Checking out the maps - a big part of any ride. It usually involves a lot of looking here, pointing there, shaking of heads, and a quick sandwich break. And then we press on.

A quick break at a small country store in the Charlies Creek community and we're on our way to Old Fort.

Heading up from Marion to the Blue Ridge Parkway, we passed this lake and dam. From a cyclist's point of view, this is the last easy stretch on this road before starting the brutal climb to Mt. Mitchell on the annual Assault on Mt. Mitchell bike race that starts in Spartanburg and ends at the top of Mitchell.

Not bad, but it looks even better after a winter snowstorm coats the Black Range in the background.

Al approaches the Blue Ridge Parkway near the top of Hwy. 80.

Karen looks out over the Black Range, the tallest range of mountains east of the Mississippi.

Hey, we're not alone! A lot of riders are taking advantage of the near-perfect weather to visit the state park on top of Mt. Mitchell. It's good sunburn weather.

Lessee... where do we go next? How'za 'bout north towards Burnsville? Sounds like a winner to me.

Al, aka DirtGeek on the ADV forum. He and his wife, Karen, have been my partners in crime on many an adventure.

Just outside Banardsville on the Paint Fork Road, we stop again to check the map before turning south towards Asheville. This road has become one of my favorite connectors between the Asheville area and the high country along the state line between Tennessee and North Carolina.

Looking south along the Paint Fork Road.

Farm country near Barnardsville, NC.

Next day, May 26, 2008: Old general store on the Paint Fork road.

Vines trace a pattern on the side of the old general store. Note the mud caulking in the rock work - evidence of the building's age.

Sugar Fork Rd. near Banardsville, NC. This little dead end road is one that I always take a few minutes to ride up when I'm in the area. You'll be seeing quite a few photos on this site from different rides and different seasons that were taken in this quiet little mountain valley.

It's a quiet peaceful little valley and I'm always careful to keep my speed down out of respect for the folks that live here.

One more shot from the Sugar Fork valley.

The sun breaks through in the Beech Glen community. Looking back over the many rides of the season, it's sometimes hard to remember which ride the photos were taken on, but luckily, I keep them dated. It matters little- all the rides are good rides.
The road goes on forever, and the good times never end (that's from John Prine...)