photo by: Shannon Irish
Road Rides & Rail Trails
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et’s say it’s a recovery day, or maybe you’re taking the family out for some bicycle bonding time. Consider peddling Gastonia’s Avon & Catawba Creek Greenways. Three miles of paved trail connect Lineberger and Ferguson Parks for some creekside riding with loads of spots to view wildlife or stop for a picnic. The paved, 1.5-mile Highland Rail Trail is a great option for cyclists looking for level terrain at an easy pace. Double your distance by adding a loop around Rankin Lake and start and finish in downtown Gastonia to check out Gaston County’s latest entry into the craft beer scene, Cavendish Brewing Co. For intermediate to advanced cyclists, miles of scenic rural roads make for some epic rides through the Gaston countryside. Got a couple hours to spare? Ride the Belmont Loop for 15 miles and take on the elevation at Cramer Mountain. The Spamerton Route, affectionately
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named by locals for the Cramerton to Spencer Mountain route, gains more than 1,000 feet of elevation over 23 miles. Up your game with routes ranging from 30 to 70 miles, mapped out by Gaston County Cyclists. Their group rides throughout the spring, summer, and fall attract cyclists from all over the region. The holy grail of Gaston road riding is the Four Peaks Metric Challenge. With more than 2,500 feet of elevation gain, the terminus at South Main Cycle’s Pub Station in downtown Belmont is a welcome site at the finish. Gaston County is located just west of Charlotte, NC in the Piedmont section of North Carolina and is a terrific place to live, work and visit. Gaston County offers visitors a variety of attractions to enhance your trip including museums, botanical gardens, extreme sports, hiking, dining and entertainment parks, art and history and more. www.go2gaston.org
Regional Events & Destinations