October vacation in NC

[Crankin]

Again, thanks, everyone. Our trip will be during the first 2 weeks in October; I know that does include the Columbus Day Weekend, which might make it hard. From what everyone has said, I am thinking it might be best to concentrate on one area, either mountains or Outer Banks. We have always wanted to go to the Outer Banks, but have avoided it in the summer because of hurricanes and heat. Asheville and the other mountain areas do intrigue me, but I think that a lot of that area might be not that different from New England. Not that I don't want to see it, but I also don't want to spend millions of hours driving. I looked up the schedule of a couple of bike tour companies and saw what they did for the Outer Banks, which includes a lot of places you have mentioned and also a couple of the Rails to Trails in Virginia. So, we could do the Virginia thing on the way down or home; we also may be stopping in Va. Beach to visit our son who will be at counter intelligence school there.
I just came back from buying 2 Frommers books on VA. and NC and will be reading today and making some decisions. And no, I don't sell my climbing abilities short, but I am slow and steady on those types of rides. I tend to get very nervous when i am riding in areas where I don't what is coming and I don't really want to deal with that on vacation. Once I've done a big climb, I have a better attitude toward it the next time!

Robyn

[Gowest]

Robyn,

I am originally from New England - and yes, the terrain here is similar but a little more rugged - to be perfectly honest with you (don't kill me NC ladies) I think fall in New England is prettier than here - the colors are more vivid and the crispness in the air and orchards in season are just spectacular and more of what I associate with fall. That being said - if I had to vote for mountains or coast for a New Englander - I would direct you to the coast. It will be spectacular in the fall and totally different from what you experience at home. I think you will enjoy the cycling where ever you go.

Debi

[GLC1968]

Admittedly, my loyalties lie in New England. Honestly, even the NE beaches are spectacular (in their own rugged way)... though, I've not been to the beaches in NC yet...we moved here from FL, so I was looking for mountains first and foremost.

I agree that the fall colors are better in New England. BUT, the roads are WAY better for biking here...much better quality pavement!! And, the people are nicer...southern hospitality and all.

I've heard wonderful things about the NC beaches, so perhaps that would be the most logical destination for you. I don't have any first hand experience to offer, but I hope your trip turns out wonderful...no matter where you end up!

[Crankin]

You guys have really helped! I just spent 2 hours at the pond reading the Frommers NC book (hey, I even rode my Voodoo hardtail there, all 1.98 miles round trip) and I have decided on the Outer Banks. There's 2 reasons; one, I am getting the feeling that it will be really crowded with leaf peepers in the mountains and that September would be a better time for that trip. Secondly, it's just too much driving and concentrating on the Outer Banks, particularly the northern part will allow us to also spend some time around Va. Beach and the wildlife refuge there and hopefully see Scott, too. It might also give us time to make a stop in Maryland or Delaware. Everything I read said fall is the best time to visit the Outer Banks, so that helped, too.

I will post again when everything is finalized. And yes, I imagine the roads in NC are better than in MA. Frost heaves, anyone?

[emily_in_nc]

I PM'd Robyn, so just didn't want my fellow North Carolinians to think that I was being a snob...in addition to the mountains I suggested Elizabeth City and Edenton in the northeast corner of our state as being lovely (and flat!!) places to ride. I've done the Tarwheel Century down there two times in April, and they are both such lovely historic towns on the waterfront.

For a beautiful B&B in Elizabeth City, google the "Pond House Inn". We have never stayed there but have ridden by it on the century I mentioned. It's such a lovely setting on a pond and set back in the trees. We actually had reservations to stay there when doing the Tarwheel Century in April 2005, when I had my cycling/dog accident just two weeks earlier, so we never got to go.

I think you'll find getting inn reservations in eastern NC in October far easier than in western NC. The leaf peepers get their reservations in the mountains in long in advance, and it may already be too late to find any vacancies for October weekends, come to think of it. I did hear on the news last night that the foliage might be prettier than usual this year due to our very hot and dry summer. You won't see much of that in eastern NC, but it's still a pretty area.

Let us know what you decide! I think we'll be out of town or have company most weekends in October, as that is always one of our busiest months, so I doubt I'll be able to get together for a ride, but if you do come through central NC, let us Tarheel TE'ers know, just in case!



Emily

[IFjane]

Hope you don't mind my .02 worth - even if I am up here in VA.

Riding in the eastern part of NC would be relatively flat and fun - and I second the idea of visiting Elizabeth City. However, having spent lots of time on the Outer Banks, be careful of riding there. If you are riding in a development (boring!), you will be ok. If you decide to ride north or south, you will have to ride on NC12 and the traffic is very heavy all year long. It is the ONLY road up and down the Outer Banks. I suggest you visit the Outer Banks because it truly is beautiful, but save your riding for when you are on the other side of the Sound.

Oh yeah - and hurricane season goes until November...

[Crankin]

We had that sort of bad riding experience in HH (you can probably find the thread I wrote a couple of years ago about almost getting arrested for riding on the road . We are definitely going to go to Elizabeth City and Edenton and do riding there. This is not a total "bike" vacation. We will ride on the Outer Banks when and if we can. We are also bringing our mountain bikes, so any little sandy trail we see, we can do that, too.
We are planning on leaving early on October 2nd, and probably getting there on the 3d by early afternoon. We have to back on the 19th or 20th. As soon as we make the final reservations, I'll let you guys know.

Robyn

[Crankin]

OK, here's the schedule for our vacation:
Leave MA Oct. 2nd and drive/stay the night in Princess Anne, MD
Oct. 3,4,5 Stay in Edenton, NC at the Trestle House Inn
Oct. 6,7,8 Stay in Elizabeth City, NC at the Pond House Inn
Oct. 9, 10 Stay in Duck (forget the name of the place)
Oct. 11 Virginia Beach Barclay Cottage Inn
October 12 Philadelphia ; don't have final res. yet, my husband grew up here
Oct. 13 home
Thanks to everyone who gave advice. I downloaded the routes from the River City Cycling Club, so we know we will be riding in Elizabeth City and Edenton. Thanks, Emily for that info. We are very excited about this trip!

Robyn