Springfest; A Free Cycling Event

Roundup

It was great to see 28+ riders come out for this event! People took off in groups at different times, with the bulk being 9:30ish. Because it was free and not regulated by the sherriff's department, having small groups start out together was a good thing. In fact I was told events in Indiana can reach numbers up to 10,000 and this is type of schedule is the norm. So if this event grows in the future we will have a police escort out of town.

We raised a considerable amount of money, all of which I donated. $320 went to the MS Society, Eastern NC Chapter and $323 went to Marty. Did you think we put that much together as a group? One donation to the MS Society was plump, and I would name the individual except for privacy reasons will remain nameless. Congratulations on putting so much in the pot everyone!

4 people finished the 100 mile jaunt. Not the mileage I could do at this point. You could make it an all day affair, stop for breakfast in Saxaphahaw at the Shell station where a Chef formerly of Fowler's Market cooks up some great fare. Do the 35 mile loop of the 100 mile ride and then have lunch there. A group of three I talked to said there was a line for food. It does get busy there Saturday evenings from 5-8pm when they have music and food in Saxaphahaw. Some more feedback; a group of three doing the 100 miler, agreed not so much elevation change until mile 77, this being said before Faucette Mill Rd. and Dimmocks Mill Rd., two hills flanking Hillsborough around mile 78 and 85 on their route. They said it can be worse if you cross more rivers and more creeks. The Haw River does cut through Saxaphahaw, but maybe the hills were not so bad because they stopped for food at the Shell station and it was a diversion.

The 50 mile route shared the latter roads of the 100 mile route (mile 65 for the 100 with mile 14 of the 50). A few of the early 100 mile starters were there with the folks who started later. It was one big party in the street. Why? The Tarwheel Bike Ride, a group of 20 arrived at roughly the same time as our 50 milers. This time the line was long at Cup-A-Joe's for an iced coffee. A favorite pastime on the Tarwheel rides. Dimmock's Mill Rd. is just a few miles away. Some people thought the hills were challenging, agreed.

While hosting the rest stop, I met an interesting person, who is a writer and just out with a book. Michael Malone wrote 27 Views of Hillsborough, including other well known authors such as Lee Smith, Jill McCorkle, Caig Nova, Katherin Whalen, Barry Jocobs and others. He likes to talk to people in town and gave me some irises from his wifes garden. I also got introduced to a former electrician whose wife does wonderful wood cuttings and sells them at a local gallery manned by the artists. This gallery has some beautiful paintings and jewelery as well. This is indeed a good location to hang out at and I got to talk to several of the riders. It made for a good day.

Cup-A-Joe's was a good place to have a rest stop. Hopefully in future years the ride will grow and this will be the place to be for coffee in the middle of a ride. Next door there is a French Baker and he makes good pastries and you can also eat breakfast or lunch there.