Join us for a roundtrip bike ride featuring three public parks in Gastonia, connected by the city’s growing network of greenways and local street routes. Surfaces are paved. Level of difficulty is moderate, due to hills and some brief on-street portions, where we share travel lanes with other vehicles.
We will meet at Ferguson Park and ride Avon & Catawba Creek Greenways to Lineberger Park, then continue into downtown via the on-street bike route, and from there ride Highland Rail Trail and Highland Branch Greenway to picturesque Rankin Lake Park. There we rest and enjoy the view at the man-made reservoir, before returning to our start at Ferguson Park. On the way back we will rest in downtown Gastonia, where you will have the option to either patronize a local establishment at your own expense and return to your car on your own (if you had driven), or else resume with the Thread Trail guide straight down Marietta Street to your car at Ferguson Park.
Once you get back to Ferguson Park, you may choose to explore more of Catawba Creek Greenway to the southeast on your own, for an additional 5.2 mile out-and-back ride.
Trail Name: Avon & Catawba Creek Greenway, Highland Rail Trail, Highland Branch Greenway
Address: Ferguson Park, 1401 Golf Course Dr, Gastonia NC 28054
Time: Meet at 9:30am. Ride will start at 9:45am and conclude at approximately 11:30am.
Program Type: Bike ride
Distance: Approximately 12 miles roundtrip (not including an optional 5.2-mile out-and-back add-on on your own at the end)
Age Restrictions? 16 and up. Must be able to bicycle up hills and on low-traffic streets, in addition to the greenways.
Dogs allowed? No
Bathrooms available? Yes
What to bring/wear: Comfortable, cool clothing, helmet, shoes appropriate for your type of bike pedal. Bring your own bicycle, helmet, and water.
What is provided: First aid kit, sunscreen, packaged snacks