Another big ride day. Met up with Josh at the Geyser around 7:25. We were riding by 7:40. We did a quick Kitsuma ride first then headed over to Star Gap Trail for even more switchback climbing. Josh had never done Kitsuma so we rode to old 70 for the scenic route. This added a few miles since it is 2 miles each way from the geyser to the picnic area/old 70 route. I'd say this got me up to and maybe past the 6o mile mark today - my longest ride todate. A shot of Josh climbing Star Gap trail to the intersection with Heartbreak. 
It was good to ride with Josh but he had a tight time schedule and I needed to head on to complete my epic. We ate some killer pancake treats that his wife had made, very tasty and full of energy. Josh climbing up Heartbreak:
I headed on towards Jareds Creek. Here is a shot from the left side of the road.
The sign on Curtis Creek Rd signifying the first tract of Natl Forest in NC.
Stopped at the bridge on Curtis Creek for a sandwich break.
I made it to the top of Curtis Creek, crossed over the parkway and down the other side. A little way up the forest service road I made it to my swimmin hole. I had to take a dip.
Got it all together and headed up to the parkway. Here is a stitch from the overlook between mile marker 352 and 353.
Memory card full so I decided to start firing it up. I didnt stop again until I got back to the car to fill up my water bottle and camel back. I took off back up Mill Creek Rd for about 2 miles and my tire went flat. Changed the tube and started on up to ride Kitsuma again. Sweet ride!
Got it all together and headed up to the parkway. Here is a stitch from the overlook between mile marker 352 and 353.Memory card full so I decided to start firing it up. I didnt stop again until I got back to the car to fill up my water bottle and camel back. I took off back up Mill Creek Rd for about 2 miles and my tire went flat. Changed the tube and started on up to ride Kitsuma again. Sweet ride!
Rode Kitsuma then headed up towards Star Gap. I saw this fawn on the way.
Ran into some fimilar faces coming down from Star Gap. As I was climbing some of the Hickory MTBers and a big group were coming down. I recognized a few of them from when we've crossed paths out in the Wilson Creek Wilderness area. Also the lead mechanic / manager of the bike shop in Hickory was in the lead group. Other than them the only other MTBers I saw was a small group on Kitsuma my first time through. 
I was glad to make it to the spring at Curtis Creek. I was getting low and that is some good, cold, fresh water. What a climb from this point.
It is always good to get the climb up Curtis Creek Rd out of the way. I went up and over the parkway and then blasted down the other side. When I see the Black Mtn CG sign at least I know this 5 mile stretch of uphill is shorter than the Curtis Creek climb and there are a lot of distractions on the way up to take your mind off the pain. Some nice Creek action and views. I had to take little dip, it was warm.
On to Heartbreak Ridge.
Always some interesting things to see on Heartbreak
Finished Heartbreak, back up Mill Creek Rd and one more Kitsuma. Big 60 miler, give or take a mile or 2.
This is where the wild Turkeys were hanging out.
They do a good job parking that beast to make it a pain to walk around. It would be difficult to see a snake in the undergrowth they force you to walk through.
I love the figure 8 ride. If the Big O is the meat and potatoes, Sinkhole is the desert.
A view from the parkway:
View from Heartbreak:
