by Tom Ewing
October 9, 2025
In downtown Damascus, cyclists on Route 76 pass a stencil drawing of a bicycle with the accompanying text: “Share the Road.” The painting is on a building next to the Trails ARTware store, 100 E. Laurel Avenue, and is part of the Damascus Art Trail.
Ever since the original Bikecentennial brought cyclists across Virginia, Damascus has been part of Route 76. Damascus is a recognized “trail town” along the Applachian Trail, and these two long distance routes intersect in downtown Damascus. Northbound hikers depart Tennessee and enter Damascus from the south, and leave the town to the east, toward the Mount Rogers National Recreation area, in the same direction as Route 76. For more than forty years, these same roads have connected two sections of the Virginia Creeper Trail, north towards Abingdon and east along Laurel Creek towards Mount Rogers. In late September 2024, the devastating rains of Hurricane Helene flooded many homes and businesses in Damascus, and the eastern section of the Virginia Creeper Trail remains closed for major repairs (see April 24, 2025 blog essay for further discussion of this impact).
Murals are a thoughtful, engaging, and attractive way to welcome visitors to a community, to express the values of the region, and to draw attention to local businesses, organizations, and activities. The Art Trail includes features of the natural environment, activities such as fishing, hiking, and cycling, and historical themes.
These murals, sculptures, and other installations are related to a new Bike 76 VA initiative to develop Public Exhibitions, Designs, Art, and Logos along Route 76. With funds contributed by Virginia Tech and the Virginia Association of Museums, the project is seeking proposals from museums, historical societies, local governments and other organizations for projects which will welcome cyclists, celebrate local features, and connect to themes for the US 250th. Guidelines and the submission form are available from the Bike 76 VA website: https://bike76-va.vt.domains/home/pedal-call-for-proposals/
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