Attention Ride for the Reserve fans.
For the past 13 years, cyclists have come from all over the region to Ride the Reserve's rustic roads, visit local farms and celebrate Montgomery County's landmark farm protection policy.
The 2021 Ride marks the 41th Anniversary of Montgomery County's treasured Ag Reserve!
While the county and world are starting to re-open, we here at MCA have elected to conduct a hybrid ride this year over two weeks in September (11th-26th). While we hope to return to day-of festivities like the popular post-ride picnic next year, Local farm businesses along the routes are open and operating with fewer restrictions and more services than last year.
There are 2 ways to participate this year:
1.Ride at Your Own Time and Pace- Like last year, riders will be emailed GPS files and cue sheets for rides in the Reserve of around 10, 20, 40 or 62 miles to be completed whenever you'd like over the two week event. As in past years, these rides will go by farms that are open to the public where you can purchase items. Those wanting to organize small groups of riders may do so as permissible by county regulations in effect on those dates. Share your ride with #RideTheReserve
2. Join one of our very small in-person guided rides on the first weekend of the ride dates. These are "no-drop" rides- the ride leader ensures no one is left behind. Please note that all in-person riders MUST be fully vaccinated, no exceptions.
Ready to Register? Click below - also you may want to attend our zoom route reveal - open to registered riders and those on the fence (the in-person rides won't be covered in the reveal, they are fully guided)
For the past 13 years, cyclists have come from all over the region to Ride the Reserve's rustic roads, visit local farms and celebrate Montgomery County's landmark farm protection policy.
The 2021 Ride marks the 41th Anniversary of Montgomery County's treasured Ag Reserve!
While the county and world are starting to re-open, we here at MCA have elected to conduct a hybrid ride this year over two weeks in September (11th-26th). While we hope to return to day-of festivities like the popular post-ride picnic next year, Local farm businesses along the routes are open and operating with fewer restrictions and more services than last year.
There are 2 ways to participate this year:
1.Ride at Your Own Time and Pace- Like last year, riders will be emailed GPS files and cue sheets for rides in the Reserve of around 10, 20, 40 or 62 miles to be completed whenever you'd like over the two week event. As in past years, these rides will go by farms that are open to the public where you can purchase items. Those wanting to organize small groups of riders may do so as permissible by county regulations in effect on those dates. Share your ride with #RideTheReserve
2. Join one of our very small in-person guided rides on the first weekend of the ride dates. These are "no-drop" rides- the ride leader ensures no one is left behind. Please note that all in-person riders MUST be fully vaccinated, no exceptions.
- September 11, 9am Start (8:30 snacks): A 6-10 mile family ride starting from Poolesville High School. This is a shorter ride for vaccinated riders 12 and up led by a local cyclist. (max 16 riders) (more than 60% chance of rain means no ride - rain date 9/18)
- September 12, 9am Start (8:30 snacks): An 18-25 mile ride setting forth from a private home in Dickerson and led by a local cyclist. This ride is open to vaccinated riders 18+ (max 12 riders) (more than 60% chance of rain means no ride - rain date 9/19)
Ready to Register? Click below - also you may want to attend our zoom route reveal - open to registered riders and those on the fence (the in-person rides won't be covered in the reveal, they are fully guided)
Ride Like the Reserve Depends On It...
Map by: Tina Thieme Brown - Morningstar Studio
The Agricultural Reserve is 100,000 acres of farmland and parkland set aside by Montgomery County back in the 80s to protect rapidly dwindling farmland. Montgomery Countryside Alliance is the small (but Mighty!) nonprofit that helps these farms on Metro's edge endure despite intense development pressure.
Every minute 3 acres of farmland is lost in America - the Ag Reserve is our chance to beat the trend
in Montgomery County - with your help.
in Montgomery County - with your help.
About the Farm Tour
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Please join Montgomery Countryside Alliance for the 14th 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.
Riders will choose among routes of around 10, 20, 40 and 62 miles including quiet, rolling landscapes dotted with the Reserve’s orchards, red barns and silos. Many of the routes include views of Sugarloaf Mountain. Beginners and experienced riders welcome! |
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A turn by turn look at the 62 mile ride from 2020 - options include routes for beginners or advanced riders like the folks who shared their ride here.
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Routes
We are reviewing the routes from last year and will have an updated zoom route review for you - registered riders will also have access to all cue sheets and GPS for the rides (from 8-62mi) In person rides will not have a route reveal as these rides are fully guided. |
Stops
Routes will go by local farms. Support local! Click here for the presentation we gave in 2020 on farm stops. We are reviewing the routes and may have different stops this time around. Also - some of the covid related information here is (thankfully) out of date. |
Please note - there are no refunds but transfers of registration are allowed - kristina@mocoalliance.org
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!
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!
FOR MORE INFORMATION, TO VOLUNTEER OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EVENT
Contact Kristina at kristina@mocoalliance.org
Contact Kristina at kristina@mocoalliance.org
