RidingMatthew

I am looking for some good road rides at the beach. I am planning on thinking about coming to the beach June 6-13. TopSail or Emerald Isle, NC.

Does anyone have any good rides or want to get together and ride?

serotta

I've been going to Emerald Isle the second week in June for the past 10 years. This year we switch to July, damn!

Emerald Isle is a great place to ride, but it does get boring. It's close to a 50 mile loop if you start in front of your rental and go to one end of the island, turn around and go to the other end then ride back to the rental. I usually ride to the Northeastern tip at Fort Macon, just past the Coast Guard Station, then turn and head back "down" island to the Southwestern tip at the other Coast Guard Station.
I change it up every other day by riding up to the Morehead City Bridge, crossing to the mainland and taking a left on 70. Continue until a left on 24, then plow on to another left on 58 and across the bridge back onto the island. About 42 miles total. The only down side is the increased traffic once you cross the bridge to the mainland. I try to do it after 9AM and miss the work traffic.
Plenty of room on the shoulder/bike lane on the island, I've never felt unsafe in all the years we've been going.

norskagent

There is a nice ~30 mile loop you can do: https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...isle/570341403
around swansboro that is accessable from emerald isle. Low traffic, nice variety, somewhat scenic.

serotta

norskagent I'm going in July, although not the OP, I will try it.

I'm a bit worried about traffic through the Swansboro area during the week. Have you done it recently? I always like to leave at first light that way I'm back in a couple of hours for the quality time with the family while on vacation. Do you think the work traffic will make the route less friendly?

norskagent

Beach traffic can be heavy down there for sure, but my experience has been that the swansboro leg of the ride is tolerable due to there being fairly wide lanes for the cars to get by. It's about 4 miles from swansboro to nc 58. Also, if there is a strong cross wind the ride over the bridge to and from emerald isle can be quite interesting

serotta

Yes, I've been over the bridges on both ends of the island many times. Always an adventure. I'll be down there July 18th thru the 25th and will try your suggested route to break the monotony of my usual daily rides. Thanks!

norskagent

I may schedule a visit to my parents then (they live down there). If so, I'll send you a PM and maybe we can hook up for a ride. It would be nice to do that ride nonsolo. I always stop in "Stella" when I do that loop - it's basically a T-intersection w/ an old post office that says "stella", middle of nowhere, right at the white oak river. It's just a quaint, quiet scenic place off the beaten track that makes cycling there seem special.

K&K_Dad

Why stop in stella? just keep on going and head all the way to the end... there's lots of places to go if you're feeling froggy.. traffic is just the worst thing.. Piece of advice though, avoid the Beaufort 'Bike Path' it's not a path and a horrible way to go if you're doing anything over 9 miles an hour.

norskagent

ummm, I only stop in stella for like 10 minutes, then finish the loop.
I'm not in a big hurry on vacation...

serotta

If we ride together I may have to hold you to that quote!

RidingMatthew

I found a ride on Mapmyride.com. started in Carolina Beach and rode up River Road which was great road. crossing the bridge was a little scary though. {to all vehicles who about ran me off the bridge today, YOU DO NOT OWN THE ROAD}

I am convinced bike lanes are worst than riding on the road at home. People where hauling and did not slow down past me. The torrential downpour was not to fun to ride in either.

but...

24.65 miles, soaked to the bone, avg 17.0 miles per hour.

serotta

norskagent, Thanks for the link to the Stella ride. I did it this morning. Across the bridge and left into Swansboro. I left at 7am. The ride into Swansboro was the worst of the traffic and it wasn't too bad. The rest of the ride was a delight. I ended up with 48 miles round trip and it was ever so much more fun than the trip up and down the isle. My only regret was not stopping to check markers at the Lebanon Cemetery. Well, maybe next time.