North Carolina Amateur Sports presents Cycle North Carolina, “Mountains to the Coast”

Courtesy of Chuck Hobgood, President of North Carolina Amateur Sports:

2011 Cycle North Carolina “Mountains to Coast” Event Will Benefit Many
Communities

1,000+ Bicyclists Are Preparing to Ride 450+ Miles Across North Carolina

DURHAM, North Carolina,- Each year the Cycle North
Carolina “Mountains to the Coast” events provides tremendous economic
benefits to the overnight host communities and numerous pass-through
communities. More than 1,000 bicyclists visit these towns each year
generating an estimated economic impact of $200,000-$500,000 for host
communities. This year the economic impact from the event will provide much
needed tourism spending to the eastern areas of North Carolina that are
still recovering from Hurricane Irene.

The 13th annual ride will begin in Elkin on October 1 and end at the
Currituck Lighthouse in Corolla on October 8. Additional overnight stops
include: Mayodan, Mebane, Henderson, Rocky Mount, Plymouth and Manteo. The
communities of Rocky Mount, Plymouth, Manteo and Corolla are still
recovering from Hurricane Irene, but are also preparing to welcome Cycle
North Carolina and the tourism dollars from the event with open arms.
“Tourism is so important for hundreds of small communities across North
Carolina and the economic benefits from 1,000 bicyclists visiting a small
community are so important during these difficult economic times” said Chuck
Hobgood, President of North Carolina Amateur Sports which is the nonprofit
organization that organizes Cycle North Carolina annually.

Cycle North Carolina is designed to promote healthy lifestyles, provide
economic impact for North Carolina’s charming rural communities and promote
the unparalleled cultural and geographical diversity of the great state of
North Carolina. Registration currently includes participants from 33 states
and Canada. The average age of registered participants is 55 years old.
“The majority of the participants of this event are executive level
employees with their companies. During Cycle North Carolina participants
often discover future vacation destinations for their family, a location to
relocate their company, a retirement location, etc. We want our cyclists and
the cycling community across the country to know that North Carolina is open
for business and still the best place in the United States to visit” Hobgood
said.

With wonderful tourist stops scheduled along scenic back-roads, this year’s
Cycle North Carolina will showcase many charming communities and attractions
across North Carolina. Some of the highlights along this year’s route will
include the Yadkin Valley, museums, historic attractions, wineries, street
festivals, state parks, two lighthouses, Jockey’s Ridge, the Wright Brothers
National Memorial and the 1920s Whalehead Club.

Cycle North Carolina is the state’s only cross-state, fully-supported ride.
Cycle North Carolina is mostly a camping event, but hotel and B&B
accommodations in each overnight town across the state have been sold out
for months. Registration is still open for the premier cycling event in
North Carolina. Riders can register for the entire distance, multiple-day
options, or single-day options. Visit www.ncsports.org or call (919)
361-1133 for more information, or to register.

Hosted by North Carolina Amateur Sports (NCAS), Cycle North Carolina is a
fully supported cross-state recreational bike tour of the Tar Heel State.
Cycle North Carolina was created in 1999 by the N.C. Division of Tourism,
the Department of Transportation and Capitol Broadcasting Company. Cycle
North Carolina is designed to promote physical fitness and health, and
provide economic impact and publicity to rural communities, while showcasing
the state’s beauty, scenic attractions and cultural diversity.