Biking: On Two Wheels

ON TWO WHEELS

Hilton Head Island is a wonderland for bicyclists — even for those who haven’t been on a bike in years.

By Linda Lanier

The island received the Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community designation by the League of American Bicyclists, and with over 60 miles of dedicated leisure pathways and hard-packed sand beaches, spending time on two wheels is a breeze.

Here are just a couple of the scenic routes you can take.

BEACH RIDES AT LOW TIDE

For salty breezes Start at Coligny Beach Park, get on the beach, turn left and ride on the beach towards the north end of the island. A good spot to turn around is just before the “folly” at Burkes Beach (Beach Marker 9.8), about five miles up the beach. Enjoy the wind on your face and the sounds of the breaking waves — memories that will stay with you long after you’ve returned home.

SHELTER COVE COMMUNITY PARK TO HISTORIC MITCHELVILLE FREEDOM PARK

For a glimpse of island history A pleasant afternoon ride begins at Shelter Cove Community Park. Enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants overlooking Broad Creek, then head north on the pathway for about two miles. Stop at the historic Zion Chapel of Ease and the Baynard Mausoleum, at the intersection of Mathews Drive (Mile Marker 6.0) and William Hilton Parkway. The eternal resting place of four Revolutionary War patriots, Baynard Mausoleum is the oldest structure on the island. Cross the William Hilton Parkway crosswalk at the traffic signal and then continue north on the William Hilton Parkway pathway. At Dillon Road, turn right, ride a couple of miles, then turn right on the Beach City Road pathway to the Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park on Port Royal Sound. Situated among the mossy live oaks and palmettos, learn the history of the first self-governing town of formerly enslaved people in America, dating back to the Civil War.

Bike Repair Stations are located at: Chaplin Community Park, Coligny Beach Park, Folly Field Beach Park

BIKING TIPS ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND Safety first, pictures later!

• Obey all traffic signals and pathway markings, including stop signs. • Yield to pedestrians on pathways. • When biking at night, wear light-colored clothing or carry a flashlight. Bicycles must have a red rear reflector and a headlight. • Ride single file and keep a safe distance from other bicyclists. • When biking on the beach, check the tides and be sure to bike during low tide.

Avoid a “folly” — a point on the beach that may not be passable at high tide on foot or by bike. • For more information on places to explore by bike, visit culturehhi.org/cultural-trail-map.

LOWCOUNTRY CELEBRATION PARK

94 Pope Ave. With a ship-themed playground, this is sure to be a kid-favorite. Explore walking trails, exercise stations and The Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum — just a block from Coligny Beach access.

Challenge yourself: How long can you leave your car parked for your vacation? Map out a bike route wherever possible — it’s good for our environment, and your health. Win-win!

Savannah’s Finest Tours

Make the most of your Savannah exploration with a bespoke tour. Noble Jones Tours specializes in private and customized excursions that cater to your niche interests. Immersive, intimate walking tours are led by professional guides who are passionate about the city’s vibrant history and eager to share insights you won’t hear anywhere else. It’s a uniquely memorable way to experience Savannah’s heritage and charm. noblejonestours.com • 912.660.6468

PALMETTO DUNES OCEANFRONT RESORT

Hilton Head Outfitters & Bike Rentals

The island’s largest bike rental fleet, Hilton Head Outfitters is conveniently located in Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort. Choose from beach cruisers, tandem bikes, pedal assist e-bikes, youth bikes, kid carts, three-wheeler bikes and bike equipment. Additional items for rent include kayaks, fishing equipment, surfboards, ocean paddleboards, chairs and umbrellas. Catch and release fishing only in lagoon. Delivery is available for stays three nights and longer. hiltonheadoutfitters.com 877.567.6506 F palmettodunes d palmettodunessc

Less Pack, More Play

LowSea Bike, Beach & Baby Rental wants its customers to make the most of island time. Vacationers choose from a host of high-quality bike, beach and baby gear — from cribs and high chairs to towels and tandems — all clean, quality-tested and with free delivery and pick-up to most locations.

hiltonheadbikerental.com • 843.384.9322

CATCH OF THE DAY

A Hilton Head Islander takes to the seas for a shrimping adventure.

By Linda Lanier

Captain Spike Ivory pours out the catch on the Tammy Jane.

As a Lowcountry local, I’ve enjoyed fresh shrimp from our waters in a myriad of ways — fried, boiled, steamed, with grits, with gravy; for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

But I had never set foot on a shrimp boat until a sunny Saturday morning when I was welcomed aboard the Tammy Jane at the Harbour Town Marina in The Sea Pines Resort. A small, commercial shrimping vessel, the 45-foot boat was given a second life by Vagabond Cruises and charged with taking visitors out on shrimping expeditions into the waters of Calibogue Sound.

My friend Kathy, an Indiana native, had also never been on a shrimp boat. She was as happy as I was to be out on the water on this beautiful day, and our captain, Spike Ivory, and crew, Ian Deery and Chase Wildfeuer, told us what to expect.

Captain Spike introduced us to the basics of shrimping and explained how important the industry has been to the Hilton Head Island area for over a century. Ian and Chase took us through the process of lowering the tickler chain, which encourages the shrimp on the bottom to enter the net, and the turtle excluder device (TED) which keeps the turtles from being caught up in the nets.

Nets lowered, we trawled slowly through the sound enjoying the sun, the blue sky and the breeze as a few dolphins were sighted swimming alongside the boat. Our companions on this adventure, folks from Ohio and New Jersey with some little ones, laughed excitedly as Ian and Chase raised the nets and hauled our catch onto the deck.

Shrimpers call a successful catch a “money bag” and a catch that pulls in more sea creatures than shrimp a “dirty bag.” Our catch was somewhere in the middle, and after a quick close-up look of other Calibogue creatures, like a few lovely starfish, we swiftly returned them to their home in the water.

As we returned to the dock under the famous Harbour Town red-and-white-striped lighthouse, Kathy and I, a little windswept and happy that we had a great crew to do the heavy lifting, agreed we would bring our friends and families along next time on this quintessential Hilton Head Island adventure.

While close to the bustling energy of Hilton Head Island, St. Phillips Island seems worlds away. This 5,000-acre gem features an immense diversity of pristine wonders, from maritime forests and dunes to tidal creeks brimming with sea life. For a truly special experience, reserve the Turner House for overnight stays. southcarolinaparks.com F sc.state.parks d scstateparks

Ultimate Family Adventure

One of the area’s leading outfitters for more than 40 years, Outside Hilton Head connects visitors and locals to exceptional places, products and experiences. High quality tours, clinics and programs are offered daily from several convenient locations.

“Your Day, Your Way” is the motto for their signature program, The Ultimate Lowcountry Day. This customized excursion offers endless options for your family, including backwater boating, dolphin watching, kayaking, paddleboarding, tubing, fishing, dock jumping, beachcombing or exploring Page Island, Outside’s private island. There’s no better way to experience the Lowcountry’s nature, history and culture. outsidehiltonhead.com • 843.686.6996 F d outsidehiltonhead