Tour des Farms: A NWCT Farm Tour For Pedal Pushers
Combine the best of the Rural Intelligence region: the farms, the sublime fall scenery, the beckoning trails and, of course, the food and drink. The result is a day tailor made for exploring all of the above in the Northwest hills of Connecticut, courtesy of the Connecticut Tour des Farms on Saturday, Oct. 6.
Designed to get people on their bikes and riding en route to farms and markets, the Tour des Farms bicycle rides are charitable events to raise awareness and funding for the Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development’s agricultural and conservation projects. From 2003-2008, the rides have traveled through various parts of the state. Returning for the first time in a decade this year, the tour traverses our part of the state, which gets to show off its picturesque and productive farmland.
Beginning and ending at the White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield, the tour will visit farms in Goshen, Litchfield and Morris. Riders can elect to choose a 16- or 26-mile route. The route can be traveled by car as well, said Andrea Peres, the tour’s coordinator, but the day is set up so bicyclists can take in the scenic route at the height of fall foliage.
Cyclists will gather at White Memorial for check-in and pick up a t-shirt and goody bag. Farm stops include Thorncrest Farm and Milk House Chocolates, Miranda Vineyard, Meadow Ridge Farm, Bunnell Farm, South Farms, Kent Falls Brewing Co., White Flower Farm and several others. Riders can shop for produce, pumpkins, chocolates and wine with abandon, because organizers will follow and pick up the purchases and deliver them at the ride’s end. Optional picnic lunches from New Morning Market in Woodbury are available for purchase in advance of the ride.
Back at White Memorial, activities continue with the Pie Fest in celebration of the RC&D’s 50th anniversary as an organization. The event will be held rain or shine. There will be limited onsite registration, so early registration is encouraged.
Connecticut Tour des Farms
Saturday, Oct. 6. Ride, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Pie Fest 1-4 p.m.
Tour begins and ends at White Memorial Conservation Center, 80 Whitehall Rd., Litchfield, CT
$65 adults; $25 ages 13-18. Register online.
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