Here's the ride reports from last May. Photos are in this web album.

The big climb is 2700 feet, but we did a lot of stops last year. There's only one short section where I needed to stand. The rest of the climb is just a matter of pacing. This is 9 times as high as my local 300 foot climbs, and I made it OK.

Here's a route map. Edit--If you have a fast internet connection, click the "View this route in 3-D (Google Earth)" link. The satellite data has been upgraded recently; the Pisgah Inn buildings now are visible, before, it was all a blur. You can get Google Earth at earth.google.com The ride is shown in yellow on the view. You can get a cool 3-D view by pressing the mouse wheel like a button and dragging the mouse downward to tilt the view.

I had a great breakfast at the Pisgah Inn. The whole wall is glass with a great view. It's affordable, too.