Coast: Walking carrots

Need a reason to walk (beyond the fact that it’s good for you)? You’ll find three reasons in Wilmington Saturday.

Like to see how other folks live? The Downtown Lifestyle Tour takes you through the Brooklyn Arts District and other historic parts of downtown to checkout the lifestyles of the not-necessarily-rich-and-famous; rather, those who have a certain flare for urban living. Condos, townhomes, single-family homes — some of which are for sale or rent. Self guided.

More on the historical side is the Guided Architectural Walking Tour sponsored by Historic Wilmington. Start from Forest Hills Elementary and check out one of Wilmington’s first suburbs to bloom as a result of the automobile. Plan to spend an hour and a half to two hours exploring.

Finally, nature is always a good motivator for walking. Learn about Wilmington’s Hugh MacRae Park on a brief talk followed by a 1.5-mile hike.

Vital stats: Learn more about all of these opportunities starting here, at WhatsOnWilmington.com.

Saturday forecast: High of 84, sunny.

Looking ahead: CFCC Bridge-to-Bridge 4.0 Run, June 10, Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington. More info here.

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Piedmont: Canoe the Mayo

Even if you consider yourself a fairly frequent paddler, you likely haven’t paddled the Mayo River. It’s smaller, a bit off the beaten track, more susceptible to bottom-scraping due to lack of rain. Plus, where do you put in and take out?

Saturday, Mayo River State Park gives you a chance to paddle a four- to five-hour stretch of the Mayo. Canoes, PFDs, and paddles provided; you need to provide your own shuttle, water, lunch and sunscreen, and promise, under no circumstances, to wear flip-flops. Also: “Cress for and be prepared for getting wet.”

It’s free, but you must be among the first 11 callers to sign up. Specifics below.

Vital Stats: Canoe the Mayo, Saturday, 10 a.m., Mayo River State Park, Mayodan. Call 336.427.2530 to sign up. More info here.

Saturday forecast: Partly cloudy, high of 80.

Looking ahead: National Trails Day, Saturday, June 4. Find out what’s going on to celebrate our North Carolina State Park trails by going here.

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Mountains: Cycle a Century

The mountain century season is upon us, the run of warm-weather rides that challenge cyclists by taking on some of the Southern Appalachians’ more challenging routes. One of the season’s kickoff events: Tour de Cashiers.

Routes include an English century (100 miles), a metric century (64 miles) and a quarter century (25 miles). None of the rides shies from climbing: the English century gains 10,500 vertical feet along the way, the quarter century a proportionate 2,500 feet. There is no easy, just durations of difficult. The race begins and ends in Cashiers, taking in Jackson, Macon and Transylvania counties along the way.

Vital Stats: Tour de Cashiers, Saturday, 8 a.m., Cashiers. $55. More info here.

Saturday forecast: Sunny and 52 at the 8 a.m. start climbing to a high of 66.

Looking ahead: The Fletcher Flyer, June 5, Brevard. Rides of 100, 62, 50 and 31 miles. More info here.

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

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