What a couple of days! After I left Asheville, I drove down towards Brevard,NC and set up camp on(literally) the Davidson River in the Pisgah National Forest. I had a great camping spot, just above a waterfall in the "backcountry" part of the river, away from the Bubbas. Friday night, I just set up camp and read/ wrote a good bit. I noticed one thing and that was, I enjoy people. I love the outdoors and all, but it can get pretty lonely in the woods alone. I was having a good time, but I love to talk and attempt to listen to people. However, I also love my alone time with a book. I have to find some type of balance. I got up early on Sat. morning, cooked breakfast, and went fishing. I was trying to flyfish on the Upper Davidson, which is a real narrow stream at that point, so it was pretty tough. I had a good time, but didn't catch a thing. Yet another humbling fishing experience. After I got back from fishing, I went back to my car to get lunch and my bike. I met two guys there (Nick and Dan) and they were planning on doing the same route as me. They were both from Charlotte and about my age, so we headed off. All three of us were novices in Pisgah. We had no idea what we were in for.
Our final goal was the Black Mountain trail, but damn was it a tough trip. I have no problem riding my bike up hills, but I enjoy riding...I do not like pushing my bike! The trail was so technical on the climbs at times, that there was nothing to do but hike a bike. Finally after hours of hiking and biking in 90+ degree weather we did Black Mountain. It was a sick downhill, but I think I had heard too much hype on it. I got back to the camp site 5 hours after I left and was a bit disappointed. The ride was about 21 miles, but it was the hardest 21 miles I have ever attempted. Nick, Dan, and I were so tired that we decided to turn a cold shoulder to roughing it and we went for Barbeque and Beer at HawgWild BarBQ in Brevard. The only problem, was that they didn't sell beer! THe owner's 90 yr old mother told him that she would whip him if he ever sold alcohol.
I ended up moving my campsite close to Nick and Dan's and we had a good time just chilling around the campsite. This morning, I got up and cooked a dang good camp breakfast, the bid farewell to Pisgah. I headed just down the road to Dupont State Forest, to get a quick ride in before making it to TN. 17 miles and 2.5 hours later, I had one of the best times I had ever had on a bike. The trails were awesome! The had everything to offer. Good climbs, sick downhills, great vistas, river crossings, and a sweet trail that road over a bald granite knob (eastern version on Moab?). It was a great day of riding. It was close to 100 degrees but some awesome people at the trailhead gave me a left over bag of ice, so I was set with water and rode until I ran out. I don't want to leave, actually I just want to move into the Dupont State Forest until I die. I have met a lot of awesome people on the trails. There is never a loss for cool people on the trails.
After each of my rides, I have had no problem finding a sweet river with waterfalls and such to cool off. It is the best feeling, after a long ride, to just plunge into a freezing cold mountain stream.
I just got done with the Dupont ride and I pulled into this cool coffee shop, called the Indie Coffee House. It is all focused around Indie Films and Indie Music. It is also a great cup of coffee. Check them out indiecoffeehouse.blogspot.com and stop in if you are in the area. Now I am headed off to Ducktown, TN to the Ocoee River. There is some good riding there and hopefully I can paddle a bit before I hit Nashville.
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