Cruzbike Ride Retreat 2017 Recap

October 27, 2017/ Amy Wood

The second annual Cruzbike Ride Retreat proved again that a weekend of cycling, delicious food and connecting with other Cruzbikers is a splendid way to spend three days. White Lake, NC formed the backdrop for hours of (mostly) flat and smooth riding, shared ideas, stories and big-fish tales of KOMs and monster hills.

Thursday and Friday we rode various rides that included multiple trips to the famous Melvin’s Burger Joint and trips around the lake and across the Cape Fear River on the single car ferry at Elwell. Many of us rode multiple Cruzbike platforms and there was lots of chatting about touring, training, and gear.

Saturday we cruised as a group to the North Carolina Grape Festival at Lu Mil Vineyards where Cruzbikers from all over the country tried Easter North Carolina foods and wines and Jim Parker lost the grape stomping contest. Afterwards there were long rides for some and medium rides for others.

I’m so grateful for all of our community members who made the trip and participated so generously. Some of you came from very far away, and you all joined in with good humor. Thank you for allowing the Cruzbike team the enviable job of laughing, talking, eating, bunking and riding with you.

We will have more content and testimonials from participants soon but here are some of the trip highlights:

It was so great to meet everyone and hear everyone’s story, and to see us all riding down the road together. The location was fantastic – great pick Cruzbike!” – Larry Oz

This is a picture of B Girl on her first day riding her new Vendetta! She rode 33 miles the first day down to the ferry and back. She broke away from the group and was the first one back by several minutes. The bike just wants to go fast. Her second day she rode 38 miles and picked up a QOM along the way. I’m afraid to swap in aero wheels!” -Kyle Larsen @Barefoot Rider

Cruzbike Rider Retreat“I had a GREAT time at my first Cruzbike retreat. We did a lot of riding on (mostly) quiet roads, but the best times were just sitting/standing around the beautiful lake-front facility learning about each other and all the bikes and their modifications and gadgets.

My favorite ride of the weekend was the 50-mile return trip from Lu Mill Vineyard back to White Lake that took us across one of the few remaining inland ferries in the country.

Here is the “fast” group for that 50-miler (L > R) Jim, Peter, Lanier, Kyle, Doug, Larry, Alvin, and Rick about to cross the Cape Fear River on the Elwell ferry.” – Jim Parker

We’d like to extend a big “THANK YOU” to all of the riders who joined us this year and hope to grow our community next year. As always, if you have any questions or suggestions about the Cruzbike Rider Retreat, please send us a message on Facebook!