I would ride the NRT. You have a nice camping area (and swimming area) at Foster Falls, which should be roughly the half way point. Get to Galax then check into a motel for a night, and enjoy the town. Its small with some bluegrass music going on somewhere. Nice place to relax. The NRT is not a long trail so its only going to be a couple days of riding, then a couple back if you are doing a round trip.