North Hudson, New York · Saturday, September 12, 2026
The The Handlebarley is a cycling and gravel event held on Saturday, September 12, 2026. It is located at Paradox Brewery in North Hudson, New York.
First Draft
Date: Saturday, August 8th
Start time: 7:30am (108mi.) and 12:00pm (54mi.)
Location: Twig Farm, West Cornwall, Vermont
Organized by Women’s Cycling Collective
Supported by Twig Farm
Come join a warm community of brightly spirited, endurance-minded riders as we journey through the rolling and occasionally lumpy gravel hills of Addison County. Our 108- and 54-mile routes begin and end at Twig Farm in Cornwall, Vermont, offering a beautiful and unique setting to challenge yourself, connect with others, remain well nourished, and enjoy a memorable day on the bike.
Whether you’re experienced with longer-distance riding or are building your comfort, confidence, and endurance, there's a place for you here. Our goal is to create opportunities for riders of all experience and confidence levels to ride together, learn from one another, and discover what's possible through shared miles and shared experience. We believe some of the most meaningful growth happens not only through individual effort, but through the encouragement, insight, and camaraderie of a supportive community. To put it most simply, we grow stronger together.
The ride is intentionally structured to give athletes the flexibility to plan and approach the day in a way that best supports their individual goals. Whether focused on performance, practicing pacing and fueling strategies, building confidence over longer distances, or simply enjoying a strong day on the bike, the format creates opportunities to ride dynamically with others while pursuing individual objectives. By fostering supportive connections and shared experiences, the event is designed to maximize engagement, enhance performance, and create meaningful opportunities for learning and growth.
Riders taking on the 108-mile route depart at 7:30am to complete the first 54-mile loop before returning to Twig Farm. At 12:00pm, after an opportunity to rest, refuel and regroup over a shared brunch/lunch, all riders head back out to complete the second loop, this time joined by riders taking on the 54-mile route. This offers a dynamic riding environment that is quite different from a traditional endurance ride, where groups often separate early and remain unchanged for the rest of the day.
Longer isn’t always the goal. The 108mi. route may appeal to you because you’ve been building your endurance. Riding a shorter distance, however, such as the 54mi route may allow you to challenge yourself in different ways, pushing your pace, riding more dynamically with others, practicing fueling and pacing strategies at higher intensity, or simply discovering a new level of confidence. Both distances offer meaningful opportunities for growth, learning and accomplishment. The “right” choice is the one that best aligns with your goals for the day.
This format creates something that doesn't often exist in larger group endurance rides. Rather than many riders spending the day falling farther behind the finish while others are already celebrating, the midpoint becomes a shared start (or restart) point. Athletes have the opportunity to reconnect, meet new people, form new groups, and begin the second half of the day together. The shared meal offers nourishment, creates space to reflect on the first half of the ride, compare experiences, adjust pacing or fueling strategies, and apply those lessons immediately during the afternoon. Whether your goal is performance, confidence, learning, or connection, the day is designed to maximize engagement while providing meaningful opportunities to build on the fitness, skills, and experience developed through training.
Women's Cycling Collective and Twig Farm are committed to creating collaborative, rider-focused opportunities that support, encourage, and connect riders as they explore their potential through training and endurance through the context of the bike and the natural world. By bringing together riders with diverse backgrounds and abilities, we hope to foster engaging learning experiences, build lasting connections, and cultivate a culture where all riders can thrive and grow. We invite you to be part of the collective energy that uplifts, empowers, and inspires riders, both on and off the bike.
Thank you to our generous business supporters and partners for enriching rider experience and making this event possible: Twig Farm, Velocio, Sunrise Orchards, Frog Hollow Bikes, Darn Tough Vermont, and Julbo.
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General Information: Details, including routes and other specifics are subject to change. All participants will be emailed updated and current information, including routes and course information, in the days leading up to the ride.
There are a number of questions we are asking participants to answer during the registration process. While only some are “required,” responding to all will help us shape the event in ways that better meet individual needs and preferences when and where possible.
Registration closes Saturday, August 2nd at 5pm. There is NO DAY OF RIDE REGISTRATION.
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Musette bags have been donated by Velocio for the first fourteen riders who register under all categories combined.
Musette bags will be available at packet pickup.
For riders completing the 108mi, this will provide an opportunity to regroup with other riders, and a sense of familiarity in the second half, with a different perspective and feel since riding in the opposite direction.
Riders completing the 54mi will bring fresh legs and new energy, while 108mi riders will bring the experience (and accumulated fatigue) of an already challenging first lap.
The route will be partially marked. Riders are expected to carry bike computers/GPS/phones that can support full navigation.
Mile 0 (start): Twig Farm, Cornwall, Vermont
Mile 22: Orwell Town Green, Frog Hollow Bikes - full SAG (nutrition, hydration)
Mile 54: Twig Farm, Cornwall - full SAG (nutrition, hydration, lunch/brunch), drop bag access, riders must depart no later than 12:30pm cutoff.
Mile 85.5: Orwell Town Green, Frog Hollow Bikes - full SAG (nutrition, hydration), riders must depart no later than 4pm cutoff.
Mile 108: Twig Farm, Cornwall - full SAG (nutrition, hydration, dinner), riders expected to return by 6:30pm.
108mi riders may choose to prepare personal drop bags labeled with their name to leave at the Twig Farm barn to avoid going to their vehicle at the halfway point of the ride.
Bins to drop unneeded layers or gear will be available at SAG (54mi route: mile 32.5; 108mi route: miles 22, 54, and 85.5). Bins will be returned to Twig Farm by 6:30pm on the day of the event.
Route links: Complete routes include checking in at every aid station.
WCC Twig Farm - 54mi clockwise, 7:30am start · Ride with GPS followed by WCC Twig Farm - 54mi counterclockwise, 12:30pm start · Ride with GPS )
Please make sure to download BOTH of the above routes if riding the 108mi route. Each lap has a separate file to avoid computer confusion which can happen with some head units when a route overlaps upon itself.
Cut off times:
12:30pm - all 108mi riders must depart from Twig Farm for 2nd lap (regroup and 54mi ride departs Twig Farm at 12pm)
4pm - all riders (54mi and 108mi) must depart from Mile 32.5(54mi ride)/85.5(108mi ride) Orwell Town Green SAG
6:30pm - all riders (54mi and 108mi) expected back at Twig Farm
Packet pickup, SAG drop bag drop-off: (please identify time while registering)
6:30-7:15am (108mi)
11:00am-11:45pm (54mi)
Raffle items:
(2 tickets included with 108mi registration, 1 ticket included with 54mi registration, limit one raffle item per participant)
Velocio - RECON Backpack
Velocio - Hydration Pack
Julbo - one pair of performance glasses
Darn Tough Vermont - 16 pairs of wool socks
Women's Cycling Collective - (2) 1mo. live virtual winter training WCC Velocity basic membership (or prorated 1mo discount if the athlete is purchasing a full season membership package). This can be transferred to any woman.
Full schedule of events:
6:30-7:15am - packet pick up/drop bag collection at Twig Farm for 108mi riders
7:15am - gather to connect with fellow riders and for group photo
7:20am - official group welcome, safety review, reminders, remaining questions and answers
7:30am - controlled start led by Women's Cycling Collective and Twig Farm to Wooster Road
11:00am-11:45pm - packet pickup at Twig Farm for 54mi riders, Twig Farm brunch/lunch offered to all riders
11:50pm - gather for group photo (54mi riders and 108mi riders who have made it back to Twig Farm)
12:00pm - 54mi counterclockwise departure (second lap for 108mi riders)
12:30pm - cutoff time for 108mi riders to depart from Twig Farm
4pm - cut off time for riders departing from Mile 32.5(54)/85.5(108) Orwell Town Green SAG
4-7:00pm - dinner prepared by Twig Farm, sparkling non-alcoholic and hard cider provided by Sunrise Orchards
6:30pm - all riders expected to be back at Twig Farm
Raffle drawing time TBD - riders do not need to be present to win, arrangements will be made to pick up items at alternate time or postage can be paid if winners wish to have item shipped.
Pre-event Workshops, Clinics, and Coaching:
Barring extremely rare and dangerous weather conditions, this event and associated offerings will take place rain or shine. In the unforeseen event of cancellation, refunds will not be issued.
If you have questions about event details, any of the offerings, or want/need to learn more before making a decision to participate, please do not hesitate to reach out to Liz Wolf or Michael Lee, First Draft Ride Organizers.
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WHAT: kids' mountain bike race followed by a free trailhead cookout
WHO: pre-K through high school mountain bikers (striders included)
WHEN: morning of Saturday, August 29th, 2026
WHERE: Hardy Road Trails/Beaver Brook Tract in Wilmington, NY
This is the eighth year for this awesome kids event and the first year that the Barkeater Trails Alliance is hosting it. This race was started by kids, for kids, and we're stoked to continue that legacy this year. Last year the race attracted more than 80 kids and their families.
Race categories span from pre-K to 12th grade and the race course changes with each age range.
The youngest age groups do a loop on Beaver Brook View Trail, a 0.3-mile crushed-stone path on lower Hardy.
3rd - 5th graders ride a 1.4-mile route Coniferous to Lost Farm Trails.
6th - 8th graders ride a 2.0-mile route of Make Believe to Coniferous to Lost Farm.
9th - 12th graders have a 2.5-mile route including Lost Farm, All In, and Ante Up trails.
We're also hosting a cookout after the race, so don't jet off right after you make the podium. Stick around for a free sizzling hotdog and crisp, cold juice.
Thank you so much to all the volunteers, sponsors, and racers who make this stellar event possible!
Join us for our second Tour de Farms in and around Middlebury, this year with a family-friendly route! Enjoy panoramic views and beautiful back roads as you visit local farms in Middlebury, Weybridge, Cornwall, and Salisbury, Vermont. This scenic ride features several relaxed farm stops with multiple food producers who will offer you a taste of all the Champlain Valley has to offer! All samples are included in the ride, but cash is handy in case you'd like to purchase products along the way. Don't worry about carrying all of your goodies on the bike; we'll have a farm van to pick up your purchases and deliver them to the finish for you!
Much of the course is along dirt and/or gravel roads, so grab your gravel grinder or your mountain bike. If you've got a road bike, consider putting wider tires on it for this ride. It'll be worth it! E-bikes are welcome and encouraged as a comfortable option. Many Vermont libraries offer free E-bike rentals, and our local bike shop and tour sponsor, Frog Hollow Bikes, has a great rental fleet.
Commemorative t-shirts and bike jerseys are available for pre-sale!
There will be a rolling start time for all ride distances. 37 Mile riders will begin between 9:00 and 9:30 am, plan to check in between 8:30 am and 9:30 am. 8 Mile riders will begin between 10:00 and 10:30 am, and plan to check in between 8:30 am and 9:30 am. Inexperienced and slower riders should plan to leave as close to 9 am as possible to ensure they complete the route, which is a little longer than in previous years. We will send off several different waves of riders, so don't feel like you have to be first in line. Waves prevent farm stops from becoming overwhelmed and ensure proper road safety.
100% of the proceeds from the Tour fund our work at ACORN and directly support our local foodshed. Given the importance of this ride to our work with farmers and food producers in the Champlain Valley, we invite riders to fundraise or make an additional donation. This is in an effort to lean on our committed local network of supporters during this time of uncertain funding.
No One Turned Away for Lack of Funds. Please get in touch with us if you’d like a scholarship or to purchase a ticket on a sliding scale: [email protected].