Ocracoke

Ever since Hurricane Irene struck the Outer Banks, we wondered if we would be able to cycle the planned route down the Hatteras island chain.  The road was destroyed in four places and a bridge needed to be replaced.  The target date for completion of repairs was early October.  Tracy had a different route planned but was earnestly trying to use the planned route.  Alas, the repairs were finished for us and the cyclists were disappointed to not ride on the highlight of the trip.

So Plan B was enacted.  We had to complete 80 miles of cycling by noon in order to catch a ferry to Ocracoke Island.  The next ferry was at 4:30 and would not arrive at Ocracoke until nearly 7:30, well after dark.  CrossRoads figured that the strongest riders would be able to pedal the entire distance well before noon.  We allowed six other cyclists to leave the hotel with them and we would monitor them.  Two vans with six cyclists in each were bumped up the road so that they would be able to reach the ferry in plenty of time.  Ten were able to pedal the entire distance, with the last of the 25 riders reaching the ferry departure by 11:45, 45 minutes before it would leave.

One of the cyclists said that it was a day that proved CrossRoads well-deserved reputation by facing adversity but making it seamless for the cyclists.  As it turned out, the largest obstacle was the mosquitoes.  As I dropped the cyclists from the van, the number of mosquitoes could have carried the van away.  I dropped six cyclists off and had perhaps over 150 insects in the car.  I had to drive with the windows open to flush them out and close them before I stopped the van.  The mosquitoes also provided an incentive for the riders to keep moving with a minimum of stopping.

The rest day on Ocracoke was fabulous.  Most of the cyclists rode to the other end of the island to experience cycling the Outer Banks.  Some took a ferry back to Hatteras and rode some of the Highway 12 that was open.  The sunsets were spectacular.  We should see a sunrise over the water when we leave on Thursday morning.

Bikes on the ferry.

Sunset view from our hotel.  It was couples night as the Dunn's, Darlingtons, and Taylors enjoyed wine, fruit, and cheese.

Another rider joined us.  The picture shows us his dinner choice.  Should I say that it was a "meal of Champ(ions)"?

The lighthouse on Ocracoke.  It has operated since 1823, the second-oldest operating lighthouse in the U.S.