A farm, food and cycling mecca, the Comox Valley is offering up a special treat again this summer.
Several of the local farms are opening their gates to cyclists, participating in the Farm Cycle Tour, to give a ‘behind the scenes’ experience in the farm‐to fork process with a chance to meet the farmer, explore the source of the produce and taste some fresh samples of their harvest before it goes to market or the restaurants.
Come rain or shine, the Comox Valley Farm Cycle Tour will roll out three self-guided cycling routes on Aug. 11 and Aug. 12. Farms will open their gates to cyclists from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., giving visitors a rare chance to meet local producers and participate in farm tours, demonstrations and farm markets.
“This is our second year hosting the Comox Valley Farm Cycle Tour,” said Willy vanKemenade, chair of the Comox Valley Farm Cycle Tour and member of the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition. “Based on its popularity last year we have extended it to two days this year and have partnered with local hotels to offer visitors fantastic weekend accommodation packages. Affordable bike rental options will also be available.”
The three self-guided cycling routes range from 18 km up to 58 km and include berry to dairy farms, wine tastings to heritage vegetables, sprouts to oysters, and the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market.
Back Road Bliss is a moderate cycling route open Aug. 11 that travels northward t visit a number of interesting farms.
Rural Ramble is a shorter, family‐friendly route open on Saturday, Aug. 11 that visits farms in the Dove
Creek area. Bayviews is a moderate cycling route open Aug. 12 that visits farms from Royston to Fanny
Bay with gorgeous views of the Strait of Georgia.
Hosted by the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition and in partnership with the Comox Valley Farmers' Market
Association, Comox Valley Farmers' Institute and Discover Comox Valley, the cost to participate in the
Farm Cycling Tour is $15 per person per day, or $25 for both days. Kids under 15 ride for free!
For more information on the many participating Farms or to register for the Farm Cycling Tour, visit
www.cvfarmcycletour.com.
— Comox Valley Cycling Coalition