Ride for the Land 2006: Mark's Creek/Land Trust Day

The First Ride for the Land Event

Triangle Land Conservancy hotsted a Mark’s Creek bicycle tour on Saturday, June 3, 2006 to promote conservation of the Mark’s Creek area and to enhance our Land Trust Day activities. The bicycle tour was an an MS 150 training ride, allowing Triangle Land Conservancy to take advantage of the promotional and event support provided by the MS Society. This ride was the first of the annual cycle tours of Triangle Land Conservancy's conservation areas.

About Mark’s Creek Rural Lands

Located in Wake and Johnston counties, Mark’s Creek is one of the Triangle’s most unique and urgent land conservation opportunity. These fertile piedmont lands retain a distinct rural character consistent with a 270-year-old farming heritage.  An extensive system of wetlands maintains good water quality, providing habitat for sensitive aquatic life despite degradation of much of the Neuse River.  In the middle of this landscape, an astonishing 7,500-acre core area remains largely untouched, unknown to most people because so few roads cross it.

The Landscape

The rural lands nestled between the Neuse River and Mark’s Creek lie 12 miles southeast of Raleigh in Wake and Johnston counties. These fertile piedmont lands retain a distinct rural character consistent with a 270-year-old farming heritage. Historic homes and farms, old barns, country stores, rural churches and family cemeteries dot a countryside of pastures, fields and hardwood forests. An extensive system of wetlands on Mark’s Creek maintains good water quality, providing habitat for sensitive aquatic life. In the middle of this landscape, a 7,500-acre core area remains largely untouched.

In 2003, Scenic America brought attention to TLC’s vision by recognizing the Lower Mark’s Creek Rural Lands as a Last Chance Landscape. Now advocates refer to the area as the “Hope Diamond of Open Space” and a dynamic conservation partnership of citizens, local and state government agencies, and nonprofit organizations has taken root to help protect it.

Check out photos from Ride for the Land 2006 and see what riders had to say about their experience!

"This event was VERY efficient, especially for a first-time ride. The route was very clearly marked, and the info signs along the route were great." - Chuck N.

"For a first time event and adverse weather conditions, it was a great ride!" - Nancy B.

"Loved the ride!! Loved the volunteer at the top of the hill! Loved the burrito!" - Cynthia G.

"Thanks for the yummy lunch at the end - I had a great ride!" - Barbara S. 

Check out the routes and cue sheets from Ride for the Land 2006!

Follow the links to see the 30, -45, -60 mile cue sheets from the 2006 ride:

50k cue sheet

100k cue sheet

If you have any questions, contact Triangle Land Conservancy at 919-833-3662, or email us at bschumann@triangleland.org