vacationbicycling

Celebrating our 4th year to the Outer Banks!

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2010

Outer Banks of North Carolina: 7 days, (October 3–9, 2010) $999
Outer Banks of North Carolina: 7 days, (October 10–16, 2010) $999 

Day 1, Sunday

Check-in throughout the Day in Beaufort, North Carolina. Visit the beauty and heritage of one of the country's oldest cities. Tour the historic district, the waterfront and the Maritime Museum. In the evening meet new friends during the Welcome Dinner and Get Together.

Lodging:  Inlet Inn
Beaufort, North Carolina

Dinner: Boardwalk Cafe - Beaufort, NC 
Menu Selection (based on 2009 trip):

• Boardwalk Crab Cakes – with citrus aioli and sautéed vegetables.
• Blackened Mahi Mahi – over Southwest black bean sauce with roasted corn salsa and chipotle sour cream.
• Pasta Primavera – pasta with Alfredo sauce and vegetables.
• Fried Seafood Platter – flounder, shrimp and scallops. (Pick one, two or all three). 
• Plus salad.

Day 2, Monday

(39 miles)
Begin your journey from Beaufort bicycling to the Cedar Island ferry to Ocracoke, which is only accessible by water or air. Ocracoke Island was named Top Beach as reported by CBS News on June 8, 2007. Bike through the 12,500 acre Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge's salt water marshes and woodlands, home to 270 species of birds, a variety of reptiles, amphibians and small fish, as well as white-tailed deer, raccoons, otters, minks and marsh rabbits. Walk the beach ranked best in the US, reliving the walk of the most famous pirate, Blackbeard. Breakfast and dinner with the group.

Breakfast:  Coffee, toast, oatmeal, bananas and yogurt.

Lodging:  Anchorage Inn
Ocracoke, North Carolina

(Swimming Pool)

Dinner: Howard’s Pub & Raw Bar Restaurant Ocracoke, North Carolina
Menu Selection (based on 2009 trip):
Soft Drink
+ Menu choices:  

• Tropical Chicken - Pair of 8 oz. boneless marinated breasts, marinated, grilled and topped with a slice of grilled pineapple, and served with tropical salsa.
• Locally Caught Fresh Fish of the Day - Fresh is the operative word here, as it is mostly caught within sight of Howard's Sky Deck and delivered the same day.
• Pamlico Sound crab Cakes - "Seems everyone has their own notion of what a crab cake should be... and Howard developed this recipe himself with more crab meat than ever before and a better tasting spice mix.  They're sauteed lightly and topped with raspberry pepper sauce - Howard thinks they're the best!"
• P.E.T.A. Burger - A vegan produce.  "A tasty combination of black beans, spices and peppers that offers the vegetarian an alternative to that nasty old meat."

Day 3, Tuesday

(27 miles)
Leave Ocracoke on your way to Cape Hatteras including a short ferry ride.  Visit the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum.  Ride through the Cape Hatteras National Seashore viewing the nation’s tallest lighthouse.  Stop and watch the surfers, windsurfers and kite surfers; or take a lesson; or surf yourself.   Breakfast with the group.

Breakfast:  Coffee, toast, oatmeal, bananas and yogurt.

Lodging:  Lighthouse View Motel
Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

(Swimming Pool & Hot Tub)

Day 4, Wednesday

(37 or 55 miles)
Continue up the Outer Banks islands to Nags Head passing through the Cape Hatteras National Seashore with the Pamlico Sound on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.  Stop and view the area on observation platforms.  Enjoy the sites, restaurants and beaches in Nags Head from bicycle paths.  Breakfast and Dinner with the group.

Breakfast:  Coffee, toast, oatmeal, bananas and yogurt.

Lodging: Surfside Hotel
Nags Head, North Carolina

(Swimming Pools & Hot Tub)

Dinner: Miller’s Waterfront Restaurant - Nags Head, North Carolina
Menu Selection (based on 2007 trip):
Soft Drink/Tea
+ Menu choices:

• Seafood Trio – one of the Miller’s Waterfront specialties featuring shrimp, scallops and a crab cake broiled in a light garlic and white wine sauce.
• Montreal Chicken – boneless skinless breast seasoned with pepper, onion and garlic spice atop black beans and rice.
• Vegetarian Pasta - Your choice of tomato basil marinara, parmesan alfredo or sun dried tomato pesto cream sauce.
• Signature Salad - Fried oysters or grilled chicken over fresh garden greens topped with dried cranberries, walnuts and crumbled goat cheese, serve with house made raspberry vinaigrette.
• + Served with your choice of two: baked potato, French fries, coleslaw, house salad, vegetable of the day, or applesauce.

Day 5, Thursday

(37 or 49 miles)
Start your journey back to Cape Hatteras.   Ride back through the area where pirates previously placed lanterns on horses at night to simulate ships, leading to shipwrecks and bounty for the pirates.  Breakfast with the group.

Breakfast:  Coffee, toast, oatmeal, bananas and yogurt.

Lodging:  Lighthouse View Motel
Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

Day 6, Friday

(27 Miles)
Bike to Ocracoke catching the sites you missed earlier including light houses and museums and shops.  Revisit the small unique city’s shops or visit the Ocracoke Island Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in service in North Carolina.  Breakfast and farewell dinner with the group.

Breakfast:  Coffee, toast, oatmeal, bananas and yogurt.

Lodging:  Anchorage Inn
Ocracoke, North Carolina

Dinner: The Backporch Restaurant - Ocracoke, North Carolina
Menu Selection (based on 2009 trip):

• Backporch Seafood Platter – broiled fish, sauteed shrimp, scallops and a crab beignet
• Bourbon Pecan Chicken – chicken breast rolled in pecans with a bourbon butter sauce
• Backporch Crab Cakes – served with lemon caper sauce
• Stir Fry of Seasoned Vegetable – tossed with soy sauce, ginger, rice and walnuts with tofu, shrimp or scallops
• Plus salad, vegetables, hot rolls and potato or rice

Day 7, Saturday

(39 miles)
Enjoy the ride back through the salt marshes and start your journey home. Take a shower in the hotel before leaving Beaufort.   Breakfast with the group on the ferry.

Breakfast:  Bread, oatmeal, bananas and yogurt.

Please note all trip information is based on previous trips and/or contracted lodging and restaurants and is subject to change based on availability or specific trip needs.

Riding difficulty:
Riders who are comfortable riding at least 10 miles per hour should have a very enjoyable trip without any hills (the only hills are three bridges). Strong riders can ride as fast as they wish.

Arriving by Plane:
You can fly directly into New Bern airport and take A Diamond Limousine Service (252)646-4490 to the trip start hotel. Bicycles can be checked as luggage, but the price has gone up dramatically. 

Cost:
$999  ($200 due to reserve your spot and the remainder due 45 days before the trip start). 

What's included:

• Inn and motel lodging
• Ride packets including maps and cue sheets (directions)
• Fully sagged including ride leaders, luggage transport, van transportation and rider assistance.
• Breakfast most mornings (see above)
• Dinner most nights (see above)
• Fun and Enjoyment

Bicycles:

• Most riders bring their own bicycles by automobile.
• To ship your bike, we would suggest using www.shipbikes.com for around $150 roundtrip for shipping.
• We would recommend bringing or shipping your own bicycles; if this is not possible, you may rent a hybrid bicycle directly from Vacation Bicycling for an additional $150 for the week.

Contact Information:

Vacation Bicycling, LLC
1860 Barnett Shoals Rd, Suite 103-602
Athens, GA 30605
Phone: (404) 909-8034 or (800) 490-2173
Fax: (732) 909-8037

Or email your question to our short Contact Form