Brinkleys, Beach Breezes & Bike Drama: Our Myrtle Beach Kickoff
- May 4
- 3 min read
March 2026: We rolled into Ocean Lakes Family Campground on Friday and immediately realized…this wasn’t just a campground – it was basically its own zip code. With nearly 1,000 campsites and around 2,700 beach houses packed into 310 oceanfront acres, this place is less “roughing it” and more “full-blown vacation village.” Think mini city vibes with everything from a water park (slides, lazy river, splash zones) to an arcade, general store, multiple snack shacks, and enough golf carts to start a parade at any given moment.
After getting settled just a short stroll (about 200 yards) from the beach, we did what any self-respecting Brinkley owners would do…we went hunting for our people. A casual 7-mile bike ride later, we counted 14 Brinkleys – including ours. Not bad for a first sweep.
Also…plot twist: did we accidentally teleport back to Fort Collins? Because the Canadian geese were OUT in full force. Loud. Proud. Honking in synchronized pairs like they were auditioning for a springtime Broadway show. Romance was clearly in the air…whether we liked it or not.
Now let’s talk about campground traffic. We were parked along a main drag to the beach, which was great for people-watching but not so great for following the posted 10 mph speed limit – a suggestion, apparently, for some. Meanwhile, we’re out here obeying the rules on our e-bikes like model citizens…only to get scolded at the gate by a security guard who seemed like he was one missed audition away from a WWE career. Sir…we were coasting. COASTING.
Pedal Power, Exploring & Sandy Toes
We kicked things up a notch with an 18-mile bike ride around the Myrtle Beach area. There are actually some really nice paths winding through parks, ponds, and surprisingly charming neighborhoods. We cruised through The Market Common, which felt like a perfectly curated mix of shops, restaurants, and “hey, we could totally live here” energy.
At some point, we decided it would be borderline criminal to be this close to the ocean and not spend some time on the beach – so we swapped bike seats for sandy toes and headed out to soak up the sun.
The views? Gorgeous. The vibes? Immaculate. The water? Let’s just say it was…refreshing. As in, “ankles only, thank you very much.” We gave it a solid effort, but anything past that felt like a personal attack. So, we stuck to strolling the shoreline, enjoying the sound of the waves, and watching braver souls pretend they weren’t freezing.
The Return of the Flat Tire
And just like that…flat tire déjà vu. Darren’s bike decided to keep things interesting with a slow leak. Again. He managed to ride, but it became a “pump-and-pray” situation every few miles.
Enter the Bike Heroes
Darren reached out to Lectric eBikes, who – bless them – agreed to cover the repair (because yes, this bike has history). They sent us to Mr. C’s Bike Shop, and honestly…10/10 experience.
Family-owned, super friendly, and run (unofficially) by a 9-month-old black lab mix named Miss Liberty, who took her job very seriously…by napping and being adorable.
Projects + Victory Lap
We shifted into project mode, prepping the back porch for a glow-up. Inspired by a fellow Brinkley owner, we ditched our sad, worn-out outdoor rug and prepped for foam boat decking instead.
Meanwhile…BIKE IS FIXED! Turns out the culprit was a tiny sliver of metal that previous repairs missed. New tube, problem solved (fingers crossed this saga is finally over).
Midweek = Brewery Biking Day
At some point midweek (because days blur in the best way out here), we declared it brewery biking day. Because hydration comes in many forms.
Porch Glow-Up
Installation day! The foam decking went down, and WOW – game changer. Clean, comfy, and no more rug shedding its will to live. I also gave the kitchen fridge a facelift with a sleek cover to hide all those lovely fingerprints (seriously…where do they all come from?!).
Pampering & Practicalities
I treated myself to a salon day because it was time. No more “Barney crime scene” in the shower – if you know, you know.
While I was off being pampered, Darren was deep in DIY mode, replacing the kitchen sink drain and going on a full-on mission to price-check mini fridges after our porch beer fridge decided lukewarm was its new personality.
And that wraps up the first half of our Myrtle Beach adventure! From goose gossip and bike drama to porch upgrades and beachside cruising, it’s been equal parts chaos and charm.
Stay tuned for next week’s finale…because you know we’re not done yet.
Cheers!
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