NC Outer Banks #1 2024
One of our most relaxed tours, this week features exploration of these NC barrier islands that are so steeped in history. There were colonists here thirty years before the Pilgrims. This is where the Wright Brothers had their first flight at Kitty Hawk. Home to legendary pirates, shipwrecks, lighthouses and wild horses. You won’t be able to miss the Atlantic Ocean beaches and Albemarle Sound marinas. Surfers, paddle boarders and hang gliders seem to be everywhere! There’s excellent shopping, fine and casual dining to enjoy. Naturalists can enjoy several wildlife refuges in the area, perfect for birdwatching. Fisherman have their choice of several piers, surf fishing or chartered services. You'll love our lodging, the Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks / Kitty Hawk, which has a relaxed "resort" feel about it, with its Tiki Bar, Restaurant, indoor and outdoor pools, beach front, fishing pier and more.
The riding here is easy, since it’s flat terrain and we’ll be almost entirely on bike paths. We’ll include a visit to the Wright Brothers National Memorial, have lunch in a place called Duck, and you’ll have plenty of time to walk the beach, charter a fishing trip, see the wild horses, or just read a book in the shade.
We’ll ride alongside giant sand dunes, through quiet woodlands, past docks and piers on the sound, utilizing the Dare County bike paths. We’ll also visit Manteo’s Festival Park, Fort Raleigh and the North Carolina State Aquarium. You will have one entire day without any scheduling to do whatever you please. Our “home base” hotel features comfortable rooms, an optional full ocean-view upgrade, a fitness room, outdoor heated pool and spa and beach access. And it’s located right on the bike route so you can come and go as you please.
Included
- 5 nights lodging
- 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
- Area-knowledgeable and cycling expert tour guides
- Gratuities for included meals and accommodations
- In-ride drinks and snacks
- Van support
- Detailed maps and itineraries
- Admission to the Wright Brothers National Memorial
- Admission to the NC Aquarium Outer Banks.
Itinerary
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Day 1 - Sunday
Meet at our tour hotel, the Hilton Garden Outer Banks. An introductory meeting at 5:00pm will begin our tour with cocktails, snacks, maps and details. Following the meeting we'll enjoy dinner together at a nearby restaurant (included).
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Day 2 - Monday
15 / 23 / 30 miles – We ride from the Wright Brothers National Memorial (admission included) to the town of Duck. Along the way you may choose to stop and explore the piers or do a bit of shopping. Lunch is on your own in Duck. We van everyone back to the hotel, unless you wish to ride the 7 miles back on your own. A Tour Leader will ride sweep if anyone wants to do this ride.
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Day 3 - Tuesday
15 miles - We start today’s ride where we left off yesterday in Duck. The bike trail takes us up to the town of Corolla, where we’ll all meet for a picnic lunch at Historic Currituck Park. After lunch you are free to explore the gorgeous grounds, climb the lighthouse stairs for a magnificent view, check out the Whalehead Club or visit the excellent NC Wildlife Educational Center.
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Day 4 - Wednesday
Rest Day. You are on your own to enjoy the area’s many attractions. From beachcombing out the hotel’s back door, to chartered fishing, to surfing… the day is yours.
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Day 5 - Thursday
15 miles – Today we’ll regroup to share stories and pictures from our rest day activities, and do some more riding to see the sights at Manteo. We begin with a bike ride through the quiet town to the NC Aquarium (admission included), followed by a snack. A stop at Fort Raleigh is next, a park with lots of history. You’ll ride back on the trail and end up in downtown Manteo for lunch on your own, plus a chance to walk the scenic boardwalk on the marina and to see the many shops there. A quick van ride back to the hotel, then out for dinner in Kill Devil Hills, included!
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Day 6 - Friday
The morning is yours to explore the area. Checkout is at 11:00am
Pricing
The cost of this trip is $2,550 per person (double occupancy) Standard rooms have side ocean view, Ocean-front view upgrade available.
- Single supplement fee is $660.
- Optional $360 upgrade (per room) for Ocean-front view room.
- 50% of the base registration fee + 100% of single supplement/ocean view upgrade/bike rental fee is required deposit due upon registration.
- You'll receive an invoice for the balance due 90 days prior to the first date of the Tour
- The remainder is due 60 days prior to the first date of the Tour
Trip Insurance and Cancellation Policy
Please review Senior Cycling's Cancellation Policy here.
Please purchase Trip Insurance. Especially at our age, even though no one expects or wants it, health issues arise and accidents happen. At Travelinsurance.com you can get quotes for coverage from several different providers and get all your questions answered about different levels of coverage, such as "Cancel For Any Reason (COFR)" polices and Pre-Existing Condition waivers. Allianz Travel Insurance and TravelGuard by AIG are also well-known companies with reasonable rates. Please check it out and protect your travel investment.
Your Travel Plans
This trip starts on Sunday, May 14, 2023 and ends on Friday, May 19.
If you are flying, there are shuttle services available from the Norfolk International Airport. OBX Shuttle or Outer Banks Transportation Service are two options.
If you are driving, we meet you at our hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks / Kitty Hawk, 5353 N Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.
Your Lodging Plans
For this trip, 5 nights at the Hilton Garden Outer Banks are included.
Non-Standard Bikes
If you plan to bring your own bike and it is a non-standard bike such as an E-bike, recumbent or tandem, you will need to discuss transport issues with me before you register for this trip. Space in our trailer is limited and we may or may not be able to accommodate. Email: ned@seniorcycling.com
