City Seeking Volunteers for Major Cycling Event Downtown
The City of Goldsboro will welcome hundreds of cyclists on Thursday, October 9th, as part of Cycle NC’s annual Mountains to the Coast ride, bringing an exciting opportunity to showcase downtown Goldsboro to visitors from across the state.
The cycling event, organized by Cycle NC (Cycle North Carolina), is a 7-day, fully supported bicycle tour traveling along scenic back roads that showcase rural North Carolina. The City of Goldsboro will see 800-900 cyclists making their way from Silva to Fort Fisher as part of the Mountains to the Coast ride. Goldsboro serves as a key overnight stop on this multi-day journey, with riders expected to arrive downtown around 2:00 p.m. on Thursday.
“This is going to be a really great event for not only Goldsboro, but for Wayne County as well,” said Amanda Justice, who is coordinating the local arrangements for the city. “We’re hoping that once they’ve ridden in and got situated, the cyclists will go downtown and enjoy all the merchants, restaurants, and businesses that we have to offer.”
Event Details
The cyclists will be camping at Freedom Field, 207 South Center Street, Downtown Goldsboro, NC 27530, with 500-600 riders expected to set up camp for the night. An additional 200 cyclists have made arrangements to stay at local hotels. The Travel and Tourism board is sponsoring a welcome party at the Hub from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
A welcoming committee will greet the cyclists as they arrive through the archway at Freedom Field, creating an enthusiastic atmosphere for the riders after their long journey. The Goldsboro Police Department will provide security overnight with two officers stationed from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
After their overnight stay, the cyclists will depart Friday morning, with their first stop being Mount Olive. After Mount Olive, the cyclists will be heading to Wallace for another overnight stay.
Volunteers Needed
The city is actively seeking community volunteers to help make this event a success. Justice emphasized that they need at least 20 volunteers but currently have about half that number confirmed.
Two volunteer shifts are available:
- Morning shift: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Afternoon shift: 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The afternoon shift volunteers will serve as the welcoming committee, cheering on cyclists as they arrive and helping with the welcome party activities.
“We’re looking for volunteers from community members, organizations, and council members,” Justice said. Interested volunteers can contact Amanda at 919-580-4324 or email ajustice@goldsboronc.gov.
Community Impact
Justice expressed gratitude to all city departments that have assisted with preparations for the event. The brief but impactful visit – lasting less than 24 hours – provides an opportunity for the community to interact with cyclists and showcase Goldsboro’s downtown area.
Contingency plans are in place for inclement weather to ensure the event proceeds smoothly regardless of conditions.
The event represents a significant tourism opportunity for Goldsboro, bringing hundreds of visitors to the downtown area and highlighting local businesses and attractions. Community members and media outlets interested in covering the event are encouraged to contact Justice for coordination.
For more information about Cycle NC and the Mountains to the Coast ride route, visit the Cycle NC website. Volunteers and community members are encouraged to come out and show Goldsboro’s hospitality to these traveling cyclists.
