The Great Bike Clubs of North Carolina

North Carolina, like its sister state to the south, has a very healthy interest in biking. There are all sorts of groups that have formed to promote cycling and push for more action on the part of legislators to allot money for better roads, bike lanes, signage and markings. North Carolina has three separate riding regions--the coast, Piedmont and mountains. There are a lot of mountain bikers who ride regularly and some who take regular trips all over the state. Anyone in the state who bikes regularly or just needs some structure to their riding will benefit from joining one of the many clubs that ride the area. It really gives people an incentive to push themselves and to commit to a routine of exercise that is incredible fun.

http://www.cannonballs-cycling.org/
The Cannonball Cycling Team based out of Charlotte is a group of about 50 bikers who formed the team in 1993 to get together for road biking trips over the North Carolina area and a little beyond. They have trips from April through September each year. Trips end with an MS150 Tour to the Beach. they have rides scheduled all through the week, including weekends too. Their community involvement is riding for the MS Foundation and the Trips for Kids program to help youngsters get bikes. There's a handy message board on their web site which people can use to advertise bikes for sale, ask questions, and post information. People can use the site to join their team and find out more about this group. The contact for this group is mail@cannonballs-cycling.org.

http://ncbikeclub.org/ Another Club that has regular rides is the North Carolina Bike Club. This bunch also has a tandem group that meets for rides regularly. They have monthly special rides, but their weekly rides are paced for many different levels and types of terrain covered. There are usually smaller groups in each bunch riding a different course. Rides through the week take place every single day, with a different pace and ride length, to give everyone a chance to ride at his or her own pace and strength. Their purpose is, of course, riding and having fun, but they also work to encourage rider safety and education. Their rides all depart out of Raleigh-Charlotte-Greensboro locations. They have many links on the site for advocacy and updates on roads, improvements and conditions around the state. It's an interesting and very interactive site.

http://www.blueridgebicycleclub.org/
The Blue Ridge Bicycle Club's purpose is to band together with other mountain and road cyclists for recreational riding in western North Carolina. They sponsor educational activities, advocacy for better, safer roads and maintenance of road bike pathways. Members can get a bi-monthly newsletter with updates, sales ads, and lots of information about road problems and conditions. Membership is $25 yearly but it includes a 10% discount on participating shops plus invitation to their Christmas party and other perks. Monthly BRBC meetings are the third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. at the Earth Fare in Ashville. For information on membership call Archer Yates at 684-1846 or ay42bp@charter.net.