History

Cycle North Carolina Fall Ride History
(Click on the link below)
Cycle North Carolina Route History From 1997 - 2010

---

The first Cycle North Carolina was organized in 1999. The event is organized by North Carolina Amateur Sports - a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The presenting sponsor of CNC is the North Carolina News Network, a division of Capitol Broadcasting Company. The founding partners of Cycle North Carolina include the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the North Carolina Department of Commerce's Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development.

Cycle North Carolina is designed to promote physical fitness and health, provide economic impact and publicity to rural communities across the state while showcasing the state's beauty, scenic attractions and cultural diversity. Major sponsors for this event are North Carolina News Network, a division of Capital Broadcasting Company; the NC Department of Transportation; and the NC Department of Commerce's Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development.

---

Cycle North Carolina Mountains to the Coast History:

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 were enticed by the Blue Ridge Parkway, exciting entertainment, quaint shops, towns, museums, historic sites and North Carolina's scenic beauty, from Blowing Rock to Surf City.  The ride passed through some small and unique towns such as Cooleemee, Welcome, Randleman, Ramseur, Seagrove, Spivey's Corner, Clinton, Warsaw and many more.  In addition to the many highlights, NASCAR driver, Bobby Labonte joined the ride from Statesville to Thomasville.  The “Mountains to the Coast” tour had overnight stops in Lenoir, Statesville, Thomasville, Sanford, Dunn, and Kenansville, where local hosts pulled out all the stops to assure that riders have a great time.

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 Black Mountain to Oak Island.  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 Ninth Annual Tour took place September 29 – October 6 and attracted 1,050 riders. Cyclists set off on their tour in West Jefferson and ended in Currituck with an optional ferry ride across the Currituck Sound to Knotts Island. Overnight towns are: West Jefferson, Elkin, Greensboro, Mebane, Louisburg, Roanoke Rapids, Edenton and Currituck/Outer Banks.

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, Holly Springs, 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 Forest City, 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, Mount Airy, Eden, Mebane, Henderson, Rocky Mount, Washington and 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 Pamlico River 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 Oak Island. Overnight towns included Lenoir, Troutman, Albemarle, Rockingham, Lumberton, Whiteville and ended on the coast in Oak Island.  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 Old North State.

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 Edenton where 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 in Wilkesboro, 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. 

---

 

CYCLE NORTH CAROLINA SPRING RIDE HISTORY

Inaugural CNC Spring Ride 2004
April 16-18 – Edenton - 550 riders

CNC Spring Ride 2005
April 22-24 - Washington - 515 riders

CNC Spring Ride 2006
April 21-23 - Asheboro - 396 riders

CNC Spring Ride 2007
April 13-15 - Edenton - 630 riders

CNC Spring Ride 2008
April 11-13 - Oriental - 725 riders

CNC Spring Ride 2009
April 17-19 - Washington - 1031 riders

CNC Spring Ride 2010
April 9-11 - Edenton - 1175