Renee and I arrived at Mulberry Gap mountain bike getaway on Friday around 3pm. It isn't too far of a drive and we could easily do a day trip there but it was nice to get away for the weekend regardless. Settled in to our cabin which was really nice then biked up forest service road to Pinhoti 2. There is a lot of climbing here. In fact it's the most climbing I've ever seen. A lot of climbing right out of the gate on FS 90 then more climbing on FS 90 and 90B. Supposedly the elevation gains is about approximately 2000 feet on this particular leg. Finally on to Pinhoti 2 and more climbing, then one hell of a bombing descent down the rest of Pinhoti 2 and back to camp. Finished off with a huge meal of pasta and meatballs then carrot cake for dessert. I gorged! Hung out with Marsha Hauck and Lynn Daniels from Florida who are cool ladies who really dig their biking.
Slept well Friday night then woke up to a huge belgian waffle breakfast with eggs and fruit. Again, ate huge. Probably too much.
We took the girls also and they really had a great time mingling with the other dogs. Today was the epic day of biking. We were shuttled up to the top of Bear Creek. Rode down Bear Creek which was a lot of fun but there were also a lot of trees down from the recent storms. Then there was a slap in the face uphill climb on Pinhoti 1 for what seemed like miles. On to more fire road then up to Pinhoti 2 and a more comfortable downhill this time because I was more familiar with Pinhoti 2 on the second day. I was feeling frisky so once done with Pinhoti 2 downhill I turned around and went back up Pinhoti 2 about 2 miles. OUCH! Climb baby climb. The single speed was really mocking me now. Back down again and on to Curry Chicken supper.
Nice post ride/dinner campfire with Marsha and cool beers. They were out of room in the fridge so I put them in the creek for a while which helped some. "Nothing like a camp fire and a can of beans" a wise man once said.
Sunday went for big ride up Pinhoti 3. Apparently it's about 5.5 miles up and then back. Nice views at Cohutta Overlook, about 2000 feet above sea level. I was really feeling tired in my legs Sunday and just didn't have much left after climbing Pinhoti 3. The single speed stared at me silently, unforgiving but understanding.
Slept well Friday night then woke up to a huge belgian waffle breakfast with eggs and fruit. Again, ate huge. Probably too much.
We took the girls also and they really had a great time mingling with the other dogs. Today was the epic day of biking. We were shuttled up to the top of Bear Creek. Rode down Bear Creek which was a lot of fun but there were also a lot of trees down from the recent storms. Then there was a slap in the face uphill climb on Pinhoti 1 for what seemed like miles. On to more fire road then up to Pinhoti 2 and a more comfortable downhill this time because I was more familiar with Pinhoti 2 on the second day. I was feeling frisky so once done with Pinhoti 2 downhill I turned around and went back up Pinhoti 2 about 2 miles. OUCH! Climb baby climb. The single speed was really mocking me now. Back down again and on to Curry Chicken supper.
Nice post ride/dinner campfire with Marsha and cool beers. They were out of room in the fridge so I put them in the creek for a while which helped some. "Nothing like a camp fire and a can of beans" a wise man once said.
Sunday went for big ride up Pinhoti 3. Apparently it's about 5.5 miles up and then back. Nice views at Cohutta Overlook, about 2000 feet above sea level. I was really feeling tired in my legs Sunday and just didn't have much left after climbing Pinhoti 3. The single speed stared at me silently, unforgiving but understanding.