April 19 Coastal Cycling

This year's trip is a repeat of last year's. We began before light in Beaufort for the 39 mile ride to the Cedar Island Ferry Terminal. After stopping at McDonald's for breakfast, it was light enough to see well and we rolled out into a stiff wind. As the morning progressed, the wind grew. We had almost 4 hours to make the 10:30 ferry. Everyone expected we'd have an hour to spare as we had done the same trip last year in plenty of time for a 9:30 ferry. The route became more open as we left the outskirts of Beaufort. With no tree protection, the wind became a factor. It was almost a direct headwind. And when it wasn't, it was hitting us so hard it was tough keeping the bicycles going straight. The bridges were even more exposed.

The final 10 miles were so strenuous. Pete, our strongest rider, led the final 7 miles in. That took almost an hour. We rolled up to the ticket booth with 3 minutes to spare. Of course the 10:30 ferry had been cancelled and we had to wait until the 1:00pm ferry. Finally, we made the crossing to Ocracoke, arriving about 4pm.

The village of Ocracoke has a few "must see" attractions. They include the Ocracoke Lighthouse, built in 1823, the oldest operating lighthouse in the US. It is 75 feet high and tapers from a base diameter of 25 feet to 12 at the top.

Another stop on the tour, is the British Cemetery, with 4 graves of British sailors killed by a German U-Boat in 1942. The British government leases the land and a British flag flies over the cemetery.  

Springer's Point is the piece of land by "Teach's Hole", the hiding spot for Queen Anne's Revenge, Blackbeard the Pirate's ship. In 1718, Blackbeard aboard his ship, Adventure, was attacked here by Robert Maynard on his HMS Pearl. Blackbeard was caught by surprise with a reduced crew. He was killed in the battle and beheaded. His head was attached to the bowsprit of the Pearl while his body was thrown overboard. We are told, his headless body swam 7 times around his ship before sinking.

Howard Street is lined on one side with small family cemeteries, above.

Our second day of cycling was from Swanquarter ferry Terminal after the 3 hour crossing from Ocracoke. Then it was a 28 mile ride into Belhaven. About halfway, the wind finally lined up behind us and we were able to make the trip in about 2 hours, still in daylight. The final 2 days were plagued by rain and wind and we did not ride.