Greenways + Railroads: A New Way to Explore the Triangle (Part 2/2)

When Alex and Anastasia mentioned they’d never ridden their bikes to Durham and asked me to be their guide, I couldn’t say no. Alex and Anastasia are self-proclaimed fair-weather cyclists – fairly casual – but they’re adventurous and always up for trying something new. Those are my kind of people.

Choosing the Route:

As I built the route I had to decide: take the roads for a faster trip or stick to the greenways for a more scenic, traffic-lite ride? We opted for the roads to make better time. It cut about 9 miles off the trip.

Road + Greenway

Less Road, More Greenway Option

Pre-Ride Prep

Before meeting up, Anastasia texted, “What are you wearing?” A great question for a long ride.

My answer: cycling shorts, sports bra, long sleeve athletic shirt, another jacket, gloves, wool socks, sunglasses, and cycling shoes. With temps at 44°F and cloudy skies, layers were key. For long rides, padded cycling shorts (or bibs) are a must—they make a huge difference in comfort. As for upper body layers, it’s all about personal preference and what you feel comfy in.

We also had to decide how to carry our gear. Alex and Anastasia opted for backpacks, while I used my Swift Industries handlebar bag to stash my shoes for walking around Duke Gardens. I prefer keeping weight off my back for better comfort while riding.

The Ride Begins

We met at The Bike Library’s new location at Platform apartments, checked our tires, ensured we had everything we needed, and rolled out.

Our route took us down Hillsborough Street, which transitions into Chapel Hill Road. We wove through quiet neighborhoods before hopping onto Morrisville Parkway, then Yates Store Road, and finally New Hope Church Road, where we met the ATT.

Road Riding vs. The ATT

Road riding keeps you on high alert—constantly aware of your surroundings, handling your bike, and staying in sync with your group. We had one unpleasant encounter with a driver yelling at us, but we brushed it off. We were out riding, enjoying the day, while they were stuck in their car.

Once we reached the ATT, we found ourselves in a different rhythm. The trail is flat, straight, and predictable—making for an easy way to cover distance, even if it lacks excitement. After 10 miles, Anastasia summed it up bluntly: “That wasn’t very fun.” Compared to the thrill of road riding, it was indeed a little monotonous. Give and take!

Coffee & Churros: The Reward

Seeing the Durham skyline gave us a boost—we were ready for churros and coffee! We arrived at Cocoa Cinnamon on the east side of Durham around noon. Over coffee, Anastasia reflected, “That wasn’t that hard.” A moment of realization: she once thought our friend Vance was crazy for biking to Durham. Now she has done it herself. That’s a win!

Exploring Duke Gardens

A quick 10-minute ride took us to Duke Gardens. We locked up our bikes, changed into our walking shoes, and wandered through the gardens with Hira and Salam. The cherry blossoms hadn’t bloomed yet, but the magnolias were stunning.

Lunch at Rose’s and an Afternoon Pick Me Up at Yonderlust

Hunger kicked in, so we made our way to Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings, and Sweets—a favorite of Alex and Anastasia’s. There weren’t any bike racks, so we locked our bikes to a fence out back.

We feasted on ramen bowls, dumplings, smashed tofu, beverages, apple mochi cake, and ice cream sandwiches. Everything disappeared within minutes. If you’re looking for East Asian–inspired food in Durham, Rose’s is a must.

Taking the Train Back

After Yonderlust we headed to the train station only 4 minutes away. 

Getting bikes on the train is so easy:

• Buy your ticket.
• Add a bike (for free!).
• Get a tag for your handlebars.
• Wait on the platform.
• Hand your bike to the conductor.
• Find your seat. Done!

The 25-minute ride from Durham to Raleigh is just enough time to read, catch up on texts, or—as we did—share photos from the day.

Once back in Raleigh, we grabbed our bikes from the conductor at the back of the train and pedaled home.

I love introducing my friends to new experiences—especially when they push themselves and come away feeling proud. Seeing Alex and Anastasia take on this ride and realize it was totally doable? That’s what makes it all worth it.