Today began with a trip over to the Linn Cove Viaduct and a black bear sighting as I drove to my first stopping point. Unfortunately I was not fast enough with the camera to get a pic of the bear. I parked at the Linn Cove Viaduct center and headed back down the hill towards the Moses Cone manor house.
I enjoyed my first 5 mile climb of the ride back up to the viaduct and the descent to linville falls.
The second loop was based out of the little switzerland area. I climbed back towards Linville falls (3.5 miles, 5 miles down) and realized that this out and back thing is going to get pretty tiring!
As I headed back towards the car and Little Switzerland I came across my first tunnel of the trip.
By the time I was done riding, the clouds started forming and little did I know at that time but we were in for quite a rain storm. Regardless, the hotel (Switzerland Inn) was very nice & I enjoyed a few hours in the evening out on the back porch
I headed into Spruce Pines for dinner & came back to check the weather on the interweb. Turns out, they are calling for 80% chance of rain tomorrow. Not exactly my dream riding conditions. As anyone who has done CNC with me knows – I am a fair weather cyclist. If the rain persists tomorrow I may be due for a few day layover back in Glendale Springs :<