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Cyclists "Ride for
the Land" to Support Conservation
That changed on June 3, when 92 cycling pioneers braved a rainy morning to be the first to participate in TLC's "Ride for the Land." This new bicycle tour is geared to bring attention to the need for saving farms and forests, and to creating connections with cyclists who love riding the open spaces outside our cramped towns and cities. Besides the cyclists, many others in the cycling community supported the inaugural Ride for the Land through generous advice, volunteerism, and sponsorship. In particular, many local bike shop owners joined to support Triangle Land Conservancy's mission to help ensure that area development is balanced by open space preservation. "The Triangle is a wonderful area for cyclists and other athletes," explained Jeff Hutchinson, owner of all Star Bike Shops in Raleigh. "As the area attracts new residents, we need to insure that we preserve the wonderful quality of life that makes this area so attractive by preserving the incredible natural resources and beauty of our region."
TLC and its conservation partners seek to fulfill a vision for Mark's Creek where the core of this land remains as it is today, with a 5,000-acre natural area park (equivalent to Umstead State Park) on the state's Mountains-to-Sea Trail at the center of a system of greenways connecting to nearby communities. Protection of privately owned working lands-farms and forests-along with scenic vistas and historic sites complete the vision. "Thank God for Umstead Park," exhaled Frank Jones, owner and President of Frank's Cyclery. "This area is growing so fast, we need to save as much land as possible. It would be great if Mark's Creek could become another Umstead Park." TLC projects Ride for the Land as an annual event that moves around the Triangle region focusing on different landscapes. Future rides may bring cyclists to river corridors like the Deep in Chatham and Lee counties, the Little in Durham and Orange counties, or the Neuse in southern Johnston County, to agricultural communities in Chatham and Orange counties, or to other places of conservation significance. If cyclists Eric and Cynthia Wiebe are any indication, the inaugural spin of Ride for the Land laid the groundwork for future success. "The event was well staffed with friendly volunteers," Eric and Cynthia wrote. "Road markings were excellent. Keep up the good work! We look forward to coming out next year."
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Cause-based
cycling is nothing new. Cyclists in the Triangle ride to support kidney
foundations, cancer research, finding a cure for diabetes, and ending
the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis, among other causes. But
nobody has been riding in support of maintaining beautiful places to ride.
Ride
for the Land 2006 toured the Mark's Creek Rural Lands, a little known
area in eastern Wake and northern Johnston counties ripe with backroads,
country stores, historic farmsteads, and important waterways. Mark's Creek
is a TLC priority area for conservation.