.m. on the day of the trail ride, looping through Abingdon, Alvarado, and Damascus. Cyclists can start their ride at the trailhead in Abingdon and then catch a shuttle at either Alvarado Station or Damascus for a ride back to Abingdon. The Alvarado Station will be a location where cyclists can stop to refresh with snacks and drinks, and browse the merchandise. Restrooms will be available at the station while biking on the trail.
An estimated time for cycling from Abingdon to Damascus is approximately four hours.
Cochran described the trail from Abingdon to Damascus as “a neat ride.”
“It’s interesting that a lot of people don’t know the trail head begins in Abingdon, It’s a section of trail that some people have never experienced. It’s a very pretty ride from Abingdon to Damascus,” he said.
Cyclists will venture alongside the river, riding through farming pastureland until reaching Damascus, the half-way point of the picturesque 34-mile trail that winds its way through the Mount Rogers recreational area. The trail starts in Whitetop and ends in Abingdon, with Damascus sitting right in the middle.
Once reaching Damascus, participants can eat lunch at one of the town’s restaurants and patron the town’s shops.
‘Our Christmas’
Hurricane Helene devastated the region just before Damascus geared up for its tourism season, which generates thousands of dollars for the trail town each year.
Wendy Poplin, owner of The Bike Station on Laurel Avenue in town, said she also is feeling the same impact the hurricane had on restaurants and airbnbs, causing her business to struggle financially.
Although her shop escaped damages from the flooding, she’s seen less traffic than what’s expected this time of year.
“The hurricane hit right in the middle of what we call our Christmas season. This time of year is supposed to be Christmas for people in Damascus. That’s what we call it because it’s just like having Christmas a little early,” said Poplin.
“It’s our Christmas season because of the leaf peppers who come to town to see the autumn colors. It’s our Christmas season because the restaurants and airbnb owners welcome the tourists. But, Mother Nature took it a different direction.”
Poplin’s busiest weekend this October barely brought in half of the revenue usually made this time of year.
“That’s been hard as a small business owner. I’ve got five full time and six part time staff members. I’m struggling to keep them on the pay roll. I’ve had to cut hours and the number of shuttles per day. Instead of doing six a day, we’re doing only three a day just to help conserve gas. It’s been playing with numbers and making the best of it,” said Poplin.
The good news, she said, is the generous help the town has received since violent flood waters from Hurricane Helene damaged or destroyed homes and businesses, washed out roads, and demolished trestles and pathways on the Virginia Creeper Trail.
“That’s the beauty of living in a small town,” Poplin said.
The Turkey Trail Ride will run in conjunction with two holiday events in Abingdon.
A Merchant Open House for downtown shops is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The 2024 Festival of Trees will take place from Nov. 10 to Dec. 31. The festival will kick off with a tree lighting event at 5 p.m. on Nov. 23 at the Abingdon Visitor Center on Main Street.
Cyclists can purchase a $35 shuttle ticket or make a donation online at www.visitabingdonvirginia.com. The money goes directly to participating bike shops including Shuttle Shack and The Bike Station, both in Damascus, and the Virginia Creeper Trail Bike Shop in Abingdon. These three businesses will provide shuttle services for the Turkey Trail Ride.
To purchase tickets or make a donation to the Turkey Trail Ride, visit www.visitabingdonvirginia.com.
For more information, contact the Abingdon Visitor Center at (276) 676-2282.
Carolyn R. Wilson is a freelance writer in Glade Spring, Virginia. Contact her at [email protected].
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