We left the Smokies this morning at about 9:30. Our first day we developed several slogans..."it's time to climb!" best describes the ride from Cherokee to Pisgah. Finally, 8 hours, 61 miles and over 10,000 feet of elevation gain, we rolled into the Pisgah parking area. After a day of power bars and fruit rollups a.k.a. Blue #1's we enjoyed a very good meal at Pisgah Inn Restaurant. I think at this point the group finally realized the gauntlet that had been laid out before them.

Location	Begin	End	Elevation Gain	* Dead Animal Count	Distance	Energy Miles
Cherokee to Mt. Pisgah	Mile Post 469	to MP 408	10,175 ft	7 snakes, 2 mice	61 Miles	91 E-Miles

*The dead animal count is not a scientific experiment...merely an observation and something to think about while slogging up hill with your head down. We do not count insects only mammals and reptiles. We also do not count animals smashed and or baked beyond recognition. We do not count animal tracks or other signs. I know what your thinking, you can call it that, but lets be scientific and call it scat. We have seen alot of coyote scat and several bear scats too.

math not so trivial:

What is an energy mile? If you were riding or walking up hill it would certainly take more effort than if you were riding or walking on level terrain. An energy mile is the amount of energy you expend to cover 1 mile on level terrain. How many energy miles does it take to climb 1,000 feet in elevation on a bike?

Richland Balsam, N.C. (after alot of energy miles)

 

It takes us 3 energy miles to climb 1,000 feet. I just told you the answer, now, ask your math teacher how we figured it out. Hint: It took us at least an hour to figure it out.

If you add the energy miles and the actual miles you get a total mileage for the day.

Prior to leaving...Six people camping and riding for 14 days...you need to bring alot of junk! Haley the wonder dog helps pack!

 

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