June 24, 2001 - Franklin County, NC

Another well-planned ride from Gilbert and Sue of North Road Bicycles gave Moulton riders and friends a chance to stretch their legs and swap tales on their way to a unique photo op in Franklin County.

After a pre-ride dinner on the 23rd, roughly 20 riders (or people with bicycles) hit the roads in rural Franklin County on a ride celebrating the development of the Alex Moulton bicycle. Sponsored by the folks at North road Bicycle Co., it was a cool chance to visit what could've been the birthplace of Moulton bikes in Moulton, NC (but wasn't). But it was a great opportunity to get a bunch of Moultoneers together for a photo op. The route was about 48 miles through gently rolling rural NC farmland, with full sag support. The group gathered in Youngsville, and shortly after 9am were on their way.

There were the usual encounters with farm implements, roadkill, and waving locals. The purpose for the ride--other than the chance to spend a unusually un-humid North Carolina Sunday afternoon watching the miles unwind beneath the wheels--was to ride to a tiny township called Moulton. Sure beats looking for a group to ride to Huffy, Murray, or Pacific, doesn't it?

As the group reached lovely Moulton, NC, they were treated to cold watermelon and the world's best grapes. New Moulton riders traded stories with Moulton veterans, and the rest of us with normal-sized wheels enjoyed the usual bike banter.

The halfway point was the gathering place for the photo op. Moultons went first, and then the rest of the crowd joined in, carefully avoiding the fire ants that were positioning themselves for an assault on the fruit.

Lunch consisted of the typical belly-bomber vittles found at the famous Murphy House in Louisburg. Eastern NC BBQ, candied yams, corn-on-the-cob, and other lite fare were consumed in typical carb-loading fashion as folks caught up on ride details. From Louisburg it was a relatively short jaunt back to Youngsville. No casualties, no broken parts, and the next ride plans are already in the works.

If you'd like to find out more about North Road Bicycle Company, the legendary Moulton bicycle, or just hook up with a particularly nice bunch of riders, contact Gilbert Anderson at (919) 828-8999 or cyclestore@aol.com. They typically ride Saturdays and/or Sundays, with recovery rides on Monday nights.

Have a place in NC you like to ride? Want to give us a ride report on this particular ride? Send us a description--including the type of terrain, riding, and a contact phone number or email address.