Events
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River Valley Ice Cream Ride
July 30, 2016
The River Valley Ice Cream Ride blends the best of summertime fun – bikes, gorgeous roads and ice cream! And, it supports local agriculture and better biking in the beautiful Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts!
Whether you’re a daily cyclist or only get your bike out a few times a year, this ride has options for you. It’s a great event to share with the whole family or with cyclists of varying abilities. One route features a scenic off-road bike path option that young families can enjoy.
We’re thrilled to have Bart’s Homemade as our ice cream partner for this event. Bart’s has been making delicious ice cream right here in the Connecticut River Valley since 1976. The Bart’s truck will be on site at Unity Park and we’ll be scooping one of our favorite flavors at each rest stop.
While some may disagree, a diet of only ice cream is not the best health choice. Therefore, we’ve engaged chef Tom Easton to prepare a summer-fresh lunch using the best local ingredients. Mid-summer is the perfect time to pick the best Pioneer Valley corn and other fresh produce. You’ll find delicious local foods on the table at Unity Park on July 30th!
Three Routes to Serve Everyone with a Cycling Appetite:
- The Kiddie Scoop Loop, five (5) miles along the Canal Side Rail Trail in beautiful Turners Falls, MA.
- The Single Scoop Loop, twenty five (25) miles through Connecticut River Valley towns of Montague, Sunderland and Deerfield, Massachusetts.
- The Double Scoop Loop, fifty (50) miles which adds gorgeous riding in Gill and Northfield, MA to the Single Scoop Loop above.
Ride Your Bike, Eat Ice Cream, Do Good!
The River Valley Ice Cream Ride is produced in cooperation with and supports two important non-profit organizations in the Pioneer Valley – Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) and MassBike Pioneer Valley.
CISA has been strengthening farms and building the local food economy since 1993. Their Be A Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown public awareness campaign is the longest-running and most comprehensive buy local program in the United States. Over 400 Pioneer Valley farms and related businesses benefit from the Local Hero marketing and educational efforts that build public demand for local farm products. CISA’s important work helps strengthen the financial viability of hundreds of farms who produce locally-grown foods and protect the scenic working landscape that makes the Pioneer Valley such a beautiful place to visit and ride.
MassBike Pioneer Valley is the local chapter of the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition. MassBike has been championing safe and accessible cycling in the Commonwealth for nearly 40 years. Throughout its four decades, MassBike has worked with communities across the Commonwealth to promote a bicycle-friendly environment and encourage bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation.
Bike to Bovines!
Along the way, riders will gain some insights into the importance and value of local food production here in the Valley. And what local food is more fun than ice cream!? We’ll visit Williams Farm in Sunderland and Upingill Farm in Gill to meet some of the hard-working cows (and their farmers) and see some of the work that goes into producing local foods. Throughout the Single Scoop and Double Scoop Loops, riders will see how active, viable agriculture helps create and protect the landscape that makes the Pioneer Valley such a pleasant place to live, work and play.
Join us in the charming community of Turners Falls, MA on Saturday, July 30, 2016 for this fun and delicious cycling event. We’ll gather at the Town of Montague’s scenic Unity Park along the banks of the Connecticut River.
Registration is Open!
Help support local farms and better biking!
Registration Fees:
(Includes marked and supported route, rest stops, lunch, and unity park activities)
Double Scoop Loop (50 Miles)
Adult 18 & over $70
Junior (under 18)* $35
Single Scoop Loop (25 miles)
Adult 18 and over $50
Junior (under 18)* $25
Kiddie Scoop Loop (5 miles)
Adult 18 and over $25
Junior (>10 and < 18)* $10
Kiddie (under 10) ** Free
* Must be accompanied by an adult.
** Must be accompanied by parent or guardian.