Outer Banks NC riding???
Outer Banks NC riding???
The wife and I still trying to decide where to ride this Friday and Saturday. We were thinking Knoxville for the national HOG thing, but I don't think I am in the mood for it.
So I was looking at the map, trying to decide where to go and The Outer Banks kinda stuck out to me. Never been there. We have been doing alot of mountain riding lately and want a different enviroment. Thinking about maybe going to Hatteras. Stopping by The Grave Digger shop in Kill Devil Hills and pick my son up a souvenir. Head down to Ocracoke and just riding around in general. So would this be a bad time of year to go down there??? Is there any nice places to ride in the area??? How about hotels out of the tourist area. Any suggestions or reasons not to go???
So I was looking at the map, trying to decide where to go and The Outer Banks kinda stuck out to me. Never been there. We have been doing alot of mountain riding lately and want a different enviroment. Thinking about maybe going to Hatteras. Stopping by The Grave Digger shop in Kill Devil Hills and pick my son up a souvenir. Head down to Ocracoke and just riding around in general. So would this be a bad time of year to go down there??? Is there any nice places to ride in the area??? How about hotels out of the tourist area. Any suggestions or reasons not to go???
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Joined: Aug 2007
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RE: Outer Banks NC riding???
I've rode the outer banks several times and it's always great. It's still nice and warm here in NC so you should have a great trip. I usually start on the south end, ride all the way up, then back down again. It's awesome. You will have to take ferries between several of the islands. Be sure to get a schedule online before you go. There is so much great riding anywhere you go you can't go wrong and most places are very biker friendly (there's also a rally every year.) The beaches are great and if your wife likes lighthouses like mine does the Cape Hatteras one is awesome to tour. As far as hotels they are all pretty touristy but others might have some suggestions. If you can get there during the week instead of the weekend the rooms are much easier to find and usually about half the price. Don't hesitate to go if you have the chance- you will have a great time!
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RE: Outer Banks NC riding???
Hey MM,
This is the worst time of year to hit the Outerbanks, just because it's the tourist season and they'll price gouge the heck out of you on hotel prices. If you don't mind paying the high prices for hotels, then you'll have an enjoyable trip. Like stated, make sure you check the ferry schedules, and with it being the tourist season, I would even get your ticket reserved online too. Last time we rode the Outerbanks, we rode down and took the Cedar Island Ferry (2 hour ferry ride from Cedar Island to Ocracoke) over to Ocracoke and stayed the night. Blackbeards lodge is pretty cool, but there are other nice little hotels/motels there too. The next day we rode out and took the Ocrakoe/Hatteras ferry across and rode the rest of the way up the outerbanks, stopping at all of the lighthouses along the way. Nice riding and some great photo ops. Below are the ferry schedules and contacts for tickets.
http://www.ncdot.org/transit/ferry/routes/
http://www.ncdot.org/transit/ferry/r.../route005.html
This is the worst time of year to hit the Outerbanks, just because it's the tourist season and they'll price gouge the heck out of you on hotel prices. If you don't mind paying the high prices for hotels, then you'll have an enjoyable trip. Like stated, make sure you check the ferry schedules, and with it being the tourist season, I would even get your ticket reserved online too. Last time we rode the Outerbanks, we rode down and took the Cedar Island Ferry (2 hour ferry ride from Cedar Island to Ocracoke) over to Ocracoke and stayed the night. Blackbeards lodge is pretty cool, but there are other nice little hotels/motels there too. The next day we rode out and took the Ocrakoe/Hatteras ferry across and rode the rest of the way up the outerbanks, stopping at all of the lighthouses along the way. Nice riding and some great photo ops. Below are the ferry schedules and contacts for tickets.
http://www.ncdot.org/transit/ferry/routes/
http://www.ncdot.org/transit/ferry/r.../route005.html
Tourer
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RE: Outer Banks NC riding???
Hurricanes are further south right now, so that shouldn't be an issue.
I've traveled the area quite a bit from New Bern down to Havelock, along 70 to the coast and both north and south along the banks. Beaufort offers several very good seafood places...or if you go the other direction down the banks, just after you enter Atlantic Beach, take the first main street to the right (Fort Macon Drive) and there is a nice biker friendly place on your left (a low green building, can't remember the name of it).
If you're further north on 70, just outside of Goldsboro, there is a BBQ place called "Wilber's"...you have *got* to go there if you like NC style white sauce...was my favorite place when I was stationed there and still makes the best NC style BBQ.
If you hit the beach, don't do it at dusk or later. I've purposely done some night dives there...specifically to see the sharks.
I've traveled the area quite a bit from New Bern down to Havelock, along 70 to the coast and both north and south along the banks. Beaufort offers several very good seafood places...or if you go the other direction down the banks, just after you enter Atlantic Beach, take the first main street to the right (Fort Macon Drive) and there is a nice biker friendly place on your left (a low green building, can't remember the name of it).
If you're further north on 70, just outside of Goldsboro, there is a BBQ place called "Wilber's"...you have *got* to go there if you like NC style white sauce...was my favorite place when I was stationed there and still makes the best NC style BBQ.
If you hit the beach, don't do it at dusk or later. I've purposely done some night dives there...specifically to see the sharks.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2006
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RE: Outer Banks NC riding???
I can second that on Blackbeards Lodge in Ocracoke. My wife and I stayed there on our way down to Savannah-neat little place. There is a nice restaurant right accross the street (name escapes my feeble mind right now) and everything else in town is in walking distance. The Hatteras-Ocacroke ferry ride is about 45 minutes. We didn't have a reservation for that one, but theysent us up to the front, and loaded us after most of the cars were on. Great trip!
RE: Outer Banks NC riding???
Ok so where would be a good place that is still close by but out of the tourist price gouging area. Also what are some good roads to ride in the area. If we go the plan is to probably hit Kill Devil Hills and Hatteras and head down to Ocracoke on Friday. Grab a hotel that night and do a little riding on Saturday before heading home. Also going to make a stop in Virginia Beach for some grub at Captain Georges on the way back.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Clemmons, NC
RE: Outer Banks NC riding???
If you can wait till after Labor Day you will see a drastic drop in room rates. The kiddies are back in school and the vacation season is winding down. I plan on a trip there next month myself.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: northwestern NC
RE: Outer Banks NC riding???
If you stay overnight at Ocracoke, The Captain's Landing is an absolutely fantastic place to stay. A little pricey, but IMHO worth every nickel. I would also recommend Howard's Pub and their delicious crabcake sandwich, not to mention the hundreds of beers they have available. The Jolly Roger, which is right beside Captain's Landing, is also pretty good. A lot of folks on the island will recommend the Back Porch, but I didn't see what all the buzz was about when I was there in May. The food definitely didn't justify the price. Cost for two was around $90 plus tip. Avoid Jason's at all costs -- terrible pizza and hygiene of staff is questionable.
Interestingly enough, I was planning almost the exact same ride on 9/13 thru 9/16, except I was gonna start in Ocracoke and go north to Kitty Hawk. One fellow rider couldn't make the schedule work so we're gonna shoot for a spring ride instead.
Interestingly enough, I was planning almost the exact same ride on 9/13 thru 9/16, except I was gonna start in Ocracoke and go north to Kitty Hawk. One fellow rider couldn't make the schedule work so we're gonna shoot for a spring ride instead.
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RE: Outer Banks NC riding???
What about Elizabeth City. It's not too far away and the rates are alot better. How is that area??? We aren't looking to stay overnight in the OBX area. We would do all of that riding Friday. Saturday would be for some other area riding and heading home.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 605
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From: northwestern NC
RE: Outer Banks NC riding???
For us, we prefer to stay in Ocracoke for the atmosphere known as the "Ocracoma". In fact, we lived in Wilmington for eight years and just about every vacation we took was to Ocracoke. The island is so unique for a number of reasons:
1) The ferry-only accessibility lends to the feeling of seclusion
2) Everything on the island is locally-owned; there are no chain establishments anywhere on the island.
3) The village itself is all contained within an approx. 2-mile diameter, so you can walk to virtually anything, an important point if you happen to spend an extended periodof time at Howard's Pub or the Jolly Roger!
4) The locals are absolutely fantastic. There are about 900 year-round residents on the island and I haven't found one yet that hasn't been a pleasure to meet.
5) From sunset to dark, the scenery is unmatched -- particularly if you're staying on Silver Lake. The sunsets are unbelievable and can be enjoyed sipping a few cold beers either on your own dock at Captain's Landing or at the Jolly Roger. Once the sun goes down, the lighthouse fires up and offers its own beauty over the village.
I can't speak to accomodations at Elizabeth City as I've never stayed there. If I'm planning a trip to the Outer Banks and can't stay on Ocracoke, I reschedule. Regardless of whether you spend the night on the island, set aside some time to soak up the local flavor there.
1) The ferry-only accessibility lends to the feeling of seclusion
2) Everything on the island is locally-owned; there are no chain establishments anywhere on the island.
3) The village itself is all contained within an approx. 2-mile diameter, so you can walk to virtually anything, an important point if you happen to spend an extended periodof time at Howard's Pub or the Jolly Roger!
4) The locals are absolutely fantastic. There are about 900 year-round residents on the island and I haven't found one yet that hasn't been a pleasure to meet.
5) From sunset to dark, the scenery is unmatched -- particularly if you're staying on Silver Lake. The sunsets are unbelievable and can be enjoyed sipping a few cold beers either on your own dock at Captain's Landing or at the Jolly Roger. Once the sun goes down, the lighthouse fires up and offers its own beauty over the village.
I can't speak to accomodations at Elizabeth City as I've never stayed there. If I'm planning a trip to the Outer Banks and can't stay on Ocracoke, I reschedule. Regardless of whether you spend the night on the island, set aside some time to soak up the local flavor there.