Ride the Thermal Belt Rail Trail from Forest City, NC to its end and back

The weather's been fantastic lately with lower temperatures and lower humidity. Let's go with that trend continuing on September 28th.

The Thermal Belt Rail Trail is a 13.58 mile long multi-use paved rail trail that runs from just south of Forest City, NC to its northern end at Gilkey in Rutherford County. The trail features gentle elevation changes along the whole trail, small towns in the southern half, and rural scenery in the northern half. The Bechtler Mint Site Historic Park is a good place to visit for a few minutes near the trail's northern end.

We'll start from the southernmost parking area off Forrest W. Hunt Drive, (at mile marker 13.58), and ride our bikes up to trail's northern end (at mile marker 0) and then ride back for a total of about 27.1 miles. We'll ride at a casual pace and stop every so often to let slower riders catch up. You are free to ride only part of the trail, if you're not up for riding the entire 27 miles.

Wearing of helmets is strongly encouraged. You will want to bring water and snacks.

Afterwards, we can eat somewhere nearby for those who would like to.

The parking area is off Forrest W. Drive, or this point on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CCKF5au8y3CmsB9j7