Southeast - Anyone riding the Outer Banks this year?

My website has some useful info but probably never enough. If you're heading this way and bringing the bike or better yet, touring through here, let me know. Most of the main group rides and such are posted but there is always somethng going on that slips through the cracks.

If your looking for a group training ride while on vacation, good LBS advice or maybe want to have a group meet you 50 miles out to finish up your epic coast to coast ride shoot me a message here or at Jay@obxcycling.com

I might be seeing you this year. I am coming to Duck the first week of August; but haven't decided if I am bring the bike or not. And if I do bring the bike, if I can actually get up at 5 a.m...

5 am isn't hard!

ok, maybe on vacation it would be...lol

I am trying to work with some local shops to have a mid week group ride during the summer that would be geared towards out of town riders. Or maybe some kind of daily meeting points that are advertised so people know where to be and when to meet up with other road bikers.

By Aug, I hope to have that all worked out.

What can I expect if I try to do a long ride down Highway 12? I'd like to do 120 miles or so with my dad over 2 or 3 days. Would a road bike be appropriate, or will there be sections with sand or pea gravel that would be difficult with thinner tires?

What can I expect if I try to do a long ride down Highway 12? I'd like to do 120 miles or so with my dad over 2 or 3 days. Would a road bike be appropriate, or will there be sections with sand or pea gravel that would be difficult with thinner tires?

I've been going to Ocracoke Island for years -- always with a bike. It's a great place to ride in the mornings before the ferries really get going.

I like to ride on a durable tire (Kevlar-belted, 700x35) since the surface can be a little rough and there are always places where the sand has blown across the road. Also, who needs flats when you're on vacation.

I'll be there next month -- I can't wait.

What can I expect if I try to do a long ride down Highway 12? I'd like to do 120 miles or so with my dad over 2 or 3 days. Would a road bike be appropriate, or will there be sections with sand or pea gravel that would be difficult with thinner tires?

I think it depends on what part of 12 you are planning on riding. You may want to post what area you are in & that could give you a better idea. I know on the north part of the OBX (Corolla & Duck) - RT 12 is the only road; so you have people doing 45 mph with no shoulder at all. So early, early in the morning is the only time I would be comfortable on that road. But other parts of 12 are better.

Oh, I was under the impression that the majority was 35 mph with a shoulder. That's good to know. I'm actually in Charlotte now, so I guess any part that's suitable for a long distance ride would be what we're looking for. Ideally, we'd like to ride from Corolla to Ocracoke, but yeah, we're not interested in 45 mph roads with no shoulder.

i am planning to ride down through the outer banks from baltimore in late summer/early fall. good to know you are available as a resource!

p.s. is there a bike map for NC? i just ordered VA's and i already have MD's, but i didn't see anything for NC.

Oh, I was under the impression that the majority was 35 mph with a shoulder. That's good to know. I'm actually in Charlotte now, so I guess any part that's suitable for a long distance ride would be what we're looking for. Ideally, we'd like to ride from Corolla to Ocracoke, but yeah, we're not interested in 45 mph roads with no shoulder.

You may want to check with others; but I know north of Duck the speed limit goes from 25 to 45 & is 45 / 50 up to Corolla. There are some areas where their is large shoulders; but there are areas where they is no shoulder. They do have a bike path; but it is not a place to ride a road bike. There are bushes on each side & motorists that are coming off the side roads only about half the time stop before the path. Once you get south of Duck, the shoulder is limited; but from Kitty Hawk to Nags Head you can go to the beach road (#12) instead of 158 which is heavily traveled later in the day. I am guessing that is why the local group rides at 5:30 a.m. I really don't like the idea of a week off the bike; but I guess I am on vacation right?

i am planning to ride down through the outer banks from baltimore in late summer/early fall. good to know you are available as a resource!



Riding down there late, late summer (except for Labor day) or early Fall is a much different experience. The OBX really winds down quickly following summer & it is one of my favorite times to visit there. You won't deal with as much traffic.