Big Stampede and Tour de Leaves

[KathiCville]

Howdy....I've been looking at opportunities (excuses?) to do a weekend road trip to NC with my BF this fall. Looking at two events that I thought might be fun, but would love some feedback from the TE gang about each:

The Big Stampede Bike Expo & Swap in Charlotte, NC on November 8, 2009. BF loves to look at and make deals on bikes, components, etc. Is this event as much fun as it sounds? Or so-so? Or??

Tour de Leaves near Tryon, NC in October, 2009.

Suggestions about other rides or great cycling events in October or November in NC? We live in Charlottesville, VA, so it takes us a solid 3 hours by car to reach the VA/NC state line. We'd probably want to keep the drive-time to 5 hours or less, door-to-door, for a weekend getaway.

For what it's worth, BF is a very strong cyclist, particularly MTB, but he enjoys road too if the scenery is great. I'm strictly a roadie...

Thanks!!

[IFjane]

For what it's worth, BF is a very strong cyclist, particularly MTB, but he enjoys road too if the scenery is great. I'm strictly a roadie...

Thanks!!

And he's cute, too!

[KathiCville]

LOL!!! Yes, he IS, isn't he??