As stated in other posts I have done the CNC for the past two years.

Trout is correct that '04 was dry. '03 was an off/on affair with rain about every other day. The worst day was Rockingham when a downpour beset us just as we pulled into town. Even though the CNC crew made a valiant effort to protect the unloaded bags from the rain, many of the more leisurly riders arrived to find their bags soaking in puddles. Setting up (and packing up, as we did in Lumberton) in the rain absolutely sucks! Fortunately, in Rockingham, the campsite was across the street from a little Mexican place and after enough Mexican beer, food and tequila, no one cared!)

The best thing to do is as Trout stated and use weather resistant travel duffels. Yes duffelS as in two, (I use NorthFace) one for your "wet" gear- tent, ground cloth, dirty clothes, etc. and the other for your clean and dry stuff. On the inside of the "dry" duffel, pack your gear into the large (2.5 gallon) ZipLoc bags (you'll find them in your grocery store).

As for drying your gear, bring a length of cord/rope and some clothes pins so that if you get in early enough you can string a clothes line and hang things to dry while the sun still shines. DO NOT let your stuff hang overnight! The combination of the warm days and cooler nights creates a wealth of morning dew, and anything left out will be wetter than when you hung it out. Hence the "wet" duffel, because your tent and such will be very wet as you pack-up in the morning.

As for your shoes, unless you're wearing "Chuck Taylor" Hi-Tops, they should dry just fine overnight if placed in your tent and/or vestibule.

All in all, it's a GREAT time. Rain be damned! It could be worse- you could be working!

Peace,
TNT

Tim,

Yes, you ride no matter the weather, so be prepared for rain. I have done all CNCs, and it often rains quite hard for a significant part of the days we ride. Be prepared. Rain on 2 or 3 of the days is not unusual. Oct is the dry time of the year in the south, but there are exceptions.

Also be prepared for COLD. We left with frozen water bottles on our bikes in Boone, & one year it was the coldest ever Oct day for 4 consecutive destination towns. Hypothermia is very real and very serious, especially if you are getting wet, too. Bring leg and arm warmers and tights, too.

My advice: Layer up, stay warm, don't sweat being wet unless it's cold, too. Bring reflectors and lights so you can be seen on dark rainy days. Bring suntan lotion, too. Be prepared!

Jack

Horror stories grow with age. I have done all six CNCs and we did wake up to 28 degrees with condensation frozen on the rainfly of our tents on the second day out several years ago. Also, one guy with a thermometer on his bike computer announced it was reading 31 as we rode out of Boone several years ago.  Those are the worst. Both days warmed up to the 40s or better as the day progressed.

We have been plagued by rain except for last year when we only had about two hours worth during the whole week. By history, two to three days of rain and mist seems more usual. I'm checking my theory this year but my suspicion is that winter starts the 2ND WEEK in October. When the ride really is in the first eight days of October we should get nice weather. In previous years when CNC started on the 6th or 7th, the week prior--I live in Asheville--was beautiful then went to crap once we got on the ride. (-:

Use zip lock bags for everything you hope to keep dry. I also use the super strong trash bags over everything in the top of my rolling duffle just to further discourage the wet if it has to sit in the rain before I pick it up in camp in the afternoon. With limited rain, the cloths line can work but the only hope a couple of years was taking advantage of the usual laundramat stop on the shuttle routes from camp.

You've been getting a good picture of the past CNC's. as well as some good advice. You can however, put the trash bag around everything and then place it inside your duffle. That way, the  plastic bag will be less likely to rip, tear, etc. I use the big ole 'zip lock' storage bags and  place each days riding gear - shorts, socks, jersey - in seperate bags. I dunno. It works for me. Then I have an empty bag for the sweaty - wet, 'smelly' clothes at the end of the day.

I've been on all the CNC rides -  except the first one. I proclaim that "It Will Not Rain" this year.

PEace Joeboy