New Year’s Eve rides are a yearly tradition much like singing “Auld Lang Syne” at the stroke of midnight. Once the merry making is over it’s time to set the alarm and burn off the winter pounds with a group ride. There are several options on January 1st in both North and South Carolina so if you’re looking for a group ride you don’t have an excuse.
In Matthews, North Carolina, Bicycle East bike shop is hosting a ride with two route options: a 30 or 56 mile loop. These are non-supported rides and ridden at an easy pace in case you’re still nursing the dreaded “alcohol flu.” The long route will offer two stops and the shorter loop just one. Both groups will roll out at 9:00 AM across the street from the shop in the public parking lot.
The North Carolina Bicycle Club is riding 50 miles on the first starting at 10:00 AM from the Macgregor Village Shopping Center in Cary. There is no registration and the ride is cancelled if there is any rain.
In Raleigh, North Carolina there is a 40 mile ride with the pace at 14 to 16 miles an hour average including hills. The group rolls out from the CVS near WakeMed (3051 New Bern Avenue) at 10:30 AM precisely.
The Greensboro Velo Club has their 14th annual Polar Bear Ride. There are three distances to choose from: 25, 41, or 61 miles. The group leaves at 11:00 AM from the Cycles de ORO Bike Shop on 1410 Mill Street in Greensboro. You need to register for this event (two cans of food are part of your registration) and according to the flyer they roll no matter what the weather conditions.
Another polar bear themed event is the Ride for Courage Polar Bear Metric in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Cancer Services is hosting the ride to honor those who have looked cancer in the eye and refused to give in. There are two options: 30 and 62 miles – rolling out at 9:00 AM. Both routes include rest stops. The ride starts and ends at the Our House Community Center.
The Greenville Spinners in South Carolina are kicking off the new year with their annual First Fifty ride. There is only one option, a 55 mile loop leaving from Furman University at 10:00 AM. The moderately paced spin will meander through the Upstate’s beautiful countryside. At Table Rock Mt State Park a rest stop is planned. For Greenville Spinners the ride is free – for all others a $5 safety donation is asked.
If you’re looking for a longer group ride to start your new year the 7th annual Terry’s Taproom Century is another option. The peloton rolls out at 9:00 AM from the Converse parking lot, 1200 East Main Street, Spartanburg, South Carolina. If you’ve had a rough New Year’s Eve and a full century is a little more than you can handle there are 40 and 63 mile options.
All the ride details are listed in our Tours, Gran Fondos and Charity Rides calendar.