Little River added to mountain bike night riding circuit

I was staring out the window late this afternoon, mopey because tonight's mountain bike ride at Lake Crabtree has been canceled. Between mopes, I was noodling around on the internet, in search of vicarious thrills, when I happened across a notice on the TORC Web site that another night ride has been added to the mix: this one at Little River Regional Park on the Durham/Orange county line.

Little River: Another chance to ride in the dark. 

"Our first legal night ride will be held at Little River Regional Park on Feb. 20th at 6 pm," writes one David H (who I will be glad to fully identify should someone pass along this deserving soul's last name). "This is a Friday, which will hopefully lead to lots of people coming and showing the park how interested we are in continuing night rides for the future."

Here's the deal: The park will close at 5 p.m. Friday. At 6 p.m., park manager Mike DiFabio will reopen the gate (if you're already in the park prior to 5, just hang out). DiFabio will close the gate at 6:15, though it sounds like if you arrive at 6:16 and make a sad face, he may reopen it for you. Riders must be off the trail by 8:15 and out of the park by 8:30. (That's a good two hours of riding for the math impaired.) According to David H (again), the reason Little River is giving this a shot is because of TORC's volunteer efforts out there, in trail building, trail maintenance, patrolling.

So, weather permitting, make plans to ride Little River Friday night.