I think I’ve found the jorg&olif Holy Grail.
A 30-kilometre Slow Food Farm Gate Tour cycling route northwest of Almonte.
The people behind Mississippi Mills Bicycle Month have put together three different routes that take you past a number of local food producers. The tour covers up to a dozen farms.
If you don’t feel quite up for the 30km version, you could try the 22k and 15k versions. There’s also a 3k version for the kids.
Here’s a quick overview of what the 30km Slow Food Farm Gate Tour cycling route includes:
You start at the Almonte Farmers Market, head up Martin St. N, stopping at Greens with Spirit before Blakeney. You turn left onto the Blakeney road to 29, crossing over the Blakeney rapids. You turn right on 29 and follow until Cedar Hill Side Road where you turn left. Cedar Hill School will be on your right shortly. The next stop is Cedar Hill Berries. From Cedar Hill Side Road you turn left on Concession 7 (gravel). You turn left on the Clayton road. If you want to visit the Mill of Kintail turn left on Concession 8. Turn left on Highway 29 which takes you to Riverside Garden. You will pass the James Naismith House. You turn around on Highway 29 and take it all the way back to Almonte.
It’s the best way to combine our love of cycling with our passion for discovering where our food comes from.
The bad news is, I noticed this slightly too late and the main event happened on the 25th June. However, they have uploaded a handy map so you can take the tour yourself. The farms might not all be open, but if you go on a Saturday you can benefit from the Almonte Farmers’ Market.
Do you know of any other activities like this which combine slow food with cycling?
Image: Flickr user ubrayj02
