ERIC'S MILES FOR MUSIC, DAYS 5 and 6, 10/6/2023:
Days 5 & 6 of the 24th Annual Cycle North Carolina’s
annual Mountains to Coast bicycle tour
Day 5: Henderson to Tarboro
Day 6: Tarboro to Kinston
Over the past two days our journey traversed 137 miles of North Carolina secondary roads. After a quick ride through Henderson, we cycled 20 miles to the beautifully restored mid-1800s Laurel Grist Mill.
Shortly after purchasing the Mill near the end of the Civil War, Colonel Jordan Jones installed a water-powered cotton gin thus expanding the utilitarian usage of the Mill to include the production of corn meal, flour, cotton yarn, and lumber. Cyclists were also treated to some homemade country cornbread by The Northern Sportsman, a non-profit that promotes outdoor activity for the youth.
Thirty miles after the Laurel Grist Mill, cyclists came upon the rest stop at Castalia Community Park (CCP). Obviously, replacing the high number of expended calories with adequate nutrition is a high priority throughout the long rides. At CCP, a heavenly-tasting sweet potato was served with butter, nuts, and a sprinkling of cinnamon-sugared spice. To further note, North Carolina is the largest producer of sweet potatoes in the nation with Nash County alone producing 160 million pounds per annum.
On Day 6, the temperature at the start of the ride was slightly higher compared to previous mornings due to our proximity to the coast. Most of the riders are on the road by 7:30 a.m. in order to avoid cycling during the mid-afternoon when the humidity and ambient temperature climb in parallel. The terrain encountered throughout the day was quite flat compared to the first five days. With an elevation gain of merely 1016 feet, many cyclists completed the journey before mid-afternoon.
The ‘Miles for Music’ (MFM) campaign concludes tomorrow at the beautiful Emerald Isle. One photographic opportunity on offer is the traditional dipping of the tires in the Atlantic Ocean signifying the completion of the nearly 500-mile venture. To be sure, Y2M is deserving of such a tradition.
Fun Facts from Eric’s Rides on Days 5 & 6:
Total Mileage: 137
Total Elevation Gain: 3000 ft
Average MPH: 14.85
Workout Time: 9:05:07