Hudson Valley Farm to Fork Fondo
Photo courtesy of Wrenegade Sports
Rolling hills and farm stands from the saddle, the second Hudson Valley Farm to Fork Fondo will give riders a taste of what Hudson Valley farms have to offer on Sunday, June 26.
The Fondo will offer five rides lengths and all will start and finish at Pennings Farm in Warwick. The farm features a farm market, orchard, pub and grill, garden center, ice cream stand, beer garden and hop yard.
The 8-mile Ramble Ride is for all types of bikes- kids’ bikes, rusty bikes, bikes with trailers, hybrid… they’ll travel on county roads and stop at a farm to get a farm treat about halfway through, then back to party with a BBQ at Pennings Farm.
The 12-mile Ramble Ride will stop at Heaven Hill Farm in Vernon, NJ at mile five to check out the garden center, local produce, baked goods, ice cream, outdoor accessories and unique country-style wares.
The 36 mile Picco Fondo will stop at three farm stands- 5-Spoke Creamery in Goshen, NY. The owner is a Dairy Farmer and Cyclist! He makes small-batch, raw-milk kosher cheeses, the Warwick Valley Winery and Heaven Hill.
The 54 mile Medio Fondo takes in the first three as well as Kezialain Bicentennial Farm Westtown, NY- Beef and Soons Orchards in New Hampton for baked goods - homemade pies, apple cider donuts, fudge, applesauce, jams, honey, nut butters and maple syrup.
And the big daddy Gran Fondo rides through Orange County's 'Black Dirt' farmland with stops at the first five farms and Pierson’s Farm at mile 32 in Middletown, beef and dairy, as well as Bellvale Farms at mile 78 Warwick, NY. The farm produces milk for drinking, butter, cheese and, of course, Ice Cream!
These are not gluttonous indulgences; riders will climb to earn their dinners. The Piccolo Fondo, the shortest route, will still climb 1,615 feet on the ride.
This fantabulous combining of cycling and farm food is the inspiration of Tyler Wren. Wren is a former professional cyclist. He rode for Jamis-Hagens Berman Professional Cycling Team and now runs Wrenegade Sports, LLC.
It was his experience as a cyclist riding all around the world that led to the Farm to Fork Fondo.
“The impetus happened as I traveled the world racing my bike as a professional. Riders were seeking out the quite country roads all over the world. I really like riding through farmland. As I rode I started learning more about the pressures that farms are facing,” Wren said.
“It makes sense for the cycling community to be about supporting the farming community because those are the people who are preserving the land that we love to ride through,” he explained.
Wren wanted to create a unique authentic experience where riders can get these treats from farms and shop at farmer’s markets.
In addition to the ride and BBQ there will be a free bicycles skills clinic the night before. And the Bianci Pro Women’s team will be at all four events.
The Hudson Valley Fondo is just the first in a series there will be a Vermont ride on July 7, a Pennsylvania Dutch ride August 6, and a Maine ride on August 28.
That’s just 2016; it won’t stop there. “I’m already planning for expansion for next year,” Wren said.
The Fondo will offer five rides lengths and all will start and finish at Pennings Farm in Warwick. The farm features a farm market, orchard, pub and grill, garden center, ice cream stand, beer garden and hop yard.
The 8-mile Ramble Ride is for all types of bikes- kids’ bikes, rusty bikes, bikes with trailers, hybrid… they’ll travel on county roads and stop at a farm to get a farm treat about halfway through, then back to party with a BBQ at Pennings Farm.
The 12-mile Ramble Ride will stop at Heaven Hill Farm in Vernon, NJ at mile five to check out the garden center, local produce, baked goods, ice cream, outdoor accessories and unique country-style wares.
The 36 mile Picco Fondo will stop at three farm stands- 5-Spoke Creamery in Goshen, NY. The owner is a Dairy Farmer and Cyclist! He makes small-batch, raw-milk kosher cheeses, the Warwick Valley Winery and Heaven Hill.
The 54 mile Medio Fondo takes in the first three as well as Kezialain Bicentennial Farm Westtown, NY- Beef and Soons Orchards in New Hampton for baked goods - homemade pies, apple cider donuts, fudge, applesauce, jams, honey, nut butters and maple syrup.
And the big daddy Gran Fondo rides through Orange County's 'Black Dirt' farmland with stops at the first five farms and Pierson’s Farm at mile 32 in Middletown, beef and dairy, as well as Bellvale Farms at mile 78 Warwick, NY. The farm produces milk for drinking, butter, cheese and, of course, Ice Cream!
These are not gluttonous indulgences; riders will climb to earn their dinners. The Piccolo Fondo, the shortest route, will still climb 1,615 feet on the ride.
This fantabulous combining of cycling and farm food is the inspiration of Tyler Wren. Wren is a former professional cyclist. He rode for Jamis-Hagens Berman Professional Cycling Team and now runs Wrenegade Sports, LLC.
It was his experience as a cyclist riding all around the world that led to the Farm to Fork Fondo.
“The impetus happened as I traveled the world racing my bike as a professional. Riders were seeking out the quite country roads all over the world. I really like riding through farmland. As I rode I started learning more about the pressures that farms are facing,” Wren said.
“It makes sense for the cycling community to be about supporting the farming community because those are the people who are preserving the land that we love to ride through,” he explained.
Wren wanted to create a unique authentic experience where riders can get these treats from farms and shop at farmer’s markets.
In addition to the ride and BBQ there will be a free bicycles skills clinic the night before. And the Bianci Pro Women’s team will be at all four events.
The Hudson Valley Fondo is just the first in a series there will be a Vermont ride on July 7, a Pennsylvania Dutch ride August 6, and a Maine ride on August 28.
That’s just 2016; it won’t stop there. “I’m already planning for expansion for next year,” Wren said.
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