Illustration by Neil Caudle 



Two ducks swimming in the rain 



Ready to make your own trip? 



Rodanthe before our final leg back. 



The clouds have been thickening all 

 morning. On the air I smell the earthy 

 odor of wet ground, only here in the 

 marsh it has a saltier, fishy smell. The 

 first drops of rain splatter my arms 

 and legs. I decide not the bother with 

 rain gear, since I'm only about eight 

 miles from the car. Besides, the 

 lukewarm raindrops feel good to my 

 sunburned arms and legs. The rain 

 must be keeping the marsh birds in the 

 red cedars and wax myrtles today 

 because I have seen little activity. 

 Only a couple of ducks have waddled 

 to a pond for a swim in the rain. 



I am alone. My two friends have 

 cycled ahead. I hope they wouldn't get 

 the car and come after me. I want to 

 make it all the way back. It is a matter 

 of pride. 



The arched span of the bridge looms 

 just ahead as I wheel into the parking 

 lot where we left the car. I made it. 

 But more than that feeling of accom- 

 plishment, I keep thinking of that mo- 

 ment when I first felt the wind at my 

 back and suddenly pedaling became ef- 

 fortless. This time the wind was taking 

 me for a ride. 



Photo by J. Foster Scott 



You 're more likely to hear this 

 long-legged eastern willet than 

 see him. 



Bicycling can be a good way to see, 

 feel, hear and even smell coastal North 

 Carolina. But before you head for your 

 garage to dust off your bike, there are 

 a few things you need to know. 



• Spring and fall are the best 

 seasons for biking at the coast. Roads 

 are less traveled then and tem- 

 peratures are moderate. If you want to 

 travel this fall, it's not too early to 

 start planning. 



• Decide on a route. It's best to 

 travel less-used, two-lane roads. 

 (Remember that bicycles are 

 prohibited from all interstate and 

 limited access highways by law.) The 

 N.C. Department of Transportation's 

 Bicycle Program offers detailed maps 

 for one coastal route and several inland 

 routes. The coastal route winds 

 through historic Edenton and Bath, 

 to New Bern and along the coast 

 from Swansboro to the South Carolina 

 line. To contact the bicycle program 

 write: N.C. Department of Transpor- 

 tation, Bicycle Program, P. O. Box 

 25201, Raleigh, NC 27611; or call. 



(919) 733-2804. 



• Beware of the wind. Experi- 

 enced bikers may find the wind 

 challenging. Beginners should make 

 their first trip with the wind at their 

 backs. In the spring and summer, 

 southeasterlies and southerlies prevail 

 along the coast. Northerlies and 

 northeasterlies become predominant 

 by September. Keep in mind that morn- 

 ing winds are apt to be calm and 

 light, but pick up velocity in the after- 

 noon. 



• Plan for rain. Mudguards and 

 fenders will keep the wheels from 

 splattering your back and feet with 

 water and mud. A large rain cape, 

 designed especially for bikers, will keep 

 you and parts of your cycle dry. Be 

 careful when it rains. Less traction be- 

 tween the wheel and the road can 

 cause a fall. And, bike brakes, like car 

 brakes, don't stop your cycle as 

 quickly on wet surfaces. 



Biking in the rain is one thing, but 

 thunderstorms packing thunder, 

 Continued on next page 



