Dupont Forest Bike Trip

Charles had Thursday and Friday off this week, so we drove to North Carolina to go biking. Unfortunately, living in 80 degree sunny Atlanta, we forgot to check the weather report. So, we crossed the NC border mid afternoon Thursday and the skies opened up their fury on us. Tempted to turn and drive home in defeat, we decided we would just bike in the rain. That was until we reached the park and opened the doors and discovered that it was about 40 degrees. Hmm, mountains do that sometimes, don't they? Anyway, we had only packed tank tops and shorts to ride in, and Charles didn't even pack pants for the trip, so we found a local bike shop and spent money we don't have on winter biking gear.
So, we went out to dinner in our warm bike gear, since we didn't have anything else warm enough and stayed in a hotel praying that the weather would warm and clear for Friday.


Friday dawned cold and gloomy, but no rain, so we ventured our ride in our new warm gear. Very out of character, I begged that we start with a climb so that I could stop shivering.The first section was a grueling climb up to slick rock, which is just open faced rock. It’s easier than gravel or dirt in that you have a lot more traction. It’s more difficult because your bike takes all of the impact of all of the small (or large) ripples in the surface, and if you fall, you are going to be really bruised. Some sections were so steep I can’t believe I did them, but I survived.






At this overlook, you could see out almost in all directions.




After going up to the slick rock and down the other side, we had to do a stream crossing. Here’s me trying to will myself across the stream with my face. Basically, the rocks in the stream were covered with moss and it felt like ice skating without blades. And the current is making you and your bike slowly drift closer and closer to the rapids. Charles had to put the camera down and help me across the last few feet of the stream or I would have lost my bike. On the way back we ran into a group of about 20 guys crossing the stream in their socks, which sticks to the moss and gives traction. So the way back was much easier.







We did another climb which took us to a lookout high above Bridal Veil Falls, and then rode the decent and ate lunch at the foot of the falls.










Near the falls was a stable with horses.






The way back was all single track in the woods- fun fast ups and downs. Overall, we rode from about 10am-4pm, and then drove 3 1/2 hours home. Saturday morning I hosted a brunch so by that afternoon I felt like I had been run over by a truck.