The third annual Discover Anson Bike Ride will be held on Saturday, Nov. 8, in conjunction with the annual Ansonville Homecoming Celebration.

     Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. at Ansonville Elementary School. The ride will officially start at 9:00 a.m.

     Cyclists will have a choice of a 30-mile, 50-mile or 70-mile ride. All routes will be marked and will be patrolled by event staffers in automobiles or a SAG Wagon. Bike ride staff members will be equipped with cellphones.

     Riders must wear a helmet and follow all North Carolina traffic laws. Rest stops will be available to all cyclists.

     The registration fee is $25 per rider ($20 if registered prior to Oct. 19). The event will be held rain or shine; and there will be no refund of the registration fee.

     Bicyclists will embark on a picturesque tour of Anson County's northwestern section, which is adjacent to the Uwharrie Mountains and has many Piedmont features of North Carolina's mountain foothills. Cyclists also will have a breath-taking tour of historic Anson County that is dominated by dense pine and hardwood forests, open fields and rolling hills in the shadow of the Uwharrie Mountain Range. One section of the route follows the North Carolina Scenic Byways through the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge.

     Main points of interest along the routes include a panoramic view of Morrow Mountain; Concord Church cemetery, established in 1805; Fountain Hill Church, built in 1813; and a natural spring (located on private property) that, as legend goes, has healing powers.

     Bike riders will visit communities with the names of Cedar Hill, Eggtown, Burnsville, Fountain Hill and Kikers. These communities, once thriving during the early history of the county, are now dominated by a long-established church, a country store or, perhaps, just a crossroads sign.

     The northwestern area of the bike ride is the most challenging -- highlighted by moderate-to-steep rolling terrain, which offers several heart-pumping mountain climbs.

     Following the bike ride, cyclists are invited to enjoy the crafts and entertainment at the Ansonville Homecoming Celebration; savor pit-cooked barbecue offered by the Ansonville Volunteer Fire Department; and watch the annual Homecoming parade that begins at 3:00 p.m.

     The Discover Anson Bike Ride is sponsored by the Anson County Chamber of Commerce and the Anson County Tourism Development Authority. For more information on Anson County, call the chamber of commerce at 704.694.4181 or visit www.ansoncounty.org.

Anson County can be found in the rolling hills of the southern Piedmont. Located near the Uwharrie National Forest and within North Carolina’s “Central Park,” Anson County is an ideal home base for travelers exploring North or South Carolina.

See Yahoo map to Anson County...

Directions to Town of Ansonville...

The Discover Anson Bike Ride will begin at Ansonville Elementary, located across US-52 from the Ansonville Volunteer Fire Department. The directions listed below are the most direct routes; cyclists and visotors are encouraged to find possible shorter, more scenic routes.

From Charlotte

Take US-74 East to Albemarle Road (NC-27). Travel approximately 35 miles on NC-27 until US-52. Continue on US-52 18 miles to Ansonville. Drive time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.

From Greensboro

Take I-73 South to the Lexington/Charlotte exit onto Albemarle Road. Albemarle Road becomes NC-49. Travel 25 miles until road becomes NC-8. Travel approximately 3 miles to Old US-52 and then turn left on US-52. Travel another 25 miles to Ansonville. Drive time: 2 hours

From Raleigh

Travel US-1 South to US-74 West. After 18 miles on US-74, turn right onto US Hwy. 52 North to Ansonville. Drive time: 3 hours

For more information, contact Anson County Chamber of Commerce at 704- 694-4181.