Wow, great adventure report. I can't even IMAGINE biking up that mountain!

I visited a friend in Asheville 10 years ago and he drove me up Mt. Mitchell to see the view- it was a DARK day during the week, with thunder and black sky and fog (or was it clouds??) rolling about everywhere....very spooky and beautiful.
On the way down in the car we were going pretty slowly and suddenly we had to brake because two little black bear cubs crossed the road right in front of us.
We took one look at each other and then high tailed it out of there cause we knew what else was likely coming along.