Paper Trail Gravel Travel - The Ballad of Bobby Allison - Croatan Buck Fifty, NC

To Casey, Miko and the Paper Trail Team:

Wow!!!! We did the thing and came back to tell the tale! Thank you so much for the opportunity to sit in the saddle with you all. The opportunity to travel, ride bikes and to become better acquainted is the best gift. It is an honor and privilege to share the time we do together. May the images do all the talking, sending tons of love and stoke your way!

- GO

Location: Cedar Point, NC 

Distance from Philly: 8 Hours 

Type of Riding: Gravel

When we left Philly, we left as a group this time and you could feel the excitement right around the corner. It was a different energy, one of which had us blabbing away for hours! We arrived the next morning just before light, it was a doozy of a drive which left us a little disoriented for the next day.

When we went to bed that morning we heard an ocean angry and in full combat with shore. To our surprise, as we napped into the morning and woke up, we were greeted to see where our guest and ourselves would be staying. Our gorgeous big blue shore house was right on the beach! It was such a treat to be greeted with warm winds and bright light. 

As our excitement was contained. We began the work of prepping for our guests. It was a different experience which made it all the more unique and wonderful. Throughout our weekend of connecting with the guests, we were able to create moments unique to this location and the experiences that went along with it. We traveled to North Carolina, yes to ride our bikes and to participate in a Gravel Race, but at the same time it was about relaxing and connecting with the present and the people in it. 

As a result of this hilarious weekend together, the character Bobby Allison emerged and took hold. 

DAY 1: 

Miles: 26.88

Feet Climbed: 420ft

Total Time: 2 hours 

The Shakedown Ride

After a long drive, its just what the doctor ordered! Our route out of the house was typically up and over the one and only bridge connecting us to mainland. Whoooo Boy, was it windy crossing it. Nevertheless, we pressed on the short 5 miles it was from the house to the start of the main event for Saturday’s race. The Croatan BuckFifty sponsored by Ridge Supply Socks. We were sooooo lucky to have the opportunity to come down and have the chance to participate in an event with others. I already forgot to mention how RAD the main venue was, A FRIGGIN RACE TRACK! How cool is that?! Total Nascar Vibes and everything, checkered painted finish line, typical race Americana everywhere, we were all soaking up the moment! 

Once we were done soaking up the race track and boppin’ around the little race village, we pressed on to check out some of the local roads and they certainly didn’t disappoint. 

DAY 2:

Miles: 32.31

Feet Climbed: 386 feet

Total Time: 2 Hour 15 Minutes

Course Recon

Miko arrived late last night and man was he excited to boogie!!! We got him fed, caught up on all the good stuff and headed to bed. When we woke up, we could hear Miko’s reaction to the beach and sunrise! As soon as everyone was up, breakfast was served and it was time to get going!

When we got to the race track, our legs lit up again like they were as fresh as daisy’s! Miko was having a blast checking out the sight and sounds, while Mark and Paul caught up with old friends. 

After we had reacquainted ourselves with track and the people. We pressed on in search of Sector 4, which we were told had the spicy stuff just waiting for us to take a peak! Boy was it something else! If any weather would come to this part of the course over the next 24 hours, it was going to result in a very temperamental back road hootenanny! As we made our way through a few sectors we were able to find a beautiful stretch of open field to goof off in and catch our breaths. 

As we made our way back to the track to have lunch and then inevitably make our way home. One thing arose from this lunch that set the tone (At least for me, I won’t speak for the others) BOBBY ALLISON was in the house! This rider is one smooth cat! (Bobby Allison is the embodiment of every possible rider, big, small, fast, slow, big, skinny, and everything inbetween you name it Bobby’s that person!)  Bobby wants to hangout! Laugh and keep everyone a part of the group.

Bobby’s tired of all the hoopla surrounding this wonderful gift we all get to share. Riding your bike with everyone should be the goal, and if you have a problem with who’s riding next to you, “check yo’self before you wreck yo’self” (old street proverb), am I right? Bobby is at least. Bobby just wants to ride, bring everyone along for the trip and to be reminded to love one another fundamentally for the sake of life. Its precious and so are the people we connect with.

DAY 3:

Miles: 106.0

Feet Climbed: 420ft

Total Hours: 6 hours 45 minutes

CROATAN BUCKFIFTY RACE

You could image the feelings lingering in the early morning as one by one we all descended from our rooms, to the kitchen. We had no idea what the day would have instore for us, but one thing was certain. The vibes were high, our belly’s full and air was just right for the day to commence. 105 miles of beautiful North Carolina roads awaited us, and we couldn’t have been more excited to get the show on the road. Plus we had the spirit of Bobby Allison to guide us to the end!

As we waited for the gun to go off and our neutral lap to start you could feel the excitement and joy of everyone who needed to be there arriving and setting off for a day of fun together! It was one of the coolest mass starts I’ve every had the privilege of attending. It was certainly something special to see, all sorts of different riders out and about for love of riding our bikes and the company we keep along the way. 

When we got to the first aid station we were about half way into our first leg of the day. We were sitting around 35 miles for the day before we would double back to the racetrack to refuel with lunch before setting off to finish the last 40 or so miles. All day the group set a fierce pace line allowing for others to jump on the fun train. It was such a blast having everyone take a pull at the front to make progress throughout the day. If Bobby were real (which he is now at this point haha), he would have shed a tear at how much awesome teamwork was going down. The riders that we would pass along the way would give us words of encouragement and tell us to keep it up. Being able to ride with anyone and everybody at any time, should be the goal and the motivation. Bringing cycling towards a more equitable and just representation of the many wonderful characters cycling embodies is critical at this point. Paper Trail Gravel Travel and the people who join us on those trips are embodying those challenges everyday, seeking to make progress with every trip. As we finished refueling and repacking our pockets full of snacks, (Trust me we had cookies for days!) it was such a wonderful treat to rub elbows with some truly world class athletes. (Cherry on-top for some, I definitely had a fan boy moment with Casey around Ian Boswell, outtakes to come).

As we finished lunch and pressed on to complete the goal we had set out. Teamwork was crucial in order to safely ensure everyones return home. We all spend the next few hours taking turns leading the group, laughing, cracking jokes, saying high to other riders. When your in the saddle for 4+ hours, its important to keep moral high and the vibes light. Bobby would agree, relax its gonna be a good long day.

As we finished up the day, we made sure to celebrate everyone that crossed that finish line. It was such a relief to be done and have had no major issue while out on the road. With tire legs and a full heart, we couldn’t believe that one of our own placed on the podium!!! Debra took 3rd in her category and we were all so elated and pumped for her! The spirit of Bobby Allison carried us home, we were about 6 miles out from the finish line when a rider passes Paul and he goes ” He’s trying to close the barn door on us…. Debra kick it open!” all Paul hears next is me go “Jesus Christ Debra, Holy Moly”. When I tell you that we put the peddle to the metal and went into full boogie mode, there was zero chance anyone would stick or catch us. Rolling into the finish line together was one of the sweetest endings to a ride we have all had in a long time. The chance to actually ride together after the two years we have all experienced was just the right medicine. While we waited for our champion to receive her prizes and recognition, we all just hung out and got to connect with other riders we had seen out on the trail. 

DAY 4:

Miles: 7.50 miles

Feet Climbed: 20 feet

Total Time: 1 hour

Its always a bitter sweet feeling when the last day rolls around. We did so much, yet also left so much for later. Over the course of the weekend, we connected with each other to better understand one another. Without moments and adventures like these, we would never have been able to truly connect with one another into the depths of who we each are as people. We all have our unique perspectives and challenges that we must over come, having the right support, community and personal determination to succeed is the right mix to bring to the table. Trusting in others abilities to do right by you and for the greater good, is an exercise in letting go of the things we cannot control. 

Wherever the road may take you, until we cross paths again, be kind, love each other and stay stoked on life and bikes.

-GO