Description

The 2007 NCBC "Sprint into Spring" Rally consists of three routes from Lake Wheeler Park (South Raleigh/West Garner), just a bit east and south of our old Lake Wheeler rides. Three additional route variations are proposed below. All routes are marked with white arrows with a small circle at the base. Your mileage may vary, but we clock each at about three miles in excess of the target distance (bonus miles, no extra charge!)—actually approximately 43, 65 and 104 miles. Cues and maps are available on the web-site. The rides go south through Johnston and Harnett counties and cross the Swift, Middle and Black Creek basins (hence the hills). The centuries (English and Metric) visit the town of Angier, with the English (100mi) century visiting Coats, Erwin and Dunn and skirting the west side of Four Oaks. The terrain isn't all hilly, but it's not flat either, with the biggest climb near the start of the longer routes. Terrain is hillier close to the start/finish, but even the shortest route travels out far enough to hit the relatively flat sandy lands.

We feel there's some surprisingly nice scenery en route and early Spring is a great time to be riding—the pollen is not intense yet, the air is crisp and clear and the temperatures are great for vigorous activities. While test riding the routes there were numerous points along the way where, when stopping for a pause, I was struck by the absolute stillness—the only sound being the occasional 'who-who-who' of the morning doves. There's little shade on much of these routes, so you probably don't want to be out there in the summer, but it's quite pleasant this time of year.

New roads, new friends—play nice and share the road responsibly!

Not riding?

If you're not riding Sunday, but can spare some time, we'd love to have more volunteers too.

Weather

The weather has been spectacular—a little too cool for just standing around makes for perfect temps for riding. The yellow pollen will be getting thick soon, so let's get in some good riding now!

Route Variations

The shortest route is forty-three miles. If you want a slightly shorter route, you could turn left on "Two Claude Rd" from "Mt. Pleasant Rd" to shave five miles off the course (leaving about thirty-eight), but you'll bypass the rest-stop. The 100-mi route breaks away from the 100-km in two loops between the rest stops. The first optional loop visits the Harnett communities of Coats, Erwin and Dunn, the second detours east along Black Creek toward Four Oaks. If you'd like to do more than sixty-five miles, but less than one-oh-four, do the metric century and add either the Coats/Erwin/Dunn or the Four Oaks loop. Following the first loops adds about twenty-three miles (about eighty-nine miles). Adding the second loop adds about sixteen miles (about eighty-two miles).

Admin

Rest Stop #1 -- Brentwood BP at Bethel Ch Rd.

This is mile 26.1 on the two longer routes. The 40 does NOT get here. Leaving here, everybody continues east on Johnston Co. Line Rd. The 100mi route turns right on Abaitor and the 100km continues straight, turning right on Live Oak.

Auto-driving directions from Lake Wheeler Park to Rest Stop #1

  1. When you leave the park, turn RIGHT (downhill) on Lake Wheeler Rd
  2. After 5.8 mi, turn RIGHT on 401 into Fuquay-Varina
  3. After 2.3 mi, turn LEFT at the light onto 55 toward Angier
  4. In Angier, turn LEFT at the light onto 210 East (Depot St)
  5. After 2.0 mi, turn RIGHT on Pearidge Rd
  6. After 2.8 mi, turn RIGHT on Johnston Co Line Rd
  7. Go 1.9 mi and look for the BP station on the RIGHT

Auto-driving directions from Rest Stop #1 to Rest Stop #2

  1. Head north (toward Angier) on Johnston Co Line Rd, it becomes Plainview Church Rd
  2. After 2.5 mi, turn RIGHT on NC-210
  3. After 3.5 mi, Dave's Gas and Grill will be on your RIGHT (at the light)

Rest Stop #2 -- Dave's Gas and Grill on 210

This is mile 18 on the 40 route, mile 40 on the 100km route and mile 80 on the 100mi route. Leaving here, all routes go north on Old Fairground (other side of 210). For the 40 route, this means doubling back the way they came in.

Auto-driving directions from Lake Wheeler Park to Rest Stop #1

  1. When you leave the park, turn RIGHT (downhill) on Lake Wheeler Rd
  2. After 1.9 mi, turn LEFT at the light on Ten-Ten Rd
  3. Go 6.1 mi and turn RIGHT on NC-50 / Benson Rd
  4. Go 8.8 mi and turn RIGHT on 210
  5. After 1.4 mi, Dave's Gas and Grill will be on your LEFT (at the light)

Last modified:

Valid HTML 4.01 Transitional