Tag Archive for: #cyclenorthcarolina

800+ Cyclists Expected Overnight In Henderson On Oct. 4 For 2026 “Mountains To Coast” Ride

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Vance County Tourism is again assisting Cycle NC with the “Mountains to Coast” bicycle ride. About 800 cyclists are expected to take part in the event, which kicks off on Tuesday, Oct. 6 in Mt. Airy. The group will spend the night at Aycock Rec Center that night has they make their way east, according to information from Vance County Tourism’s Norman Dickerson.

The area was an overnight stop back in October 2023, Dickerson said. That year, they camped at the Henderson Family YMCA, but since the Y is in the middle of a major construction project, Dickerson said Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks is opening the rec center for those cyclists who plan to camp in tents on the grounds. Non-campers will stay in the four local host motels near Maria Parham Hospital.

“Bicyclists will begin arriving in Henderson around 1:30 pm on October 6, possibly earlier, from their previous overnight stop in Hillsborough, NC,” Dickerson said. Shuttle buses will provide transportation into downtown Henderson where the cyclists can have dinner and explore the area before returning to the camp for some rest and relaxation, he added.

This year’s route is a new one for the annual “Mountains to Coast” cycling tour, which is celebrating its 27th anniversary.

This year’s event is scheduled for a Mt. Airy to Hatteras Island trek from Oct. 4 to Oct. 10, with Oct. 3 serving as the check-in day.  With beautiful tourist stops along scenic back roads, the “Mountains to Coast” ride is the highlight of the year for many cyclists from across the nation.

Participants from 38 states are signed up to make the 450-mile ride, and there are international cyclists, too, according to information from Cycle North Carolina, the event host.

 

Organizers said the riders will travel an average of 67 miles each day as they wend their way from Mt. Airy’s Veteran’s Park to the finish line at Hatteras Island.

In addition to the overnight stopover in Henderson, cyclists will travel through Stovall, Oxford and Warrenton in the four-county area.

 

The Cycle North Carolina “Mountains to Coast” Tour is the state’s only fully-supported ride. Luggage is transported in vehicles from one overnight host community to the next; rider support vehicles are available to aid cyclists who experience physical or mechanical trouble; outdoor camping areas with amenities are set-up in overnight host communities; and rest stops will be available every 15-20 miles along the route, with beverages and snacks for all participants. Riders can register for the entire distance, Western & Eastern options, or first-day & last-day only options. Online registration is still open at www.ncsports.org!

 

Hosted by North Carolina Amateur Sports, Cycle North Carolina was developed to promote North Carolina’s scenic beauty, heritage tourism, visitor attractions, historic sites, state parks, fitness, healthy lifestyles and the benefits of bicycling to individuals and our state. During the past 26 years, Cycle North Carolina has stopped overnight in more than 100 North Carolina towns and visited over 800 North Carolina communities.

Bicycle Tour Rolls Into Town Wednesday

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Drivers in Vance and Granville counties will get to share the roads with hundreds of cyclists Wednesday when Cycle North Carolina’s annual “Mountains to Coast bicycle tour rolls into town. The bikers will be arriving in Oxford as early as 10 a.m. and will continue on toward Henderson through the afternoon.

Organizers expected as many as 900 cyclists to start the trek from Banner Elk on Sunday, and wend their way to Emerald Isle by Saturday, Oct. 7.

Participants average about 60 miles each day, which has them passing through downtown Oxford and then on to Henderson, where they’ll spend the night before moving on to the next stop.

The cyclists will have a chance to shop, eat and visit in Oxford and Henderson, and there will be activities taking place to welcome the visitors.

to On Wednesday, October 4th, the annual Cycle North Carolina Mountains to Coast Bicycle Tour will be passing through our downtown area between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. This event will bring up to 900 bicyclists to our streets, and we want to ensure that you are prepared for any potential impacts on your business.

 

 

Cyclists To Pedal Through Granville County Oct. 6 On Their Way From NC Mountains To The Coast

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Cycle North Carolina kicks off a week-long ride from the mountains to the coast on Oct. 3, with hundreds of cyclists taking to the state’s scenic backroads to get from Sparta to Topsail Beach over a six-day period. Granville County is on the itinerary for Day 4, and participants will get a glimpse at several different local spots during their visit.

The group consists of cyclists from 41 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, as well as Costa Rica and Canada. Tour stops include Cedar Creek Gallery in Creedmoor, the Soldiers Memorial Sports Arena, Camp Butner Museum, Butner Town Hall, High Rock Farms outside Oxford and the Stem Fire Department.

From noon until 4 p.m., cyclists can enjoy lunch from area food trucks on the grounds of the Creedmoor Recreation Center. The Granville County Tourism Development Authority will also host a welcome tent where local maps and area information will be available.

The day will conclude at the Butner Gazebo Park for “Alive After Five,” sponsored by the Granville County Chamber of Commerce, where cyclists will meet area residents and enjoy live music by the Band of Oz. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and food trucks will be on site, according to information from county public information officer Lynn Allred.

Volunteers are needed to assist on the day of arrival, Oct. 6, and will be assigned to distribute information at the welcome tent, transfer luggage, and handle other duties. Two-hour shifts are set up beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 7 p.m. For more information about volunteering or to sign up, please contact Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen at angela.allen@granvillecounty.org.

The “Mountains to the Coast” Tour is the state’s only fully-supported ride. Luggage is transported in vehicles from one overnight host community to the next. Rider support vehicles are also available to aid cyclists who experience physical or mechanical issues. Outdoor camping areas are set up for interested participants, with rest stops available every 15 to 20 miles along the route. The group averages about 65 miles a day.

The stop in Granville County includes an overnight stay at a temporary campsite on the grounds of the Creedmoor Recreation Center, with reservations at local hotels for those who prefer additional amenities. Overnight stays for the 2021 tour are also scheduled for Mount Airy, Reidsville, Roxboro, Smithfield and Wallace, with the route passing through many other towns and communities along the way.

Over the past 21 years, Cycle North Carolina participants have made overnight stops in more than 100 North Carolina towns and have visited 700 communities while promoting heritage tourism, visitor attractions and state parks, as well as the benefits of bicycling and a healthy lifestyle.

Drivers should be aware that groups of cyclists will be on Granville County roads on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7. Please drive carefully and pass with caution.

Visit https://ncsports.org/event/cyclenc_mountainstocoast_ride to learn more about the “Mountains to the Coast” cycling tour.