Slow Food Cycle Sunday

The 9th annual Pemberton Slow Food Cycle Sunday went down last Sunday under dramatic, but not rainy, skies in the Pemberton Meadows Valley. Wow, talk about picturesque! The ride was 23km from downtown Pemberton to the last farm – Camel’s Back Harvest – where the glorious blacktop turns to gravel as the valley tightens and isolation begins to set in. All told, the 46km return was fairly easy on the flat roads, aside from a bit of headwind toward the end.

It was relaxing and invigorating – farms and vendors opened their properties and a real festival vibe was achieved with musicians, BBQ, distillery tastings and good times. People of all ages and walks of life, riding every kind of bike imaginable, took part in the event – about 4000 give or take. The Slow Food snail bicycle even made an appearance at the halfway point. I took home a pannier filled with beets, zucchini, berries, freshly roasted coffee, delicious savoury pie and of course a full belly to replenish those burnt calories. I will surely be back next year to celebrate local food, cycling the country roads and enjoying the spectacular scenery north of Whistler.

As always, click the first shot below to view them all large — the best way!

Pemberton, British Columbia, 2013.