Vermont Farm Tours Presents the First Annual Heart of the Islands Bike Tour Saturday, July 10

June 9, 2010 - PRLog -- Vermont Farm Tours Presents the First Annual Heart of the Islands Bike Tour Saturday, July 10
Snow Farm Vineyard | South Hero, Vermont | 10am-4pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melissa Meece, Vermont Farm Tours, 802.373.7779, melissa@vermontfarmtours.com

On Saturday, July 10 bring your bike, friends and family to South Hero, Vermont for the first annual Heart of the Islands Bike Tour.  Cyclists depart from Snow Farm Vineyard at 10am to explore an array of farms and art studios throughout the Lake Champlain Islands during the annual Open Farm and Studio Weekend. The tour, organized by Vermont Farm Tours—a new Burlington-based culinary tour company—is geared to both families and avid cyclists.

Riders choose between a 10, 24, or 35-mile route with stops at seven to ten farms, art studios, vineyards, and eateries. All routes include a mix of lakeside views and scenic back roads. Wide shoulders on paved stretches, smooth dirt roads, and mild hills make for enjoyable cycling. There will be plenty of places to fill water bottles, rest, and purchase lunch or snacks along the route. Bicycles will be available to rent with prior arrangements.

“I’ve been looking for a way to add a bike tour to Vermont Farm Tours’ offerings, and Heart of The Islands couldn’t be a more exciting way to start!” –Chris Howell, Vermont Farm Tours founder and guide.

Pre-registration is $35 for adults, $15 for youth ages 6-17, kids under 5 are free; day-of: $45 adults, $20 youth. Tour registration includes a detailed tour map with turn-by-turn directions, on-call mechanical support with ride-along tour marshals, a free massage, and guided tour of Snow Farm Vineyard following the ride. The first 100 registrants receive a free Vermont Farm Tours “You Are Where You Ride” water bottle, and riders who pre-register will be entered to win one of ten prizes including mens’ and womens’ Terry bike saddles.

Vermont Farm Tours is donating 10% of the total proceeds from the Heart of the Islands Bike Tour to Local Motion, a member-supported non-profit organization forging a culture of active transportation and recreation in northwestern VT. Vermont Farm Tours is also working with Native Energy to make this a carbon neutral event.

The Heart of the Islands Bike Tour is a rain or shine event. Bike helmets are required, and riders are advised to come prepared for rain, wind, or sun.

The Heart of the Islands Bike Tour is sponsored by Snow Farm Vineyard, Green Living Journal, Cabot Cheese, Terry Bicycles, Vermont Sandwich Garden, Earl’s Cyclery, Vermont Pain Relief, and Emerge Massage Studio.

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The tour is organized by Vermont Farm Tours, a Burlington, Vermont-based culinary tour company offering guided full-day and half-day tours throughout Vermont.