Annual bike tour rolls into Asheboro on Oct. 7

ASHEBORO — More bicycles might be spotted around Randolph County on Tuesday, Oct. 7, when the annual Mountains to Coast Ride rolls into town for a couple of scenic stops and an overnight in Asheboro.

The Tourism Development Authority (TDA) is working with the YMCA on NC42 and the nearby hotels to host cyclists on Day 3 of their seven-day trip from Lake Lure to Fort Fisher.

The Mountains to Coast Ride, organized by NC Sports, is an annual scenic tour. Eight towns on the route are chosen to host the cyclists overnight, with rest stops along the way. Up to a 1,000 people could participate this year.

“I think we have maybe about 200 room nights already sold for this event,” TDA Executive Director Amber Scarlett said.

The YMCA will serve as the base camp. Cyclists can pitch tents on the soccer fields and use the pool, spa, and other resources to freshen up and relax.

The TDA is arranging for food trucks to serve them on site, or they can find rides to downtown Asheboro or other municipalities.

The last time the Mountains to Coast Ride stopped overnight in Randolph County was 2018, when they stayed in Archdale’s Creekside Park, but they regularly made shorter rest stops in Liberty and Randleman last year. 

According to Scarlett, 921 cyclists as young as 10 and as old as 87 participated last year. They represented 42 states. Some came all the way from Canada and the United Kingdom.

“Amazing exposure for North Carolina and our small town communities,” she says. “We’re centrally located. It’s a good overnight. I feel like we’re still so ‘small town,’ but we’ve been innovative in our hospitality and our tourism assets.”

On the way to Asheboro, cyclists will take a rest stop along Lake Reese. Once they arrive at the base camp, the cyclists are free to roam where they please until it’s time to leave in the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 8. The TDA will arrange a shuttle bus from the YMCA to the General Wine and Brew in Seagrove. The visitors will get pottery demonstrations and live entertainment.

“That’s part of the reason why they’re on this ride, not only for the scenic views of North Carolina, but to go experience what the community has to offer,” Scarlett said.

The timing works for the Regional Coordinated Area Transportation System (RCATS), as the cyclists can help test a new on-demand ride service. A pilot program for GO RANDOLPH will launch with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Tawanna Williams, president of NC Public Transportation Association, says the new program will allow people to schedule a ride on the day they need it without requiring a minimum three-days advance notice.

By the time the cyclists get to Asheboro, they will have ridden close to 200 miles. This year is special, Scarlett said, because it will have been one year since Hurricane Helene ravaged parts of Western North Carolina. The return of tourism is a driving force behind this year’s ride.

“You don’t ever forget, and you don’t ever forget the pain, the hurt, the devastation, the damage, and the loss, but you do have to have some hope. And I feel like events like this bring about hope and normalcy,” she said.

Since cyclists want to travel light, so the TDA does not want to load them down with bulky souvenirs. They will set up a 360 photo booth at their hospitality tent and provide post cards for the riders to write messages to friends and family.

Other vendors and organizations may set up tables with their own offerings.

Scarlett does not expect traffic disruptions, although it falls on the same day as the primary election. Her main message for the public is to know what’s happening and why they might see more people. “Just to be aware of this influx of visitors. Be aware that some of them may still travel via bike.”

She hopes that Randolph County gives these guests from around the country a reason to come back, “Whether they’re on their own or whether they’re with their families, for them to say, ‘Hey, I was exposed for less than 12 hours to your community, and I wanted to come back and learn more.’ “