Brian Railsback began what was supposed to be a three-day journey from Cullowhee to Mount Mitchell on Saturday, Oct. 20, but on the third day of the ride he ran into dangerously thick fog on the Blue Ridge Parkway and, fearing for his safety in the leaf-looker traffic, decided to suspend the ride just short of his goal.

“Last Saturday the weather—at last—was perfect at the top of Mount Mitchell,” said Railsback, who is pictured above right starting the ride with the support of Honors College students. “It’s only the second time we've had sun up there in all these years of the scholarship ride.”

Railsback’s ride to Mount Mitchell, part of the Honors College’s 10th anniversary celebration, was just the latest in a series of six pledge bicycle rides Railsback has undertaken over the past decade to benefit the scholarship fund.

This year’s pledge total has not yet been determined as the fundraising continues, but the previous five rides raised about $40,000 for the scholarship fund, and 35 scholarships have been awarded to students over the years.

For more information about the Honors College or the pledge ride, call the college office at (828) 227-7383.

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Last modified: Monday, Oct. 29, 2007