Thursday, September 17, 2020

The Booty Loop

I first heard the term "Booty Loop" from my friend, Michael, when we were in high school. We'd been running some variation of this three-mile route around the heart of Myers Park as part of cross country practice for years. But it wasn't until he started riding bikes with older fellows who trained in the area that he learned -- and shared with a teenage-boy giggle -- that some in the cycling community had come up with the name as a nod to the fitness of the women they saw exercising while the riders were doing laps. 

There are other, more PC origin stories. I'll leave it to you to decide which to believe.

Whatever you think about the name or its genesis, there's no denying that the Booty Loop is a pretty ideal urban exercise destination. Lined with generous sidewalks and billowing old-growth trees, this city street route runs along Queens Rd., Selwyn Ave., Queens Rd. West and Hopedale Ave. Here's a map of the loop.

A good place to park and start is at the intersection of Hopedale Ave. and Queens Rd. (Note: this is a church parking lot; be mindful courteous about taking spaces during church events) or at or around Queens University (1900 Selwyn Ave., 28207). Of course, if you can ride or walk from wherever you're coming from, even better.

Here are some of the things we love about the Booty Loop:
It's pleasant. There's lots of shade. The terrain is flat-to-gently rolling (with the exception of one relatively steep hill at the north end around Hopedale). There are no left turns and no major intersections to navigate. If you're riding bikes, this is a relatively low-traffic area (but don't let your
guard down!).

It's dynamic
. You can use the loop for bike riding on the street or walking, jogging, or pushing a stroller on the sidewalk. You also don't have to do the whole loop to enjoy this as a destination. There are a number of smaller cut-through side-streets you can use to create your own shorter loop.

It's entertaining. There are plenty of jaw-dropping houses and buildings to admire as you make your way around the loop. This is one of Charlotte's oldest neighborhoods and some history is on full display.

It's in close proximity to other things to do
. Take a stroll through the beautiful Queens University campus. Visit nearby Freedom Park. Stop by the Myers Park branch of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system. Each year in July, the loop is also home to 24 Hours of Booty, a 24-hour bike-riding event that raises money for cancer support services.

I've been enjoying the Booty Loop long before it got its name (I think?) and I still find it to be a compelling destination. If you're looking for a quick, easy outing with a slice of Charlotte thrown in, the Booty Loop is worth a visit.

How to get there:
A good place to park and start is at the intersection of Hopedale Ave. and Queens Rd. (Note: this is a church parking lot; be mindful courteous about taking spaces during church events) or at or around Queens University (1900 Selwyn Ave., 28207). Of course, if you can ride or walk from wherever you're coming from, even better.

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