Trip details

Start time: 6 a.m., Hopsewee Plantation on the North Santee River

Finish time: 4:30 p.m., Jacksonboro at the Edisto River

Miles covered: 90. About 10 miles were added to the trip by leaving U.S. Highway 17 to ride on Awendaw's rural roads, through the Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island, around The Battery in Charleston and along Old Jacksonboro Road.

Fastest speed: 26.7 mph coming down the Arthur Ravenel Bridge

Slowest speed: 5 mph riding along the soft shoulders of U.S. Highway 17 South

Average speed: 11.3 mph (excluding breaks)

Equipment: I used a Specialized Crosstrail bike, a medium-priced, 18-speed bike designed for streets (its tires are smooth in the middle) and off-road (the tires also are thick with knobby sides, plus it has a front shock absorber).

For safety I wore a reflective vest and added some reflective tape to my bike. I also had front and rear flashing lights (for being seen in the dark); a bell (which I didn't use on this trip, but which remains the most polite way to alert pedestrians that you're gaining on them); and, most importantly, a rearview mirror so I could see what was gaining on me.

I also brought plenty of water, some snacks, Advil and more than 5 pounds of camera equipment.

Should you do it? South Carolina law allows cyclists on busy highways (except for interstate highways), but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea for you to ride on them.

Anyone attempting to ride along stretches of U.S. Highway 17 first should feel comfortable riding in traffic on slower, calmer roads like those found downtown, on the beaches and in residential neighborhoods.

The right safety equipment is important, as is timing your ride to avoid the heaviest traffic. Ride as far to the right as possible, because motorists don't want to make contact with you any more than you want them to.

Actually, I can't recommend several rural stretches of U.S. Highway 17 unless you're experienced or trying to prove a point.

to LEARN MORE: Preston Tyree, education director with the League of American Bicyclists, will talk about "The Shape of Bicycle Activism" at 7 p.m. Thursday at Southend Brewery, 161 East Bay St., in Charleston.

Tyree's work includes training and communicating with 1,200 instructors, speaking to local cycling groups, testifying in court, writing curricula and playing with young riders on bikes.

The series will continue April 8 with a lecture on "How Bikes Are Changing American Cities," and April 15 with a talk on "The Fear and Romance of Cycling in Charleston."

All three talks are part of the Revolution On2Wheels Lecture Series put on by the Charleston Civic Design Center and the Clemson Architecture Center in Charleston, with support from Charleston Moves and MyBikeLaw.com.

On the Web: To see more photos and a video journal of Robert Behre's trip, go to postandcourier.com/ multimedia.

For more about the East Coast Greenway, go to www.greenway.org.