Tsali, NC

The first week of classes was kinda a bitch. It made me cranky - until Lauren mentioned that we had no classes Friday. Easter being a pagan holiday at its inception, what better weekend to hike it up to Tsali, the reported mountain biking "Mecca" of the east? It has been on my "to do" list since I've been here. Besides, it's always fun to spend a weekend than chasing 3 boys (Rusty, Wale, and Ryan, right)

The weather was predicted to be a bit chilly, highs in the upper 4os. (I know, Chris, there is a certain irony in my foregoing my "i don't bike when it's cold" rule only once I've moved to the south!) Instead of camping, we found a cabin. We found a gem: Freeman's Motel and Cabins freemansmotel.com It was inexpensive, clean, and within two miles of the trailhead! The fireplace was bonus too, after a day of COLD riding.

We arrived rather late, and after a few hours of sleep, I woke up and pulled the curtains aside to look at the blue sky and found snow on the ground. Ick. Ugh. did NOT want to see that. It's a good thing that I have a lot of gear from NE winter sports. Fully suited up (balaclava, windproof gloves, lotsa smartwool...), we made for the trail with thick flurries coming down.

Thankfully the snow went byebye, and the cold was bearable. The trails are absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lotsa climbing, and a LOT of twisty, banked, windy singletrack. Elevations ranged from down by the green water of Lake Fontana to a sweet ridge run at treeline, looking up at Smoky Mountain NP. The trails were a lot more fast than technical, and they're long. We did the Right Loop and Windy Gap Overlook (12 mi+), refueled with Mexican food, then did the Mouse Branch Loop (7 mi). My legs were toast at the end, but my back tolerated the day for the most part. I mean, I'll take pain over debilitation anyday!

Back at the cabin we had dindin, a spinach lasagna that I had made Friday. We played some cards, drank some beer, sat by the fire - a good day in all. This morning I made Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, mmmmmm.

Oh, so for your future reference, Tsali is a 2.5 hour drive from Atlanta and we found a bike shop nearby that rents. Just to toss that at y'all.

Guess it's time to do my urinalysis homework. Ugh, buzzkill.