My trip got cut a little short and I only had one day to ride in N.C. Unfortunately, that day required me leaving town at 1:30 AM, driving to "Mayberry" and attending one boring meeting until 5:30PM - I was beyond tired but pressed on. On my way out of the meeting I saw a woman on a Giant Sedona - she was staring at my bike, so I complimented her bike and she complimented mine. I saw nobody else with a bike the entire time.
The ride was unusual for me. There weren't nearly as many hills as I expected there to be. In fact, it was mostly flat farmlands. Despite being deathly tired and being on my hybrid, I managed an avg. MPH that was 2 full MPH's over my fastest time this year (which was on my road bike). It was beautiful country though and I wish I had more time to ride.
The finale to the trip was on the drive home and my boss decided to stop at a Hooters in a town that should have been renamed Overweight, N.C. Every customer in there was a practical roly-poly and it amazed me the number of people in this area that just let themselves go. Even the waitresses (ex-strippers?) had legs that looked like socks filled with cottage cheese. I thought I was disgusted at that point, but then they brought me a plate of "food" - er, buttered lard puffs rather - and suddenly I remembered why I don't go to Hooters. I ate about 3 bites of that drek before giving up. About 30 minutes after leaving the restaurant, my boss {who ate a full plate} began sweating, clutching the steering wheel and pinching his butt cheeks together about a foot off the seat and moaning "Oh God - Oh God - where's the exit - I'll NEVER eat at Hooters again!!".
I'd like to go back and try riding again. Beautiful scenery! Of course, I'll skip the Hooters.

My wife is a NC native and would love to ride anywhere in that state. Next time we are back there we are definitely taking the bikes.

What happened next?

He fully contaminated a restroom at the Gastonia Handy Pantry.

That could have been dangerous. Was anyone smoking nearby?

Bikes-N-Drums, I grew up in NC and we've been hitting Brevard and Asheville every Saturday this summer, with a few exceptions, for some quality trail riding. You have to go farther west for the rolling hills.

?new avatar?

Yep, new avatar. Why not?!
Thanks for the advice on N.C. It was beautiful country out there - great riding, nice people - and I'm really looking forward to going back sometime!

There's a Cycle North Carolina ride coming up in Oct. Statesville to New Bern.

Should be some opportunity to get some "Lexington BBQ"!!

I'll be at the NC ride and I am really looking forward to that BBQ. After a long ride it should be good. I am also looking forward to the rest of the ride. The first 3 days should be pretty challenging, however when we get close to the coast it flattens out and the last day looks like it is all down hill.