It's the Sunshine Coast's first Slow Food Cycle this weekend

Dozens of cyclists will take to the streets of upper Gibsons this Sunday, July 30, for the first annual Sunshine Coast Slow Food Cycle. 

Modelled on similar rides in Pemberton and Agassiz, the Sunshine Coast Slow Food Cycle is a self-guided ride that invites cyclists to visit more than a dozen different locations, checking out fresh produce at local farms, visiting local cideries and craft brewers, and enjoying live entertainment.

Early this spring, members of Transportation Choices Sunshine Coast (TraC) decided to combine their passion for safe cycling and the environment with their support for locally grown produce. This led to the idea of bringing a Slow Food Cycle to the Sunshine Coast. 

“Living here on the Coast, we are all experiencing first hand the effects of climate change. It’s important to find ways to lessen our reliance on fossil fuels and reduce our overall footprint. Encouraging the use of bikes as a means of transportation and buying from local producers is a positive step in that direction,” said Alun Woolliams, TraC president. “E-bikes have also now made the Sunshine Coast’s hilly terrain easy riding for everyone.”

The route begins at Persephone Brewing Company and offers something for every age and interest. Grounded Acres and Gibsons Farm are both offering farm tours. Cyclists can chat with a local historian at Gail’s Pies, pick up fresh produce at roadside stands and farmers’ markets, put their gardening questions to a master gardener at Quality Garden and Pet, learn about beekeeping at Banditry Cidery or mushroom cultivation at Walker Farms, play with baby goats at Gibsons Farms and enjoy complimentary waffles at The Shortcut food truck. Persephone Brewing is hosting a party at the end of the ride with music from Susana Williams.

TraC works to make our road network safer for cyclists and others and to reduce our climate emissions. The Slow Food Ride is an opportunity to showcase all that our local farmers and entrepreneurs have to offer.  

Riders should know that while the route is relatively flat on mostly rural roads and some trail sections, they will be sharing the road with cars on other sections. Both regular and e-bikes are welcome.  

So drag your old bike out of the garage, pump up the tires, and strap on your panniers  so you can stock up on local produce and sample the food and drink produced by our hard-working local entrepreneurs. 

For more information and to register, visit transportationchoices.ca/wp/slow-food-cycle, or register on Sunday, July 30, at Persephone Brewing.