We’re excited to show off some spectacular food, farms, and farmers this weekend at the 2016 Crop Cycle bicycle tour of farms! Sponsored by the Illinois Organic Growers Association, this year’s ride will take you to six farms on an approximately 40-mile route (shorter options are available). Enjoy comradery and countryside as you visit these unique local farms to learn how sustainable food is grown in Champaign County.

ROUTE

We’ll visit six farms this year, including three vegetable farms with very different objectives in Urbana-Champaign; egg, meat, and wool producers, and a new enterprise working with perennial crops in eastern Champaign County. Ride the entire ~40-mile route, or ride about 20 miles and then visit the remaining farms by car.

SUPPORT

A bicycle mechanic from Neutral Cycle will be on site at Sola Gratia and will ride the morning portion of the route to help make sure your bike is in great shape for the ride, and to assist with mechanical issues or tire changes if needed. In addition to a special farm-fresh snack at many stops, we provide water, Gatorade, and pretzels at each farm. Restrooms will be available at several locations along the route.

LOCATION

Parking, sign-in, and lunch will be located at Sola Gratia Farm in southeast Urbana. The farm is located at Amber Lane and Philo Road, just north of the Meijer store. Sign-in will begin at 7am, and the ride will begin at 8. Arrive by 7:40 if you would like a mechanic from Neutral Cycle to help make sure your bike is ready for the day’s ride.

THE MORE THE MERRIER!

The registration fee of $55 per rider includes bagels and coffee before the ride, food samples at most farms, a t-shirt, and the post-ride luncheon featuring meats, breads and produce from the farms you’ll visit. Encourage your friends to register now at https://www.signmeup.com/site/reg/register.aspx?fid=H92VGH7

Questions? Contact Jen Burton at JenBurtonDVM@gmail.com