The 10th annual Ride for the Reserve Fall Farm Bike Tour will benefit Montgomery Countryside Alliance. Photo contributed
Bike riders are invited to enjoy the bounty of area farms and the beauty of country roads during the 10th annual Ride for the Reserve Fall Farm Bike Tour on Sunday, Oct 8.
The ride, which starts at Poolesville Golf Course, 16601 West Willard Road in Poolesville, is a “fully supported ride,” according to Caroline Taylor, executive director of Montgomery Countryside Alliance, which is sponsoring the ride.
“We have support trucks to pick up people, if needed,” Taylor said. “Trek [of Rockville] will provide mechanical support.”
The ride offers several distance options from a new 10-mile “family friendly” ride that starts and finishes at the golf course. This ride has a stop at historic St. Paul’s Church in Sugarland as its half way point. The church will be open and light refreshments will be served.
Other distances include 18, 26, 28 40 and 58 miles. All have stops at local farm markets and orchards plus there is a picnic lunch at the end of the day at Kingsbury Orchard, 19415 Peach Tree Road, Dickerson. Live music will be provided by Justin Trawick and the Common Good.
The Alliance has also planned for riders who want to take home some of the local produce by offering a transport service from each stop to the car park at the golf course.
“That way [riders] not only get to see the scenery but can go home with apples, meat or wine,” Taylor said.
Taylor said one purpose of the ride is to get people to connect with the Ag. Reserve.
“Many riders come out to the area anyway,” she said. “This is a way for them to connect with it.”
Registration is open until Friday, Oct. 6 at mocoalliance.org. Cost is $60 for members of the Alliance, $80 for nonmembers. Price includes the picnic — from noon to 4 p.m. — rest stops with snacks and support along the way.
All proceeds benefit Montgomery Countryside Alliance whose mission is “to promote sound economic, land-use and transportation policies that preserve the natural environment, open spaces and rural lands in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve for the benefit of all Washington Metropolitan area residents.”
For more information email ellen@mocoalliance.org.