Biking the Charlotte Rail Trail | Charlotte, NC

And now, for something completely different. A wide sidewalk that runs alongside an active, urban, light rail line. Shopping, food & drink, quirky art, tons of apartments and condos filled with millennials and their dogs. It's a unique experience...very different from your average riverwalk or greenway. Everybody should ride this one at least once! Come along with me...
#JoyfulTrails #CharlotteRailTrail #SouthEnd

[@MsJuani1969Wiggins]

I can't wait to move back❤❤❤

[@joepassante8498]

This video is a work of art. Well done sir!

[@joyfultrails]

Glad you liked it! Thanks.

[@danielp6203]

Great tunes.

[@leegandysdroid]

I've ridden the light rail several times (to get to the stadium) but never knew there was a trail (albeit concrete) alongside it. Thanks for yet another great video. Don't forget Wayne Watson helped Sandi Patty on that tune, btw haha

[@joyfultrails]

Wayne, yes, of course! In fact, in honor of Wayne, the next time I visit that trail I’m gonna ride a watercolor pony instead of my bike. 😆

[@leegandysdroid]

@@joyfultrails 🤣🤣🤣

[@billysbikesbrews7183]

I give your Video Style 5 stars 🌟⭐⭐⭐🌟 Now its time for me to go for a Bike Ride🚴😎

[@kevinseversonandhisvizslas8287]

We have a 19 mile bike path with additional offshoots. In Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Come on over.

[@joyfultrails]

I would love to! Maybe one day. Retirement beckons... :)

[@randallgray8492]

Great job, Thanks

[@joyfultrails]

Thanks for watching!

[@PFAM5]

Nice video. The tunnel was neat!

[@joyfultrails]

Thanks! This is a fun one to ride. But obviously very city- and urban-oriented. Different from the kinds of trails I usually ride.

[@studiomangordon2933]

the algorithm bought this great vid to my attention.. and I'm glad .... nice review , you're a natural at this

[@joyfultrails]

Thanks!

[@PlayingInVestapol]

It looks nice, But to drive 45 miles for a three mile trail might not be worth my time. So if I have another Doctor appointment in Charlotte again I may stop by. That's more than I drive the Cowpen Battlegrounds rail just for a three mile loop.

[@joyfultrails]

Understood. I've been there twice...but I combine it with another trail. I just enjoy the business of the city and all...

[@JimmyCornPop]

Crazy. 20 years ago most of those buildings and infrastructure did not exist in Charlotte.

[@Theofficalmetrochannel]

I speed my bike and sometimes I catch up with the train. And my bike and the train keep up with the same pace if I go really fast

[@joyfultrails]

Wow! You must ride at a time when it’s not crowded with dog walkers!

[@marcusrawls2125]

If you must mention Yoga pants all I can say is you must watch what Tim Hawkins has to say about Yoga pants! 😂

[@joyfultrails]

Ha! I’ll have to check that out… 😂

[@marcusrawls2125]

@@joyfultrails I think with your humor it will crack you up!

[@ericandbeethoven]

Very entertaining video. I am an urbanist to the core. I ahem was stuck in Charlotte for a few years. I was carless so that trail was part of my daily experience - running, biking and walking my dogs. You certainly covered this in the video but it's kind of terribly bad in many facets for being considered a bike trail. Clearly it was designed by someone that did not know what they were doing and likely did not care. I recently discovered that this is not a Parks District trail, but rather a Center City (eg Boosters Chamber of Commerce group that likely don'y even have bikes) Partners project that talked local businesses into building a sidewalk because it would be good for business. That in and of itself is typical of Charlotte. I also found Charlotte to be basically an overgrown, over-priced suburb with poor urban characteristics. (Horrible transit, poor Walkability, Car-centric, poor land use, et al). From a bike trail rating, I think you are being a bit generous with this being given a 3/5. I would be more of a 1.5-2.0. I would rate parts of it a 3/5 as a running trail however there is far better running just across S Blvd in the adjoining tree-lined neighborhoods.
Looks like you're Carolinas-based but I would recommend visiting Miami's Underline which is much better designed. www.theunderline.org/

[@TheGreatWasian_]

What is a good city that is better to live in? I’m based in NC and Charlotte seems like the best urban area for the state.

[@PlayingInVestapol]

I wanna go there so bad , But I can't find the trailhead or parking area on Google Earth.

[@joyfultrails]

It's a challenge! I parked in a Chick-fil-A parking lot (about a block away) and walked over.

[@birddogdoc]

What’s your favorite NC trail?

[@joyfultrails]

I think I’d have to go with the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Lots of variety! And it’s pretty lengthy, too.