10 reasons to join the Cross-Triangle Greenway Ride

Triangle cyclists and fitness enthusiasts can celebrate the East Coast Greenway's most complete metropolitan stretch with our Cross-Triangle Greenway Ride on Saturday, June 8. Participants will enjoy a scenic, recreational ride from Durham through Cary to Raleigh - all on traffic-free greenways. 40-mile and 25-mile options are available for cyclists of all ability levels.

Check out 10 of the top reasons not to miss this ride and register online today:

1. Celebrate the East Coast Greenway's most complete metro stretch: The Triangle is incredibly fortunate to have a 70-mile stretch of nearly continuous greenways from Durham to Clayton, which marks the longest protected stretch of the entire 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway route in a metropolitan area; it's a model that other more urban areas along our route strive for and equals $90 million in annual benefits to the Triangle.

2. Foodie-friendly finish at Transfer Co. Food Hall: A myriad of food options awaits riders at the finish of the Cross-Triangle Greenway Ride at Raleigh’s new Transfer Co. Food Hall! Vendors include Captain Cookie & The Milkman, Dank Burrito, Locals Oyster Bar, of course, Burial Beer Co., and more.

3. One ride, five different trail segments: The Cross-Triangle Greenway route includes stretches of five unique, scenic trail segments: American Tobacco Trail, White Oak Creek Greenway, Black Creek Greenway, Umstead State Park, and Rocky Branch Trail. You can enjoy them all on a single ride!

4. Community-supported pit stops: Pit stops hosted by our partners at the City of Durham, the Town of Cary, and WakeUP WakeCounty will keep cyclists fueled throughout the day. Stops include the New Hope Church Road Trailhead for the American Tobacco Trail, Bond Park and the North Carolina Museum of Art.

5. Ride the first event on the White Oak Creek Greenway extension: This year’s ride marks the first time that the route will include the newly opened White Oak Creek Greenway extension in Cary. The opening of this trail earlier this year closed a key 2-mile gap in the greenway system between downtown Durham and downtown Raleigh. This ride will be the first major event held on this stretch of greenway.

6. Visit three cities in a single day: Riders on the 40-mile route will trek from the Bull City, through Cary, to the City of Oaks. Durham (fourth), Cary (seventh) and Raleigh (second) all rank among North Carolina’s top seven most populated cities. However, Cary is technically incorporated as a town and ranks as the second most-populous town in the United States.

7. Two ride lengths for all abilities: The Cross-Triangle Ride features 40-mile and 25-mile options are available for cyclists of all ability levels. The 40-mile option starts at 9 a.m. at SouthPoint Crossing Trailhead and the 25-mile option starts at 11 a.m. at Bond Park. Shuttles are available at the start and finish.

8. Look out for nature in Umstead State Park: Riders will enjoy 5.5 off-road miles through Umstead State Park, a large, urban forest and the No. 3 most-visited of North Carolina’s state parks in 2017. Be on the lookout for beavers, raccoons, deer, and a multitude of bird species, including belted kingfishers and great blue herons.

9. Get your learn on, from the seat of your bike: Once in Raleigh, riders will go by the North Carolina Museum of Art and two institutions of higher learning – Meredith College and NC State University. You’ll be smarter just by osmosis.

10. Ride through nine parks in Cary alone: The Cross-Triangle Greenway Ride passes through a number of parks, including nine in the Town of Cary alone! The Town of Cary is celebrating 40 years of Cary Greenways in 2019, and you can join the party with this ride.