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North Carolina Amateur Sports announced last week that the 18th-annual Cycle North Carolina Coastal Ride will return to Washington, April 23-25, 2021.

Cycling routes of varying lengths of 5 miles to 100 miles will be offered for local and out of town cyclists to launch the spring cycling season.

It will be the sixth time Washington has hosted the Coastal Ride, where participants have traditionally camped along the waterfront in downtown or inside the Civic Center. During past Coastal Ride’s cyclists have filled the hotels, bed and breakfasts, Airbnbs and vacation homes to capacity over the three-day event.

In addition to the three days of cycling, the event will also feature coastal Carolina food and music, as well as off-the-bike recreational activities in the Washington area, including walking tours, kayaking, boat cruises, dining at local restaurants and live entertainment — all to provide a taste of coastal North Carolina, according to a release from Cycle NC.

The Coastal Ride is fully supported with vehicles available to aid cyclists who experience a physical or mechanical breakdown. There will be rest stops available every 10-25 miles along each route for riders to get off of their bikes and explore the area, while quenching their hunger and thirst.

Cycling routes will include attractions such as Goose Creek State Park, historic Bath, Acre Station Meat Farm, Belhaven and Aurora Fossil Museum to name a few, according to Emily Hinshaw, North Carolina Amateur Sports event coordinator.

Cycle NC’s upcoming rides include the Mountain Ride, taking place in Forest City, Aug. 7-9, and the Mountain-to-Coast Ride, which is set to kick off Oct. 3. This event traverses the state, making overnight stops in Sparta, Mt. Airy, Reidsville, Roxboro, Henderson, Smithfield, Clinton and North Topsail Beach.

For more information and to register for these events, visit www.ncsports.org.