Above: photo by Leah Elizabeth
Cycle to Farm Takes Off July 16
Agritourism in Western North Carolina has kicked into gear for summer, and it doesn’t get any better than touring local farms by bicycle. Now in its fifth year, Cycle to Farm® offers two metric century cycling events: The Black Mountain ride on July 16 and the Asheville ride on October 1.
Each Cycle to Farm event offers participants a challenging hundred kilometers (about 62 miles), including plenty of challenging ascents, beautiful country roads, and the picturesque scenery of local farms. Riders will enjoy food samples and have the opportunity to buy products directly from the farmers, with volunteers available to transport their larger purchases.
After each ride, cyclists will enjoy a delicious farm-to-table meal with ingredients sourced from local farms. The farmers and the many volunteers who work the event also join in the meal as local musicians provide entertainment.
“We really enjoy connecting cyclists, who are often foodies, with the community of farmers, sponsors, and volunteers who make all of this possible— and breaking bread together is a great way to do it,” says Jennifer Billstrom, creator of Cycle to Farm, and owner of Velo Girl Rides, a bicycle tour company based in Black Mountain.
Proceeds from this month’s Black Mountain event benefit the Black Mountain Greenways. October’s Asheville ride—which begins and ends at New Belgium Brewery and takes cyclists out into the agritourism community of Sandy Mush in northern Buncombe County—benefits Friends of Connect Buncombe, which promotes greenways throughout Buncombe County.
A Cycle to Farm spinoff organized by six Madison County farms, the first Pedal to Plate ride takes place September 18. Beginning and ending at Root Bottom Farm in Marshall, it encompasses 33 scenic miles and six farm tours, and culminates with a farm-to-table dinner at Root Bottom featuring produce from all the participating farms. Proceeds will help provide a green house for the students of Woodson Branch Nature School, a new K-6 farm and art school opening in Madison County this fall.
Cycle to Farm events cost $85 and registration closes when 300 cyclists have signed up. Pedal to Plate costs $75 and registration ends at 50 cyclists. Learn more at cycletofarm.org and rootbottomfarm.com/pedaltoplate.
