There's a Farm Tour that you can bike--they give a Google map that show all the
farms.

For more info: 
http://knowyourfarms.com/j/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71:2009-\
farm-tour

Know Your Farms works with two dozen farms in the Charlotte NC area.  Our annual
farm tour provides an opportunity for you to visit the farms.  While there,

     * take a hay ride--great fun for the kids!
     * learn about passive solar greenhouses
     * hear stories from seasoned and beginning farmers
     * watch ostriches flaunting their feathers
     * enjoy a day in the countryside...plan to stay for dinner!

The tour will be held Saturday, September 19 from 2-7 PM.

STEP 1: Purchase your vehicle pass for $25 in advance, $30 at the farms.

STEP 2: Print the brochure (6 MB) to help you decide which farms to visit.

STEP 3: Use our online map to plan your route.
How It Works

Q: How does it work?

A: It's so easy! Buy your admission ticket in advance or at a tour site the day
of the tour. Fill your car with fellow farm tourists. Choose your route using
our online map and head out to the country. Visit the farms in any order you
like from 2:00 to 7:00.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: Advance admission is $25 per car for all farms. Day of admission is $30 per
car for all farms or $10 per car per farm. Cash and checks are accepted for
tickets purchased at the farm; no credit cards.  See details below for where to
purchase a ticket.

Q: What about cyclists?

A: Friends pedaling together in a group, regardless of the size, constitute "one
vehicle."

Q: Where are the farms?

A: The farms on the tour are all located within 30 miles of Davidson (north of
Charlotte, south of Statesville and Salisbury). The tour covers farms located in
Gaston, Lincoln, Catawba, Iredell, Rowan, Cabarrus, and Mecklenburg counties.

Q: Can I buy product directly from the farmers on the tour day?

A: Yes! Bring a cooler to properly transportyour fresh farm products. In
addition, several farms will have prepared food available for purchase if you
get hungry. Bring cash or checks, as not all farms accept credit cards.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
info@... e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you
need JavaScript enabled to view it   or 980-225-1020

My husband and I are planning on riding north to south on the Blue Ridge parkway
starting in mid –September and I am trying to figure out some of the logistics
1.  We hope to make it to Cherokee within our time frame for the tour and then
need to get from Cherokee to Charlotte, from where we plan to fly home to 
California on the 27th of September.  Is there bus service from anywhere near
Cherokee or somewhere near there that would take our bikes and us to Charlotte? 
We could also possibly bike in the Charlotte direction but I am concerned that
our time may be too limited at that point.
2. We also need to find a local Charlotte bike shop where we can pick up two
cardboard boxes to fly the bikes back home in and then somehow get them , our
panniers and us to the airport.
I keep thinking that since this is not an uncommon ride that folks must have
faced this dilemma of what to do at the southern end of the parkway , but so far
I cannot find enough information.  I have a huge map of the state, but since I
am not very familiar with the area, it is not helping me too much and I can't
seem to get clear information from Greyhound bus lines.  Maybe there is a
regional line that I don't know about.
                We greatly appreciate any help or direction that you might be
able to share with us.

I'll be visiting Charlotte the week of Aug 3-7.  The wife is on a business trip,
so my son and I will have a lot of time on our hands.  We plan on bringing bikes
(and a bike trailer for the little guy).

Are there any local bike trails in the downtown area?  I'm more interested in
paved-type stuff (not mountain bike trails).  What else is there to do in
Charlotte?

I'd really like to start cycling...any suggestions on what type of bike
to buy, how much, where to start?  I like the idea of a hybrid for road
and off-road biking, but I don't want to spend too much.  Thanks!

Hello everyone and greetings from Durham!

My wife and I are interested in a long weekend near Charlotte in
September.  We're considering taking Amtrak to Charlotte and biking to
a campsite, preferably within 20 miles.  I found a campsite in Fort
Mill, SC, but its on a major road and doesn't look like its what we're
looking for.

We'd like someplace a little more quiet, is 20 miles far enough?  What
are other regional campgrounds we should look into - whether within 20
miles or not?

Thanks in advance, I appreciate any advice.

Have a great weekend!

Jack

--
Jack Warman
Durham, NC

I bought a Strida 5.0 single speed folder (currently being sold at
Charlotte Energy Solutions) about a month ago. I absolutely love it.
19 pounds, disc brakes, kevlar belt instead of greasy chain; folds
into a rolling stick. I can also carry it on the bus for dual mode
commuting when the bike rack is full. Its really cool. I am going to
bring it with me to the cycling commuter support breakfast at Reid's
grocery Friday morning so anyone who wants to take a look at it can.

2005 LeMond Reno, women's specific, 49cm. Great condition.
9 speed, Shimano 105 components, carbon fork and seat tube, Bontrager
wheels and tires. Asking $575.00.

so i just starting my senior exit project and i want to do it on
cycling. My dad has been riding for years and i just recently got in
to it. But i dont know what to write it on! My dad saids i should do
it on the safety on cycling, like that there needs to be more bike
lanes. But im not so sure i can write 6-10 pages on that like i have
to. Im sort of leaning towards the benefits of cycling. But that topic
seems so blane and over done. im confused i really want to find a
great angle for my project!! Can you help??

are there other forums that folks post more?  I know of the normal
mountain bike & tarheel cyclist ones but I was wondering if there was
a more hidden one that folks interact more about commuting/charlotte
happenings.

===== ANNOUNCEMENT =====

WHAT: Street Skills For Cyclists (League of American Bicyclists "Road
One") class

WHEN:

Saturday 25 August 8:30am-3:00pm, and
Sunday 26 August 9:00am-3:00pm

Bicycles and helmets required both days!

WHERE:

MS Society Mid-Atlantic Chapter
9801-I Southern Pine Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28273
Take Arrowood exit off I-77, go west to first signal (Southern Pine)

FEE: $65

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED:

    Contact John Ciccarelli, johnc@..., (704) 807-4736

DOWNLOAD PDF FLYER:

    http://www.bicyclesolutions.com/pdfs/SS_3Fold_Charlotte_070825.pdf  (1 MB)

DETAILS http://www.bicyclesolutions.com

--
Bicycle Solutions
Planning, Workshops, Street Cycling Classes and Curriculum,
New-Cyclist Coaching, Bicycle Storage Design
San Francisco, CA and Charlotte, NC
johnc@... / www.bicyclesolutions.com
tel: 704.807.4736  fax: 866.908.2104

WHAT -- Street Skills For Cyclists - a "bicycle driver education"
class for adults and
driving-age teens (age 16 and up).  Learn what you need to safely,
confidently and legally use your bike for transportation and
recreation on Charlotte area streets.

TOPICS -- Bicyclists and the law, How crashes happen and how to deter
them, being visible, riding safely between intersections and through
them, making traffic lights turn green, using bike-friendly transit,
riding in the rain.

WHEN --

* Classroom sessions: Two Wednesday evenings: May 30 and June 6,
6:00pm - 8:30pm both evenings.  No bicycle required in class.  For
those biking to the class, the Dowd YMCA has good bike racks at its
rear entrance.

* On-bike day: Saturday June 9, 9am - 3pm, location TBD.

WHERE -- Charlotte, Dowd YMCA, 400 E. Morehead Street (between
College and South Blvd.), 7th Floor

FEE: $35

INSTRUCTOR -- John Ciccarelli, (704) 807-4736, email:
johnc@...

REGISTRATION -- Pre-registration is required.  Contact the instructor
via email (preferred) or phone for confirmation and payment options
including PayPal.

MORE INFO -- Visit http://www.bicyclesolutions.com and see "Street
Skills For Cyclists" under "Featured", with links to the class flyer
and press release.

John Ciccarelli
League Cycling Instructor #453
--
Bicycle Solutions
Huntersville, NC
Planning, Workshops, Bicycle Driver Education, Parking & Storage Design
johnc@... / www.bicyclesolutions.com
tel: 704.807.4736  fax: 866.908.2104

Hi! Runner mom no longer needs her Trek running stroller! I actually
only used it about 10 times so it is practically in new condition.
Very light weight, aluminum frame, adjustable heights, folds very
easily and is compact for travel. Royal blue and bright yellow.
Bought in 2005 for $300.  Make reasonable offer. Thanks!