I ate the bear instead of him eating me

  Camping at the state part was easy and enjoyable. The seashore, sand dunes, scrub live oaks and high grass made for a beautiful setting and a nice place to mellow out.  The body clicked on at 6:45 after a long nights sleep.  Once the sun goes down when camping, there is not much to do but sleep. The tent came down and everything was ready to go including breakfast by 8:25.  Leaving  of Virginia Beach was easy enough with a few bike/pedestrian paths and a few miles side walks.  Once the road narrowed to two lanes I could get out on the road.  But today unlike other days, the roads were devoid of shoulders.  Cars had to go around me which had me constantly looking  in my rear view mirror.  Based on a state park employee’s recommendation I rode to Knots Island where there was a ferry to a Currituck.  A very pleasant ride as well as saving me at least fifty miles of riding around the inlets. The ferry was free as they all are on the coast of North Carolina.

Once in Currituck the ride changed dramatically.  Four lines of roadway with fast moving traffic and only a two foot shoulder. Thinking I would find a campsite soon I pedaled onward.  No such luck, not even hotels, just commercial businesses, restaurants, churches and thousands of large billboard advertisements.  The short of it all Is I had to tough it out for thirty-six miles.  The cars gave me room but it took some seasoned nerves to tolerate this stressful stretch.  Running on empty, I reached the 2 1/3 mile 158/Currituck bridge which connected the mainland with Kitty Hawk and the outer banks.  Rather than ride on the side of the road, I made decision to take the whole lane which pushed my comfort level into the red zone.  Crazy sounding but the cars pulled over into the passing lane giving me plenty of room with the sun at my back snd wearing bright clothes, cars could see far off and make a safe lane change. With a stiff breeze in my face, I shifted down which slowed me up. My legs needed a break but I kept cranking unmercifully.  What a relief it was to conquer this monster bridge.  It is in the same league as the seven mile bridge leading to Key West.  I stopped and found online an RV park down the road three miles.  Four lanes of traffic again and the RV park was one large semi permanent huge RVs  with no room for campers like me.  Fortuitously, there was a decent motel next door.  After 77.68 miles, the body needed a rest.  After checking in and cleaning up, I went door to Hurricane Mo’s and had a feast. My body had been tested plenty of food and water are a necessity step in staving off a sore tomorrow. 

Back at the room I began researching the bridges I will need to ride over as I ride south on the outer banks. One can only take so much of these four lanes of fast moving traffic with an insufficient shoulder.  If the bridges are danger for bicycles I may opt for inland country roads.