Cycling the Greenbrier River and North Bend Trails: A Tale of Two Rail Trails in West Virginia 

Paul, you put a lot of work and effort into all your videos. Your attention to detail keeps me watching all the way through. Another great video! Thanks for sharing !

Great trails,I want to check both out!thanx,Paul for great informative video,as usaul!😉👋

Paul - glad you survived the tunnel ghosts !!

Hi again, Paul. I have a navigational question for you. I am in Ohio on route 7 biking south. At the Moundsville, WV bridge my gps wants me to cross and go south on WV 2 to the New Martinsville Bridge and cross back to OH 7. Why not just stay on OH 7 all the way to the New Martinsville Bridge? I think you did this route once from the Panhandle Trail.

One of your best videos to date! Of course, I am a bit prejudiced given I a native of WV and have ridden some of the Greenbriar Trail. The WV Tourism Bureau should hire you to do their TV spots! Great video skills along with great story lines for both trail rides. Your choice of music accompanying the WV scenery was spot on! I look forward to your next video as always. So good to see you back on your bike and out enjoying the trails!!

Wish we had trails as long as this in the UK. Thanks for your hard work Paul. 🚴🚴🚴

Awesome to see your videos again. You're an inspiration for this 50s biker. Rail trails are my favorite. The quality of your videos has really become much more polished. I love the drone shots!

Wonderful video, as always (really loved opening train whistle!!) ***How did you manage your car/suv--leave it @ end points and get shuttle back to starts?? If yes, how to arrange shuttles??*** Thanks again, and keep those videos coming!!

Oh Paul, now you've gone and done it. I've got two more trails for the bucket list, especially because Ive never been in a tunnel with a bend in it. I'll bring my light for sure! Love all these tunnels and bridges! All best wishes for your continued recovery and many thanks for these stellar videos! Roll on and thanks for taking us along!

It's been a while since I watched one of your videos, or any biking videos for that matter. I played this thinking to myself: "I hope it's that guy". And it was! I love your videos "that guy"!

I did the Greenbrier from south to north this past June I wonder if I passed you. I did the North bend trail the year before and it's Eastern end was a complete mess that you wouldn't want to even attempt without 2-in tires. Great video

Yay first to enjoy Thanks from New Zealand :)

Looks epic and as usual, amazing job Paul. Very underrated channel.

Wish I knew you were in the neighborhood, would've invited ya to supper, I live about twenty miles or fewer from North Bend tail, really enjoy your channel

Music , nature sounds , drone shots, narration and may be countless hours of editing effort make your videos a pleasure to watch.Its not the fancy clothing , expensive gear or the speeds . You show us the simple joy of riding the bicycle. May be thats the beauty that is embedded in these videos. Keep churning out videos like these. Happy bicycling and stay safe.

Im new to this channel and im hooked, its like watching tv series

So good man! I love your channel Paul!

Decker's Creek is a great rail trail up in Morgantown WV.

Great video as always Paul! Those new Surly 41mm Extraterrestrials look great for gravel and pavement! I hope to bike from Lockport to Rochester soon (still watch your Erie Canal video for tips). Thanks for filling up my bucket list of trails! Alex 😀

Your camera and video work is appreciated. I know you must need to stop and start many times to entertain us. You give us the bike Fever and we are always looking for new trails. Your footage and comments are invaluable!

Absolute Pro Video...Im going on that ride🤸

Nice one Paul, thanks for making the effort and sharing it with us.

Great angles! Great vid!

Two other Rail Trails in West Virginia worth checking out, The West Fork R.T. (also part of the Greenbrier River, just North of Cass) and The Allegheny Highlands R.T. ( Elkins to Thomas WV )

Almost heaven!

Great video. makes me want to hop on my bike and take off. Have you done the Virginia Creeper yet? SW Virginia, runs between Whitetop Mtn and Abingdon, the mid-point (and lowest elevation) goes through the town of Damascus. It's not as long (34 miles) as these two WV trails, and the half between Whitetop and Damascus gets a lot of day trippers and families with kids because it is all downhill from White Top. Damascus has outfitters who will transport you and your bike to White Top. It's as steep as about 5% grade in a few places, and a challenge to ride the 17 mile uphill from town. The other half is a gentler climb, about 2% max, from Damascus to Abingdon. I've done the entire trail twice in a day, starting in Damascus, riding to Abingdon, then back through Damascus to Whitetop. I was pretty beat by the time I got to Whitetop, but knowing the return to Damascus is all downhill, you can relax and coast most of the way.

Trail Link App gives HORRIBLE reviews to the North Bend Trail . Super rutty and rocky is what folks are saying but I will watch your vid of course. It's only 6.8 miles from Salem to the eastern terminus at Wolf Summit. I'm surprised you didn't brave it. I wanted you to give me the report on it!❤❤😂😂😂😂

Paul, great video as always. I'll be doing the Greenbrier this fall, likely covering it in two days. My buddy and I have done most of the North Bend in sections doing. out-and-back rides. I think you're being a bit generous in your B grade. I wouldn't give it more than a C. The trail surface is pretty bad for a rail-trail and changes depending on which county you're in. Of course, riding it like we do means we have to go over sections twice in one day which can get hard. The scenery doesn't compare to anything in the mountains and you're in some of the least populated counties in the state so amenities are sparse. However, it has more tunnels than any trail I know of and some are very long so there's that. Just wanted to throw in a slightly different perspective from a native West Virginian for potential riders. Spot on about the Greenbrier though.

I lived by the Greenbrier at Spring Creek when i was a kid. There was a little train that made a daily run between Cass and Roncevert. It hauled the mail and one boxcar, sometime a flatbed car with logs and a passenger car. We could ride between Roncevert and Renick for ten cents.

Living the dream

Really enjoyable video of two trails. Thanks for the warning on how chunky the second one is. I'd definitely prefer the Greenbrier. I look forward to more videos on HOF rail trails!

Another fantastic video Paul! Always appreciate the effort you put into making these and your story telling! I get a kick out of your no nonsense approach to bikepacking and expert advice and observations! Also great to see you on your new Surly Disc Trucker after your unfortunate cycling mishaps! I'm a retired 65 year old cyclist who lives in Cary, NC so I need to get out and check these W. Virginia trails out! Thanks again, stay safe, & best of luck as always!

I love this video. The videography is solid and so is the narration and good old fashion humor! I did subscribe and like. I am planning an out and back of the Greenbrier trail the last week of February 2024 and praying for no blizzards 😂. Surly makes nice bikes and your choice of handlebars is interesting, but ride your own ride. I would like to have seen some camping and relaxation content. I give your video an A!

You have been missed!

Wow great video Paul! My grandfather grew up in Pocahontas. His father was a coal Miner. Thank you for sharing this trail on my bucket list

Great video Paul ! I appreciate the rail trail videos. I’ve traveled lots of trails in the Midwest, never ventured east, further than Wisconsin for rides. That trail is inspiring, I’m gonna look into greenbrier for this riding season possibly. Your long haul trucker looks comfortable, I’ve never seen a touring bike setup like that, I like the swept back bars. I may actually try a setup similar to your. I’d like to see a video sometime of your touring rig!

You’ve really upgraded the quality of your videos. Your use of the 360° camera is excellent. Is that an Insta360 or a different make?

One correction. There is no “Greenbrier River State Forest” along the trail. There IS a Greenbrier State Forest which is southeast of Caldwell but is probably 5 miles from the trails southern terminus. GSF features MTB trails.

Sorry to bother you but I’d like to know what handlebars you’re using ? I have a mountain bike that I’m converting to a touring bike. Like you, I can’t be hunched over the stem without killing my back. Ty. Mike

Paul, Would you please share where you stayed overnight along the Greenbrier Trail?

Great Video Paul. Really inspiring. I have the same question as others. Do you have any recommendations for travelers who wish to ride one way and get back to the car?

Another great video! Thank You! How do you and your wife get back to your car? Do you have a car at both ends? Or do you utilize a shuttle service?

Amazing video as always. I would love it if you turned down the music just a little bit. Makes it easier to listen to your voice. Looking forward for the next ride.

Mr sucheki the teacher that took your old classroom looks like a blonde Mrs frizzle from what I saw lol. Have fun on ur travels and remember. Endoplasmicreticulum

Hey Paul. Just wondering if you have a list of trails and routes you have cycled. My wife and I are from California and we are planning on heading back east later rhis summer to cycle as much as pissible.

Paul, quick question. What device are you using for auto tracking you when you ride by on a bike?

This is mean-spirited but I have gotten tired of rail-trails. They all feel so much alike - miles of canopied trees and gravel and creeks or rivers on one side or the other. Safe, sure. But so boring.

Elk River Trail from Gassaway wv to Hartland is about 45 miles, gravel rail trail

Paul what handlebars are you using ? I like the upright position.

I've been on tour all summer and haven't been on RU-vid, since the last time I watched you got a Surly, nice!

I like the look of the Greenbrier Paul. We've done a little riding in WV, my wife is from the western side of the state.

Great video!! I had been trying to get my son’s Boy Scout troop to make one or both of these a scouting adventure, but unfortunately, the scout master was not interested in this adventure. My son is now in the Army, maybe we can meet there and do the adventure together!

The water of the Greenbriar River kind of stinks so I only splash around in the tributaries. There is a sewer that dumps into the river below Cass.

Great vid, dude. One of your best, thanx.

Welcome back partner. Missed ya. Rode one of my rat bikes this morning. Just in town. An ol' Schwinn Continental. Posted a video.

WV Park Service for West Bend has a shuttle service.

North Bend is a joke compared to the Greenbrier (biked the both).

Another great video, Paul! We still need to get in a ride together one of these days when we're both around. My girlfriend and I want to go check out the Greenbrier now. I'm going to start researching the logistics of it haha

This was so cool! But how do you get back if you park your car at the start of the trail?

I can confirm that 33mm tires are too skinny for the North Bend

Hi Paul…appreciate your effort as I too have a yt channel. I just broke my second spoke on this rear wheel…so obviously I’ve got too much weight for these wheels. I weigh 245…with panniers around 10/pannier for 40 lbs or a total of 315 including bike. Curious what you weigh…and why don’t they rate wheels for how much weight they can carry? Thanx…Jeff

The sound of the Shay engine and always whistle makes me weepy. I wish I had come across your path! I read both frequently. Thanks for an authentic view of both trails. Next time catch the Allegheny Highlands and West Fork trails.

Love seeing the Disc Trucker Surly out for a good workout! Looks beautiful there. I'm trying to plan a route from VT to NC and looking for good trails that afford stealth camping and stay out of the city and the coast.

really like all your videos, well done!!

Thanks for a great video!

how did u make the camera pan like that while your passing

So glad to see you back out there. Go ride your bike😅

I don't believe in ghosts 😅

West Virginia it's a song 😅

Did you retire Paul?

Music is too loud.

Awesome! West Virginia trails are like a biker's paradise. These trails have everything that you could dream of. I'll definitely add these to my list. Maybe I will ride in a fall when leaves are turning colorful. Thanks for sharing. 👍

How do you get your camera to follow you when you pass it?

Excellent video. I rode the North Bend Trail in July. As you noted, the chunky gravel does wear you down. I was on 38 mm tires. Had an excellent campsite at North Bend State Park. I ride the Greenbrier River Trail every Fall. It is awesome. Jack Horner's Corner (store) near the Watoga State Park / Seebert is a great lunch stop.

Great video as always.Good blend of facts,humor and Americana 🇺🇸..Love the hand made maps..I make written que sheets,turn by turn on my long day rides..Now I’m gonna go “ride your bike “….🚲

Thanks for the videos. I really enjoy them. I'm not that far from Parkersburg so the North Bend Trail is on my list. The Greenbrier is a little farther but it looks like it's definitely worth the trip. If you are looking for a nice weekend trip I might suggest what I call the Wright-Patt Tecumseh ride. It's about an 85 mile trip total here in southern Ohio with accommodations on both ends and about half way through. At one end in Dayton is the Wright-Patterson AF Museum which is a great place to visit. The Orville and Wilbur Wright museum isn't too far away also if a person would want to check that out. On the other end in Chillicothe is the Tecumseh live action drama which I would highly recommend. It is about 75% rail trail with the only road riding being a 20 mile stretch through cornfields on straight back country roads between Jeffersonville and Washington Court House. Happy and safe travels and looking forward to your next video.

As always, awesome video Paul. This trail is definitely on my bucket list. My mother's family is from Upshur County WV, not too far from Cass. It's a beautiful area up there. Thanks for sharing.

Heading up to the Greenbrier with my brother on a Lectric (mine) and Pedego (his) for three day trip in the low 50's. Two Ohio boys born in Madison, WV. Almost heaven in the rain is better than anywhere else... Thanks for video, mine won't be near as good. Thanks for the work 👍✌🖖🥃

Nice video, Paul! As someone who enjoys bike touring (but my spouse does not) what does your wife do when she accompanies you on a trip like this? I'd love to make my wife a part of my tours, but haven't found the magic formula that includes me riding and her doing something fun. About the time you were on the Greenbriar, I was on the C&O and GAP trails. Managed to avoid the smoke as an issue - I hope you didn't experience too much of it where you were. Thanks again!

Hi Paul,thanks for all the great content. Glad you are well and back on the road. Was wondering if you had any suggestions for very durable gravel tire. I run 700 x40 now. Thanks again, now go ride your bike.

Hello Paul. Now you're riding in my back yard. Like you, I love riding the Greenbrier River Trail, it's a real gem. As a proud West Virginian, I'm appreciative of your great video that showcases the great things that make my home great. Wishing you safe travels.

Awesome job capturing these trails. I live just east of Salem and I was just on the Greenbrier River trail last weekend. Saw my first 3 bears south of marlinton. New sub

From across the pond in UK, love your videos. If I can one day, would love to come over and ride a few of your great trails. If not then I continue to enjoy them vicariously through you. Many thanks. Nice Surely disc trucker.

So far I've only managed to get to the Panhandle Trail in West Virginia. Although claiming it's in WV is a bit misleading as there are only about 4 miles of rideable trail in WV, with the bulk of the trail being in PA. It's a nice ride, but not terribly scenic. I've got both of these on my list for future adventures, but probably doing the Pine Creek Trail in PA first. That one looks epic, thanks for the video!

Loved the video Paul. So glad you're back in the saddle again. Best wishes ✌️

Excellent, Paul, THANKS! These trails are just what the doctor ordered! Have fun and stay safe out there!

Thank you.

nice work

Paul, your videos are so charming. The editing and story telling is fantastic, and as a beginner bike tourer / bike packer I feel like I'm learning so much. Thank you, sincerely. Glad to see you're still uploading

Excellent video, excellent job. It has inspired me to make the trip and give it a try. I have always been fascinated by this beautiful state. Wondering if there is any shuttle service available & long term parking to return to your vehicle once finished?

Thanks for the head's up on the North Bend Trail, I will check that out maybe this fall. I did a short section around Cairo many years ago but seeing a lot of improvements here. Love the Greenbrier trail, the food at the Dirtbean was great although that's been a long while too, love the sofas and stuff (the air conditioning wasn't great but the place was comfortable) I've camped at a small campsite *behind* Watoga one of the few place I've camped where you may not hear airplanes overhead. Lewisburg has some good food options too.

Great video! Just found you! My wife and I found west virginia this summer and we are hooked! We rode several rail trails but missed these 2. Thanks for the added inspiration!

Another classic by the Bicycling Adventures channel. Awesome!

Another GREAT video! The Greenbrier has been on my bucket list for a long time! Thinking of checking it off in October.

Awesome video. So, how many miles did you end up riding, in total, on the North Bend Trail?

Paul, I know when the school year is done in Illinois; I have come to expect to enjoy watching cross country bike trips at a pace I can relate to. Thank you for documenting and sharing your passion.

Another great video Paul, thank you. Good to see you back in the saddle. One question for you, how did you get back to your starting point and car at the end of each ride? Is there a service available?

Nice video. I learned two things I hadn’t considered. The W for whistle sign and the strategic placement of stops on GRT

Slowly getting into longer rides and bike packing after attending this year's RAGBRAI and have to say, these videos really get me amped! Love the content, Paul!

This is a good ride for me and my husband. 25 miles each day yeah 🚴‍♀️. Thank you for sharing