Eric's Ride Log

I just got in from yet another excellent ride in the Pisgah National Forest.

I rode with Dennis K., Bill Fehr, Teamdicky, Josh the Wonderboy, Jessie 'The Dude', and C'lotte Jonathan.

We met up at a little before 8 AM and were on the trail by 8:30 from the Turkey Pen parking lot. Our route for the day: Singletrack/not 66 jumps-> South Mills River->Mullinax->Squirrel Gap->South Mills River->Buckhorn Gap->Black Mountain->Turkey Pen Gap all the way back to the parking lot.

click on the map and topo for larger copies of each.

19 miles / 5030' climbing

I have to say first and foremost, even though the classic Laurel Mtn./Pilot Rock ride I did a couple days ago had simular milage and elevation change, Squirrel Gap/Turkey Pen is a much, much more intense and technical ride. Today's ride took just under 5 hours...

I hope to get a good ride description in later but I need to get a shower and eat some food. For now, a few photos:

We got out early and it was a beautiful morning. Here's Josh off the bike climbing through the morning mist:

Jessie said 'I had no idea Squirrel Gap was this much fun.' while resting at Cantrell Creek

The man, the legend, Mr. Dennis Kuntz decided today would be a great day to ride in his backyard. This guy actually lives on the gravel road leading to the trails.... Lucky!

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Here's Jessie at the bridge at Wolf Ford:

Bill pushing up Black Mountain:

and climbing (on the bike) still on Black Mountain:

Josh at the Black Mountain/Turkey Pen intersection:

and at the other end of Turkey Pen Gap trail:

and finally, a vid of Bill... I wish the camera was able to show how steep the trail really is here: