2nd Annual BIKE THE BLOSSOMS

. . . and join us at the 2nd Annual Bike the Blossoms.
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THANK YOU EVERYONE for another successful Bike the Blossoms event!!!  An estimated 2000 cyclists fanned along the cycle route from the east side to the west side enjoying the blossoms of spring, meeting local farmers, and stopping to refuel at eateries along the way.

Winners for our prizes were determined on April 25th! 

Winner:  Jacqueline Knife received a brand new single speed Brodie Alpha Urban Cruiser bicycle, perfect for slow riding, sponsored by Reckless Bike Stores; 
Winner:  Holly Munn received a gift basket from the Drive Organics; 
Winner:  Colleen Eaton received a gift basket from BOSA Fine Foods; 
Winner:  Heta Jokihaara received a Farmers Gift Basket
Winner:  Nichola Smith received a case of Certified Organic BC Beef Burgers (10lbs.) sponsored by Hills Foods Ltd. - Suppliers of Certified Organic Meats and Poultry. 
Winner:  Bill Mitchell received a Chocolate & Wine Workshop for 2 persons sponsored by Schokolade Artisan Chocolate and Cafe. 
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This self-guided tour is fun for the whole family!  Enjoy a leisurely ride along boulevards of spring cherry blossoms, traveling through a diversity of neighbourhoods from the eastside to the westside, stopping at local community centres to meet local farmers, to sample local foods and refuel at slow food designated eateries, restaurants and cafes along the way.

This year Slow Food Vancouver in partnership with The Commercial Drive Business Society, has created the Slow Taste of the Drive.  As part of our aim to increase the food element and the level of engagement between local farmers and city folk, we have invited selected eateries & restaurants on Commercial Drive to offer a Slow Taste.  So, after visiting the farmers at Britannia Community Centre, take a stroll along “the Drive”.  Find the slow food snail in the windows of participating eateries and enjoy their slow taste creations.  Eateries and restaurants will offer one (or more) of their current food items (or create one specific for the event) to be designated a Slow Taste.  The intent is that their Slow Taste will embody and represent Slow Food which is good, clean and fair.  Slow Tastes will feature ingredients:  that are organic, local and fresh; or from our food partner BOSA Fine Foods; or from participating farmers in Bike the Blossoms.  Go to featured links for more information! 

Date: Saturday, April 18th . . . rain or shine . . . it sprinkled a little snow the night before last year’s event and everyone still had a wonderful time!
Time: 10am – 4pm (arrive and leave when you want)
Place: OFFICIAL START - VanDusen Botanical Gardens (37th Avenue and Oak Street). Additional start locations are: Kitsilano Community Centre
2690 Larch Street (between 10th and 12th Avenue) and Britannia Community Centre 1661 Napier Street (at Commercial Drive).   
Cycle Tour Distance:  ~ 23 km circular route and fairly easy
Cost: $10.00 per person (children 12 and under are free)  Participants are required to register.  Pre-register for the event with Brown Paper Tickets, the first and only fair-trade ticketing service.  Go to www.brownpapertickets.com/event/60367.  Registration is also available on the day of the event at all three start locations.  Those who pre-register are eligible to win prizes.

A free Bicycle Valet Service will be available at Britannia and Kitsilano Community Centres to allow you to visit with the farmers and to enjoy the Slow Taste of the Drive.