Tour de Heifer scenic cycling rides: Sunday, June 3

10-mile, 30-mile, and 60-mile scenic dirt road farm-to-farm rides plus an option for walkers! — Optional fundraising to benefit the Stroll plus your favority charity — Scenic vistas — farm-fresh lunch!

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION  

The second annual Strolling of the Heifers Tour de Heifer is set for Sunday, June 3. The Tour is a trio of scenic farm-to-farm bicycle rides tailored to all levels of ability, with 10-mile, 30-mile and 60-mile routes. There is also a five-mile walking option. 

All of this year’s Tour de Heifer routes are almost entirely on dirt roads. Use of mountain bikes, cross-bikes, or road bikes fitted with 28mm knobby tires is recommended.

All of the routes begin and end at Lilac Ridge Farmin West Brattleboro, and feature incredible views, farm and woodland terrain, New England villages (one with a covered bridge), and much more.

The tour is part of the eleventh annual Strolling of the Heifers Weekend, which takes place June 1-2-3, 2012 in the heart of New England — Brattleboro, Vermont. As always, the centerpieces of the weekend are the world-famous Strolling of the Heifers Parade and the Live Green Expo that follows, both on Saturday, June 2. Come for the parade and expo, and stay for the Tour!

Proceeds from the Tour de Heifer will benefit theStrolling of the Heifers Farm/Food Business Plan Competition, a program of direct grants ($30,000 per year) to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in farm and food enterprises. Riders may participate purely for recreation, or they can do additional fund raising, either individually or in teams. Riders who choose to fundraise will have the unique opportunity to raise funds for both Strolling of the Heifers and any charity they designate, with donation proceeds shared on a 50-50 basis.

Strolling of the Heifers and the Tour de Heifer promote and encourage:

• Connecting directly with local farms, farmers and food enterprises who supply healthy local food
• Supporting other non-profit organizations via the Tour’s fundraising partnership
• Using pedal power as a preferred means of local transportation and exercise

A detailed map showing all the routes on a topographical map can be downloaded here.  See links in route descriptions below for individual route maps.

Heifer Challenge 60-mile Ride:  Starts 8 a.m. This is a dirt road ride, wandering through Southeastern Vermont farmland and forests. The ride starts at the Lilac Ridge Farm in West Brattleboro in the Connecticut River watershed. It briefly heads towards Brattleboro before turning south towards Guilford. It winds through Guilford on a combination of dirt roads and ancient highways.  Then it briefly dips into Massachusetts before heading to the picturesque Green River covered bridge. After Green River, the route heads west into the foothills of the Green Mountains.  It goes through Halifax, West Halifax, and Jacksonville and briefly touching Wilmington before turning east.  It skirts Mount Olga as it heads into Marlboro and several climbs. Those climbs are rewarded by a long downhill run back towards Brattleboro. Overall, the route climbs and descends about 4,600 feet, most of it in the 21-mile section from Leyden to Jacksonville. The ride covers no major highways and has minimal pavement. The ancient highways are passable by bicycle and only marginally so by car. While snacks and a hearty lunch prepared by local chefs will be provided, riders are encouraged to carry most of their own provisions. (There are no stores on the route and services are limited.) Recommended bicycle types are cross, rugged touring, or mountain. Click here for route map and elevation profile: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/59896168

30-mile Scenic Farm Loop: Starts 9:30 a.m. This is not only a farm-to-farm but a village-to-village ride. After leaving Lilac Ridge Farm, it passes through the outskirts of West Brattleboro village, visits West Guilford and Guilford Center, and proceeds to the village of Green River and its scenic covered bridge. From there, it continues to Harrisville (in the town of Halifax), then past Marlboro College to Marlboro village, and finally down Ames Hill Road and Cow Path 40 back to Lilac Ridge Farm. Most of this route is dirt roads; it involves about 2200 feet of hill climbing (most of it a gradual climb from Guilford to Marlboro — about 1000 feet over 12 miles — followed by a downhill return over the last 5 miles). Most roads are dirt roads — cross, rugged touring or mountain bikes recommended. Click here for route map and elevation profile: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/58462858

10-mile Family Ride: Starts 10:30 a.m. This moderately challenging, family-friendly ride starts from Lilac Ridge Farm and heads toward West Brattleboro village via Abbott Road, Hinesburg Road and Greenleaf Street. Then, the route heads south up Bonnyvale Road, a scenic woodland climb and descent, returning to Lilac Ridge Farm via Lee Road, Hinesburg Road and Goodenough Road.  There’s about 600 feet of hill climbing along the way. Most roads are dirt roads — cross, rugged touring or mountain bikes recommended. Click here for route map and elevation profile: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/58467314

An alternative for walkers: 5-mile Road and Trail Stroll:  Starts 10:30 a.m. From Lilac Ridge Farm to the top of Round Mountain, and then back via Ames Hill Road and Hinesburg Road.  This hike is partly on dirt roads, partly on the Round Mountain trail, and includes a climb of about 750 feet to the summit of Round Mountain. There are two scenic vistas back to the east, across the town of Brattleboro to Mt. Wantastiquet, and Mt. Monadnock. The other vista is a more local showing of the West Brattleboro farming landscape. Click here for hike map.

FUND RAISING:

Fund raising is not a requirement of participation. Riders are welcome to join the Tour recreationally without doing fund raising.

For individual riders and teams who want to solicit donations from friends and colleagues, there are two options: 

1. Raise money for Strolling of the Heifers plus the rider’s designated charity. Funds raise will be shared 50-50 between the Strolling of the Heifers Farm/Food Business Plan Competition Fund and the designated charity.
2. Raise money just for the Strolling of the Heifers Farm/Food Business Plan Competition Fund.

The Strolling of the Heifers Farm & Food Business Plan Competition Fund supports the Strolling of the Heifers Farm/Food Business Plan Competition, through which Strolling of the Heifers provides competitive prizes ($30,000 annually) to farmers and food producers with innovative and entrepreneurial business plans. 

Teams can be started by any person or organization, there’s no minimum or maximum number of riders per team. 

Earn rewards for your fund raising efforts!

1. Set up your personal fund raising page 

2.  Grand prize: top fund raiser gets two nights for two at the Chesterfield Inn, just across the river from Brattleboro in Chesterfield, NH.

3. Raise over $500 and receive a Strolling of the Heifers cookbook and gift basket.

4. Raise over $1000 and receive a $25 gift certificate to a local store or restaurant, plus a Strolling of the Heifers cookbook and gift basket.

5. Raise over $2500 and receive a $50 gift certificate to a local store or restaurant, plus a Strolling of the Heifers cookbook and gift basket.

Feedback after the 2011 Tour de Heifer, via SurveyMonkey:

• Great volunteers - a shout out and thank you to them! I was also pleasantly surprised by how courteous drivers were to us. I almost wrote a letter to the editor just to say thanks for that!
• Thanks so much for the lunch. It was so quintessentially Vermont to look up at the hillside and see bunches of people enjoying themselves and eating local, delicious food.
• Well done for the first year! I am looking forward to next year's ride. Even if it stays at 60 miles, I will do my best to finish it!
• Don't change a thing. I think you tapped a vein. With some marketing, this could become a destination event.
• Wonderful job for a first year ride. My favorite ride so far this summer. Thanks for all the hard work!

What else is there to do?

REGISTRATION

Early registration incentive: The first 50 people to sign up for the Tour will receive a free set of blinky lights from the West Hill Shop, Putney VT. The next 50 will receive a free pair of bicycle socks from Brattleboro Bike Shop. 

All participants will receive a free water bottle courtesy of Burrows Specialized Sports and Strolling of the Heifers. And all participants may avail themselves of free repair services during the Tour provided by Bicycles Unlimited, Greenfield MA.

Final registration deadline: Saturday, June 2 at 5 p.m.:  Note: all tours are subject to limits on the number of participants. Register promptly to avoid being shut out! For rides not sold out, final online registration deadline is Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 5 p.m. If spots are available, you may register on the day of the event — please note that on-site rates are higher than online rates.

This is a rain or shine event.

Registration to all events includes a healthy lunch and entertainment. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Children 3 and under, free.

• 60-mile Heifer Challenge ride: $60 online; $75 on site on day of Tour. Includes packed lunch. Starts 8 a.m.
• 30-mile Scenic Farm Loop: Online: $35 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under. On site on day of tour: $45 for adults, $20 for children 12 and under. Includes lunch buffet after the ride at Lilac Ridge Farm. Starts 9:30 a.m.
• 10-mile Farm-to-Farm Family Ride: Online: $15 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under. On site on day of tour: $25 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under. Includes lunch buffet after the ride at Lilac Ridge Farm. Starts 10:30 a.m.
• 5-mile Road and Trail Hike: $10 per person, includes lunch. Includes lunch buffet after the ride at Lilac Ridge Farm. Starts 10:30 a.m.
• Ride Jersey: Registrants in any event may purchase a ride jersey for $75. To have your jersey available on ride day, you must register by May 16. After May 16, jerseys may be ordered at any time for delivery to you after the Tour, with an additional charge of $10 for shipping.

All riders are encouraged to raise additional funds for Strolling of the Heifers and other local charities. 

Bike Rentals from our sponsoring cycle shops: Bicycles are available to rent on a first-come-first-served basis at our cycling shop sponsors. Please patronize them for your cycling needs:

• Burrows Specialized Sports, downtown Brattleboro: 

  http://www.burrowsspecializedsports.com/index.htm

• Brattleboro Bike Shop, downtown Brattleboro: http://www.bratbike.com/
• West Hill Shop, Putney VT: http://www.westhillshop.com/
• Bicycles Unlimited, Greenfield MA: http://www.bikes-unlimited.com/

Directions To Lilac Ridge Farm, starting and ending location:  From Brattleboro, take Rte. 9 west to West Brattleboro, go left on Hinesburg Road, bear right on Ames Hill Road and follow until Lilac Ridge Farm on your left.

Please click here to join our Facebook page!

Please help spread the word! Email this link to your friends:
https://www.bikereg.com/Net/15508

Questions? Please see contacts below, or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Orly Munzing, Executive Director
Strolling of the Heifers, Inc.
802-258-9177 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Martin C. Langeveld, press & marketing
802-380-0226 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "