Southeast - ACA Atlantic Coast Route out of Charleston any good?

I'm thinking of riding the The Adventure Cycling Association (ACA) Atlantic Coast Route starting in Charleston and heading north. Is anyone familiar with this route? If so, is the route safe? Interesting? Any suggestions.

My plan is to ride up to in-law's house in New Jersey via the Outer Banks and Delmarva Peninsula. I plan to start in the middle of May.

Thanks,

Ray

Middle of May is usually bike week in Myrtle Beach, SC, and I don't mean our pedal kind of bikes. I would like to see a route map. US 17 north of Georgetown, SC get very congested and is over developed.

Will the "bike week" be much of a problem if I plan to ride west of Myrtle Beach?

The ACA route can be seen there: http://tsteven4.qwestoffice.net/maps/AtlanticCoastRoute.html . Note, this takes a while to load and manipulate. It is the entire Atlantic Coast route.

From the maps I have, the route takes Highway 17 (Savannah Highway) northwest out of Charleston. However, the on-line maps show the route as Highway 61 Ashley River Road. If 17 is no good, is 61 any better?

Ray

The route shown is very sensible and I would ride it myself.

The route shown is very sensible and I would ride it myself.

Are you talking about route 17 or 61?

Ray

Are you talking about route 17 or 61?

Ray

I was critiquing the entire route in SC (CR). If you are starting in Charleston, heading out on US17 north to Georgetown isn't too terrible, maybe decent on a Sunday morning. Just take US 701 toward Conway once you get to Georgetown. After that you're on your own.

Let me know when you're getting close and maybe I can get a little group together to ride the OBX leg with ya.

As for advice, I'd avoid the Outer Banks on Sat/Sun. The tourist traffic can get kinda heavy and people generally leave outta here at top speed trying to get back up to PA or wherever.

@Ray: if you need anything while passing through Wilmington, let me know. I wish I could offer a place to sleep, but I sold my house and moved in with my parents until June (leaving for a tour then).

Route 17 from Charleston to Myrtle Beach is a 2-lane, 55-60 mph road with absolutely no shoulder. You will need to ride in the traffic lane. Good luck.

Route 17 from Charleston to Myrtle Beach is a 2-lane, 55-60 mph road with absolutely no shoulder. You will need to ride in the traffic lane. Good luck.

Brush up on your counting. That section is four lane. You count every lane in both direction. Check your state's driver's manual.

The route doesn't go north on 17 to Myrtle Beach. In fact, it doesn't go along the beach, at all. Instead, I plan on riding highway 61 northwest toward Pinecrest.

Ray