Carolina Multisports Outer Banks Bike Tour

Outer Banks Adventure Ride

History, Wildlife, and Wind in Your Hair

Discover the Outer Banks by Bike

Join us in the spirit of camaraderie and sport on a 2-day, cycling adventure along the coastal islands of North Carolina. The ride is self-paced and open to all abilities.

Joel Young in Manteo, NC

A backdrop of coastal beauty, shipwrecks, and pirates

Created by the convergence of the warm waters of the Gulf Stream heading north and the cold waters of the Labrador Current heading south, the Outer Banks of North Carolina is a unique chain of barrier islands extending far off the East Coast. The intersection of these currents not only created the Outer Banks but also acts as a global highway for sea turtles, fish, whales, migratory birds, and even bears and deer that frequent the area.

Because of its natural beauty, the Outer Banks of North Carolina has become a world-renowned destination for beachgoing, cycling, kite surfing, fishing, star gazing, and more.

But beware, the area is also known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, named for the many shipwrecks that succumbed to the shifting sands. The infamous pirate, Blackbeard, also reportedly used the narrow inlets as a way to collect tolls in and out of the Pamlico Sound during the early 1700’s.

Ocracoke Island
Bike Path in Duck, NC
Outer Banks, North Carolina

Daily Agenda

Friday, May 1, 2026
  • Arrive at Camp. Oregon Inlet Campground - 12001 North Carolina Hwy 12, Nags Head, NC 27959
  • Dinner in Nags Head, TBD.
Saturday, May 2, 2026
  • Drive to Beach Access Ramp 34, Avon, NC 27915
  • Breakfast at the Orange Blossom, 47206 North Carolina Hwy 12, Buxton, NC 27920
  • Day 1 route to Ocracoke Island, stopping for lunch in Ocracoke, then returning back to car. 
  • Drive back to camp at Oregon Inlet. 
  • Dinner in Nags Head, TBD. 
Sunday, May 3, 2026
  • Break down camp. 
  • Breakfast in Nags Head, TBD. 
  • Day 2 route to Manteo, stopping for lunch along the way, TBD, then returning to car. 
  • Depart for home. 

Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower

Being separated from the mainland, there is very little light pollution along the Outer Banks, making it the perfect place to star gaze. On a clear night, the Milky Way is easily seen with the naked eye. Lucky for us, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower is active between Apr. 15 and May 27.

Day 1 – Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Ocracoke Island

67.6 miles, 267' elevation gain

Avon to Ocracoke Island

Click for GPS File and Cue Sheet

We'll began our first day in the quiet village of Avon, where the salty breeze and sound of the Atlantic set the tone for an unforgettable ride. Pedaling south along Highway 12, the road hugs the coast, offering sweeping views of the dunes and occasional glimpses of the ocean. The early miles are peaceful, passing by small local shops, fishing piers, and stretches of open marshland.

A highlight of the morning will be a stop at the famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, an icon of the Outer Banks. Towering over the shoreline, the black-and-white spiral beacon is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States. After a brief visit, photos, and a moment to enjoy the panoramic views from the grounds, we continued south toward Hatteras Village.

Upon reaching the Hatteras Ferry Terminal, we'll board the free ferry for a relaxing 70-minute ride to Ocracoke Island. From the deck, keep your eye out for pelicans diving and dolphins surfacing. Enjoy the solitude of the ocean and a welcome break from the steady pedaling.

After arriving on Ocracoke Island, we'll pedal over Ocracoke Village. After a snack and a few miles of leisurely cycling around the island, we'll take the ferry back to Hatteras and make our return ride to Avon. The evening light along the dunes make for a beautiful end to the day, with the Atlantic on one side and Pamlico Sound on the other.

 

Bodie Island Lighthouse

Bodie Island (Pronounced “body”) was originally known as Bodie’s Island or Body’s Island and got its name after the first immigrant settler, Robert Boddie or Boddy. With over 2000 documented shipwrecks off the coast of NC, folklore describes a darker reality of the bodies that may have washed ashore at times.

Day 2 – Nags Head and Manteo

67.6 miles, 267' elevation gain
Nags Head to Manteo

Click for GPS File and Cue Sheet 

On Day 2 we'll head north along NC-12, tracing the slender ribbon of the Outer Banks through Nags Head. As the ride continues, we'll encounter the day’s most challenging segments: four separate bridge crossings, each spanning over a mile each. These bridges provide the highest elevation gain of the day and reward riders with panoramic vistas of the surrounding waterways. The climbs are gradual but sustained, with fun descents following each crest.

After crossing the first bridge, we'll enter the charming historic town of Manteo. It offers shaded streets, waterfront views, and glimpses of attractions like the Roanoke Island Festival Park and the Elizabeth II ship replica. We'll continue across our second bridge back to the mainland before turning around back around for our third and fourth bridge crossings.

The day concludes with a final stretch to camp, with a visit to Bodie Island lighthouse at sunset. 

 

Ocracoke Lighthouse
IMG_3811
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Stairs