It was raining in Goldsboro when we went down to breakfast, and the forecast wasn't very good. It was nice of the Country Inn hosts to let us park under the front canopy; as wet as they were when we got there, covering them would have been useless.
We never met the rider with the White Goldwing Aspenglide and just parked around him. Kinda patriotic, no?
We packed up, put on the rainsuits and headed out around 8:30, letting the Garmin direct us to US Highway 13 North. I changed my mind on the actual route, and decided to follow 13 all the way to US 64. Garmin pestered me for over 10 miles until it finally gave up and waited for me to get back on track.
The rain never stopped; it went from a light mist to a steady shower, but it rained all day. We had to stop and clean the glasses and face shields a few times as the water found its way to the inside. The roads were in good shape but I kept to the speed limit to be safe. In fact, on the sections of 13 and 64 that were 70 mph, I kept to 60 (in the right lane, of course).
We had to a-holes that cut us off, but I could see it coming and reacted well in time to avoid trouble. I think that, if we'd been in sunshine, the ride would have been terrific. It was work.
We finally got within striking distance of the Outer Banks, and hit the "Lindsay C Warren" Alligator River Bridge, a draw bridge over the Alligator River to the Alligator River Wildlife Refuge. The ride is nice, through the trees (in the sun). We were constantly barraged with oncoming traffic as the previous week's tourists were leaving. More water thrown at us (wipe the shields, keep going). The center of the bridge, where it opens, is corrugated steel plate, not the most pleasant thing to cross on two wheels.
On the other side of the refuge, the Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge crosses the Croatan Sound. If you don't know, Virginia Dare was the first child of English parentage born in the New World. She was part of the Lost Colony of Roanoke. The entire structure, causeway and bridge, is over 5 miles long, and curves gracefully over the water. A little nerve wracking in that there was a sign "Subject to Cross Winds." Just what we need in the rain.
Finally, connecting Roanoke Island to Cape Hatteras is the Washington Baum Bridge, less than 500 feet long. Immediately at the end, a hairy little turn onto Highway 12, and we were 47 miles from Buxton, our destination.
I know I've said it before, but this would be so cool in sunshine and dry roads. You travel down through the Cape Hatteras National Park, along a very thin strip of land on a two-lane black top, passing through tiny little communities. But the traffic moved slowly, there were spots where water covered the road, and visibility was very poor, as nature saved its best for last as the rain came down harder as we closed in on Buxton.
Soon enough, we arrived at Hatteras Island Inn, and checked in just after 1.And, of course, you guessed it -- the rain came (almost) to a stop, certainly much less than it had been, as soon as we got in our room.
We got the bikes unpacked, and walked across the street to the "Shipwreck Grill," where one is tempted to ask, "what's it like to work when you're high?" So, you say I was tired, and therefore too critical? Let's see: I checked my phone when we sat down at 2. At 2:15 I asked a passing waiter if we might get some menus to look at. At 2:20 our waitress stopped by and took our order, which she got wrong. By that time, we ate it anyway. Linda said the burger had no flavor, I had slaw on my barbeque (didn't ask for it) and she had fries instead of the slaw she asked for. The waitress never came around to refill our glasses, and finally stopped by with the check at 3 -- the wrong check.
We hit a grocery store for milk an essentials, and headed back to the hotel. We're probably in for the night, as we both look like we've been "rode hard and put up wet." Hey! I think we were!
Honestly? We knew we were going to be challenged on this run. It's part of the excitement of riding the bikes to new places. Yes, it was stressful. I had to use all of my training, my experience and my skill, pay attention ahead, watch Linda's travel (yes, I will always worry, even though she's an excellent rider), keep wiping the face shield (inside and out). But, we made it, safe and sound, and the adventure is just beginning.
No comments:
Post a Comment