Tag: #bikeridesinct

Pedal Through Autumn Splendor: Tour de Forest Bike Event Returns October 18

Cyclists and nature lovers alike are invited to gear up and get outside for this year’s Tour de Forest on Saturday, October 18, 2025, with proceeds supporting two local nonprofit organizations: Great Mountain Forest and Norfolk Rails to Trails.

This one-of-a-kind annual event is the perfect chance for gravel riders of all experience levels—including newcomers- to explore the sweeping beauty of Norfolk’s Great Mountain Forest, one of Connecticut’s largest undeveloped woodland areas. Even better, if you register before October 10th, you’ll have a shot at winning a free overnight stay at the award-winning Manor House in Norfolk!

There’s a course for every rider: tackle the challenging 30-mile Icebox Gravel route starting at 9:30 am, or opt for the classic 13-mile Tour de Forest ride at 10 am. Both routes wind through a mix of gravel and paved roads, offering breathtaking views and a high chance of spotting local wildlife along the way. The roads are carefully maintained to support conservation, research, and recreation—so you’ll be riding for a good cause!

The day kicks off at the Norfolk Curling Club, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. After your ride, refuel with delicious shots of maple syrup made by the Great Mountain Forest team and a cash bar at the club. All proceeds benefit the programs of Great Mountain Forest and Norfolk Rails to Trails, organizations dedicated to preserving the land and improving public access to Norfolk’s unique natural resources.

Registration is just $50 per adult, $25 per teen, and free for young riders. So why not gather your friends and family and make a day of it? As Mike Zarfos, PhD, Executive Director of Great Mountain Forest, says: “When we are in the forest, we feel inspired, healed, and strengthened. Join us for a ride that’s good for your heart and soul—and enjoy sweet and savory treats at the finish!”

Register here to secure your spot http://www.bikereg.com/norfolk-ct-tour-de-forest

About Great Mountain Forest
Great Mountain Forest (GMF) is a leader in forest stewardship, one of the largest research, education, and recreation forests in southern New England. For more than a century, we have demonstrated how sustainable management can protect biodiversity and support ecosystems. By serving as a hub for education and research, we spread the benefits of sustainable management so that communities across New England derive educational, economic, and recreational and health benefits from their forests—now and well into the future. GMF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit encompassing 6,300 acres of contiguous forestland in Norfolk, Canaan, and Falls Village, Connecticut – a true jewel in the heart of NW Connecticut.

JanetLeave a comment

Ready For a Challenge? A Fall Ride through the Unspoiled Beauty of Great Mountain Forest

Photo Credit Andrea Moss
Sign up for this year’s Tour de Forest bike ride, which will be held on Saturday, October 19, to support two local nonprofit organizations, the Great Mountain Forest and Norfolk Rails to Trails. This unique annual event offers gravel riders an unprecedented opportunity to spend a crisp autumn day enjoying the stunning beauty of one of the state’s largest undeveloped woodland areas — Norfolk’s Great Mountain Forest. New riders are welcome. Register here: https://www.bikereg.com/66582.

Photo Andrea Moss

The Tour de Forest offers two different courses, allowing riders to choose the course that matches their level of endurance. The first course, the Icebox Gravel, kicks off at 9:30 am, taking riders along 30 rugged miles of gravel and paved roads, including sections conserved by the Norfolk Land Trust. The second course, the signature Tour de Forest, starts at 10 am for a 13-mile ride on a mix of gravel and paved roads wending through and around the spectacular Great Mountain Forest. Riders are advised to keep their eyes peeled for wildlife — you never know what you might see! Great Mountain Forest’s roads are repaired and maintained annually to support the forest’s management, research, educational, and recreational activities.

photo Andrea Moss

The ride begins and ends at the Norfolk Curling Club, where registration begins at 8 a.m. All proceeds support the programs of Norfolk Rails to Trails and Great Mountain Forest. Great Mountain Forest is committed to responsible stewardship and conservation of the land for future generations and Norfolk Rails to Trails is a champion of public access to Norfolk’s unique natural resources.

At the ride’s end, bikers refuel with shots of maple syrup produced by Great Mountain Forest’s team. The fun continues at the pig roast offered by the Norfolk Curling Club for an additional fee; click here to register. https://norfolkcurlingclub.org/index.php/events/event-listings/fundraiser/pig-roast Registration fees for the Gravel Rides are $50 per adult, $25 per teen, and free for young riders. To register, click here https://www.bikereg.com/66582.

“This ride is perfect for people who want to get outdoors on a crisp autumn day and ride through one of Connecticut’s largest forests for a good cause,” said Mike Zarfos, PhD, Executive Director, of Great Mountain Forest. “When we are in the forest, we feel inspired, healed, and strengthened, and that is why we encourage everyone to come to Norfolk and join in the fun of this ride. Plus there will be sweet and savory treats at the end!”

About Great Mountain Forest
Great Mountain Forest (GMF) is a leader in forest stewardship. For more than a century, we have been demonstrating how sustainable management can protect biodiversity and support ecosystems. By serving as a hub for education and research, we are spreading the benefits of sustainable management so that communities across New England derive educational, economic, recreational, and health benefits from their forests—now and well into the future. GMF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit encompassing 6,200 acres of contiguous forestland in Norfolk, Canaan, and Falls Village Connecticut.

JanetLeave a comment