More or less what I figured.
You could make your own Mountains to See Trail using ST through Pisgah etc but I think you'd eventually run out of dirt roads as you hit the Piedmont.
We need a NC version of the Palmetto Trail...

No experience but seems there is a bit of road riding involved once you hit the flats in case that isn't your thing.
This page shows each section and some make note that bikers are allowed, so I'd assume the ones that do not state it do not allow biking (like the first section, on the AT).
http://www.ncmst.org/mstsections.html

I'd suggest sending them a note to ask?
kdixon@ncmst.org

That's super cool! and only 160$. Only problem is it's on back order and you have to go on a wait list to get one.

Apparently not on back order anymore but nowhere does it say that on the website.  I ordered one today at store.npowerpeg.com after emailing them about backlog of orders.  Should be here early next week, hope to try it out and will report back if anyone is interested.

[An Important Announcement]

An Important Announcement

For every Cordillera Volume 2 sold from now until the day that Justin Simoni reaches Antelope Wells (or quits) the donor will make an equal donation to Linnaea Blumenthal's college fund. He's matching the full $15 purchase price for each book sold!

This is incredible! Now, thanks to this generous match over $21 from each and every Cordillera Volume 2 sold will go directly into Linnaea Blumenthal's college 529 savings plan.

There is no maximum donation. The donor is prepared to lay out some serious cash to help Linnaea but he's challenging all of us pull a little harder too. So please everyone, even if you have purchased a copy of the Cordillera please buy another copy or two. They make great gifts and have been getting terrific reviews so I know your friends and family will want their own copy.

If you don't know about the Cordillera Volume 2 check out this thread: http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,2096.0.html

Purchase your copy here: https://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-cordillera/15659154

Thanks everyone and please help spread the word via Facebook, blogs, club emails, etc. 

Eric -editor

I'm really exceptionally touched that I can inspire! Remember, it's all you gals/guys that make the community what it is. I just push the pedals. This is amazing news. Thanks for continuing to inspire me to keep pushing those pedals.

Great job Justin! Looks like you made into NM, hope you're on a reroute and not off course...
In honor of crossing into a new state (and Dave Blumenthal) I picked up a copy of the Cordillera and donated to your cause as well!
Very inspiring ride, way to set the bar for future racers!

Eric - Any update on what has been raised so far?  Would be interesting to see how much what has been raised now would be in future dollars 10+ years from now when it's used.

  What a great guy!  Good luck on the remainder of the trip Justin.

Man his pictures are great, always having a blast!  He has a ton on his blog, hard to not have fun with a smile that big on your face all the time.

Also I would point out to all former, current and future TDR racers that Pre-Planned Teaming (and perhaps even extended hip to hip riding, with the tandem bike exception) means at least one of the ‘team’ racers holds back to help another.  In short it violates the entire spirit of self supported racing.

Final final--Kurt and Jefe just gave a brilliant example of what the TDR is meant to be.  I dare anyone to show how some form of pre-planned team riding would improve the product.

Agree with your whole comment esp the first chunk above.

I also think your last question is actually quite interesting and while everyone has their idea of what is "proper" I could see a number of ways to "improve" the product.  While I enjoyed the race between KR and JB, could you imagine a race between duos allowed to draft (and push?) each other with lighter setups?  KR/ML vs JB/AH? Geared vs SS, coed vs MM or FF, or... The iterations are endless and would be a blast to see and perhaps more (or less) fun to race given the team aspect taking away some of the mental anguish.  Perhaps not as part of the TD to maintain the original intentions, but the same event started a few weeks earlier or later would be easy enough to compare to the traditional TD.  In my eyes the TD could go a very many different ways - no grand departs, stay with the roots and try to keep it small, go the way of the standard 100+ milers with all of the myriad classifications, etc.  Not sure what I'd want to see and what would be best for the route and racers as I've not raced or toured it, but it's fun to think about.

When it gets too popular what's next?  Include Canada, Mexico, all of South America?

Anyone aware of GPS tracks for the Palmetto? Would hate to reinvent the wheel, seems like the Conservation must have tracks of some sort in order to get their elevation profiles for each section's map? Thank in advance.

KR - 29 to go
JB - 60 to go (stopped for an hour a couple hours back)
PA - 70 to go (stopped for 1-2hrs but moving again)

Looks like I should have emailed in my finishing time guess, will only be a few minutes off if leaderboard projections hold.

Wow this is close!  I'd estimate that Kurt is about 15 miles ahead of Paul at the moment.  Really quite amazing how close for going in opposite directions.  Impressive to say the least.

Agree, I've got KR at 82.5 to go as of 2 mins ago, PA at 108 to go 13 mins ago.  Will either one stop for a break?  KR ease up knowing Jefe is 10 miles back?  PA could take 2nd, certainly 3rd if Jefe doesn't slow down.

Jefe & Kurt: route mile 2561.8
2745 minus 2561.8 =  183.2 miles to go...
No?

Reroutes had an effect, likely not 2745. I'd trust AmyL's #s.

I'll not be getting any yard work done today.

So true ... a day on the lake vs sitting in front of the computer has never been harder to make.
Refresh, refresh, refresh... my F5 button is getting a workout.

Still a lot that can happen with 240-280mi to go. 
Knock on wood they stay mechanical and injury free so no judgement calls are needed a la Contador/Schleck.
Great ride by Aidan further closing the gap, will he make up the deficit by AW? Looks like it will grow as he starts to climb and #4/5 descend.
I'd put money on either KR or JB in roughly 15:23:30.
I'm pulling for JB but he has his cards stacked against him with KR in the dirver's seat now.

Interesting to watch the last push between KR and Jefe.  I can't imagine doing this in the heat and wind, but...

Jefe thinking if he got a goods night rest last night he could push the whole remained with no sleep starting this morning?
KR thinking of getting to Pie Town, resting, maybe until Jefe arrives, then pushing the (slightly shorter) remainder?

Can't wait to see how it goes.

And how about Aidan trying to close the gap to #4/5 after all he's been through?

wow, this is impressive --perhaps someday a East Coast TDR style race in the making me thinks--Matt you seeing this?

I had recently wondered about this and figured I couldn't be the first.
Could even serve as a "qualifier" for TD if current trends/worries continue.
Biggest issue is finding enough dirt without large detours in some area. 
For example the ECD runs smack dab through downtown Atlanta.