Opinion: Why the Jubala ride is the most important ride in Raleigh

The constant nature of the ride brings into sharp relief the changing world around it. The leaves in fall and the sunrise in winter and the first ride after the time change in the spring when it's dark again and the sticky summer mornings all provide slightly different experiences of the same roads, the same ride.

The Jubala ride is the most important ride in Raleigh. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but it is worth trying at least once. Here's my take on why it's so special.

It's a twenty-two mile reverse lollipop that rolls every Friday morning at 6:15 sharp. It starts at the Village District Harris Teeter and heads directly north, usually arriving at Jubala Lafayette Village – about a mile shy of 540 – shortly after 7:00. It is a divine, nearly spiritual experience. Bear with me...

History

By some accounts, the ride has been happening since 2015. Some say it goes back even earlier. Either way, it's been happening for over a decade. Every Friday.

Before I moved to Raleigh, it was originally a ride predominantly attended by the NCSU Cycling team. It was a weekly staple which was highly attended and highly competitive at certain segments, like the infamous WAAAAHHHHHH.

It stayed alive through Covid, providing a source of stability for its riders through a particularly unpredictable time.

My experience with it started in late 2022, new to Raleigh, after I saw the group pass on a Friday morning and did some digging to find out who are those people and how can I get involved?

Route

It's the same route every week and there's always someone there who knows which turns to take. Every turn, climb, and descent runs like clockwork each week. It's very off-putting to be at the front if you don't know the turns, so naturally the group filters so that whoever knows the route is at the front.

The constant nature of the ride brings into sharp relief the changing world around it. The leaves in fall and the sunrise in winter and the first ride after the time change in the spring when it's dark again and the sticky summer mornings all provide slightly different experiences of the same roads, the same ride.

The ride also highlights the ebb and flow of the city itself. In the summers, when school is out for State students, the group is whittled down to the year-rounders, a funny bunch of folks who, over the past few years, have become my very close friends. It makes me realize how much the City needs the University.

Vibe

In short, based on my experiences, the "vibe" of the ride is casual proficiency. It is absolutely not a race-pace ride. People often show up in normal clothes; it's common to see t-shirts in the summer and leather jackets in the winter. At the same time, it is not an easy ride. The four major hills on the route – Lassiter Mill, Northclift, Granville, and Brooks, are steep and unforgiving. Flats happen. It's at 6:15am, for God's sake. And it happens in all weather.

Why it's important

Like any good recipe blogger, I've buried the important stuff all the way down here.

The ride is important because it has transcended its riders and has assumed a life and personality of its own. Simply, it is a bunch of friends riding bikes in whatever weather, in whatever clothes. Peel back a few layers, though, and it's something a little deeper... It is a group of young adults who, in the face of a sweeping loneliness epidemic, have latched on to one simple morning ride and those who go to it. It has served as an inlet to the bike community, which we all know I appreciate. It has been a source of joy for me, a source of friendship, and a darn good workout. It is unpretentious, leaderless, and as far as I can tell – immortal.