Today was a beautiful day! Got a later start than anticipated, and it was a tad chilly, but still a gorgeous day for riding! I felt pretty good starting out, I'm usually a bit nervous with the longer, farther away from home rides, but still felt compelled to give it a go.
My first encounter was when I caught up with two ladies riding. One was a Trek rider, therefore I felt obligated to compliment her for riding such a fine machine. Couldn't tell what her partner (a more mature lady) was riding, but she didn't seem as thrilled to receive my greeting (hi how are you?), and my not giving her machine props, like I did her younger Trek riding friend, hahaha! But she wasn't rude by any means.
Listing pics in reverse order, the second pic is from the Three Knobs Overlook. This overlook is not quite the halfway point to Mt. Mitchell, but a pretty view nonetheless. The big arch cloud was the eyebrow of the "Eye in the Sky" that watched over me today. I couldn't resist stopping just long enough to take this picture.
My second encounter came when I passed a couple of Harley riders at an overlook just below Rough Ridge that waved at me, and said, "Aren't you ready for one of these?" pointing at their Harley Davidson motorcycles, and I said in reply, "I had to go with the Wisconsin (Waterloo) carbon, but yeah that Milwaukee steel would be nice on the uphill right about now!" They laughed and gave me a thumbs up and waved as I rode past the overlook. They passed me a few miles later, and waved again as they rode passed me on the way up the mountain.
My third encounter was from another group of riders. One of my favorite people from one of my least favorite place. A place that I have some of my worst memories from! The bright spot in that place was the man in the group that I know as a spiritual brother! Lord let it be far from me to ever have to work in another factory, but if I do, let me work with another man like the one I passed today. He is a great cyclist, husband, and Christian man that I learned a lot about compassion, and Gods' grace and mercy from while I was going through a very difficult time. Love ya Joe!
The fourth encounter was a humbling one! Just because a guy appears to have a little more white hair than the average Joe, and seems a bit more mature, doesn't mean that he can't kick your butt at something! My cousin will appreciate this. The big red S-Works machine and it's tall, slim, very fit rider eased passed me as he greeted me, and we very briefly talked about the weather. Then an oncoming car drove up to us, and I told him that he was clear of my wheel, and he took the line and lead, and steadily climbed the mountain. I stayed with him for a few hundred yards, and then understood, that he was wearing that polka dotted King of the Mountain Jersey for a reason! He was boogying!
The first picture is from my stop at the entrance of the State Park. I paused long enough to think about the four mile climb to the top, get a word in with my family, and have my grandmother (affectionately known as "Grandmama") see me ride to the big mountain, and not see me suffer as badly as I did the last time I made the attempt to ride up. My legs didn't cramp today like my last trip, instead this time I was a bit sick at my stomach, but I made the climb! All in all, a great day for a great ride, and hopefully this mountain will be a stepping stone, albeit a large one, for my training for the Trek 100. Tomorrow I will look to do Grandfather Mountain, or the three county loop to Point Lookout and back home. Until the next time... happy cycling!
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