Day 16 - Ocracoke, Nc to Jacksonville, NC 86 miles

Just the stats: 86 miles, 17.8 MPH average. Started riding at 9:40 am, finished at 2:45 pm - 4 hours 46 minutes riding time. Sunny and warm, 61 to 76 degrees. Calories burned on the ride - 4,946.

This morning we rode a ferry from Ocracoke Island at 7 am. It was a 2 hour and 30 minute crossing. As you may be able to tell from my picture, it was cold on the water.


We started our ride at 9:35 am. I rested well yesterday and ate sensibly also, so I was ready to roll. Unfortunately, one of the guys Gordon and I rode with on our last riding day did not prepare or rest properly - too much wine and rich food did him in for today's ride. It was pretty evident early in the ride that three of us would be dropping one of our new riding friends. We had 88 miles to go and couldn't afford to poke along.

After the first rest stop at mile 42, Gordon and I continued on together making good time - averaging almost 18 mph.

At around mile 50 we came into Emerald Isle. I got new energy as we rode through familiar territory. I spent a great week here in July with my sisters Nancy and Cathy and their families.




We caught the three lead riders in Emerald Isle - one of them had a flat. I was still riding strong so I asked Gordon if he didn't mind if I took a run with the big dogs the rest of the way in - he was OK with that.

I have been feeling good and stronger lately so the ride was fun. The four of us took turns leading for two miles at a time. Yesterday I estimated that I would get into the hotel at 4 pm but because of the favorable wind, good roads and good energy, we got into the hotel at 2:45 pm. We are right next to the Camp Lejuene Marine Corps Base.

I took a picture of the sign in sheet, I am rarely the first rider in.

The next two days are big riding days - 109 miles to Myrtle Beach, SC and 112 miles to Charleston, SC.

Thanks for looking. Tom