Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 13:26:37 +0000
From: Debra Henzey
Subject: Mountains to Coast Cycling Tour Winds Through Chatham on Oct. 2
Contacts:
* Neha Shah, Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, 919-542-8296
* Chris Wicker, CycleNC, 252-365-2011
Mountains to Coast Cycling Tour Winds Through Chatham on Oct. 2
PITTSBORO-On Oct. 2, 2013, nearly 1,200 bicyclists will make their way across Chatham County, with an extended lunchtime break in Pittsboro. The cyclers are part of Cycle NC’s 15th Annual “Mountains to Coast” ride from Sept. 28-Oct. 5, 2013.
“We are excited to be part of this great event and to host people from all over the United States to Chatham County,” said Neha Shah, director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, which serves the entire county.
Most participants are from North Carolina, but certainly not all, Shah said.. “The registration list includes people who live in many states all over the country, including several from as far away as California and Oregon. So this is a great chance to showcase Chatham County as a tourist destination.”
Chris Wicker from Cycle NC said that the event is not a race, but is considered a bicycle tour. “Ages of riders typically can range from age eight to nearly 80. Sometimes entire families will participate or groups of friends. It is a very diverse group.”
The cyclers will enter Chatham County from Asheboro the morning of the Oct. 2 and will go through Siler City toward a rest stop at Rives Chapel Baptist Church. The cyclers will then end up in Pittsboro for a longer lunch break.
“The Pittsboro First United Methodist Church on West Street has graciously agreed to serve as the official lunch stop location,” said Shah. Riders will get light refreshments at the church, but many are expected to visit restaurants in Pittsboro for a more complete lunch. Shah said that the county is providing maps to help the riders find food options in the downtown area.
During the lunch stop, riders also are invited to tour the Historic Courthouse, led by Carolyn Miller and Sandra Sublett in the County Manager’s Office. Miller wrote the book, “Murder in the Old Courthouse,” which features the Historic Courthouse.
After lunch, the cyclers will leave Pittsboro, heading south and east toward Moncure and on to Holly Springs, their final destination for the day.
“They will be meandering through very lovely countryside with colorful foliage,” Shah said. “We hope that they will want to return and spend even more time here.”
Wicker from Cycle NC said, “We encourage residents to line up along any part of the route to greet riders and give them a way,” said Wicker from Cycle NC. The entire route can be viewed online at http://cnc.ncsports.org/fallCNCRide/
For more information on the Fall Mountains to Coast Tour, visit http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3286171
Residents should be aware on Oct. 2 that some roads will be congested due to the riders and take that into consideration in planning visits to Pittsboro or other affected areas that day.
Debra J. Henzey
Director of Community Relations
Chatham County, NC
Office 919-542-8258 Cell 919-548-4662
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