Ocracoke to Hatteras/Buxton

April 28, 2015

A lazy day. We woke early but really took our time getting up. I was feeling sore, but once I was on the bike, those feelings went away. Amazing.

Our plans for today were not big. Bike to the ferry for Hatteras and camp out there for the rest of the day and tomorrow. That may change depending on the weather, which can be pretty unpredictable in the Outer Banks. Today was sunny with blue skies, and the wind was out of the west and northwest, which was relatively favorable.

We grabbed a healthy breakfast at the Pony Island Restaurant and consulted the ferry schedule. Ferries to Hatteras are much more regular than the ones from Cedar Island, departing from Ocracoke every hour on the half hour. We could easily make the 12:30 ferry, even with a headwind. So we wrapped up breakfast by 11:00 or so and pushed off.

Today's ride to Hatteras

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This time of year, and in particular, being midweek, Ocracoke is distinctively not crowded. Perfect for us and cycling. Leaving town on NC-12, there is a nice bike trail as far as the entrance to the National Park campground, about four miles.

Happy, thinking he is going to get ahead of me!

Just after that, it becomes a wooded canopy with a wide shoulder.

OK, not overly wide but wider than what was to come.

North of the pony stables. Lots of sand dunes close to the road.

The ponies were a bit of a disappointment. But only because I have been to Chincoteague.

The ponies of Pony Island (they are there somewhere!).

And finally, the ferry.

The Ocracoke-Hatteras Ferry. This turned out to be a free ride, btw.

At the ferry terminal, we met up with three other cyclists on a Tailwinds tour, two on a tandem. They were headed for Hatteras as well but carrying significantly less load lol.

Cyclists at the ferry terminal. We all ultimately ended up in Buxton.

The ferry was pretty slow. Slower than we bike when in a headwind! But after an hour, we arrived in Hatteras!

Happy led off the boat and kept pedaling. I wasn't really sure where he was headed other than up NC-12. We had discussed continuing on to Buxton but stopped in Frisco for lunch and to regroup.

Yellowfin Tuna sandwich at the Frisco Sandwich Company.

After lunch and some discussion, we decided on the Falcon Motel, a Bates 5 motel at the right price ,plus right across from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, which we will tour tomorrow!

Today's ride: 28 miles (45 km)
Total: 1,538 miles (2,475 km)

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