Cycle NC Fall Ride History
Cycle North Carolina Mountains to the Coast History:
Cycle North Carolina’s Fourteenth Annual Tour took place from September 29 - October 6, 2012 and attracted 1,132 riders. The 14th annual tour began in the North Carolina Mountains at Brevard College. A little rain showed up on Day 2 and 3 of the ride, but the rest of the week was beautiful, with fantastic weather. Participants navigated through the heart of North Carolina's biggest city, Charlotte, and were wowed with the bike friendly route utilizing bike lanes and the Little Sugar Creek Greenway as they cycled through the heart of Uptown. The rest stops were upgraded this year, adding food with a local flair (Bojangle's biscuits, Ingle's pastries, Krispy Kreme donuts, local ice cream and Lu Mil Vineyards preserves and wine) as the route navigated through the overnight towns of Lake Lure, Shelby, Matthews, Rockingham, Lumberton and White Lake. For the first time in Cycle North Carolina history, participants were able to camp on the beach at the ending location at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk.
Cycle North Carolina’s Thirteenth Annual Tour took place from October 1– October 8, 2011 and attracted 956 riders. The participants of the 13th annual tour and celebration began in the heart of North Carolina Wine country in Elkin, NC. Although the days were long in mileage, the weather was absolutely the best we’ve seen on any CNC tour. With cool evenings and mornings and mild temps during the day… every day, it made the week of ridding quite enjoyable. Cyclists were treated to a week of NC wineries, memorable rest stops (Town of Reidsville, Cherry Hill Plantation, Smith’s Country Store, Blount-Bridgers House, and the Bodie Island Lighthouse just to name a few), unique and new overnight towns, and even a trip up the NC coast for the final day of riding. The “Mountains to the Coast” tour had overnight stops in Mayodan, Mebane, Henderson, Rocky Mount, Plymouth and Manteo, where local hosts pulled out all the stops to assure that riders have a great time. The ride ended in Corolla at the Whalehead Club and the Corolla Lighthouse. It was a great last day with 50 plus miles up the Outer Banks Coast and plenty of sites to see.
Cycle North Carolina’s Twelfth Annual Tour took place September 25 – October 2, 2010 and attracted 1,170 riders. The participants of the 12th annual tour and celebration began at North Carolina’s largest tourist attraction, the Biltmore Estate. Participants were wowed by the beauty and history behind this magnificent historic site. Being able to begin Cycle North Carolina at a site like the Biltmore Estate is such an honor and a special treat. Once leaving the estate, rider’s experience exciting entertainment, quaint shops, towns, museums, historic sites and North Carolina's scenic beauty all the way to Ocean Isle Beach. Let’s be honest, this year’s tour was probably the “wettest” tour in years, but as any dedicated CNC cyclsit, they continued to pedal through the rain from town to town. Those that completed the entire week earned the right to say they cycled 7 days across the state in the rain. As most put it, “it’s all about the experience. A little rain isn’t going to hurt anybody.” Cyclists visited many small and unique towns such as Black Mountain, Valdese, China Grove, Mt. Gilead, Lumberton, Pembroke and many more. The “Mountains to the Coast” tour had overnight stops in Marion, Hickory, Mooresville, Albemarle, Laurinburg, and Whiteville, where local hosts pulled out all the stops to assure that riders have a great time.
Cycle North Carolina’s Eleventh Annual Tour took place September 26 – October 3, 2009 and attracted 1,154 riders. The participants of the 11th annual tour and celebration had the opportunity to experience the blue ridge mountains from one of North Carolina's largest attraction, the Blue Ridge Parkway. The view from the Lin Cove Viaduct was definitely worth the steady climb up the mountain from the starting point, which was Blowing Rock. The “Mountains to the Coast” tour had overnight stops in Lenoir, Statesville, Thomasville, Sanford, Dunn, Kenansville and Surf City, where local hosts pulled welcomed riders as they finished their week long trek on the coast.
Cycle North Carolina’s Tenth Annual Tour took place September 27 – October 4, 2008 and attracted 1,051 riders. The participants of the 10th annual tour and celebration were enticed by exciting entertainment, crafts, quaint shops, museums, historic sites and North Carolina's scenic beauty, from BlackMountain toOakIsland. The “Mountains to the Coast” tour has overnight stops in Morganton, Lincolnton, Concord-Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Wingate, Laurel Hill, White Lake and Oak Island, where local hosts pulled out all the stops to assure that riders have a great time.
Cycle North Carolina’s Eighth Annual Tour took place September 30 – October 7, 2006 and attracted 996 riders. The route began in Banner Elk and ended in Emerald Isle with overnight stops in Wilkesboro, Clemmons, Burlington, HollySprings, Smithfield, and Kinston. The ride featured the Blue Ridge Mountains, several scenic rivers, lakes, State Parks. Historic sites, the warmth and charm of local communities.
Cycle North Carolina's Seventh Annual Tour took place October 1 – October 8, 2005. North Carolina's most popular bike tour had 1,095 bicyclists from 42 states, Canada, Italy, Spain and Belgium. This group cycled from Asheville to Wilmington and visited towns in ForestCity, Hickory, Concord, Albemarle, Laurinburg, and Whiteville.
Cycle North Carolina’s Sixth Annual Tour took place the week of October 2 – October 9, 2004 and attracted 912 riders. Each year the coordinators of CNC prepare an all new Mountains to the Coast tour. Towns for this tour were Sparta, MountAiry, Eden, Mebane, Henderson, Rocky Mount, Washingtonand Oriental. The ride featured the Blue Ridge Mountains, several scenic rivers, lakes, state parks, historic sites and the warmth and charm of local communities, topped off with a ferry ride across the PamlicoRiver on day seven.
Cycle North Carolina’s Fifth Annual Tour took place the week of October 4 – October 11, 2003 and attracted a record number of riders at 1,200. The tour began in the Heart of the High Country—Boone—then sliced across the state on a diagonal to finish at the sandy beaches of OakIsland. Overnight towns includedLenoir, Troutman, Albemarle, Rockingham, Lumberton, Whiteville and ended on the coast inOakIsland. It was not a race, but rather a leisurely trek on scenic back country roads with minimal traffic. It was also an opportunity to join more than 1,100 other bicyclists on an educational, social and recreational tour of the OldNorthState.
Named the one of the "Best Bicycling in America" by the League of American Bicyclists, Cycle North Carolina’s (CNC) Fourth Annual Bicycle Tour was filled with opportunities to enjoy "The Old North State." 1,000 cyclists started in Historic Statesville on October 5, 2002 and reached their weeklong destination at New Bern's downtown waterfront on October 12, 2002. Overnight towns included Lexington,Asheboro w/ a layover day, Sanford, Dunn, and Kinston. The sometimes heavy rain dampened roads and rain gear but not the spirit of this year's riders. In spite of the weather this tour was said by many to be one of the most scenic so far. Cycle North Carolina, has been name by the League of American Bicyclists, as one of the "Best Bicycling in America"
The Third Annual Cross-State Ride, October 6 – October 13, 2001 treated participating cyclists to the southern hospitality of eight cities along the tour route from Mount Airy to Elizabeth City. Scheduled stops along the way were in Winston-Salem, Reidsville, Roxboro, Henderson, Roanoke Rapids and Edentonwhere locals came out to barbecue, entertain and to just show a good time for the evenings. 1,000 cyclists from near and as far away as the Virgin Islands and Canada ranged in age from 6 to 78.
Cycle North Carolina’s (CNC) Second Annual Bicycle Tour took place the week of October 7 – October 14, 2000 treated participating cyclists to the southern hospitality of eight cities along the tour route from Boone to the USS North Carolina Battleship in Wilmington. Scheduled stops along the way were inWilkesboro, Salisbury, Albemarle, Southern Pines, Lumberton and Whiteville. 875 cyclists gathered together for their chance to relive their amazing experience from the Inaugural Ride the year before.
Cycle North Carolina’s (CNC) Inaugural Bicycle Tour took place the week of October 2 – October 16, 1999 and treated participants to North Carolinas first, fully-supported cross-state bike tour. The ride began in Murphy and stretched for two whole weeks to Manteo with scheduled overnight stops in Franklin, Brevard, Swannanoa, Forest City, Lincolnton, Concord, Asheboro, Hillsborough, Raleigh, Wilson, Washington, and Swan Quarter. The ride showcased the varied and rich topography, culture and history of the great state of North Carolina – from the tallest and largest Mountains in the Eastern United States to the sprawling, unspoiled beaches of the Outer Banks. Riders had the choice of riding all 14 days, 7 days and even just 1 day. Either way, they were a part of NC history. Only 524 riders participated in the ride that year, but that was only the beginning of what would become one of the best bike tours in the America.
