Author Topic: Outer Banks  (Read 5726 times)

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Offline Lori

Outer Banks
« on: March 01, 2011, 06:09:23 am »
I will be vacationing in the Outer Banks in April and was wondering if anyone knows of any good bike routes for that area.  Thanks.

Offline Pat Lamb

Re: Outer Banks
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2011, 03:20:17 pm »
I haven't been there for years, but I doubt anything has changed.  Your map will show NC 12.  That is the road.  Period.  From Ocracoke up to the east side of Currituck Sound (though you'll probably want to get off at Kitty Hawk unless you want an up and back).

The Outer Banks are mostly national park land, so, except for small towns like Salvo, there's no side roads.  The good news is that it's flat (except for the bridges), and generally not much traffic.  The bad news is that it's flat and windy, likely chilly in April, and services are scarce between towns.

Check with NCDOT to see if they have any bike routes in the area.  You might make a loop around the shore side from Manteo down towards Morehead City, although I'm not familiar with the roads or traffic on the mainland.

Offline EnduroDoug

Re: Outer Banks
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2011, 08:46:48 pm »
Taking the road south of Nag's Head towards Hatteras and beyond, I would offer two words of advice.

1) Beware of the wind and the sun. Bring plenty of liquids heading south as there is nothing there.

2) Beware an off-shore breeze as the wind will blow the nastiest horsehead flies in from the intracoastal waterway and they can and will ruin your day if they get the chance. I don't know how bad they might be in April, but they can draw blood in the dead of summer. Those flies are nasty!

Good luck!

Offline Lori

Re: Outer Banks
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2011, 05:37:34 am »
Thanks for the info...much appreciated!

Offline litespeed

Re: Outer Banks
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2011, 07:17:32 am »
As pdlamb said, there is basically only one road on the Outer Banks. There is the occasional parallel road on the ocean side, such as through Kitty Hawk, but they don't amount to much. The big problem is wind, particularly if you are headed north. I have had to lay over a day to wait out strong NE winds. Also, there are stretches of up to 20 miles with no services. Still, it is one of the few places on the east coast where you can actually ride along the shore. I usually go that way.

Offline Jason

Re: Outer Banks
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2011, 08:40:42 am »
Lori,

I was there in march en route to Richmond.  As most have commented, there's reason to be causally aware of the sand, etc, along the road.  But, beyond that, it's awesome.  Drivers are usually pretty good - I can't remember the speed limit right off, but in my experience there, no one uses NC 12 as a major highway (generally speaking, anyone driving along the OBX is out for a scenic drive.) 

(One point of Caution though:  The bridge leading into/out of Kitty Hawk is one were you're going to want to stay AWARE.  If I remember correctly, the shoulder is large leaving Kitty Hawk, than coming in (I was heading out.)  It's not something to avoid, just stay alert as you come across: it's a long bridge.  In April the traffic maybe steady.)

I think you'll really enjoy yourself. 
singlespeed touring - life generally requires just one speed.
Southern Tier, TransAm, tons of places in between.