Get Yo Self to TDF

If you love bikes and beer, the annual Tour de Fat (aka “TDF”) is a spectacularly wonderful, family-friendly, summer event that you don’t want to miss!

This year’s TDF will be held at Diamond View Park on Blackwell Street next to the Durham Performing Arts Center and across from American Tobacco Campus (exit 12B off of NC147).  Event festivities begin with a bike parade at 10:00am and you can enjoy music, food, beer, and fun from 12:00pm until the event ends at 5:00pm.  Learn more and pre-register at http://www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat/durham.aspx.

Have you always wanted to go but live in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, or Cary and don’t have a DD?  This year we’ve got you covered!  We’re making it easier for you to get to Tour de Fat by providing a shuttle bus option from Raleigh to Durham AND we worked with Amtrak on better train options, too.  Here are some options to move you to and fro the festivities:

RALEIGH

Well, first of all, Raleigh - you’re special and we really want you to visit!  So, New Belgium is hosting a pre-party for you.  Check out the deets and RSVP at http://www.yelp.com/events/raleigh-youre-invited-to-yelps-kickoff-event-new-belgium-tour-de-fat. 

#1: The Bridge Bus is a regular nighttime entertainment shuttle between Durham and Raleigh.  It runs every Saturday night with departures from the Brightleaf Square district at 6:00PM, 8:10PM, 10:40PM, and 1:10AM: https://thebridgebus.com/bus-schedule/.  If you’d like to stick around Durham for dinner after TDF, the Bridge Bus is a great return strategy -- just be sure to schedule in advance to ensure you get a seat.

# 2: The Piedmont Amtrak service is adding another train between Durham’s downtown Amtrak station and Union Station in downtown Raleigh just for TDF!  The train departs Raleigh for Durham at 11:45am and will depart at 2:33pm or 7:38pm for a return trip to Raleigh.  It’s only a 45-minute train trip, and if you purchase your train tickets in advance you may be able to arrange to bring your bike on the train.  

#3: GoTriangle runs hourly regional bus service between Durham and Raleigh until on Saturdays.  You can pick up Rt 700 at Durham Station until 10:00pm, then transfer to Rt 100 at the Regional Transit Center.  GoTriangle buses will carry 2 bicycles each.  Plan your trip using Google Transit.

CARY

# 1: The Piedmont Amtrak service runs between Durham’s train station downtown and the old train depot in historic downtown Cary.  The train departs Cary for Durham at 11:57am and will depart at 2:33pm or 7:38pm for a return trip to Cary.  It’s only a 31-minute ride and if you pre-arrange your travel and purchase tickets in advance, you may be able to carry your bike on the train.  

CHAPEL HILL/CARRBORO

#1: GoTriangle runs regional bus service between Durham and Chapel Hill on Saturday evenings on the Rt 400.  Pick up the Rt 400 at Durham Station on the hour, each hour, until the final pick-up at 10:00pm.  Plan your trip using Google Transit or view the bus schedule here.

OTHER

Still don’t see a transit/train option for you?  Visit Google Maps and use the transit search function to find a bus route that fits your needs -- be sure to select the bus icon above the search bar in order to find transit options and use the “schedule explorer” tool to hone in on the exact time/day information.  Download the Transloc “Rider” app on your smartphone in order to track the buses in real-time on June 20.  Amtrak has an app, too!

If you are an avid, long-distance cyclist looking for bike routes, the American Tobacco Trail begins at the American Tobacco Campus in downtown Durham and travels 22 miles to/from Wake County via Chatham County.  There are many opportunities to connect to the ATT from nearby roadway networks and/or trails from nearby communities.  For route tips between Durham and Raleigh, visit the East Coast Greenway Alliance cue sheet.

You might also have better success with UBER or LYFT, two transportation technology companies that help match you with personal transport service providers in the region.  Sign up in advance and download the smartphone app for instant service when you need it.