Hot temperatures greet Farm to Fork Fondo riders

By Jerry LeBlond

Riders take a break from the summer heat on Saturday, during the Farm to Fork Fondo.

PITTSFIELD — The inaugural Farm to Fork Fondo – Vermont, debuted in Pittsfield this past Sunday, July 12. The cycling ride took off from Riverside Farm. The event highlighted Vermont’s local agriculture and the symbiotic relationship between cyclists, farmers and the state’s beautiful landscapes. The event was organized by Wrenegade Sports, LLC, and former professional cyclist Tyler Wren.

The Farm to Fork Fondo – Vermont had four distance options, from 10 to 102 miles in length, all complete with aid station stops at working Vermont farms with treats sourced straight from the farms. Featured farms included Sweet Georgia P’s of Pittsfield, Liberty Hill Farm and Mom and Pop’s World’s Best Maple Syrup of Rochester, Neshobe River Winery of Brandon and Kiss the Cow Farm of Barnard. Riders will stoped at the Ripton Country Store in Ripton and Sandy’s Books and Bakery in Rochester.

The Farm to Fork Fondo – Vermont benefited local Vermont farms via the innovative Volunteer Competition. Volunteers filled jobs such as staffing aid stations and marshaling intersections and were organized into teams each representing different local farms or farm projects. The teams then competed for participants’ votes. According to event organizers, 100 percent of any donations received will be awarded to local Vermont farms or organizations at the event.

Participated enjoyed a catered farm-to-table post-ride barbecue and pre-ride dinner, a bicycle skills clinics for beginner and advanced riders, a talk on the local agriculture from the Rutland Area Food and Farm Link, a vendor expo, prizes from event sponsors, live music, a kids’ Mini-Fondo, and more.

For more information visit www.FarmForkFondo-VT.com.