Downtown Raleigh and downtown Knightdale are closer that you may think. This route follows creeks on greenways without much climbing. The mapped ride goes out one way and returns another, but crosses the Neuse on the same bridge both ways. Mix and match routes and donuts.
Starting at Dix Park, this route follows the Walnut Creek Trail to the Neuse River Trail and crosses the river via the Mingo Creek Trail bridge. The center of Knightdale is about four miles of flat riding over asphalt, boardwalks, and neighborhood streets. There are plenty of options in Knightdale to pause before heading back. Oak City Brewing is adjacent to the Knightdale Station Park and has a large outdoor quaffing area complete with picnic tables, and bike racks. La Mexicanita, nearer to downtown, makes Mexican pastries to help you fuel up for the trip home. Prime Barbecue for barbecue geeks, is perfect for a more serious nosh. Public restrooms are on the north edge of the Knightdale Station Park, near Prime Barbecue. The route shown is a double loop, so shows two different ways to reach the same points. The north side of the that route between Knightdale and the river goes through neighborhoods, with one busy turn near town. Return to downtown Raleigh via the Crabtree Creek Trail and pass through east Raleigh neighborhoods and downtown to return to Dix Park.
