The Routes
It’s October, red and yellow leaves continue to fall to the ground, the cool autumn air brushes past your face, the farms are full of pumpkins and corn mazes…what a time to get on a bike and explore. We have designed two amazing cycling routes, just for you. Both routes will start and end at Pluck Farm (6901 NC 54 Mebane NC 27302). This is not a timed race, we encourage you to take your time and enjoy the ride.
Before the Ride
Arrival Time: Plan to arrive at Pluck Farm no later than 11:30 AM on Oct 12 to park, put on your fancy bike clothing, setup your bike, fill water and food pockets, organize route instructions and meet your fellow riders. For those planning to arrive later and not start with the group, Check In will be available but Aid Stations may not be staffed.
Parking: We will have a lot of cars but they should all fit in the grass parking lot behind the farm. We have a lot of support vehicles and space needs, so please don’t park in the front lots. Follow the parking attendant’s directions/signals.
Check In (Opens at 10:30 AM): Come to the Check In table so we can record that you are here and hand you your ride bib (to pin to your fancy outfit), T-shirt, Route Information, Bike Loud! Sticker. We can answer any last minute questions you have.
Restrooms/Changing Areas: Always best to take care of this before the ride starts! Bathrooms have limited space for changing so try to arrive as dressed as you can be.
Water: Super important that your water bottle(s) are topped off before you start. We will have water coolers available but also try to fill-up at home. Water and Sports Drinks will be available at the Aid Stations on the routes.
Snacks: Some snacks will be available at the Check In table to stuff your pockets, but also at the Aid Stations. Brewery and Food Trucks will not be open prior to the ride.
The Ride
There are two ride routes: Short (22 miles) and Long (66 miles, with an option to shorten to 55 miles, see below)
Important:
You must wear a bicycle helmet to ride
This is not a timed race, take your time, be careful and enjoy
You will be riding on roads with active car/truck traffic. Many of the roads have very limited shoulder space. You must follow all traffic laws to keep everyone safe
Police or volunteers will not be directing you. You are responsible for navigating the routes yourself
Call 911 for any emergency
Start: Riders will organize on the Pluck Farm driveway and receive pre-ride instructions/announcements. Riders should attempt to line-up based on speed (fast in front, slower in back). The Long will start at 12:00 PM and the Short will start approximately 20 minutes later. If you would prefer to start on your own and not in the group, you are welcome to start when you want to. Just keep in mind that we will be staffing Aid Stations based on the official start times. Because of the large number of bicycles riding together and the higher traffic area, we need everyone’s assistance to be careful and supportive until riders can space out throughout the ride.
Route Marking/Maps/Directions: Paper cue sheets will be available at Check In. Cue sheets and weblinks are also attached to this email. Downloadable GPX/TCX/FIT files can be downloaded from the weblinks. The road will be marked with colored arrows stuck to the pavement showing turns. Review the "road marking information" at the Check In table. Where we identified potholes, we have painted circles and caution triangles but you need to stay aware at all times for poor road conditions and not rely only on these markings.
Support: If you have any questions or issues during the ride, you should call the appropriate phone number provided to you at Check In. Be aware some areas of the routes are remote and may not have mobile phone connectivity.
Aid Stations: Aid stations will have volunteers available to provide you water, sports drinks and snacks (bars, fruit, candy). Restroom options are available at each location. Yard signs will be posted on the routes ahead of the stations to give you some warning.
Sweep: We will have vehicles “sweeping” behind the routes to help anyone who needs support or would like a ride back to Pluck Farm. There is nothing wrong with getting back to the party early.
Short Route Notes:
This is not a cake-walk ride. It will take a significant amount of effort to complete. Although there are not long/steep hills, the continuous up and down hills will tax the legs. Enjoy the beautiful farm views and shaded tree-lined roads.
There is one Aid Station on this route (12.2 mile) that magically appears at the top of probably the longest hill on the route. Take a break, you earned it. We want to thank the wonderful people at Chestnut Ridge United Methodist Church for offering us their shaded trees and bathrooms.
The last mile of this route is on Route 54 back to Pluck Farm. This road will have significant car traffic. Please stay on the shoulder of the road and do not pass other riders.
Long Route Notes:
We are really excited for you to experience this route. It has some of our favorite roads in Orange County but also some amazing roads that you probably haven’t tried before.
There are three Aid Stations on this route (17, 31, 45 miles). Take a break, you earned it. We want to thank the wonderful people at Graham Regional Park, Chestnut Ridge United Methodist Church and the Chatham Fire Department for offering their space and facilities.
At the 55 mile marker, you will pass very close to Pluck Farm (crossing over Rte 54 from Saxapahaw Rd to Mebane Oaks Rd). If at this point you would like to call it a day, you have the option of turning Right on Rte 54 and Left into Pluck Farm for a finish. Please be careful as this detour will not be marked on the road and will be busy with car traffic. There will be a yard sign at this corner to indicate the decision point (We call it "Temptation Highway")
The last mile of this route is on Route 54 back to Pluck Farm. This road will have significant car traffic. Please stay on the shoulder of the road and do not pass other riders.
After the Ride
Drink some water, put your gear away, get more comfortable, grab some food from a truck and something from the brewery, relax at a picnic table, meet some new friends, listen to some great music and pat yourself on the back because you just did that.
Short Route
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48678813
Long Route