HIDDEN
GEMS
MUST-RIDE TRIANGLE TRAILS BY ALLI HURLEY
Let’s cover some ground, literally. Summer is abundant in myriad ways: daylight, fresh produce, vacation days. And of course, heat! For those of you who have braved it year after year, you are surely intimately acquainted with the early season cravings for sun and warmth only to immediately retreat on the first blistering, 100% humidity afternoon. When bath-like pool water barely qualifies as a respite, I cast my vote for biking to keep the outdoor fun rolling (pun absolutely intended). Wind in the hair, a destination on the map, and perhaps a drop or two less sweat than a broaddaylight jog, bike riding affords a kind of playful freedom reminiscent of the gleeful, carefree, popsicle-laden summers of childhood. Whether you’re an off-roader or a leisurely pedaler, the Triangle has routes for days.
PAVED Neuse River Greenway Trail 12101 Old Falls of Neuse Road, Wake Forest Part of the 100-mile Capital Area Greenway system and Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the Neuse River Greenway is a wide, paved pathway extending 27.5 miles from the Falls Lake Dam to the Johnston County Line. What’s truly lovely about it is the diversity in scenery along the way. It winds by waters’ edge through forests, marshes, and historic sites. Completely independent from road traffic, it is the premier, safe passage to exploration along the Neuse River. As an out-and-back path, you have the option to park multiple cars, one at each end of a trail segment, or go all in for the double distance. While just one of many spots along the trail to begin, the Falls Lake Dam may be the most grandiose – especially when the flood gates are open. 20
CIRCA Magazine
Art to Heart Corridor 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh While the Neuse River Greenway is bursting at the seams with scenic nature, Art to Heart covers the culture department while still not skimping on plenty of shady foliage. Shorter, but ripe with endpoint and midway attractions, it’s a zippy ride through some of Raleigh’s most desirable pockets. This is a six-mile ride beginning at the NC Museum of Art and heading straight into Downtown (hence “Art to Heart”). The trail takes you through Meredith College, NC State, Pullen Park (a fun place to stop for littles), and Boylan Heights neighborhood, with plenty of bridges to cross and tunnels through which to zoom. Perks of this corridor are the many refreshment options along the way. Also an out-and-back trail, you can pedal home with the help of a little roadside sustenance or else park a car at either end.
OFF-ROAD Umstead 2139 Old Reedy Creek Road, Cary Umstead is a veritable slice of heaven in between I-40 and US 70. Expansive and friendly to all types of creative movers (including horses!), the trails are wide, well-maintained, and completely shady, a blessing on days when the summer sun feels no less than punishing. Umstead is well-known and loved as an off-road haven for bikers seeking a nature-fueled ride, but nearly never feels crowded thanks to generous passageways and vast acreage. Since the gravel trails are well-packed, Umstead is a gentler foray into off-roading compared with more technical mountain biking. In terms of ruggedness, a hybrid tire would be the most optimal for a smooth, yet navigable ride. A loop encircles the eastern half of the park and is accessible via Raleigh and Cary. Coming from Raleigh, use the Graylyn Drive entrance and head south on the Graylyn multi-use trail to complete the loop counterclockwise. The Cedar Ridge multi-use trail (at left if heading south) cuts the loop in half and also offers a fun and curvy downhill ride, including a creek crossing at the bottom.
| July • August • September 2022
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