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