Farm to Table: Pioneer Valley Paradise

Picture perfect rides that crisscross the Connecticut River and wind through college towns and the wooded hills of the Pioneer Valley.

The Connecticut River Valley is what’s left of North America’s sixth great lake, the 200 mile long glacial Lake Hitchcock. With Northampton at the valley center, this terrain is flat to rolling farmland, with forested hills as you climb out of the valley. Northampton is a destination city, with many options for food, museums, shops, and breweries located within easy reach of the rail trail. Active farms and thousands of acres of conservation land within the city limits give the area balance as a natural landscape with cultural amenities. With paved riding surfaces that are ideal for road bikes, the Pioneer Valley boasts a long history of cycling and bicycle culture combined with a passionate pursuit of equality for all peoples. This area was home to equality pioneers, such as Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass as well as several experimental utopian communities.

Highlights

• Ride on 700’ and 1600’ rail trail bridges across the Connecticut River
• Enjoy tastings of locally produced cheeses, pasture-raised meats, artisanal bread, handmade pastries, local wines, heirloom ciders, or craft beers
• Safely exit and enter the city for the daily rides on the Northampton Rail Trail System, connecting nine towns with 27 miles of car-free paved rail trail
• After your daily Ciclismo ride, guests can rent an e-bike for a three mile round-trip to see the river at sunset from the Norwottuck Bridge
• Northampton is the hometown of Calvin Coolidge: Governor, Vice President, and 30th US President
• Discover a thriving local food, culture and arts community in downtown Northampton.
• Savory Foodie Treasures included on this Exclusive Tour