As the “trail angel” on Afton Mountain in Virginia's stretch of the TransAmerica Bicycle Route, June “Cookie Lady” Curry is used to visitors.
But she was totally unprepared when 25 members of the Richmond Area Bicycle Association and others showed up on Sunday to hand over donations they'd collected to help pay back for all the help she's given to traveling bicyclists over the years.
Champe Burnley, who helped direct the fund-raising effort by RABA, said:
“I think June was expecting me to stop by alone and was surprised, to say the least, when nearly 25 people showed up to celebrate the occasion. … It was a bit chilly this morning, but the warmth of the crowd quickly took the chill out of the air.”
[In the above picture, June is flanked by Champe at right and Russell Culver of the Milepost Zero Bicycle Club at left.]
After the RABA members stopped by June's house in Afton, they headed up to the Rockfish Gap overlook parking lot for a ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
As you can see in the photo, June has her arm in a cast. She broke it on Tuesday, but seemed to be in good spirits, according to Champe.
I'm not surprised. When I stopped by her house on a Bike Virginia bike tour in 2000, I got the impression that she enjoys the recognition that comes with being the TransAmerica route's “Cookie Lady.” She's probably as thankful that people remember her as she is with the donations.
Over the span of four decades, June has helped traveling bicyclists with cookies and lemonade as they make their way up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. An estimated 11,000 have stopped in over the years, and many of those spent the night at the Bike House that she runs.
Her good work was recognized in 2003 by the Adventure Cycling Association, which named their Trail Angel Award 
in her honor. It's known as the June Curry Trail Angel Award.
Although she has slowed down in recent years, I occasionally read reports from bicyclists who have made overnight stops at the Bike House. The Milepost Zero Bicycle Club in nearby Waynesboro has helped her keep it running.
Champe said there is still a lot of interest in making donations to the Cookie Lady. Check back at the Virginia Bicycling Federation website in a few days for details on how to donate. (I'll carry the information here as well.)
Picture at top from Champe Burnley; picture above from my 1984 TransAmerica bike ride.
Recent Comments