Second Annual Tour de Farms Durango Bike Tour Sept. 6

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DURANGO, Colo. – The second annual Tour de Farms Durango Bike Tour, celebrating healthy eating, active living and all that is unique and homegrown in Durango, is set for Sept. 6.

The 2008 Tour de Farms feature two routes: a leisurely 5-mile in-town short route and a 35-mile loop out to Hesperus. Cyclists will travel along the Durango bike path system and county “safe-routes.”

Participants will tour the Durango Farmers’ Market and visit cutting edge sustainable agricultural projects, learning first hand from farmers and garden directors about urban and rural farming and gardening, eating seasonally, preserving fresh, local foods for the winter and how to actively support local food and agricultural efforts.

The event culminates in a seasonal lunch of local ingredients featuring Sunnyside Meat’s BBQ, beer and root beer from Carver’s and salads from Turtle Lake Refuge.
The Tour de Farms featured routes are:

Short route – A 5-mile, in-town ride to six sites in and around the Historic Downtown area. Riders will traverse through town on the Animas River Trail and bike friendly roads to visit several cutting edge urban agriculture projects and hear brief presentations about our growing local food movement. Included is the Manna Soup Kitchen garden, school gardens, the Senior Center raised bed garden project, the Durango Farmers’ Market and ending at the Smiley Building. Meets at 9am at the Durango Farmers’ Market

Long route – This 35 mile ride is designed for proficient cyclists (age 12 and older) interested in touring farms in La Plata County. This ride will also start at the Durango Farmers’ Market, but will then make its way up Hesperus Hill to farms on the southeast side of the county. Included is the Colorado State University Research Station Farm and Isgar Farms. It will conclude by joining the short route Tour at the Smiley Building. To participate, meets at 8am at the Durango Farmers’ Market

All riders must be registered in advance, and supply their own equipment and water. First aid and support cyclists will be on hand throughout the Tour for assistance. Cost is $20 per cyclist and space is limited. Register by contacting Julie Hudak at [email protected], 970.259.3155.

 

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