Proceeds from the May 20 event go to MassBike, a bicycle advocacy group that supports cycling in Massachusetts.
I sometimes see certain beer fans who certainly hold their own when it comes to knocking back the brews, but yet stay a lot thinner than I do. It's kind of annoying.
Often, however, if I get to chat with them, I discover that they are also runners or cyclists—activities that certainly burn off the beer calories.
Although I do neither of those types of exercise, today's column is for those who do.
On May 20, the third annual Pedal 2 Pints will be held throughout the area. The ride is mainly for fun, but the proceeds go to MassBike, a bicycle advocacy group that supports cycling in Massachusetts.
The ride will consist of two routes, depending on riders' ambition and experience. A 35-mile loop starting at 10 a.m. will wind its way up through Deerfield by Clarkdale Fruit Farm and Warm Colors Apiary, then hits the trifecta of Green River Ambrosia (and Katalyst Kombucha), Lefty's Brewery, and then lunch at The Peoples Pint Brewery in Greenfield. After refueling, the route heads east through Turners Falls to Element Brewing in Millers Falls, returning to BBC for dinner and beers along the Connecticut River in Montague.
The 70-mile loop goes south to Amherst Brewing Company, then west on the Norwotuck Rail Trail, with a stop at Valley Malt then to the Northampton Brewery, returning north through farm country to lunch in Greenfield (visiting the trifecta of breweries listed above on the 35-mile tour), then east to Millers Falls and back to BBC for dinner and beers. The recommended start time for this route is 10 a.m.
For the really ambitious (and/or thirsty) an optional 12-mile extension will go from Greenfield to Northfield (by local grain and hop farm, Four Star Farms), then to Millers Falls and BBC. And for the truly hardcore, a northern loop from Greenfield to Brattleboro (with a stop at McNeil's Brewpub) to Northfield and BBC for a full 100-mile ride. Recommended start time for these longer routes is between 8-9 a.m.
The ride includes a Continental breakfast, lunch and dinner along with beer from the breweries as well as a commemoration pint glass. Brewers will be riding in the groups so participants will get a chance to chat about beer and brewing as they pedal along.
One of the organizers, Element Brewing's Dan Kramer, said the idea came about during a dinner in 2010 where several brewers were chatting.
"The the conversation turned from beer to bikes. It turned out we were all cyclists, so we decided to do a ride," Kramer said. "We timed it so it is the weekend that connects Bike Week and Beer Week. The first two years we limited participation to 30, because we wanted to get the hang of the logistics before opening it up to a larger group."
The entry fee $60 all-inclusive (except for the commemorative hat, which costs extra). All routes start (with breakfast) at Berkshire Brewing in South Deerfield.
Email garth@greenriverambrosia.com for a registration form.