Close to your home in Wake Forest, I'm not too familiar with them, so I would have to go with the
Yelp Ratings.
In the Cary/Morrisville area, I use Performance Bike in Cary. But I also bought my bike there, and go on group rides there. And since they give free Lifetime Adjustments, if you bought your bike there, I tend to go there. Others that treated me well, when I went looking for bikes were All Star Bikes, The Bicycle Chain, and Trek Raleigh.
Also, there are a couple of Meetup groups that do group rides in the Morrisville/Cary area. The one that I'm most tempted to do is Slow Spokes on Tuesday nights when they have A/B/C/D/Beginner rides. But I have not done that ride, yet.
In your area, I've heard good reports about this trail,
Neuse River Trail. I haven't been on it, but I've spoken to people that have been on it, and they say it is an excellent trail.
Also, while I'm riding a Fuji right now. I rode a Raleigh in HS/College around 1981. I think it was a Raleigh Gran Sport. I still have it, and it will probably become a project at some time to get into shape, so that I can actually ride it.
Also, I'm not the only Clyde/Athena that does the PB - Cary beginner ride. I'm just the only one on this board.
Good Luck!
GH