Author Topic: Outter Banks direction of travel  (Read 6613 times)

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Offline awbikes

Outter Banks direction of travel
« on: September 12, 2012, 10:03:17 pm »
Will be doing the section of the Outter Banks between Wilmington and Newport News during the second week of October. As I have family in the area it wil be possible to start from either the north or south. Based on previous experience does anyone have any experience with prevailing wind direction?

Offline litespeed

Re: Outter Banks direction of travel
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2012, 10:14:36 am »
I have done the Outer Banks south-to-north four times. Once I had a southerly tailwind but was told by an experienced touring cyclist that it was quite unusual. And once I had to lay over a day to wait out a howling NW headwind. Other than that I have had inconsequential winds or mild headwinds. As a general rule doing the Outer Banks in a southerly direction is probably a safer bet but there is no guarantee. That area sticks out into the Atlantic and catches some wild and flukey weather.

Offline DanE

Re: Outter Banks direction of travel
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2012, 04:48:20 pm »
I agree that the general consensus is north to south is the better way to ride it. Winds seem to be out of the northeast usually. However, if a weather system blows through it can be a difficult day of riding or a layover day.

If the wind is really difficult, I will hitchhike over the Oregon Inlet bridge rather then be exposed to the wind going across that thing.

Good luck, you will enjoy it.

Offline awbikes

Re: Outter Banks direction of travel
« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2012, 12:15:20 pm »
Thanks all for the input, looks like I will be going north to south.

Offline neil

Re: Outter Banks direction of travel
« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2012, 01:25:17 pm »
South to North
Major reason is that you are closer to the sea, so can admire the views much easier, rather than looking across a carriageway. We did this as a  route from South Carolina to Quebec 15 years ago and that was with the prevailing wind.
Sorry to confuse
   Neil ;)