October 8, 2017 ~ Poolesville, MD
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The Ag Reserve is Our Sanctuary
Almost annually, since 2007, cyclists have gathered to celebrate the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve's farms and wide open spaces. Conceived by statute in 1980 and only 15-miles from D.C., the 93,000-acre Agricultural Reserve is protected from development policies that seek to fill every acre with roads, housing developments, malls and office parks. The Farm Tour is an opportunity for cyclists to meet local growers and to experience the Reserve’s many gifts up close. Come enjoy the Reserve’s sweet air, sweeping landscapes and quiet country roads. While cycling in the Reserve, you’ll leave traffic congestion and the anxieties of your busy schedule behind. Check out what Montgomery Countryside Alliance has done recently to protect this incredible resource for cyclists and everyone else in the DC region. - Denise Cohen, Farm Tour Founder and 2017 Ride Chair |
About the Farm Tour
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Please join Montgomery Countryside Alliance on Sunday, October 8, 2017, for the 10th anniversary of the Montgomery County Farm Tour featuring the family farms and orchards to benefit the Reserve and our quest to protect this special place. (What Has MCA Done for Me Lately?). You’ll enjoy quiet roads, rural landscapes with views of Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Farm Tour’s signature gourmet picnic at Kingsbury’s Orchard - while listening to live music by Justin Trawick and the Common Good, and sipping Kingsbury’s own apple and pear cider. There are also opportunities to shop at the Orchard’s bountiful market*.
Riders will choose among routes of 10, 18, 26, 28, 40, 58 and 75 miles including quiet, rolling landscapes dotted with the Reserve’s orchards, red barns and silos. All but the 10, 18 and 26-mile routes offer views of Sugarloaf Mountain. Routes 26, 40, 58, & 75 (see an important note about the 75 mile ride below under "ride description") all have a rest and shopping stop at Rocklands Farm & Winery*. Beginners and experienced riders welcome! *Volunteers will shuttle your purchases from both farm stops back to the golf course. |
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Ride Start Map- Poolesville Golf Course
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Ride Start/Parking/Staging Area:
Poolesville Golf Course
16601 West Willard Rd Poolesville, MD 20837 Picnic at Kingsbury's Orchard:
19415 Peach Tree Rd
Dickerson, MD 20842 |
Kingsbury's Orchard, Picnic Location
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Ride Descriptions and Start Times
Moderately hilly routes of approximately 10, 18, 26, 28, 40, 58 and 75 miles will depart from Poolesville Golf Course (approximately one mile past Poolesville High School on West Willard Road). All routes offer beautiful scenery and stay mainly on quiet roads. All routes have a mile or two where the traffic is slightly heavier, such as Route 28 and Comus Road approaching Sugarloaf Mountain, but even there, the traffic isn't overwhelming. There are no bike paths or trails on these routes. There will be no spray painted arrows or signs. A majority of these are on rustic roads. As such, we are not allowed to mark them.
- 75 miles – 8:30 a.m. (includes Rockland's Farm, RB Savage & Sons Farm and Market & Kingsbury's Orchard picnic at Mile 70)
(Please note - as of 9/12/17 we have removed this ride from registration. Those registered for this ride may still ride it but will get an email from ride chair Denise Cohen with details. Just since last year's ride this route has become more developed and difficult and only seasoned riders should undertake it. We heartily encourage folks on the 75 mile ride to do the 58 mile ride. Riders may contact Denise with questions: bikergal101@yahoo.com. ) - 58 miles - 9:00 a.m. (includes Rockland's Farm, RB Savage & Sons Farm and Market & Kingsbury's Orchard Picnic is at Mile 53)
- 40 miles - 10:00 a.m. (includes Rockland's Farm, RB Savage & Sons Farm and Market & Kingsbury's Orchard Picnic Mile 35)
- 28 miles - 10:30 am. ( (NO STOP at Rocklands Farm) includes RB Savage & Sons Farm and Market & Kingsbury's Orchard Picnic is at Mile 23)
- 26 miles – 10:30 a.m. (This route is a little less hilly than the 28-mile but does not include a view of Sugarloaf Mountain. It does include Rockland's Farm, RB Savage & Sons Farm and Market and the Kingsbury's Orchard picnic at Mile 21 )
- 18 miles - 11:00 a.m. (NO STOP at Rocklands Farm but the Kingsbury's Orchard picnic is at Mile 13)
- 10 miles - 11:00 a.m. NEW family-friendly out and back – starts and ends at golf course, then parking available at the picnic at Kingsbury’s Orchard for this route only. (This route has a stop at the 1/2 way point at Historic St. Paul's Church (as seen in the award winning movie "Philomena" and the upcoming show "Gone") offering light refreshments)
(Novice riders are encouraged to try one of the shorter routes, or enjoy our NEW family friendly loop)
The registration table will open at 7:45. Large groups are scheduled to go out approximately every 30 minutes.
**Routes subject to minor updates due to changes in road conditions. We recommend waiting until shortly before the event to download GPS files and cue sheets** Cue sheets will also be available at registration.
Weather/Equipment/Safety
WEATHER
There will be NO REFUNDS and NO RAIN DATE. We will update this page with any weather related updates. We’ll also be sending out communications to all registered riders in advance of the event. In case of rain, (barring any extreme weather event) we’ll still have the picnic at Kingsbury’s Orchard, so please join us!
There will be NO REFUNDS and NO RAIN DATE. We will update this page with any weather related updates. We’ll also be sending out communications to all registered riders in advance of the event. In case of rain, (barring any extreme weather event) we’ll still have the picnic at Kingsbury’s Orchard, so please join us!
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REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
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Rider Behavior:
We'll be sharing the road with local residents, customers of farms, and a variety of motorists, including farm equipment and horse trailers. The default position for cyclists riding in groups is single file. Bicyclists are expected to obey the same traffic laws as motorists. Do it. The police have been known to ticket cyclists in the area for running stop signs. Some of these vehicles don't have great line of sight, or can not stop on a dime, such as horse trailers with perhaps more than a single one-ton animal in there. There are several one lane bridges, so allow the trailer or farm equipment to go first. Bicycles can startle horses. Before passing a horse and rider, slow down and ask if it is okay to pass. Make sure the rider sees you coming or knows you are behind them.
Mechanical Support:
Please make sure your bike is in good working order. We will have a few SAG (support and gear) vehicles (their contact information will be printed on the cue sheets). Please be patient, there will be upwards of 500 riders, and a lot of ground to cover. There will also be mechanical support at the start.
We'll be sharing the road with local residents, customers of farms, and a variety of motorists, including farm equipment and horse trailers. The default position for cyclists riding in groups is single file. Bicyclists are expected to obey the same traffic laws as motorists. Do it. The police have been known to ticket cyclists in the area for running stop signs. Some of these vehicles don't have great line of sight, or can not stop on a dime, such as horse trailers with perhaps more than a single one-ton animal in there. There are several one lane bridges, so allow the trailer or farm equipment to go first. Bicycles can startle horses. Before passing a horse and rider, slow down and ask if it is okay to pass. Make sure the rider sees you coming or knows you are behind them.
Mechanical Support:
Please make sure your bike is in good working order. We will have a few SAG (support and gear) vehicles (their contact information will be printed on the cue sheets). Please be patient, there will be upwards of 500 riders, and a lot of ground to cover. There will also be mechanical support at the start.
Rest Stops and Picnic
INTERIM REST STOPS
All routes also include stops at country markets, where you can purchase water and snacks. Refreshments will be provided at Kingsbury’s Orchard, Rocklands Farm, Dickerson Market & St. Paul's Church. The 75-Mile riders stopping at the Hyattstown Market at Mile 49 should plan to purchase refreshments on their own.
All routes also include stops at country markets, where you can purchase water and snacks. Refreshments will be provided at Kingsbury’s Orchard, Rocklands Farm, Dickerson Market & St. Paul's Church. The 75-Mile riders stopping at the Hyattstown Market at Mile 49 should plan to purchase refreshments on their own.
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FULLY STOCKED REST STOP AT ROCKLANDS
The 26, 40, 58 and 75-mile routes stop at Rocklands Farm where we’ll offer delicious snacks, fruit, and gatorade. We encourage you to check out Rocklands Farm Market where they carry a cornocopia of wines, meats, snacks, and many other market items. A shuttle will take your purchases back to the Golf Course. Consider bringing a cooler in your car for your Rocklands and Orchard goodies. |
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PICNIC LUNCH – Noon p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Kingsbury's Orchard
As always, the gourmet picnic will feature an assortment of delicious vegetarian and meat sandwiches, salads and dessert, this year brought to you by Geppetto Catering. You'll have a chance to relax at picnic tables while listening to live music by Justin Trawick & the Common Good in this lovely pastoral setting. You'll also have an opportunity to shop at their bountiful farm market for fresh fruit, preserves, honey and other farm products. All routes stop at Kingsbury’s Orchard five miles before ride’s end (with the exception of the NEW family-friendly 10-mile route – where you will drive to the picnic - parking will only be available at the Orchard for the 10-mile riders (watch the cowpies!). Barring an extreme weather event, the picnic will still take place, even if the cycling doesn't - news will be posted before the event.
As always, the gourmet picnic will feature an assortment of delicious vegetarian and meat sandwiches, salads and dessert, this year brought to you by Geppetto Catering. You'll have a chance to relax at picnic tables while listening to live music by Justin Trawick & the Common Good in this lovely pastoral setting. You'll also have an opportunity to shop at their bountiful farm market for fresh fruit, preserves, honey and other farm products. All routes stop at Kingsbury’s Orchard five miles before ride’s end (with the exception of the NEW family-friendly 10-mile route – where you will drive to the picnic - parking will only be available at the Orchard for the 10-mile riders (watch the cowpies!). Barring an extreme weather event, the picnic will still take place, even if the cycling doesn't - news will be posted before the event.
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You Can Purchase Fruit, Cider and other goodies at Kingsbury’s Orchard & Wine, Meat and more at Rocklands Farm & Winery
Feel free to purchase a bushel of apples, cider, jams and other goodies while picnicking at Kingsbury’s Orchard or wine, meat, cheeses and more at Rocklands Farm. No need to stuff your apples in your jersey pockets! Volunteers from the Montgomery Countryside Alliance will shuttle your purchases from Kingsbury’s Orchard & Rocklands back to your cars from 1:30 p.m. till 4 p.m. |
(l) your produce courier extraordinaire Jean Findlay (r) Founder & Chair Denise Cohen
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Register
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REGISTRATION PRICE Deadline to register is October 1- there will be no registration at the event
Before July 15:
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This event always sells out! Registration is for the first 500 riders. Prices include post (almost) ride picnic, cue sheets, rest stops with food, SAG (Support and Gear) mechanical support, live music, beverages, transport of your purchases at Rocklands and Kingsbury’s back to the parking pavilion, Port-a-potties at registration, all rest stops, and at the picnic, and most importantly, all net proceeds go to support Montgomery Countryside Alliance’s efforts to preserve the Agricultural Reserve for you and generations to come.
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ENJOY THE RIDE
You won’t see any shopping malls or big box department stores, because you’ll be cycling in the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve, where fresh air, farms and quiet country roads are largely protected from the pressures of urban sprawl. Your registration supports our work to protect the farms and open space of the Reserve. Montgomery Countryside Alliance is a lean, award winning organization and we depend on the the support of local folks who care about local farms (that's you!). Come Ride With Us! |
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, TO VOLUNTEER OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EVENT
Contact event coordinator Ellen Letourneau at ellen@mocoalliance.org.
Contact event coordinator Ellen Letourneau at ellen@mocoalliance.org.
Thanks to Our Sponsors!
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