Memorial Day ride – The day Theresa decided to get a new Bike.
New start location
New Ride
New Distance
One Old Bike
Two Old Riders
Steve Sparano met the Smits at their house and loaded his bike on the top of the van.
The 3 then set out to get coffee and drive to the new start location in Carrboro.
A slow relaxed start to what will be a long and enjoyable ride.
The start was in Wilson Park just behind the Carmill mall in Carrboro.
We parked in the shade and used the restroom facilities provided by the community park.
We visited with 2 other cycling groups that had assembled there for their planned rides.
This is a very popular area with lots of biking routes to chose from. They also informed us that the drivers are courteous and are used to lots of bikers on the road.
With that we lathered on the sunscreen in anticipation of the later start sun and heat.
Steve Sparano and Theresa had spent the early morning trying to create a cue sheet for today’s ride based off of a route found on http://www.bikely.com/ the route is labeled Carrboro to Saxaphaw loop, and is listed as a 40 mile ride.
With the help of the route guideline from the web site and the work created by Steve we headed out on the ride.
Theresa was the Master Navigator and brought a pen to make notes on the cue sheet as the ride unfolded. Theresa enjoys reading maps and navigating whether in a car, on a sailboat, on bike, or on backpacking trips. She must know at all times were she is, how far to the end, and where is the next turn. She was perfect for the job of validating and improving the cue sheet.
I will include the revised cue sheet at the end of this write up.
The route started off with the group of 3 riders winding there way out of town through shaded neighborhoods. Once onto Old Fayetteville Road the scenery began to unfold (hills). The traffic on this stretch of road was heavy but respectful. The narrow road and hills along with traffic on this early stretch caused Theresa to tighten up and slow down significantly. The ride continued on this road for about 6 miles. As the miles unfolded the traffic thinned, however the scenery did not. Kevin and Steve took a short break with about 2 miles of this stretch to complete to let the group re-assemble, and to confirm the next turn. Theresa arrived and her first comment was that she had white knuckles from gripping the handle bars so tight.
Off the group headed up and down the rolling hills to the turn at Crawford Dairy Farm Road. There was a small local Grocery store at the corner. Great place for a re-group on future rides.
From here we again were faced with rolling hills. These are the type of hills that provide enough momentum from the down hill run to carry you 2/3 of the way up the next hill.
If timed just right a rider does not have to shift gears. Spin to get you towards the crest of the hill and stand for a short section to roll over the top and set up the next down hill run.
This ride had lots of shade along the road with large trees creating a canvas along many areas of the route. Other sections had beautiful vistas of farm land and county ponds. Many Farmers were out cutting or building the large bundles of Hay.
As we road further into the country side the traffic became almost non existent.
We wound our way along this beautiful landscape until we crossed the Haw River at Saxapahaw. In Saxapahaw we stopped to rest, refuel, and fill our water bottles at the river mill shell gas station. They had a shaded front porch area complete with large wooden chairs to sit and relax in. We spent ½ hour visiting among ourselves and a couple who had left the same starting point (Wilson park) in Carborro on a Tandem.
Once fully rested the group headed out again this time with the anticipation of gaining ground on the best stop of the day at the Maple View Farms Dairy. It is there that we will enjoy some homemade style ice cream from the dairy. On the way out of Saxapahaw we discovered that every Saturday from 5pm to 8pm they have a food and music festival. The riders all agreed that it would be great to drive to this location and unload the bikes with the intent to do a late day ride finishing just in time to enjoy the Saxapahaw festival.
Look for this to be a planned ride in the near future.
On the group rode for a short section of Highway 54 with a turn onto Stanford. Again finding themselves on rolling hills with lots of great views of farms and lakes. Through shaded areas with the smells and sounds of large farm animals. Or maybe that was Kevin they smelled. Out of the shade and around a long sweeping bend in the road the group could see the next major stop at the top of a vista. The Maple View Dairy and its local store that sells its products to the general public. This shop has a huge front porch with plenty of wooden rocking chairs to sit in while absorbing the view and the great ice cream they produce. Kevin and Theresa had one scoop of Root Beer ice cream that really tasted like you were eating/drinking a cold mug of root beer.
Steve sat and eat his choice of ice cream and talked again how we need to start the ride in Saxapahaw, do the ice cream stop, and then the festival in Saxapahaw. Once full on ice cream the group filled their water bottles from the cold water drinking fountain provided on the side of the building. Off again on the last 5 to 7 miles to the end. On this section Steve charged ahead while Kevin and Theresa rode together. Kevin was drafting Theresa to watch her riding technique and provide some coaching to her on her shifting choices and peddling cadence. This did not sit well with Theresa and the two had a brief spat about the topic.
Once at the end the group again took advantage of the rest room facilities. Each rider slowly prepared the bikes and gear for the trip home. It was then that Kevin again made the comment that Theresa is not able to spin like she should and that she would benefit from a different chain ring configuration much like the one Steve has on his bike.
Theresa’s front chain rings are a 52 / 42 combination with a 6 speed cluster in the rear.
Steve had a compact triple chain ring configuration on the front. His two larger front chain rings are 50/39 and allow for higher rpms. This is something Theresa should consider.
A great ride with wonderful views.
We will do this again several times this season.
By the way Theresa has agreed to let Kevin buy her a new bike for her Birthday.
Look for it some time in August.
Cue sheet for the Carrbor0 to Saxapahaw loop.
This is written to ride in a counter clock wise fashion with the ice cream stop near the end of the ride. Saxapahaw is near the middle regardless of direction traveled.
Meet at the Wilson Park in Carrboro.
Right out of the park
Right onto Old Greensboro rd.
It becomes N Greensboro Rd
That then becomes Hillsboro Rd
Left onto Carrol St
Left onto Old Fayetville Rd.
Right onto Jones Ferry Rd. – odometer reads 3 miles
Right onto Crawford Dairy Road – odometer reads 9.6 miles and the Frosty Grocery store is on the right.
Right onto White Cross Road
Left onto GreensBorro-Chapel Hill Road (becomes Greensboro Road across river) odometer reads 13.2 miles
Right onto NC 87 there is a Sandy Café at the corner odometer reads 20 miles. This is a busy road.
Right onto Church Road / Whiney lane – odometer reads 22.5 miles
Veer left at fork in road – Swepsonville Saxapawhaw road - headed towards Haw river and Saxapahaw.
Cross double bridges over the Haw River
Right onto Saxapahaw Bethlehem old road. – climb hill to stop at River Mill shell station –odometer reads 23.9 miles.
Continue ride on Saxapahaw Bethlehem old road
Right onto highway 54 – odometer reads 27.5 miles
Left on Stanford – odometer reads 29 miles
Right on Teer Road – odometer reads 32.4 miles
Left onto Orange Grove Road – odometer reads 33.3 miles
Right onto Dairy Land Road
STOP for ICE CREAM at Maple View Farms at the corner of Dairy Land Road and Rocky Ridge – odometer reads 36.6 miles.
From ice cream shop turn left back onto Dairyland Road toward Carborro
Stay on Dairyland to the y intersection at Dairlyand and Old Chapel Hill Hillsborough Road – Highway 86) there is a gas station on the right – odometer reads 40 miles.
Take the right fork onto highway 86 – Old Chapel Hill Hillsborough Road.
Left at onto Hillsborough road – set of traffic lights help with the turn. Odometer reads 41 miles.
Left at fork of Hillsborough and N Greensboro St putting you onto N Greensboro
Curve to right turns into Old Greensboro road
Left turn on Williams
Left into Wilson park – total miles 43.
New start location
New Ride
New Distance
One Old Bike
Two Old Riders
Steve Sparano met the Smits at their house and loaded his bike on the top of the van.
The 3 then set out to get coffee and drive to the new start location in Carrboro.
A slow relaxed start to what will be a long and enjoyable ride.
The start was in Wilson Park just behind the Carmill mall in Carrboro.
We parked in the shade and used the restroom facilities provided by the community park.
We visited with 2 other cycling groups that had assembled there for their planned rides.
This is a very popular area with lots of biking routes to chose from. They also informed us that the drivers are courteous and are used to lots of bikers on the road.
With that we lathered on the sunscreen in anticipation of the later start sun and heat.
Steve Sparano and Theresa had spent the early morning trying to create a cue sheet for today’s ride based off of a route found on http://www.bikely.com/ the route is labeled Carrboro to Saxaphaw loop, and is listed as a 40 mile ride.
With the help of the route guideline from the web site and the work created by Steve we headed out on the ride.
Theresa was the Master Navigator and brought a pen to make notes on the cue sheet as the ride unfolded. Theresa enjoys reading maps and navigating whether in a car, on a sailboat, on bike, or on backpacking trips. She must know at all times were she is, how far to the end, and where is the next turn. She was perfect for the job of validating and improving the cue sheet.
I will include the revised cue sheet at the end of this write up.
The route started off with the group of 3 riders winding there way out of town through shaded neighborhoods. Once onto Old Fayetteville Road the scenery began to unfold (hills). The traffic on this stretch of road was heavy but respectful. The narrow road and hills along with traffic on this early stretch caused Theresa to tighten up and slow down significantly. The ride continued on this road for about 6 miles. As the miles unfolded the traffic thinned, however the scenery did not. Kevin and Steve took a short break with about 2 miles of this stretch to complete to let the group re-assemble, and to confirm the next turn. Theresa arrived and her first comment was that she had white knuckles from gripping the handle bars so tight.
Off the group headed up and down the rolling hills to the turn at Crawford Dairy Farm Road. There was a small local Grocery store at the corner. Great place for a re-group on future rides.
From here we again were faced with rolling hills. These are the type of hills that provide enough momentum from the down hill run to carry you 2/3 of the way up the next hill.
If timed just right a rider does not have to shift gears. Spin to get you towards the crest of the hill and stand for a short section to roll over the top and set up the next down hill run.
This ride had lots of shade along the road with large trees creating a canvas along many areas of the route. Other sections had beautiful vistas of farm land and county ponds. Many Farmers were out cutting or building the large bundles of Hay.
As we road further into the country side the traffic became almost non existent.
We wound our way along this beautiful landscape until we crossed the Haw River at Saxapahaw. In Saxapahaw we stopped to rest, refuel, and fill our water bottles at the river mill shell gas station. They had a shaded front porch area complete with large wooden chairs to sit and relax in. We spent ½ hour visiting among ourselves and a couple who had left the same starting point (Wilson park) in Carborro on a Tandem.
Once fully rested the group headed out again this time with the anticipation of gaining ground on the best stop of the day at the Maple View Farms Dairy. It is there that we will enjoy some homemade style ice cream from the dairy. On the way out of Saxapahaw we discovered that every Saturday from 5pm to 8pm they have a food and music festival. The riders all agreed that it would be great to drive to this location and unload the bikes with the intent to do a late day ride finishing just in time to enjoy the Saxapahaw festival.
Look for this to be a planned ride in the near future.
On the group rode for a short section of Highway 54 with a turn onto Stanford. Again finding themselves on rolling hills with lots of great views of farms and lakes. Through shaded areas with the smells and sounds of large farm animals. Or maybe that was Kevin they smelled. Out of the shade and around a long sweeping bend in the road the group could see the next major stop at the top of a vista. The Maple View Dairy and its local store that sells its products to the general public. This shop has a huge front porch with plenty of wooden rocking chairs to sit in while absorbing the view and the great ice cream they produce. Kevin and Theresa had one scoop of Root Beer ice cream that really tasted like you were eating/drinking a cold mug of root beer.
Steve sat and eat his choice of ice cream and talked again how we need to start the ride in Saxapahaw, do the ice cream stop, and then the festival in Saxapahaw. Once full on ice cream the group filled their water bottles from the cold water drinking fountain provided on the side of the building. Off again on the last 5 to 7 miles to the end. On this section Steve charged ahead while Kevin and Theresa rode together. Kevin was drafting Theresa to watch her riding technique and provide some coaching to her on her shifting choices and peddling cadence. This did not sit well with Theresa and the two had a brief spat about the topic.Once at the end the group again took advantage of the rest room facilities. Each rider slowly prepared the bikes and gear for the trip home. It was then that Kevin again made the comment that Theresa is not able to spin like she should and that she would benefit from a different chain ring configuration much like the one Steve has on his bike.
Theresa’s front chain rings are a 52 / 42 combination with a 6 speed cluster in the rear.
Steve had a compact triple chain ring configuration on the front. His two larger front chain rings are 50/39 and allow for higher rpms. This is something Theresa should consider.
A great ride with wonderful views.
We will do this again several times this season.
By the way Theresa has agreed to let Kevin buy her a new bike for her Birthday.
Look for it some time in August.
Cue sheet for the Carrbor0 to Saxapahaw loop.
This is written to ride in a counter clock wise fashion with the ice cream stop near the end of the ride. Saxapahaw is near the middle regardless of direction traveled.
Meet at the Wilson Park in Carrboro.
Right out of the park
Right onto Old Greensboro rd.
It becomes N Greensboro Rd
That then becomes Hillsboro Rd
Left onto Carrol St
Left onto Old Fayetville Rd.
Right onto Jones Ferry Rd. – odometer reads 3 miles
Right onto Crawford Dairy Road – odometer reads 9.6 miles and the Frosty Grocery store is on the right.
Right onto White Cross Road
Left onto GreensBorro-Chapel Hill Road (becomes Greensboro Road across river) odometer reads 13.2 miles
Right onto NC 87 there is a Sandy Café at the corner odometer reads 20 miles. This is a busy road.
Right onto Church Road / Whiney lane – odometer reads 22.5 miles
Veer left at fork in road – Swepsonville Saxapawhaw road - headed towards Haw river and Saxapahaw.
Cross double bridges over the Haw River
Right onto Saxapahaw Bethlehem old road. – climb hill to stop at River Mill shell station –odometer reads 23.9 miles.
Continue ride on Saxapahaw Bethlehem old road
Right onto highway 54 – odometer reads 27.5 miles
Left on Stanford – odometer reads 29 miles
Right on Teer Road – odometer reads 32.4 miles
Left onto Orange Grove Road – odometer reads 33.3 miles
Right onto Dairy Land Road
STOP for ICE CREAM at Maple View Farms at the corner of Dairy Land Road and Rocky Ridge – odometer reads 36.6 miles.
From ice cream shop turn left back onto Dairyland Road toward Carborro
Stay on Dairyland to the y intersection at Dairlyand and Old Chapel Hill Hillsborough Road – Highway 86) there is a gas station on the right – odometer reads 40 miles.
Take the right fork onto highway 86 – Old Chapel Hill Hillsborough Road.
Left at onto Hillsborough road – set of traffic lights help with the turn. Odometer reads 41 miles.
Left at fork of Hillsborough and N Greensboro St putting you onto N Greensboro
Curve to right turns into Old Greensboro road
Left turn on Williams
Left into Wilson park – total miles 43.
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