North Carolina, Bent Creek

Savannah Wedding Trip, Day 5 and 6

I camped at Lake Powhatan Campground with the plan to bike the nearby trails in the morning. Lake Powhatan lies in the center of the Bent Creek Experimental Forest, part of Pisgah National Forest.

Bent Creek is loaded with forest roads and single track.

Met a hiker and their dog carrying a large stick. An hour later, ran into the same dog with the same stick -- must be a really good stick.

Fake dashboard sign to deter thieves

Hiked to top of Mt. Pisgah

Blue Ridge Parkway quickie near Mt. Pisgah (only a mile)

Mona sent me an email that her flight to Savannah had been cancelled. Later Jay texted me. Apparently every flight from Chicago had been cancelled. Hurricane Ian was headed directly for Savannah.

After assuring Jay I would attend, I checked the hurricane forecast. It was headed my way. I knew I needed to get out of the mountains before the hurricane hit.  

Descending to the flat lands, I passed waterfall after waterfall a few of which I stopped to explore.

At the top of the falls

Safely out of the mountains, I booked a room at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Lavonia. I would hide here until the storm passed. I used the free time to do some laundry at the Super Clean Coin Laundry. When it was clear Savannah would be spared, I drove the remaining four hours to Savannah, arriving at my Airbnb in time for dinner.  The entire city was closed.

State: North Carolina Date: 2022-09-29 Route:  Bent Creek Mountain Bike Trails: Lakeside parking lot, South Ridge, Hard Times, Arboretum, Rocky Cove, Hard Times, Lakeside trails Blue Ridge Parkway Distance: 11 miles Bent Creek route

Virginia, Virginia Creeper Trail

Savannah Wedding Trip, Day 4

The Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail is a renowned 35-mile rail-trail in southwest Virginia running from Abingdon to White Top Station, famous for its 46 trestle bridges, lush scenery, and rural landscapes. I was very excited as I unloaded my cross bike at the Abingdon Terminus.

The trail has two sections. The first is a relatively flat section from Abingdon to Damascus and the second section, from Damacus to White Top, is a steady 1,800 foot climb to White Top Station.

Welcome and the first of many bridges

Plenty of Airbnb's to rent

The trail from Damascus to Whitetop was being actively regraded. It was awful!

Turned around at MM25. The regrading was too much. I didn't make to White Top Station.

Driving through the Appalachians to Lake Powhatan

State:	Virginia
Date:	2022-09-28
Route:	Virginia Creeper Trail: Abingdon to MM 25
Distance:	50 miles

Kentucky, Cave Run Lake

Savannah Wedding Trip, Day 3

Another beautiful day and I start my ride directly from the campground which is ideal.

Warm-up on the Twin Knobs Shore Trail

Clack Mountain Road

Someone left their sunglasses on a log

Sheltowee means Big Turtle (Daniel Boone's Indian name)

Limestone Loop Trail (sweet single track)

Cave Run Lake

What a perfect ride. Climb a friendly forest road, then descend back to the lake on single track.

#futurebridgie

2.5 hour drive to Breaks Interstate Park on Kentucky/Virginia border. Felt lost the whole time following Google directions through the mountains.

Sunset at Grassy Creek Outlook, Breaks Interstate Park

It was dark when I arrived and dark when I left

Cave Run Lake bike route

State:	Kentucky
Date:	2022-09-27
Route:	Twin Knobs Campground, Twin Knobs Shore TrailClack Mountain West Rd., Limestone Loop trail, Lakeview Ridge Trail
Distance:	20 miles

Kentucky, Louisville Loop

Savannah Wedding Trip, Day 2

With an early start from the Hoosier National Forest, I drove two hours to Louisville, KY. The city has embarked on an ambitious plan to build a 100-mile bicycle and pedestrian trail encircling the city  called the Louisville Loop. It won't be finished any time soon, but long segments are ready for riding. I arrived at the William Miles Garden in the Parklands of Floyds Fork and unloaded my road bike. The weather was perfect with partly cloudy skies and modest winds.

All concrete and fast

The trail is interspersed with many parks and gardens 

Lots of climbs and bridges -- a very expensive trail.

Perfect spot for lunch at the Big Overlook

What a nice ride (40 miles, 12:30-4:45pm). From Louisville, I drove two and half hours to Cave Run Lake in the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Twin Knobs Campground, Lakeside, #F026 

State:	Kentucky
Date:	2022-09-26
Route:	Louisville Loop, William F. Miles Community Garden to Lowland Plain Trailhead
Distance:	40 miles

Indiana, Hoosier N.F., Hickory Ridge

Savannah Wedding Trip, Day 1

I set out my longest road trip yet, a ten-day tour that would take me to Savannah, GA and back. A close family friend was getting married in Savannah, so the plan was I would drive and Mona would fly to Savannah for the wedding.

I rented an Airbnb near Forsyth Park, booked air travel for Mona and packed the Family Truckster. The only rub in our plans was Tropical Storm Ian. The forecast maps showed Ian headed towards Savannah just in time for the nuptials.

My first stop was Hoosier National Forest -- a place of infinite gravel roads and single track. The only fee is a $5 trail pass. My destination was a prime dispersed camping spot I mapped during a previous trip to the Nebo Trail.

Prime boondock campsite

Hoosier National Forest single track

Hoosier National Forest gravel road

Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower

My turnaround was the Blackwell Horse Camp where I planned to fill up on water. Surprisingly the horse camp had no water. I wonder how the equestrians water their horses?

Disbursed camping site near Nebo Ridge trail to Blackwell Horse Camp

State:	Indiana
Date:	2022-09-25
Route:	Hickory Ridge Trail and Tower Ridge Road, Hoosier N.F.
Distance:	24 miles