Cycle North Carolina’s 12^th-annual Coastal Ride, held in Washington and nearby environs last weekend, set a record for participation, according to North Carolina Amateur Sports.

That record participation meant cash registers were busy ringing up sales at many area restaurants and area-lodging establishments saw many heads in beds.

The Mecca Grill on North Market Street in downtown Washington was one of the area businesses that benefitted from the three-day visit by cyclists from 24 states.

“It was crazy, but in a good way,” said Danielle Hunnings, who, along with husband Michael Hunnings, owns the eatery. “I think Michael said we served over 800 eggs just between Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All the cyclists were extremely nice and thankful that we were open, especially Sunday. I believe we were the only place open downtown.”

Hunnings said she and her husband appreciated the cyclists’ business.

“We were getting people in here an hour before we normally open. It was very successful,” she said.

Across the street, Rachel K’s Bakery experienced its first Coastal Ride influx of cyclists.

“We did really well. We sold a lot of sandwiches and a lot of coffee in the mornings to get people going. It was a really great weekend for us. It was a huge thing for our business,” said owner Rachel Kathleen Midgette.

Last weekend, cyclists could be seen leaving the parking lots of hotels and motels, pedaling their ways to meals at Golden Corral, Waffle House, McDonald’s, Down on Mainstreet or to events such as Music in the Streets and Saturday Market.

The 12^th-annual Coastal Ride (formerly Spring Ride) was the second year in a row the event sold out at 1,400 participants, according to N.C. Amateur Sports. For the fourth year in a row, the event set a record for participation.

The Coastal Ride was in Washington in 2011, with 1,137 participants.