08/28/19 Washington, NC to New Bern, NC. Trip distance 52.5 miles. Total miles 703.80

To review our ride click here

Today was going to be a bit hotter so we wanted a 5:30 AM start but didn’t get on the road until 5:50 AM, still early enough. The day started out wonderful until about the 6 mile mark where we once again ran into a road closure, our third one on this trip. You would think it isn’t a big deal but on a bike out in the country it’s hard to find a way around because a lot of the roads dead end and sometimes the detour is putting you out on a highway which is not intended for bicycles. After a little research on Google Maps we found a way around which once again took us back from the direction we just came. Total detour was probably 5 miles so not too awful. After that we had two lane country roads with very little traffic and then got spit out on a highway that was the total opposite. Speeding cars, logging trucks, semis and lots of it, oh, an no bike lane to speak of. We did have a major scare today as a car was passing us on a blind curve and to do so went into the opposing lane. Yep, you guessed it, a car was coming in the opposite direction and they literally missed hitting each other head on by what appeared to be inches. They were a mere 20 feet from us doing about 50 MPH. The guy should never have passed but it seems they don’t know how to use their brakes. We are so grateful they didn’t hit because we would have somehow felt we caused it. Once we got closer to our destination town we turned onto main street through town which provided more room to ride. Had lunch at a fabulous burger and beer restaurant and then it was just a few short miles to our hotel. After arriving at the hotel I immediately started looking at tomorrows ride (like I always do) and seeing the roads we have tomorrow looked a lot like today. We also have a big long bridge to go over with not much of a bike path. When I mentioned this to Tina she confessed that for the last few days she has been extremely nervous and thinks we have been lucky to have not been hit. She jokingly said we could rent a van to finish the trip. I said “you’re not serious” and her reply was Enterprise has a SUV for $238. So…..the discussion ensued and finding out how scared she is to continue we are ending our ride here in New Bern, NC.. I am a little disappointed but DO NOT want to do something that she is nervous about and not enjoying and like I said in yesterdays blog, she is always right. I am riding my bike tomorrow to the local airport to pick up a vehicle and we will find something else to do for the next 3 days. We are only 3 days from our original destination and for 15 days we have made some good memories.

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Burger King Breakfast
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Damn!
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Entering……
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I think this is where Barney works
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Taking a break
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New Bern, NC the birthplace of Pepsi. I ordered a coke
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Home tonight
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Notice the drawbridge up
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My famous hotel walk

9 thoughts on “08/28/19 Washington, NC to New Bern, NC. Trip distance 52.5 miles. Total miles 703.80

  1. Debora Manson's avatar Debora Manson

    Glad to hear you both are safe…..I’m sure your decision is bittersweet but we understand and still feel like your trip has been quite an adventure. We vacationed in Emerald Isle one year…rented a fabulous house right on the beach. If you get a chance to go that way, it is beautiful. No Harrier photos???? If you go to Havelock, Marine Corps air station, get a selfie for Mark 🙂

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  2. Marilyn's avatar Marilyn

    Bill and I have been to the place where Pepsi was started in new bern. Enjoy your travels and site seeing around N C. If you are near Asheville the Biltmore estate is a great visit. The hurricane is headed toward Fl. Beware. Safe travels.

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  3. Sharon Greace's avatar Sharon Greace

    Enjoy the rest of your trip! You’re not too far from the ocean are you? I’ve enjoyed watching the map trace your route every day… boy you guys sure have pedaled a lot!

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  4. Deanna's avatar Deanna

    Yaaay… good call Tina 👍🏻you’ve had some close calls, I’m scared reading your posts, enjoy the rest of your trip via/SUV. 😎🚘

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  5. donna walgren's avatar donna walgren

    Great decision, there is not enough room on a road with no bicycle lane, we have been worried about you and glad you will be home soon, we did enjoy seeing and reading about your travels.
    hugs…..

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  6. sevans73's avatar sevans73

    Wow, tough decision with only three days left but 700+ miles is a great accomplishment. We certainly dont want the ending to be “he died on his bike doing what he loved”, that’s bullshit. A great trip to follow, thanks for writing such a great blog and sharing pictures and Relive!

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